2013 Tampa Bay Championship presented by Everbank: Preview with Fantasy Golf Picks

Well, the tour moves on this week to Tampa Bay for the Tampa Bay Championship.  The tournament returns to Innisbrook Resort and the Copperhead Course, which is comprised of five par threes and four par fives.  The par-71 golf course played to nearly a shot under par last year, which was a record for the tournament.  But don't expect that to happen again this year.

The field is filled with big names, although a few are missing.  Luke Donald returns to defend his title, and Sergio Garcia and Adam Scott are making the trip up the road from Doral to Tampa.  Here is my five picks for fantasy golf this week, and the reasons I am selecting them.

1. Sergio Garcia: Garcia is coming off a T-3 at Doral where excellent ballstriking was key for him.  the Copperhead Course requires precise shotmaking as well, so look for Garcia to continue his hot play.

2. Jason Dufner: It is about time for Dufner to break out on the PGA Tour this year.  He started the year off with top 10s overseas in the Middle East, but a T12 last week at Doral is his best finish on the PGA Tour this year.  With his ballstriking ability, though, Copperhead sets up nicely for his game.

3. Matt Kuchar: Last week was an anomaly for Kuchar, where he struggled to get off level par for the week.  But with a T12 in 2009 and a T10 last year, Kuchar's game sets up for the Copperhead Course.  He should bring in good thoughts even though he had a lackluster Cadillac Championship.

4. Luke Donald: I didn't expect Luke Donald to have such a mediocre start to 2013.  I fully expect the 2012 champion of this event will have good thoughts trying to defend his title.  I think he will break through and have a solid week, if not another win.

5. Jim Furyk: Furyk would love to prove critics wrong after failing to close out multiple wins in 2012.  This course sets up perfectly for the accurate Furyk, who would love to enter the winners circle again.

Dark Horse: Patrick Cantlay

After a win on the Web.com tour and a decent showing in Puerto Rico, Cantlay is teeing it up on the PGA Tour again this week.  I expect him to be confident with his game, and the youngster might just go low one of the rounds.  Look for him to be around the top of the leaderboard throughout the week.

2013 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro Am Predictions: Sleeper Picks

Here are my five sleeper picks for this week's AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro Am.  If you are in a fantasy golf league, these will be five players who should make your roster late in the selections.

1. Tim Clark: The South African is back to full strength after injuries derailed most of his past 2 seasons.  Clark should be able to attack the course with his sharp iron play, as distance is not a key factor at Pebble Beach or the other courses in the rotation.

2. Harris English: English is coming off strong starts, but tough finishes in his last 3 tour events.  English finished T9 in Hawaii at the Sony Open.  He should begin to gain more consistency over the weekend and have stronger finishes as he gains more experience.

3. Steve Marino: Another player who is fighting back this season after injury, Marino scored a top-15 finish at the Farmers Insurance Open.  He was once thought of as the best player to never have won on tour, so his game is there.  He looks to be playing better and better so he may be a strong pick for your fantasy team this week.

4. Cameron Tringale: It will be soon enough that Tringale breaks out and shows off the talent he has.  He is still young and has plenty of career ahead of him, but he should start to finish high on many leaderboards.  Look for him to play solidly this week.

5. Retief Goosen: The two-time US Open Champion will look to start his season strong.  He has played solidly here in the past, so he would love to capture another win for his career.

2013 Waste Management Phoenix Open: Predictions and Ranking: Sleeper and Dark Horse Golfers

Fantasy golf is hitting full stride for many golf fans out there.  It is extremely easy to pick big names when it comes to the tournaments.  But what about those middle of the pack golfers who you need to fill out your squad?  Well, that's where I can help you.  Here are five sleeper and dark horse picks for this week's Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Charles Howell III: Once regarded as the next great golfer, Howell III has faced some tough years on tour recently.  But a solid start to 2013 has seen Howell bag back to back top-3 finishes followed by a solid showing at Torrey Pines.  Watch for Howell to continue his solid play in hopes to make up ground in the Official World Golf Ranking and make the WGC and major championships.  Howell has 5 top 25s in 11 starts at TPC Scottsdale.

Boo Weekly: My pick to win this week, Weekly does not have full-time status on the PGA Tour in 2013.  But a win here will change that.  One of the best ball strikers in the world, Weekly will put it all together with a solid putting week this week and pick up another PGA Tour victory.

Ben Crane: While Crane has missed both cuts in events he's entered in 2013, TPC Scottsdale brings about good memories.  Crane lost most of 2012 with injuries and never had his A game near the end of the season.  But in the last five appearances here at the WM Phoenix Open, Crane has three top-20 finishes including finishing solo second last year.

Luke Guthrie: One of my favorite young players on tour, Guthrie has struggled so far in 2013.  But a solid weekend at Torrey Pines should give the former Big 10 champion confidence heading into this week.  With two wins on the Nationwide Tour last year, Guthrie knows how to get it done.  He should have a solid week here to build his 2013 season.

Martin Laird: After a solid 2011 season, Laird fell off a bit last year.  But hopes for a solid 2013 season will start here.  Laird will have a good week and post a high finish.

That's it for now!  Tune in to the Waste Management Phoenix Open this weekend to see who wins and good luck with your fantasy golf!