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 Northern Trust Open Preview and Predictions

The PGA Tour moves south this week to Riviera Country Club for the 2013 Northern Trust Open.  Many top golfers are making their 2013 debut this week at the tournament and the field boasts some of the biggest names in golf.  "Hogan's Alley" will once again host a great tournament for the PGA professionals.

TV and Radio Schedule
Thursday, February 7th: 3:00-6:00 PM ET The Golf Channel
Friday, February 8th: 3:00-6:00 PM ET The Golf Channel
Saturday, February 9th: 1:00-2:30 PM ET The Golf Channel; 3:00-6:00 PM ET CBS
Sunday, February 10th: 1:00-2:30 PM ET The Golf Channel; 3:00-6:30 PM ET CBS


Radio: Sirius XM PGA Tour Network:12-6p ET Thur-Sat; 1-7p ET Sun



In the Field
The 2013 Northern Trust Open once again boasts a strong field.  Numerous top players in the world are making their 2013 debut, and others are returning to the PGA Tour for another chance at a win.

Players to Watch
Keegan Bradely: Bradley shot a solid final-round last season and made a clutch putt on the final hole to make a playoff at the 2012 Northern Trust Open with Phil Mickelson and Bill Haas.  Ultimately, Bradley fell to Haas in the playoff.  But his finish last season and solid start to 2013 should give him the confidence to be near the top of the leaderboard come Sunday.

Patrick Cantlay: The former UCLA player and top amateur is coming off a top-10 finish at the 2013 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am.  Cantlay received a sponsor's exemption into the field here and should have lots of confidence after his finish last week.

Luke Donald: World #3 Donald is making his worldwide debut in 2013.  Donald should have the game to compete here, and should have a solid finish after taking a nice break from golf.  Donald is looking to gain momentum and capture his first major championship in 2013.

Ernie Els: Els, the 2012 Open Champion, is making his 2013 PGA Tour debut.  Els rejuvinated his career last season, so he will be looking to continue the strong play.

Bill Haas: The defending champion Haas will be looking to win for the first time in 2013 and try to jumpstart his season and regain the form that saw him capture the 2011 FedEx Cup.

Sergio Garcia: Garcia is making his PGA Tour debut in 2013 as well.

Other players in the field:
Fred Couples
Jim Furyk
Peter Hanson
Russell Henley
Dustin Johnson
Matt Kuchar
Phil Mickelson
Webb Simpson
Adam Scott
Charl Schwartzel
Lee Westwood
Bubba Watson

The Course
Riviera Country Club is the traditional host of this tournament, which was once known as the Los Angeles Open.  Ben Hogan once won 3 tournaments here in 18 months (2 Los Angeles Opens and a US Open).  Riviera has also hosted a PGA Championship.

Holes to Watch
#1: An opening par 5, hole 1 gives the players a chance to open up with a solid score, even an eagle.  Out of bounds looms on the left and trees on the right, so an accurate drive is essential.  Players should be able to take 3 wood and still have a chance at reaching the green in 2.

#6: One of the most iconic par-3s in golf, the sixth hole features a two-tiered green with a bunker in the middle.  A well-positioned tee shot will leave a birdie, but a poor shot will leave a strong putt or possibly a chip over the bunker.

#10: Half the field will be opening here on Thursday and Friday.  A reachable par 4, Jack Nicklaus refers to this as "the best 10th hole in major championship golf".  Players who choose to lay up will have a better shot if they approach from the left side of the fairway to the narrow green.

#18: A blind teeshot to an uphill fairway awaits the players at this signature hole.  Players will be shooting up towards the Riviera clubhouse on their second shot and will take a long iron or fairway wood to reach.

Winner
After finally getting a winner correct last week, I will hopefully keep up my streak.  With Brandt Snedeker taking a break, a new golfer may emerge as the hottest golfer in the world.  Phil Mickelson has won here numerous times, and Dustin Johnson should have a solid week.  But I am going to go with Keegan Bradley to win this week.  Bradley should have good thoughts after taking second place last year in the playoff and will break through this week.

2013 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro Am Preview and Predictions

The 2013 PGA Tour season moves back to the Pacific Coast this week to famed Pebble Beach for the 2013 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro Am.  The tournament features 3 of the best courses in the world, in the Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and the Monterey Peninsula Shore Course.  Each course measures in at less than 6900 yards, but ocean vistas and spectacular views await the players at each hole.

