Posted by Jason Sobel
LAHAINA, Hawaii -- I'm on to you, golf fans.
The most popular question I hear this time of year is, "Who are your sleeper picks on the PGA Tour?" At first I thought, "Great, people want to watch some lesser-known players, get to know them, follow their careers." But no. It seems most of you are simply asking these questions to get a leg up on the fantasy golf season, trying to outwit your fellow competitors by choosing a few under-the-radar players. (ESPN.com's own Best Ball Challenge starts this week. You can sign up here.)
Well, I'm OK with that.
Just one caveat: I'm often wrong on predictions like these. So if you follow my lead and find yourself mired in last place come August, don't send me the bill.
And with that, here are my top 10 PGA Tour fantasy golf sleeper picks for the coming season:
1. Aaron Baddeley: He was a can't-miss kid who has turned into a could-miss young adult, but the Aussie simply has too much game not to succeed on this level. I think he'll have a breakout season.
2. Geoff Ogilvy: I know I'm repeating some choices from my recent Weekly 18 column of players who could make The Leap in '06 (Ogilvy topped that list) -- and I'm not so sure Ogilvy is a sleeper anymore -- but the guy can flat-out play. If you're in a league that rewards points for things like driving accuracy, GIR and putting, then he should be a second- or third-round pick.
3. Trevor Immelman: As a member of last year's Presidents Cup International team, Immelman received an opportunity to gain full status on tour and he accepted it. How many events will he play? Which ones will he play? Those are questions Immelman himself may not even have the answers for yet, but if he plays about 25 events, he'll win one of 'em.
4. Billy Mayfair: Another guy who's solid for leagues that use statistical categories rather than just money earned. Mayfair joined Ogilvy as the only players in the top 10 of the tour's All-Around category in '05 who aren't bona fide stars. He also could have made a claim to last year's Comeback Player of the Year Award; Olin Browne took the award after winning the Deutsche Bank Championship, but Mayfair was more consistent throughout the season.
5. Camilo Villegas: As a rule of thumb, rookies shouldn't be drafted too high in any fantasy golf league. Of course, Ryan Moore and Bill Haas probably went fairly quick in some leagues, but I like Villegas, too. Look for him to challenge in some opposite-field events like the Chrysler Classic of Tucson and B.C. Open, where top players will be occupied with bigger tournaments the same week.
6. Arjun Atwal: Everyone on tour can hit the ball. If you can make putts, you can win some cash. Atwal led the tour in putting average last season; if he keeps it up, that could mean a big increase to his bank account this season.
7. Brian Davis: At his press conference the other day, Jim Furyk noted that every time he looked up at a leaderboard during the West Coast swing last year, it seemed like Brian Davis' name was on there. He could get off to another hot start this year.
8. Arron Oberholser: Here's another guy who thrives on the West Coast, finishing T-6 at both Torrey Pines and Pebble Beach last season. He's been close to victory a few times; don't be surprised to see him grab one this year.
9. Pat Perez: One more quick starter for your list. Perez always plays well on the West Coast, but his game could be getting in gear for bigger events, too. He finished T-6 at last year's PGA Championship. And he's a guy all golfers can relate to, outwardly showing his negative emotion when things don't go his way on the course.
10. Brendan Jones: Yes, I'm still sticking with this guy, even though he only has partial status on tour after finishing 144th on the money list last year. I kept waiting for him to break out last season and he showed some signs, but it never really happened. Like Villegas, Jones will earn his money in smaller and opposite-field events this season.
For those of you who need a quick fix this week (read: Who's going to win the Mercedes Championships?), it's hard not to like Vijay Singh, but I'm going with Michael Campbell as my pick to win. Keeping with the theme of the column though, if you're looking for a sleeper pick this week, try a long hitter. Even though the weather forecast calls for sunny skies, it rained Wednesday night, meaning the Plantation course will play very long. That said, keep an eye on Lucas Glover, Sean O'Hair and Jason Bohn.
Alice in Wonderland: When you're in an elevator and a guy gets on with golf clubs, the first thing you say is, "So, how did you play?" When you're in an elevator and Alice Cooper gets on with golf clubs, the first thing you say is, "Hey! You're Alice Cooper!" And, of course, then the second thing you say is, "So, how did you play?"
Such was the case on Wednesday, as the rock-and-roller and I ran into each other. The initial surprise of seeing Cooper, however, gave way to a bigger shock when I asked him the aforementioned question. His reply? "Not bad. 74."
Cooper played in the first tee time of the day in the Mercedes pro-am, and while he didn't seem thrilled with his own score, which was only 1-over on the ultra-tough par-73 Plantation course, he became wide-eyed when describing that of playing partner, Sergio Garcia, who shot 66.
After soliciting Cooper to join our live chats in The Show on Thursday (he couldn't do it; he'll be in Las Vegas), we parted ways.
Just goes to prove you never know who you'll run into in Kapalua.
Very Ritz-y: The Mercedes Championships is unlike any event on tour. Players are treated like royalty, with complimentary accommodations at the posh Ritz-Carlton in Kapalua (or in one of the adjoining villas down the street). Direct from the "Kapalua Tips & Trivia for the 2006 Mercedes Championships" news release printed out by the hotel, here are three things you won't see anywhere else on tour:
• Pros relaxing at the pool post-tournament play can enjoy slices of fresh Maui pineapple which are passed to guests by the pool servers. If a guest or other VIP is lounging in the pool, the server will enter the water fully dressed to ensure no guest misses out on this tropical treat.
• The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua Cultural Advisor Clifford Nae'ole opens the professional play with a traditional Hawaiian blessing to honor the ancestors who walked the lands of Kapalua long before there were golf courses and luxury hotels.
• Travelers seeking to overcome jet lag can relax in their room and call the Bath Butler for a luxurious Ka Au'au Kama Hele Hanaho (The Traveler's Relief Bath), which incorporates the essential oils of peppermint, rosemary and juniper accompanied by freshly squeezed juice and sliced fruit.
