Will Geoff Ogilvy start the season off on top?
Welcome to 2011, and with it, the start of the fantasy golf season. That’s right folks, it’s that time when you get to feel the frustration of your seven iron from the comfort of your couch.
Don’t worry, the Weekly Approach Shot is here to offer you some perspective on the upcoming tournament that will help you find a fantasy golfer who will find the top spot and earn you some quick points out of the gate.
Tournament: Hyundai Tournament of Champions
Date: January 6th to the 9th
Location: Kapalua Resort – Kapalua, Maui, Hawai’I (since 1999)
Defending Champion: Geoff Ogilvy (-22)
About the course: The Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort is a unique course on the PGA tour. It is the only course to play to par 73. It is both extremely long and short at the same time, with seven holes over 500 yards and six par-4s under 400 yards. Since the tournament was moved to Kapalua in 1999, the winner has won with an average score of –19.8.
Golfers to watch: Last year’s winner, Geoff Ogilvy, is looking for the three-peat this year and is the favorite to win. Last year he shot under 70 in all four rounds, which make him a great play for the whole weekend. Ogilvy’s attempt to three-peat is his way of paying homage to fellow countryman Stuart Appleby, who won each year from 2004-2006. Appleby will be looking to prove that his Comeback Player of the Year award was no fluke with a big start in 2011.
Ernie Els set the tournament record back in 2003 when he won with a 31 under par, making him an interesting option to consider for this tournament. Els is currently the second favorite to win, coming only slightly behind Ogilvy. In general, American’s have not performed particularly well here, with no American winning since Jim Furyk won in 2001. So, if you’re looking to take a flyer, consider Australian Adam Scott a solid fantasy sleeper, as an Australian has managed to finish first five of the past seven years. Must be because Maui is such a short flight from the land down under.