TV and Radio Schedule
Thursday, February 7th: 3:00-6:00 PM ET The Golf Channel
Friday, February 8th: 3:00-6:00 PM ET The Golf Channel
Saturday, February 9th: 1:00-2:30 PM ET The Golf Channel; 3:00-6:00 PM ET CBS
Sunday, February 10th: 1:00-2:30 PM ET The Golf Channel; 3:00-6:00 PM ET CBS

Radio: Sirius XM PGA Tour Network:12-6p ET Thur-Sat; 1-7p ET Sun

In the Field
Another one of the big draws on the PGA Tour, the AT&T once again does not disappoint in its field.  Numerous top players will make their way to Pebble Beach to play on one of the favorite courses in the world.

Players to Watch
Phil Mickelson: The defending champion returns to Pebble Beach off one of his best performances in years.  A dominating win at the Waste Management Phoenix Open will propel Mickelson to the top of the leaderboard once again this year at the AT&T.  Mickelson fired a final-round 62 en route to the victory here last year.

Dustin Johnson: A perennial favorite at Pebble Beach, Johnson will be looking to become the first 2 time winner on the PGA Tour this season.  After a solid win at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, Johnson has not played his best golf in subsequent tournaments.  But a return to the site of some of his PGA Tour victories should give him momentum this week.

Jim Furyk: Furyk makes his 2013 PGA Tour debut this week at the AT&T Pebble Beach National pro-am.  A solid, yet disappointing 2012 season is now behind him, so Furyk will look to get a win in 2013.  Hopefully his putting woes are solved and he will not blow any more leads on Sunday.

Hunter Mahan: Mahan had another solid week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, but will look to get his first top-10 finish in 2013.  Mahan would love to earn a few victories and wrap up a spot on the 2013 Presidents Cup team to avoid another snub via captain's pick.

Padraig Harrington: The three-time major champion seems to be coming around with his game.  Harrington finished T9 last week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open in his 2013 PGA Tour debut.  His ball striking and swing seemed to be back to the level it was during his dominant stretch in 2007 and 2008.

Webb Simpson: The 2012 US Open champion will look to jumpstart his 2013 season, which has been lackluster so far.  He would love to get off to a fast start and get an early win in 2013.

Brandt Snedeker: One can only come so close so many times before finally getting the win.  Snedeker has finished in the top 10 in each of his starts on tour this year, competing for the win each time.  If one or two more putts fall for the PGA Tour's best putter, he should be unstoppable this week at Pebble Beach.

Lee Westwood: Finally taking up full PGA Tour status, Westwood is playing in his first tour event in 2013.  He finished in the top 10 in Dubai last week, so if he adjusts to the time difference, he should have a solid finish here.

The Course
Pebble Beach is one of the best known golf courses in the world.  Playing in at under 6900 yards, it uses more than length to challenge the players.  Tour players also enjoy playing at Spyglass Hill and Monterey Peninsula Shore Course

Holes to Watch
Pebble Beach boasts many of the most recognizable holes in the game of golf.

Hole 6: One of the best par-5s in the game, Hole 6 boasts a downhill tee shot to a narrow fairway, followed by a huge uphill shot to a blind green.  Players who hit a driver will be able to reach the green here in two and have a shot at eagle.

Hole 7: The shortest hole in major championship history, Hole 7 can play with anything from a wedge to a five iron depending on the wind.  It may be one of the top-3 recognizable par-3 holes in the world.

Hole 8: A dual-fairwayed hole, the 8th hole features a blind tee shot to a narrow fairway.  Players will be hitting iron or fairway metal to reach the landing area.  The second shot is one of the most scenic shots in golf.  Players will be firing at a small green over a cliff and water.

Hole 14: The longest par-5 on the course is rarely reachable in two by any players.  A layup will give the players a solid chance at hitting the shot close and give them a chance for birdie.

Hole 18: One of the best finishing holes in golf, hole 18 is a reachable par 5 in which the tee shot plays over the ocean.  Players who find the fairway will be able to easily reach the green in two and have an eagle opportunity, but the water brings high numbers in to play.

