Some people might think that Tiger Woods curling in another winning putt on the 72nd hole at Bay Hill is exciting. And it is, to an extent. But it’s not nearly as exciting as your boy Shanks here occupying first place in a fantasy league. Woo hoo!!!! The lead is a minute $400K in earnings over second place and $1 million over third.
Being in a fantasy league for any amount is something most real fans of golf would enjoy. It definitely adds a little spice to your viewing experience when you’ve got something riding on the outcome of every shot. I was less than thrilled when the cameras showed my number one pick Hunter Mahan FIVE-putting on 16 for triple bogey to throw away over $100,000 in earnings. Later, I was alternately annoyed and enthralled when Pat Perez hit his second shot on 18 into the rocks then nearly made par. Yes, I lost serious cheese with that final hole bogey but loved the effort. Two shots back going into the last, Perez was trying to knock it stone dead for birdie just in case Woods and Sean O’Hair both bogeyed it behind him. That’s the attitude I want all my team to have.
We’re a third of the way into the season and I’ve been on top for about a month. My team has managed two PGA Tour wins so far: Perez at the Hope and Dustin Johnson at Pebble. Matt Kuchar has been very solid with a top 10 and 2 other top 15 finishes but Henrik Stenson has not done much in his 2 PGA Tour starts this year. Considering his hot start in the European Tour events in the desert, look for him to pick up the pace very soon.
But my secret weapon may well be my final round selection, rookie Jiyai Shin of the LPGA. She has a win and a second so far in 2009 and if you check the stats, you’ll find her presently atop the money list with nearly a half million dollars. That’s right, she’s ahead of Ochoa, Creamer, et al. It took HOFer Karrie Webb shooting the low round of the day in the final group on Sunday to deny her a second win in 2009. Not too bad considering she’s playing many of these courses for the very first time.
Coming up immediately after Houston this weekend is the Masters for the first of 5 side payouts. I like the way my team is playing going in.
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