| 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 with | | | | steal "1-iron's" work as it relates to Chopra. Is |
| Tjaart Van Der Walt at the 2005 edition of the | | | | nothing 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 for | | | | International before missing two cuts in a row at |
| his loyalty to the history, tradition and rules of the | | | | Reno 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 to | | | | up with Annika? Me too, but the "1-iron' has kept |
| speak his mind about controversial issues. This | | | | an eye on his game as well. Two Top 10's in the |
| column wants to congratulate Brad Faxon on a | | | | last four weeks, playing very well.6 Who Can:7. |
| job well done in Hartford.This column would also | | | | Davis Love III (12/1): Playing awesome the last |
| like to point out the stellar play of Tjaart Van Der | | | | two weeks he's been in the field. T7 at the PGA |
| Walt. Lost in the thunder of Faxon's 61 was | | | | Championship 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 the | | | | inexperienced.8. Fred Couples (50/1): Three Top |
| $464,400 he won in Hartford virtually assures him | | | | 10's and seven Top 25's this year. Guy looks like |
| a PGA Tour card for 2006.A minor thumbs down | | | | a million bucks while doing it too. T28 at Firestone |
| to Wes Short Jr., who was disqualified for signing | | | | is 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 (he | | | | World Match Play in favor of the 84 lumber in a |
| had a 3). How in the world does this | | | | couple 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 Shorty | | | | into Boston with a 2nd, a 3rd, and five Top 25's |
| for quite some time, and these scorecard | | | | this year. He's also fresh off a 3rd place finish at |
| shenanigans will do nothing to change his | | | | the NEC where he closed with 68-67-69. His |
| mindset.Also a quick word to the victims of | | | | game is ripe for the pickin this week and at 75/1 |
| Katrina. "1-iron" would like you to know that his | | | | he 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 like | | | | week. Looked great while finishing 4th at the |
| the PGA Tour need to take their place in the | | | | International but hasn't played well all year. Should |
| back of the priority line. It will be no easy task | | | | be ok for 2006, but could use one more great |
| re-building the gulf cost of the United States, but | | | | tournament 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.This | | | | him.11. Brad Faxon (30/1): Fax can be the first |
| Week:Tiger Woods laces up the spikes in Boston | | | | player to win in Hartford and Boston in the same |
| for the Deutsche Bank Classic. Vijay Singh is the | | | | year. Mark my words, he can do it. He's playing so |
| defending champion, after holding off Woods and | | | | well and has a renewed sense of confidence. No |
| Adam Scott by three shots last year, however | | | | way I bet against him this week. Big props to the |
| Singh won't compete due to back spasms. The | | | | Fax 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 probably | | | | Last four weeks have gone T2 at Buick Open, |
| won't get the job done this year. The course is | | | | T17 at PGA Championship, T9 at NEC, and T42 |
| playing at just over 7,400 yards, however there | | | | at 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 to | | | | Howell III (40/1): Why? Why is he still out there |
| come out on top.Whenever you have Woods in | | | | grinding 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 time | | | | 5th at the International, T15 at PGA), he plays |
| of year (think pigskin and gridiron), "1-iron" believes | | | | well. He may turn it on, but "1-iron" doesn't see it |
| that the PGA Tour needs to have its stars in the | | | | this week.14. Mark Brooks (Field 3/1): Ugly year. |
| field every week to keep up. If the Tour can't | | | | Has only made eight of 18 cuts and has |
| produce Woods, Singh, Mickelson, etc every week | | | | withdrawn twice. Finish of T10 at Byron Nelson |
| during this time of year, then it's pointless for the | | | | has been the only bright spot. This won't be a |
| networks to try and draw ratings against the likes | | | | good week, especially when paired with Woods |
| of College Football and the NFL. Face it, people | | | | and 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 the | | | | Fra-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 have | | | | serious jeopardy. His scoring average ranks 133rd |
| a good field this week - but we need it every | | | | on Tour, and that's a big problem. This probably |
| week.18 Shots -- Deutsche Bank Classic Odds and | | | | won'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 and | | | | for the Tour through Q-school in 2005. It looks |
| British), leads the money list......Check Please. T2 | | | | like 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. T6 | | | | gives 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 the | | | | makes his 2nd membership start on the PGA |
| Homer.3. Trevor Immelman (60/1): T5 at the | | | | Tour this week after a T73 at the Buick |
| Masters with Woods in the field. T15 at the British | | | | Championships. He's still getting settled into his |
| with Woods in the field. T17 at PGA Championship | | | | new fame and he surely won't be in this spot for |
| with Woods in the field. T19 at NEC with | | | | long!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 big | | | | it this week? In "1-iron's" doghouse - big time!Doc's |
| game.4. Sean O'Hair (40/1): Comin' to Boston | | | | Sports Recent Articles: |
| HOT! What a splash this young man has made on | | | | 2005 Big Ten Preview |
| the game this year. The young 23-year-old who | | | | US Open odds |
| was released from his father's "contract" has | | | | NFL rookiesDoc's Sports Handicapping Service |
| made 19 of 23 cuts and won the Greater | | | | 1-866-238-6696Since 1971 Doc's Sports has been |
| Milwaukee Open. Up next could be the beginning | | | | recognized as one of the leaders and most |
| of a big rivalry with Tiger Woods.5. Daniel Chopra | | | | trusted names in sports handicapping information. |
| (Field 3/1): "1-iron" is rollin' the dice with Daniel | | | | |