Week 10 ~ Fantasy Golf ~WGC Cadillac Championship - March 6-9, 2014

Top Picks
Drew's Picks: Bubba Watson, Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia
Jeremy's Picks:  Adam Scott, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy
Chuck's Picks:  Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy, Steve Stricker
Matt's Picks:  Rory McIlroy, Matt Kuchar, Dustin Johnson
Cathy's Picks: Steve Stricker, Jason Day, Matt Kuchar

Dark Horses (dark horse criteria= outside top 50 on OWGR as of 2/24/14)
Drew's Picks:  Gary Woodland, George Cotzee, Darren Fichardt
Jeremy's Picks: George Coetzee, Thongchai Jaidee, Kiradech Aphibarnrat
Chuck's Picks:  George Coetzee, Gary Woodland, Kevin Stadler
Matt's Picks: George Coetzee, Darren Fichardt, Brendon de Jonge
Cathy's Picks: Branden Grace, Richard Sterne, Roberto Castro


Here's why we picked who we did! 

Drew's Picks:
Bubba Watson:
Because Doral's "Blue Monster" has undergone a complete re-design since the past tournaments, I've tossed out course history from my calculations this week.  Has leveled the playing field for everyone this week.  There are only 17 players out of 67 not in the top 50 in the OWGR.  Ive based my picks on current form, some stats, and hunches--guys who I like to watch!
Bubba's last two stroke play events have been a 2nd and a 1st.  I like Bubba.  I like Bubba golf.  He ranks first in ball striking and driving distance, which will be handy this week.  Right now Bubba is running like the finely tuned engine in his "General Lee" auto.

Rory McIlroy:
Rory played great for 68 holes last week, then fell apart to lose the lead, finished T2 in the playoff.  I think he'll bounce back from that performance.  His game should fit this new course.

Sergio Garcia:
Sergio finished third here last year, if that matters much.  More importantly, his last 5 stroke play events have been 4th, 2nd, 19th, 1st, and 8th.  He's playing very well, and I see at least a top 3, if not a win this week.


Dark Horses:
Gary Woodland:
Gary Woodland sits at #55 in the OWGR.  He's # 1 in Total Driving on the tour, and I'm counting on that length and accuracy to get him on the greens (14th in GIR) .  He just needs a hot putter this week, he's 156th in Strokes Gained Putting!  As we know, putters, like hockey goalies, tend to get hot when the pressure's on.  Good Luck Gary!

George Coetzee:
South African George Coetzee sits at 58th in the OWGR, and inside the top 10 in the Euro's Race to Dubai.  His last four finishes have been a T4, T5, 1st, and T9.  The win was the Joburg open in his native South Africa.  A world class player we haven't seen enough of over here.

Darren Fichardt:
Another South African, Darren Fichardt's last six events have top 16's or better.  He has had 4 Euro Tour wins, and 14 on the Sunshine Tour in SA.  His driving distance sits at 291 yards this year, and putting stats are very good.  That's good enough for me for a Dark Horse pick this week!

Chuck's Picks:
Sergio Garcia – Call it a hunch,  but I think this could be El Nino’s week. He’s playing great recording 8 top 10’s in his last 11 starts. Has experience around Doral and would love nothing more to win with an ailing Tiger in the field.

Rory McIlroy – It would be easy to be down on Rory this week after his disastrous back nine at the Honda. Fact is however that was his fourth 2nd place this year and the guy is playing well. Don’t rule him out!

Steve Stricker – A bit of a longshot here since he is really just getting his year started. It’s rare for a newcomer to win around this track and Strick has experience on his side. Well rested and ready to contend.

Dark Horses:

George Coetzee – Has been playing great overseas and flying under the radar this week. T9 at the Match play.

Gary Woodland – No worse than 37th this year. Has the distance to tame the new and improved blue monster. Definite sleeper potential this week.

Kevin Stadler – The “Sea Lion” has been playing arguably the best golf of his career lately. No missed cuts this year and his first PGA tour win in Phoenix a few weeks back. Temper (pun intended) your expectations but he might just contend again this week.