Winner
I have to go with Brandt Snedeker this week.  He has shown the ability to close down the stretch in seasons past, but has run into players dominating the field each week he has played.  This week, I forsee Snedeker trouncing the field and winning for the first time in 2013.  Snedeker has blossomed into one of the best players in the world, and will move up in the world ranking after this week.  Mickelson and Dustin Johnson will be right near the top as well. 

2013 Waste Management Phoenix Open Preview and Predictions

The 2013 PGA Tour season leaves the oceanside for the first time this year and heads inland to Phoenix and the Waste Management Phoenix Open.  A favorite of many tour professionals, the Phoenix Open is traditionally held the weekend of the Super Bowl.  Once again, numerous big name players headline the field.  And who can go to Scottsdale without talking about the stadium hole, #16. 

TV and Radio Schedule
Thursday, Jan. 31: 4-7 PM ET The Golf Channel
Friday, Feb. 1: 4-7 PM ET The Golf Channel
Saturday, Feb 2: 1-3 PM ET The Golf Channel, 3-6 PM ET NBC
Sunday, Feb 3: 1-3 PM ET The Golf Channel, 3-6 PM ET NBC

Sirius XM Satellite Radio: PGA Tour Network
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1-7 PM ET

In the Field
The Waste Management Phoenix Open brings top players to the desert in Arizona.  Players don their favorite team's jersey at hole 16, and should not be afraid of the boos awaiting them for a bad tee shot.

Players to Watch
Keegan Bradley: Off to a slow start in 2013, Bradley will look to get his season jumpstarted in the desert.  After wins in the past two seasons, Bradley is looking to get his game fine-tuned for the season's first major at Augusta National.

Nicolas Colsaerts: The big-hitting Belgian is playing in his rookie season on the PGA Tour.  This will be his first time at TPC Scottsdale, so look for him to struggle in the first round but turn it around the next three days.

Rickie Fowler: Fans will be waiting for Fowler on hole 16 as he gives away coveted Puma Monoline caps.  Fowler struggled in his opening round at the Farmers Insurance Open but climbed back up the leaderboard nicely through the rest of the week.

Russell Henley: After a week off, Henley is refreshed and back to try to win his second career tour event.  Henley won the Sony Open and would like to add to his growing trophy case.

Hunter Mahan: A solid week in San Diego will propel Mahan to a solid Phoenix Open.  He is looking to make the Presidents Cup team after missing out on the 2012 Ryder Cup team.

Phil Mickelson: The third of five straight tournaments for Mickelson.  He will look to avenge his struggles at Torrey Pines with a solid finish in the desert.

Bubba Watson: After withdrawing from Torrey Pines with an illness, Bubba is in the field currently.  Hopefully he doesn't withdraw again, as he is one of the most exciting players on tour.

The Course:
TPC Scottsdale once again hosts the Phoenix Open.  Playing at just over 7200 yards and par 71, this course yields many low scores.

Holes to Watch
Hole 3: The first par 5 on the course, hole 3 is reachable by only the longest hitters.  A water hazard fronts the green and must be avoided for those attempting to reach the green in 2.

Hole 15: The first of 3 exciting holes to finish, hole 15 is a reachable par 5.  Water is in play on the tee shot as well as the approach, and the green almost has an island effect.  Players scores will range from 3 to 7+.

Hole 16: The signature hole on this golf course, if not the PGA Tour, this short par-3 brings a stadium-style enclosure.  It is the only fully-enclosed golf hole in the world.  Players enjoy the praise and dread the boos from the vocal fans on this hole.

Hole 17: A reachable par 4, the 17th hole allows players the chance to make a run down the stretch, but a water hazard left of the green is in play.

Winner
Even with all of the big names in the field, I think a surprise winner will take the 2013 Waste Management Phoenix Open.  Keegan Bradley and Rickie Fowler will contend, as will Phil Mickelson after avenging his struggles in San Diego.  But the winner will be Boo Weekly, who will finally put a putting weekend together with his solid ball striking.

2013 Farmers Insurance Open Preview and Predictions

The PGA Tour makes its next stop in San Diego.  Continuing its west coast swing, the tour heads to heralded Torrey Pines for the Farmers Insurance Open.  Top PGA Tour professionals are heading to southern California for the tournament, enhancing an already strong field.  Torrey Pines is one of the longest courses on tour and a former US Open venue.

