Mercedes Championship preview: And then there were 31

If more players shun this season opener you’ll easily be able to fit those left into a single Merc, which would be handy for sightseeing. Not that the dwindling numbers deter the PGA Tour people. They’ve decided to hold a special ceremony at Kapalua to mark the start of the season. Before you know it we’ll have marching bands and flypasts!

At one point it looked like our band of 31 would be down to 30 when the new, improved PGA Tour website was gripped by the gremlins and left Aaron Baddeley off the field sheet. But he’s there in the starting lineup right enough.

Which is more than I am. I’m barely over the last season and here we are back following the fortunes of Vijay Singh et al in Hawaii. Ah well, happy new year to one and all, including Vijay.

Question is, will it be a happy one for him now he’s revamped his swing and got himself a new trainer? Most pundits seem to think so although the market makes Jim Furyk a joint favourite.

With virtually everyone a bit rusty and the form book so old it’s probably wiser to leave this one alone. Singh’s record here is first class and there’s nothing to say he won’t now grip this tournament by the throat like Stuart Appleby used to. Except creeping age possibly? I go with the market in thinking he won’t have it all his own way in the wind, and possibly rain we can expect.

I’m not sure about Furyk either: he’s a previous winner here and, with a house on course, knows the place pretty well. But he struggled to find a win at all last season.

Rory Sabbatini made a pig’s ear of this event last year after coming especially early to practise for it. I believe he’s done the same this year and I would expect him to put in a lot better showing.

K J Choi will undoubtedly be out to impress and he came a respectable 8th last year.

Justin Leonard may pick up on his late revival last year, although his form here is no more than respectable.

You could in fact make a plausible for case for just about everyone. But I did say just about. I’m surprised to see Brian Bateman on offer at less than 300. If he wins I’ll organise my own flypast, only it’ll be armed.