PGA Tour Preview -- Deutsche Bank Classic

Last Week:Brad Faxon carded a 9-under par 61 in"Lamb" Chopra again this week. Now is starting to
the final round to force and win a playoff withsteal "1-iron's" work as it relates to Chopra. Is
Tjaart Van Der Walt at the 2005 edition of thenothing sacred? fourth place here last year and
Buick Championship. Many times in this column,went T12 & T15 at Buick Open and the
"1-iron" has paid respectful homage to Faxon forInternational before missing two cuts in a row at
his loyalty to the history, tradition and rules of theReno and the Buick Championships.6. Dean Wilson
game of golf. Faxon is a great ambassador for(Field 3/1): Huh? You remember when he teed it
the game, and is someone who is not afraid toup with Annika? Me too, but the "1-iron' has kept
speak his mind about controversial issues. Thisan eye on his game as well. Two Top 10's in the
column wants to congratulate Brad Faxon on alast four weeks, playing very well.6 Who Can:7.
job well done in Hartford.This column would alsoDavis Love III (12/1): Playing awesome the last
like to point out the stellar play of Tjaart Van Dertwo weeks he's been in the field. T7 at the PGA
Walt. Lost in the thunder of Faxon's 61 wasChampionship and T13 at the NEC. Skipped the
TJVDW's 64 to put him into contention as well.Deutsche last year, so he'll be coming in a little
It's been a rough 2005 for TJVDW, but theinexperienced.8. Fred Couples (50/1): Three Top
$464,400 he won in Hartford virtually assures him10's and seven Top 25's this year. Guy looks like
a PGA Tour card for 2006.A minor thumbs downa million bucks while doing it too. T28 at Firestone
to Wes Short Jr., who was disqualified for signingis a good sign and announced he's out of the
for a 3 at No. 8 (he had a 4) and a 4 at No. 5 (heWorld Match Play in favor of the 84 lumber in a
had a 3). How in the world does thiscouple weeks. Could be a sentimental money pick
happen.....twice.....on the PGA Tour......in 2005? "1-iron"this week.9. Ryan Palmer (75/1): "Palm Tree" rolls
has been telling folks to stay away from Shortyinto Boston with a 2nd, a 3rd, and five Top 25's
for quite some time, and these scorecardthis year. He's also fresh off a 3rd place finish at
shenanigans will do nothing to change histhe NEC where he closed with 68-67-69. His
mindset.Also a quick word to the victims ofgame is ripe for the pickin this week and at 75/1
Katrina. "1-iron" would like you to know that hishe might be worth a shot.10. Hank Kuehne (100
thoughts are with you during this difficult time.1): The big dog is ready to eat at the TPC this
When something like this happens, trivial items likeweek. Looked great while finishing 4th at the
the PGA Tour need to take their place in theInternational but hasn't played well all year. Should
back of the priority line. It will be no easy taskbe ok for 2006, but could use one more great
re-building the gulf cost of the United States, buttournament to cement his status. T6 at the
"1-iron" believes it can be done. Again, "1-iron's"Deutsche last year, this course is Taylor-Made for
thoughts are with you - please be well.Thishim.11. Brad Faxon (30/1): Fax can be the first
Week:Tiger Woods laces up the spikes in Bostonplayer to win in Hartford and Boston in the same
for the Deutsche Bank Classic. Vijay Singh is theyear. Mark my words, he can do it. He's playing so
defending champion, after holding off Woods andwell and has a renewed sense of confidence. No
Adam Scott by three shots last year, howeverway I bet against him this week. Big props to the
Singh won't compete due to back spasms. TheFax Machine.12. Zach Johnson (25/1): Has begun to
TPC of Boston is back to yield more low scores,salvage a mediocre year with his play as of late.