TV and Radio Schedule

Thursday, January 24: 3-7 PM ET The Golf Channel

Friday, January 25: 3-7 PM ET The Golf Channel

Saturday, January 26: 1-2:30 PM ET The Golf Channel, 3-6 PM ET CBS

Sunday, January 27: 1-2:30 PM ET The Golf Channel, 3-6 PM ET CBS

Radio: Sirius XM Radio PGA Tour Network

Thur., Fri., Sun.: 1-7 PM; Sat.: 12-6 PM ET

In the Field

The Farmers Insurance Open boasts one of the strongest fields on the PGA Tour each year.  This year does not disappoint.  Three of the top-ten in the Official World Golf Ranking are in the field, as well as numerous players within the top-50

Players to Watch

Tiger Woods: Always the biggest draw in the world of golf, Woods is making his 2013 PGA Tour debut here at Torrey Pines.  Woods, who missed the cut last week at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in weird fashion, will look to rebound at the site of his last major championship victory.  Woods struggled with his long game in Abu Dhabi but putted well.  He should be very comfortable at one of his favorite golf courses in the world.

Phil Mickelson: Mickelson enjoys playing in the Farmers Insurance Open each year as it is the only tournament in his home town.  Mickelson opened his 2013 season this past week at the Humana Challenge, where a lackluster opening round saw him playing catch-up for the next three rounds.  Mickelson shot three rounds in the 60s on the weekend, so his game is coming around.

Rickie Fowler: Fowler opened his season at the HyundaiTournament of Champions and has taken the next couple of weeks off.  Fowler is a southern California boy as well, so this is somewhat of a home tournament for him.  Fowler will look to get his 2013 season off to a solid start and try to win his second career PGA Tour event.

Charles Howell III: One of the most talented golfers on the PGA Tour, Howell III has underwhelmed with his results up to now in his career.  2013 has been a solid year for him so far, as he has tallied a T3 and T2 at the Sony Open and HumanaChallenge, respectively.  Howell will look to continue his strong play and win for the third time on the PGA Tour.

Dustin Johnson: After winning the opening event on tour this season, Johnson was forced to withdraw from the Sony Open with the flu.  If he has fully recovered, his long driving ability should help him immensely at Torrey Pines.  Watch for Johnson to be near the top of the leaderboard come Sunday afternoon.

Hunter Mahan: Mahan also played in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions and will make his second start of the 2013 season.  After a solid 2012 season where he was snubbed for a Ryder Cup position, Mahan will look to make the 2013 Presidents Cup team on points and prepare himself for the 2014 Ryder Cup.

Bubba Watson: Another player who hits the ball a mile, Watson will have no trouble reaching the par 5s at Torrey Pines.  Watson will be looking to fine tune his game in preparation for a defense of his 2012 Masters title.

Holes to Watch

The Farmers Insurance Open is played on Torrey Pines’ North and South courses.  The North Course is the easier and shorter of the two and is only played for one of the four rounds.  The South Course at Torrey Pines is highly regarded as one of the top 10 public golf courses in the world.  Host to the 2008 US Open, the Torrey Pines South Course will give the players all they can handle.

Hole 3: The first par-3 on the South Course, the third hole will give the players much to think about.  Multiple teeing areas with over 50 yards of difference will make the players guess each time they arrive at this hole.

Hole 9: The final hole on the front nine at the South Course, this par-5 is only reachable by the longest hitters.  At over 600 yards, the layup will be key to making a birdie on this hole.

Hole 13: The third par-5 at the South Course, hole 13 is reachable in two by many players in the field.  A drive that releases down a steep bank on the fairway will give the players a good chance at birdie and an outside shot at eagle.

Hole 18: Another week, another finishing par-5.  This one is reachable, but a water hazard blocks the front of the green.  Kyle Stanley made 8 here last year while leading the tournament.  Look for the win to come down to this hole Sunday.

