Fantasy Golf Picks: The Masters
This is going to be one heck of a week for professional golf. My favorite tournament and sporting event of the year is finally upon us as The Masters welcomes the best players in the world for the PGA Tour's first Major of 2011. The obvious favorite this week is defending champion Phil Mickelson, who not only won last week's Shell Houston Open in impressive fashion, but also appears to be in good health and on top of his game. There are literally too many "favorites" to choose from in this field, so I am going to play it safe and make an attempt to get my fantasy golf season back on track this week. Read on to see who I chose for my fantasy golf roster for The Masters.
A List
Starter: Phil Mickelson; Bench: Tiger Woods
This is should come as no surprise to anyone as I am sure Lefty will be the starter for 90% of fantasy golf players this week. His win last year at Augusta was one of the more exciting finishes in the history of the tournament, let alone the most emotional I can remember in a very long time. Tiger Woods is on the bench for me this week, because regardless of how he has played as of late one cannot overlook his success at this course. Four green jackets will make him a constant fixture on my roster for this tournament on an annual basis.
B List
Starters: Paul Casey, Bubba Watson; Bench: Steve Stricker, Tim Clark
Paul Casey and Bubba Watson can both hit the ball a mile, and as many players have shown over the years length will equate Masters wins. This might just be a delusion of grandeur on my part, but something just seems "right" about placing Watson on my roster for this year's tournament; he seems to be n the brink of something great and has played solid golf this season (only one missed cut in 8 events). Stricker is having another fantastic year in terms of fantasy golf points, having racked up 44 points thusfar in 2011. In the process, he has also recorded three Top-10 finishes in only 5 events. Tim Clark always seems to play well at Augusta as well, despite being one of the shorter hitters on Tour. He wil be a solid back-up in case one of my starters falters early on in the tournament.
C List
Starter: Fred Couples; Bench: Martin Kaymer
Freddy is simply comfortable at Augusta; period. The former Masters winner is routinely in contention on an almost annual basis, and his recent strong play in a few visits to the PGA Tour this year makes him a definite start this week. World #1 Martin Kaymer very well could win this week, however his inexperience in the event makes places him on the bench to begin this week.
