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