Players Winner?

[Wood]

Anyone have any thoughts on the dark horse that will win this week? Given the late history of the tourney, and the way the big 5 are playing, it has got to be someone outside the big guns- BUT WHO?

[gripitandripit]

I think Toms and Ogilvy are the hottest on tour right now. It seems like Sawgrass is a long hitters course, but Funk won last year, so Toms and Ogilvy have as good a shot as Tiger or Vijay.

[jeffgladchun]

I like Tiger to win, his ball striking was solid last week and you can bet the farm that he won't let his putter get away from him again.

But Ogilvy's been playing great lately, and there are all the wildcards like Bart Bryant and others. Can't count Toms out either.

[Thrash13]

David Toms is definitely sneaky long and playing as well as anyone in the world not named Tiger Woods. It wouldn't surprise me if he won.

However, here's my dark horse pick: Scott Verplank

Verplank is nothing short of solid week in and week out, and he finished very strong here last year. If the weather is bad, you can't go wrong with Verplank. If the weather is good, I see Tiger or Toms winning it.

By the way, I love this tourney!! It's my favorite of the year!

[iacas]

David Toms is definitely sneaky long and playing as well as anyone in the world not named Tiger Woods. It wouldn't surprise me if he won.

I was going to pick Verplank! Darn you, you beat me to it. I'll have to think of someone else... a dark horse pick. I think Tiger will do well, and a few other bigger names. And c'mon, Toms? The guy's not a dark horse. He's 7th in the OWGR!

Anyway, my second dark-horse pick after Verplank is...... ...... ..... ...... ...... ........ ............ Davis Love III. Yeah, I know, so shoot me. My third dark horse is Stuart Appleby, if he counts, and then Tom Lehman as a real surprise winner.

[kiwidave]

I think Toms and Ogilvy are the hottest on tour right now. It seems like Sawgrass is a long hitters course, but Funk won last year, so Toms and Ogilvy have as good a shot as Tiger or Vijay.

As soon as i seen this thread I was going write the same thing. There in form so I don't see why the can't be there come Sunday. As for a dark-horse I'll throw David Howell's name into the ring.

[gripitandripit]

Freddy always seems to do well at Sawgrass too

[Baynative]

Anyone have any thoughts on the dark horse that will win this week? Given the late history of the tourney, and the way the big 5 are playing, it has got to be someone outside the big guns- BUT WHO?

Tiger, naturally. But there is also something about composure and attitude that plays a bigger part (it seems) in the Masters than other majors. That's why solid play for the first three days has disappeared from Monty with just one stroke. Sergio, also seems to have trouble regaining his emotions after a bad hole.

With that in mind, I'm watching for; Michael Campbell, Darren Clarke, David Toms, DL III, Fred Funk and (longshot) Jason Gore to maybe surprise the leaders on Sunday if they are close.

[Indian Sensation]

Sleepers huh...how about these names: Ben Curtis, Olin Browne, and the sleeper of all sleeper pics, Arjun Atwal.

Yes, I said Arjun Atwal, you have heard it here first!!!!!!

[mediaguru]

I think someone outside of the big 5 will win. Toms perhaps. It's funny when they call Toms a short hitter. He hit's the damn thing 290. That's long enough.

[flap]

Ofcourse I want Phill.My dark horses are Villegas and Dimarco

[The Undaunted Duffer]

Sleepers huh...how about these names: Ben Curtis, Olin Browne, and the sleeper of all sleeper pics, Arjun Atwal.

Atwal? Quite an interesting choice indeed. Do you know something the rest of us don't?

I'm going with Tim Clark. The man has game, and I think he's going to make things happen big time this year. Don't count out Adam Scott either.

[Indian Sensation]

You may be shocked but Arjun has played OK lately and he was doing good on my ESPN Golf Team, so I figure why not take him. Plus, it doesnt hurt where he is from!!!!!

I mean you have to remember he tied 4th in the Buick Invitational and he missed a birdie putt to make the playoff!!! That is pretty good behind ol man Tiger!!!!

[iacas]

Ofcourse I want Phill.My dark horses are Villegas and Dimarco

Funny thing is, only DiMarco's withdrawal allowed Villegas into the field...

[Thrash13]

Well, it's early in the game, but the 17th hole is already adding golf balls to the collection. Phil Mickelson and Bob Tway took double bogeys, and Bob Estes took a quadruple bogey. It's always nice to see the 17th wreaking some havoc on the golfers.

I do believe Michael Campbell birdied it, however.

Also, I have to get out my CH3 shout-out for the week. He is -2 after four holes after carding an eagle at the second hole. That may be all the bragging I get to do this week for CH3.

[iacas]

Anyway, my second dark-horse pick after Verplank is......

Woohoo! -7 through 17 today. Leadin' the tournament!

Let's hope he doesn't succumb to the "III" curse CHIII has displayed - play well the first "III" days, but forget about the "IV"th.

[sungho_kr]

Davis love is good but like so many other players, he has the deamons that stop him from finishing like Tiger. Tiger is not in it cuz his dad might pass away any moment. Jim Furyk can get the job done. Bernhard Langer is to up and down. Migue Jimenez is not really a PGA tour player. So here comes my leader board final. (ITS GOING TO BE SICK)
1. -11 Jim Furyk -putting is the key
T2.-11 Aaron Oberholser, Fred Couples
T3- -10 Vijay Singh-best ball stiker, Retief Goosen, Ben Crane
4. -8 Tiger Woods maybe withdrawed
T5. -7 Joe Durant, KJ CHOI- go korea, Brad Faxon, Henrik Stenson - one for the european, Fred Funk, Shingo Katayama, Ernie, Nick Price (WHAT!! ) and Lehman - amazing if he won wouldn't it
T6. -6 9 players tied -lee westwood and others(hensby)

I could be dead on or totally off like my NCAA Brackets, DUKE lost, Kansas lost, UCLA lost, OMG, about 30 freakn upsets. NExt year im just going to draw out of a hat. K?

[iacas]

Davis love is good but like so many other players, he has the deamons that stop him from finishing like Tiger.

Health?

Migue Jimenez is not really a PGA tour player.

He's done quite well on the Euro Tour...

So here comes my leader board final. (ITS GOING TO BE SICK)

He shot -7 in the first round. You expect him to do half as well in the remaining three rounds?