Winner:

With all the history at Torrey Pines and having won this tournament numerous times, I would love to pick Tiger Woods as my winner.  But having played one tournament this season so far and the jet lag from the trip will see Woods near the top of the leaderboard but he will not be able to seal the deal.  Howell III will once again finish in the top-5.  Rickie Fowler will have a solid finish.  But I am going with Bubba Watson, as his length will help him overpower the field en route to a win on the PGA Tour

2013 Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation Preview and Prediction

The PGA Tour returns to the mainland this week with The Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation.  The Humana Challenge is the old Bob Hope tournament and in the past years has been trimmed to four rounds instead of the old 5-round tournament.  Like the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship on the European Tour, many stars are making their 2013 debut at The Humana Challenge.

For the past 2 years, Humana has partnered with the Clinton Foundation to host this tournament.  The Clinton Foundation hopes to get the word out about fitness, especially for children.  The partnership has made for a great event and has drawn big name players to California.

The tournament starts Thursday, January 17th.

TV and Radio Schedule:
January 17th: 3 PM to 7 PM ET The Golf Channel
January 18th: 3 PM to 7 PM ET The Golf Channel
January 19th: 3 PM to 7 PM ET The Golf Channel
January 20th: 3 PM to 7 PM ET The Golf Channel

Also on XM Satellite Radio PGA Tour Network

In The Field:
Former PGA Winners, major champions, and FedEx Cup champions fill the field at The Humana Challenge.  Rookies and young stars also dot the field.

Players to Watch:
Phil Mickelson: Coming off a solid Ryder Cup performance where the youth of Keegan Bradley seemed to rejuvinate him, Mickelson begins his 2013 season at the Humana Challenge.  President Clinton invited Mickelson to join the event in the first season of partnership with The Clinton Foundation and the relationship has remained.

Russell Henley: The newest winner on the PGA Tour, Henley will look to continue his solid play and strong putting at The Humana Challenge.  Henley moved into the top-50 in the Official World Golf Ranking with his win at the Sony Open in Hawaii and will look to keep and improve that ranking.

Patrick Cantlay: The former UCLA player who turned pro last season, Cantlay will make his 2013 PGA Tour debut on sponsor's exemption.  Cantlay has membership on the Web.com tour, so he looks to use this event to springboard himself to a solid 2013 and membership on tour next season.

Brandt Snedeker:  Snedeker is coming off a Top-3 finish at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions a couple weeks ago.  The 2012 FedEx Cup champion is looking for another solid season and a hopeful major championship.

Holes to Watch:
Three great courses make up the lineup for the Humana Challenge.  The PGA West Palmer Course, La Quinta Country Club, and the Nicklaus Private Course at PGA West are the three courses that are included in the tournament.  The Palmer Private Course hosts the final round at the tournament.

At 6950 yards and Par 72, the Palmer Private Course is designed for great shotmaking but also is playable for players of all skill levels.  La Quinta Country Club is the longest of the three courses at 7060 and also plays at par-72.  The Nicklaus Private Course plays at 6924 and also plays at a par-72.

Hole 3 Palmer Private: The long par-3 plays into a huge, but difficult green.  The tee shot requires a long iron over a water hazard, so accuracy and solid contact is key to making a par.

Hole 11 Palmer Private: A short par 5 gives the players a chance to make eagle and try to make a run on Sunday afternoon.

Hole 15 Palmer Private: The flagship hole at the Palmer Private Course, this par 3 is a beautiful hole.  A short iron approach to a narrow, deep green is made tougher by rocks and water surrounding the green.

Hole 18 Palmer Private: The PGA Tour once again finishes with a Par 5.  This hole is reachable with a solid shot, but sand and water is in play off the tee.

Winner:
Strong players throughout the field will make this a fight to the finish.  Phil Mickelson will remain in contention down the stretch, and Russell Henley will have another solid event.  Ryo Ishikawa makes his debut as a PGA Tour member and will be near the top of the leaderboard down the stretch.  Camilo Villegas will get 2013 off to a solid start and will look to build off a solid finish here.  But the winner will be Brandt Snedeker.  Snedeker is one of the most solid putters on the PGA Tour and will have a great ball striking week.  He will win by a couple strokes.

2013 Sony Open in Hawaii Preview and Predictions

After a long weekend in Kapalua for the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, the PGA Tour moves to Honolulu and the Waialae Country Club for the 2013 Sony Open in Hawaii, the first full-field event of the season.  With players from the Hyundai worn down and fatigued from the extended play the last two days, this tournament will be wide open for anyone to win.  This is the first time for last year's Web.com Tour graduates and the PGA Qualifying School top 25 to show their stuff on the big stage.

