Fantasy Golf Picks: 2012 Shell Houston Open

Seems like everything is right in the golf world once again. Tiger Woods wins at Bay Hill last week, the Masters is a mere week away, and the PGA TOUR returns to the Shell Houston Open this week at Redstone Golf Club. Does it get any better than this? Click the link below to see my fantasy golf picks for the 2012 Shell Houston Open. A List

Starter: Phil Mickelson; Bench: Keegan Bradley

Mickelson has played well at this event in the past (as with most events his participates in), and looks to make one final "tuning" stop before making another run at a Green Jacket at Augusta. Looks for him to play super-aggressively this week as he tests his game before the year's first major. Keegan Bradley has played well all season in 2012, never finishing lower than 22nd to date. His first visit to Redstone last season was a bit shakey, but look for him to make a strong showing this week.

B List

Starters: Ernie Els, Lee Westwood; Bench: Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan

It doesn't get more simple than this: Ernie Elshasto play well this week otherwise he isn't going to Augusta. With that being said, I anticipate the Hall of Famer to pull himself together for four solid rounds of golf and make a valiant attempt to not miss his first Masters next week. Westwood is also in "major-prep" mode, so he may also play rather aggressively throughout the week. Fowler and Mahan are sleepers this week, although I doubt they will make a serious run at the trophy.

C List

Starter: Graeme McDowell; Bench: Aaron Baddeley

McDowell was in the final round last week against Woods at Bay Hill, but just ran into a buzzsaw. That's not to say he didn't have a great week overall, so I look for him to keep his hotstreak going this week at Redstone.  Baddeley has played well here in the past, so he should be a solid back-up if needed.