So last week was pretty tough, losing both our Free Picks and our two Premium Plays. I find it very interesting to note, we played on Nick Watney, Bill Haas, Charles Howell III, and Rickie Fowler.. all guys who have excellent track records at Torrey Pines and very successful PGA careers.. but look who has won on Tour in the last two months; Chris Kirk, Harris English, Jimmy Walker, Patrick Reed, and Scott Stallings. Huh? Who? Say what? Pretty wild isn't it? The global reach of talent in golf is becoming so incredible and the depth of the fields week in and week out is deeper than I think it has ever been before. This is one reason I feel why Tiger Woods hasn't won a major since The US Open at Torrey Pines in 2008.. there are so many more players who can win now than there has ever been before. What's happening now is that all of those little children that were awed and inspired some 18-20 years ago when Tiger said "Hello World," and they picked up a golf club and said, "I wanna be like that guy.." they are all coming into maturity now and becoming golf stars all over the planet. Tiger's impact on the game is like only few have ever had over any sport. Hello World may be one of the most telling sports marketing phrases ever. Truly amazing.
On to this week and the 70-degree temperatures of Phoenix in January. Our Free Pick Video is up here for your viewing..
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In this video you will hear about my pick of Webb Simpson (-130) over Keegan Bradley as it is so listed at The LVH. This price is about as much as I ever care to lay but I think Simpson has a pretty good thing going right now and is the well deserved favorite. Bradley is no slouch and has a great overall game but let's look at what The Webber has been up to since last Fall.. 4th at The Tour Championship, 1st at The Shriner's in Las Vegas, 7th at The McGladrey in Sea Island, Georgia, 5th at The Northwestern Mutual World Challenge, 3rd at Kapalua, and 23rd at The Humana Challenge a couple of weeks ago in Palm Desert. In 2014, Simpson ranks 13th in driving accuracy, 1st in Greens in Regulation, 1st in Strokes Gained Putting, 1st in Birdies, 1st in Scoring, and 3rd in Birdies on Par 4's. And if that wasn't enough, I like how his accurate, finesse game, fueled by great putting and a ton of birdies works on a finesse type, birdie fest, desert course.. whereas I always see Keegan Bradley as a bigger game hunter.. a tough course player, long ball hitter, groomed for majors and seaside tests.. not a flagstick rattling birdie barrage in the desert. Going with the heavy favorite here this week.
Secondly, I like Justin Leonard to have a nice week and make his way past Luke Guthrie in a head to head match up listed at -115 at Bet On Line. It seems like forever since we have seen Justin Leonard be relevant on Tour but after years of changes and some injuries, he is playing very well as of late. Tied for 6th in Cancun at Mayakoba, T32 at The Sony in Honolulu, T3 at The Humana, and tied for 28th last week in San Diego.. and he has had great success here in Phoenix with 4-top 10's including two second place finishes, one a loss in a playoff to Phil Mickelson. So far this season, Leonard is 19th in driving accuracy, 19th in scoring, 1st in Par 3 performance, and 14th in putting. He's always been an outstanding putter. Guthrie, unlike Leonard, is a newbie to the Tour and an excellent player out of The University of Illinois but I like the veteran here today as Guthrie missed 7-out of 9-cuts to finish the 2013 regular season. He has 1-top 10 finish and 1-missed cut in the wrap around, and an 18th and 23rd so far in 2014. He missed the cut last year here in Phoenix. Guthrie too is a very good putter, ranking 17th overall but is 123rd in Greens in Regulation, 31st in scoring, and 57th in driving accuracy. This kid will be around for years to come, I imagine but I am siding with Old Man Leonard this week in the desert.
We have two other match ups as Premium Plays up here along with our Super Sunday Football Play..
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Have a great weekend. Enjoy the football and the golf - and have fun!
Brady Kannon
@lasvegasgolfer
www.LVTeeTimes.com