Sony once again is sponsoring the event and Waialae Country Club plays a formidable host for the best players in the world.  A shorter course at just over 7000 yards awaits the players, and at par-70 accuracy and precision will be key.

The tournament starts Thursday, January 10th.

TV Schedule:

Thursday: The Golf Channel, 7:00-10:30 PM EST
Friday: The Golf Channel, 7:00-10:30 PM EST
Saturday:  The Golf Channel, 7:00-10:30 PM EST
Sunday: The Golf Channel, 7:00-10:00 PM EST

Radio:

PGA Tour Network XM Satellite Radio (all times Eastern)
Thursday: 5-11 PM
Friday: 5-11 PM
Saturday 5-11 PM
Sunday: 5-10 PM

In The Field
The Sony Open marks the first full-field event on the PGA Tour in 2013.  Players who did not win last year get their first shot at a victory this year and Web.com tour and Q School graduates get their first go on the big stage.

Players to Watch
Keegan Bradley: Coming off a T4 at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, Bradley will be bringing a confident game to Waialae.  With a hot putter, the long-hitting Bradley can blow away most fields on the PGA Tour.  Look for his iron play to stay sharp and his short game to remain solid.

Tim Clark: Returning to the PGA Tour in 2013 is Tim Clark, who has missed a lot of time the past couple years due to injury.  With his health back to 100%, the accurate Clark should be able to plot his way around the short Waialae Country Club.  The former Players Champion will get his 2013 on track at the Sony Open.

Fred Funk: The Champions Tour standout will look to get another win on the regular tour.  Funk is one of the most accurate players of all time and still has the game to compete on the PGA Tour.  If his putting cooperates he can have a strong finish.

Luke Guthrie: The two-time Big Ten champion and winner of two nationwide events last season looks to continue his strong play on the PGA Tour.  With three top-20 finishes on tour last season, including a T-5 at the John Deere Classic, Guthrie should be one of the main competitors in the rookie of the year race.

Davis Love III: The 2012 US Ryder Cup captain will look to avenge his team's loss at the biannual competition with play of his own.  Nearing the age for the Champions Tour, Love wants to prove he still has what it takes to win on the PGA Tour.

Holes to Watch
Waialae Country Club has hosted the PGA Tour's Hawaii Open since 1965, and has hosted major tournaments since 1928.

Hole 1: The opening hole at Waialae Country Club was designed with St. Andrew's famous Road Hole in mind.  The former par 5 was shortened and a new tee added to play as a long par 4.  At 488 yards, the hole is one of the toughest opening holes on tour.

Hole 9: A mid-length par 5, hole 9 measures in at 510 yards.  The hole is flanked on either side by out-of-bounds which is exacerbated with a strong right-to-left prevailing wind.  Two accurate shots, however, give players the opportunity at eagle and a very good shot at birdie.

Hole 11: A picturesque par 3 with the Pacific Ocean in the background, the 11th hole is a strong par 3 with a left-to-right prevailing wind.  At 196 yards, a mid to long iron is necessary to reach the green and the wind forces many shots to find the right front bunker.

Hole 17: The signature hole at Waialae bears the name of the Sony Open fire-bird of Hawaiian lore.  A very difficult par 3, 17 plays at 189 yards and requires a mid to long iron tee shot.  The green was recently restored to its original Redan-style green with a large bunker on the left and four hidden bunkers on the right.  This hole can make or break a round an will be very important down the stretch on Sunday.

Hole 18: Like the Hyundai last week, the Sony Open finishes with a par 5.  At 551 yards, hole 18 is reachable with two good shots and eagle is a distinct possibility.  A fairway bunker off the tee makes players think about their drive, but a solid shot leaves an approach usually downwind to the green.  Look for hole 18 to be the winning hole on Sunday.

Groups to Watch
Zach Johnson, Dustin Johnson, Johnson Wagner: 7:50 AM Round 1
Webb Simpson, KJ Choi, Vijay Singh: 12:20 PM Round 1
Luke Guthrie, Scott Langley, Russell Henley: 1:00 PM Round 1

Winner
Coming off a win at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, Dustin Johnson will be brimming with confidence at Waialae.  If he continues his strong driving of the golf ball and improved wedge game, he will be near the top of the leaderboard come Sunday.  But Jeff Overton and Carl Petterson will also be right near the top as well.  Overton will look to regain his form of 2010 this season and Petterson wants to avenge his Ryder Cup snub with another strong season.  But none of these three players will win the tournament.