and Singh's 16 under from last year probablyLast four weeks have gone T2 at Buick Open,
won't get the job done this year. The course isT17 at PGA Championship, T9 at NEC, and T42
playing at just over 7,400 yards, however thereat Buick Championship. He's playing well and should
are plenty of birdie opportunities on both sides.carry it into Boston.6 Who Won't:13. Charles
"1-iron" looks for a winning score of 20 under toHowell III (40/1): Why? Why is he still out there
come out on top.Whenever you have Woods ingrinding away when his game needs serious
the field, it's a doozie - but throw in Couples,fixing? The crazy thing is that he's missed three
Johnson, O'hair, Immelman, Love III and Chopra -of his last five cuts, but when he plays well (Solo
then it's an absolute party. Because of the time5th at the International, T15 at PGA), he plays
of year (think pigskin and gridiron), "1-iron" believeswell. He may turn it on, but "1-iron" doesn't see it
that the PGA Tour needs to have its stars in thethis week.14. Mark Brooks (Field 3/1): Ugly year.
field every week to keep up. If the Tour can'tHas only made eight of 18 cuts and has
produce Woods, Singh, Mickelson, etc every weekwithdrawn twice. Finish of T10 at Byron Nelson
during this time of year, then it's pointless for thehas been the only bright spot. This won't be a
networks to try and draw ratings against the likesgood week, especially when paired with Woods
of College Football and the NFL. Face it, peopleand Franco the first two days.15. Harrison Frazar
aren't going to watch Frank Lickliter II in a playoff(Field 3/1): "Where have you gone, Harrison
against John Rollins if Coach Frank Solich and theFra-aa-zar?" He's made 15 of 25 cuts but only has
Ohio Bobcats are on ESPN2. It just isn't going to$325,000 to show for it. His spot in 2006 is in
happen. In all seriousness, it's great that we haveserious jeopardy. His scoring average ranks 133rd
a good field this week - but we need it everyon Tour, and that's a big problem. This probably
week.18 Shots -- Deutsche Bank Classic Odds andwon't be the place to fix things.16. David Hearn
Picks6 Who Will:1. Tiger Woods (3/2): Five Wins, 11(Field 3/1): This young man from Canada qualified
Top 10's, 15 Top 25's, two Majors (Masters andfor the Tour through Q-school in 2005. It looks
British), leads the money list......Check Please. T2like he'll have to do it again. 8/16 missed cuts and
last year at this event.2. Tim Petrovic (75/1):only $145,000 in official money. 155th in putting
Winner at Zurich. Hails from the Boston Area. T6gives him a great deal to work on.17. Jason Gore
at the International and played three solid rounds(100/1): The lovable big-man from Van Nuys
at the Buick last week. Keep an eye out for themakes his 2nd membership start on the PGA
Homer.3. Trevor Immelman (60/1): T5 at theTour this week after a T73 at the Buick
Masters with Woods in the field. T15 at the BritishChampionships. He's still getting settled into his
with Woods in the field. T17 at PGA Championshipnew fame and he surely won't be in this spot for
with Woods in the field. T19 at NEC withlong!18. Wes Short Jr. (Field 3/1): Got DQ'd for
Woods....you know the drill. If Woods' is in the field,two incorrect holes last week - how does he top
keep an eye on Trevor. Little guy with a bigit this week? In "1-iron's" doghouse - big time!Doc's
game.4. Sean O'Hair (40/1): Comin' to BostonSports Recent Articles:
HOT! What a splash this young man has made on2005 Big Ten Preview
the game this year. The young 23-year-old whoUS Open odds
was released from his father's "contract" hasNFL rookiesDoc's Sports Handicapping Service
made 19 of 23 cuts and won the Greater1-866-238-6696Since 1971 Doc's Sports has been
Milwaukee Open. Up next could be the beginningrecognized as one of the leaders and most
of a big rivalry with Tiger Woods.5. Daniel Chopratrusted names in sports handicapping information.
(Field 3/1): "1-iron" is rollin' the dice with Daniel