Jeremy's Picks:
Adam Scott - I really like Adam Scott here.  I was hesitant to pick him last week with all the time off and potential for rust.  He played better than I anticipated and should be ready to go here.  Finished in the top 13 here the past 3 years.
 
Dustin Johnson - Arguably the hottest player without a win this side of 2014.  He has finished his last 3 stroke play events in the top 6 including 2 runner up finishes.  His best finish here is a solo 2nd in 2011.
 
Rory McIlroy - With so many players to choose from this week it is hard picking your roster.  Make sure to include McIlroy on it.  He has been playing outstanding golf despite shooting himself in the foot last week.  I would expect him to be in contention once again.
 
Dark Horses:
 
George Coetzee - Primarily a Euro player Coetzee finished 9th at the WGC Match Play.  More impressive than that were his prior three starts on the European Tour:  1st, T5, & T4.
 
Thongchai Jaidee - Had a stretch of 4 top 10's across Europe/Asia earlier in the year.
 
Kiradech Aphibarnrat - Seems to be pretty inconsistent in general, but his good tournaments are top 10 finishes.  Here's to hoping that Johnny Miller has to try and say his name come Sunday.

Matt's Picks:
Rory McIlroy Rory McIlroy all but handed over the Honda Classic trophy to Russell Henley last week. Although it was a tough loss, McIlroy seemed to handle it well and I believe he will be ready to roll this week. In his previous three trips to the Cadillac Championship, Rory has three top tens with his best finish being a solo 3rd in 2012. In his only other two official starts on Tour this season, McIlroy has a T6 and a T17 finish 

Matt Kuchar Besides a minor blemish at the Northern Trust Open, Kuchar has been putting up great results this season. He has four top tens in five starts this season, and ranks 23rd in scoring average. Kuchar has played well at the Cadillac Championship in the past, earning top tens in three of his four starts.

 Dustin Johnson Johnson's best finish at the Cadillac Championship came in 2011 when he earned a solo runner-up. Last season Johnson ended in a tie for 12th. He already has two runner-up finishes and a victory on the 2013-2014 season. He finished 2nd in both of his previous full field events and ranks second in the FedEx standings.

Dark Horses:
George Coetzee Currently ranking 58th in the world, Coetzee qualifies for a sleeper in this limited field event. He recently captured his first victory on the European Tour by earning the victory at the Joburg Open. He has four top ten finishes in his previous five starts. Coetzee played this event last season, placing tied for 53rd.

Darren FichardtIn seven 2014 events, Fichardt has six made cuts and five top-25's. In his last two starts, Fichardt T5 at the Africa Open and T6 at last week's Tshwane Open. The 38 year old South African currently sits 99th in the World Golf Rankings. Fichardt is a four time winner on the European Tour

Brendon de Jongede Jonge will be making his 1st start at the Cadillac Championship. Last week at Honda he was one stroke out of the lead heading to the weekend after opening with 66-64. He fell apart on the weekend shooting 76-78 to finish T63. After a good showing at the Presidents Cup in the fall, de Jonge wants to show he belongs on the big stage. I expect de Jonge to play more like the man from the 1st two rounds last week and pick up a top 20 this week.

Cathy's Picks:
Well, last week didn't work!
And now I'm torn with SO many good players this week - do I follow my heart or go with the hot guys?...maybe a little of both.
Steve Stricker - Heart Pick Alert!  I didn't even get a chance to root for him in the match play since he went out in the first round, but I think we're going to see some great play out of him again this year on his limited schedule.  My heart says I win might be in the cards!


Jason Day - I have to go with my Match Play winning pick again!  Day is playing great and I think he'll feed off of playing with Lefty and McIlroy.


Matt Kuchar - the heart wins again!  He's got to start his cuts made streak again, and I think he's going to play some solid steady golf this week.


Dark Horses:
Branden Grace - This South African only has 3 starts on the PGA Tour this year, but he's played here the past 2 years and will hopefully turn things around this week.


Richard Sterne - keeping with the South African theme, Sterne plays more on the European Tour, but did play in the Match Play earlier this year.  He's having a marginal year so this would be a great week to get hot!

Roberto Casto - Castro has had 3 top 25's this season, and I think his missed cut last week will be incentive to get in the hunt this week.