Bud Cauley, a player many thought would win in his rookie year on the PGA Tour, will get his first tour win this weekend at the Sony Open.  The second-year professional will continue his strong play and get off to a quick start this year with his maiden victory. 

2013 Hyundai Tournament of Champions Preview and Predictions

The 2013 PGA Tour season is upon us!  It feels like the 2012 season just ended but hopefully the 2013 season is just as special.  2013 marks the final time the PGA Tour season will begin with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, as the tour embarks on it's new scheduling in the fall of 2013.  And many players are looking forward to the start of a new season and the first chance to wrap up a 2 year exemption on the PGA Tour.

The tournament returns to The Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort which has been home to the tournament for many years.  Hyundai is the title sponsor for 2013, an honor that has been previously held by Mercedes Benz and other car companies.  The Plantation Course is a rare par 73 that tops out at over 7400 yards.  But with the elevation changes and fast fairways the course will not play as long.

The tournament will get under way January 4th, which is a unique Friday start on the PGA Tour due to the New Years holiday.  Tune in to Golf Channel to catch the action.

In The Field
Winners of events from the 2012 PGA Tour season are invited to the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.  Thirty of the winners from 2012 have elected to participate in the tournament.  Big name players include:

• Bubba Watson
• Dustin Johnson
• Hunter Mahan
• Ian Poulter
• Rickie Fowler
• Keegan Bradley
• Jason Dufner
• Webb Simpson

Players to Watch
Ian Poulter: Poulter is coming in to 2013 as one of the hottest players in the world.  After a sensational and inspiring Ryder Cup performance, Poulter won the HSBC-WGC Invitational in China and carded 2 other top-5 finishes.  He has quietly moved up to #12 in the OWGR and will continue to climb with solid play.

Steve Stricker: The defending champion of this event struggled in the Ryder Cup, but a long break will have done him well.  At 45 years old, Stricker is cutting back his 2013 schedule to include around 10 events, so he will be well rested for each of these.  When Stricker is putting well, he is a threat to win each and every week on tour.

Keegan Bradley: Look for Bradley to have a solid 2013 after a strong sophomore season on the PGA Tour.  If he keeps his putting consistent, Bradley will demolish The Plantation Course with his length and towering ball flight.

Holes to Watch
Hole 1: The opening hole at The Plantation course is aptly named "Kapalua".  At 520 yards it is one of the longest Par 4s on tour.  The downhill and downwind drive will end near the runout of the fairway, where an approach shot over a ravine and a large elevation drop will greet the players.  Hit a solid drive and the pros will have a middle iron in and a birdie opportunity, but a missed drive or second shot can lead to bogey or worse.

Hole 14: At 305 yards "Plateau" seems like it should be the easiest hole on the golf course.  But the smallest green perched upon a plateau makes this hole tougher than it appears.  With fairway bunkers lining the landing area on a layup, there is no easy way to play the hole.  A birdie here will propel the players onto a finishing stretch where low scores are possible but trouble lurks.

Hole 18: The final hole, referred to as "Home", is a long par 5 that measures in at 663.  A largely downhill tee shot usually assisted by the prevailing winds allows the hole to be reachable in 2 shots for the longest of hitters.  Watch here on Monday during the final round as a birdie is doable but a double bogey is in play.

Pairings to Watch (Local times for first round)
10:35 AM: Rickie Fowler and Jason Dufner
12:15 PM: Zach Johnson and Hunter Mahan
12:45 PM: Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson
12:55 PM: Brandt Snedeker and Steve Stricker

Winner
Keegan Bradley will have a strong start to 2013 with a solid win in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.  With perennial T of C frontrunner Jonathan Byrd not eligible due to a winless 2012, Bradley will battle with Ian Poulter and Brandt Snedeker but will come out victorious.  Steve Stricker will have a strong showing before some lengthy time off and Bubba Watson will thrill with his length, but both of these players will falter down the stretch as Bradley and Poulter duke it out late.  Bradley wins with a birdie-birdie finish.