WINTER FANTASY GOLF: Phoenix Open preview
Phoenix Open
TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona
Players worth considering...
Pool A - Kenny Perry
THE defending champion after seeing off Charley Hoffman in a play-off a year ago. One of three victories in 2009, he also won three times two years ago, and he shows little sign of slowing down despite being 49. Only one strokeplay start, where he tied for sixth in Hawaii, on the PGA Tour this year due to playing on the European Tour.
Pool B - Kevin Na
THE American finished one shot outside the play-off last year and obviously thrives on this course - he was also 4th in 2008 and 2nd in 2005. Has developed into a very solid player in recent years and has already pocketed a couple of top 10s this term and lost in the first round of the Match Play so should be nice and fresh.
Pool C - Ryan Moore
ANOTHER first-round loser last week, going down to Ernie Els, so should be ready to go on Thursday. Opened up the year with a couple of high finishes and has some course form at Scottsdale after tying for 6th a year ago. Big things are expected of Moore - he won for the first time at the Wyndham in August - and his uncomplicated game looks set to reap further dividends.
Pool D - Paul Goydos
GOYDOS is one of Jeff Sluman's assistants for Celtic Manor though if he carries on in this type of form the captain might need to find another. The 45-year-old, who almost won the Players Championship in 2008, has claimed a couple of top 5s in his last starts and he could have won at Pebble Beach but for a ruinous nine midway through his back nine on Sunday.
Pool E - JB Holmes
A TWO-TIME winner of this event having burst onto the scene with his enormous hitting four years ago, he then won again in 2008. Halfway through last year Holmes was missing cut after cut but he has returned to form and could easily have won on his last two starts. Some players thrive in the raucous atmosphere here, Holmes is certainly one of those.
(The following players have entered though the field is subject to late withdrawals)
Pool A
Martin Kaymer
Phil Mickelson
Geoff Ogilvy
Kenny Perry
Zach Johnson
Sean O'Hair
Nick Watney
Lucas Glover
Rickie Fowler
Stuart Appleby
Pool B
Anthony Kim
Alvaro Quiros
Andres Romero
Rory Sabbatini
Hunter Mahan
David Toms
Brian Gay
YE Yang
Kevin Na
Pool C
Ian Poulter
Ben Curtis
Robert Allenby
Scott Verplank
Ryan Moore
Heath Slocum
Steve Marino
Aaron Baddeley
Ryan Palmer *
Cameron Beckman *
Pool D
Jeev Milkha Singh
Camilo Villegas
Justin Rose
Justin Leonard
Davis Love III
Chad Campbell
Brandt Snedeker
Charles Howell III
Mark Wilson
Paul Goydos
Bubba Watson
Martin Laird
Ricky Barnes
Pool E
Trevor Immelman
Boo Weekley
JB Holmes
Fred Couples
Matt Kuchar
Charley Hoffman
Brian Davis
Pat Perez
Scott Piercy
Ben Crane
Michael Sim
* Denotes wildcards