Posted by Jason Sobel
KAPALUA, Hawaii -- Trivia time: Other than Tiger Woods, who had the best PGA Tour season in 2006, accounting for four victories, including three in a seven-week span?
It's not Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk or Geoff Ogilvy. And yes, it is a trick question. The answer is Andy Plummer and Mike Bennett, swing instructors for '06 champions Aaron Baddeley, Dean Wilson, Will MacKenzie and Eric Axley.
Just got done chatting up Plummer, whom I had never met before, on the practice green, as we watched Hawaii native Wilson stroke some putts. The dude -- along with his coaching partner -- is on one serious roll.
In addition to helping the aforementioned quartet to their initial victories, they also worked with Steve Elkington when he came within a whisker of winning the PGA Championship in '05 and Tjaart van der Walt when he lost in a playoff to Brad Faxon in Hartford that same year.
So, on the eve of the season's beginning, what does that mean for you, dear fantasy geeks? Well, Plummer and Bennett have been working with Charlie Wi for over a year now, and are convinced his second go-round on tour will be more successful than his first. And if recent history prevails, expect a big year from Mike Weir as well, as the lefty began working with the duo in the offseason.
Roaring about Rory: OK, more fantasy tips for those who are waiting until the last minute to get those golf pool picks completed. One name making the rounds as a potential champion this week is Rory Sabbatini. He has enough power to tame the lengthy Plantation Course, and has had success here before, missing a playoff in '02 by one stroke. He also has solid history on Bermuda greens, finishing T-2 at the Sony Open last season. And he's been here for a while, spending his recent anniversary at Kapalua and taking extra time to get reacquainted with the course.
As if that wasn't enough, the ever-loquacious Sabbatini is the early clubhouse leader for quote of the year, with this gem on Tuesday when asked about his goals for the coming season: "Same as every other year. Just win them all."
Where there's a Will: Here's hoping Will MacKenzie continues finding success on the PGA Tour, because the guy is one heck of a story.
In short, he burned out from too much golf at age 14, moved to Montana when he was 19, lived out of his van, once went 30 days without showering in Alaska and slept in a cave.
I'll write more about, hopefully, in the future, but for now you can check out the transcript from his recent media room interview here.
