Final Tune-up before the Masters...

This week we're playing the Shell Houston Open and most of the "super-stars" are taking the week off in preparation for the Masters in Augusta next week.

My guys played honorably last week in a tournament that Tiger OWNS. Three of the four were in "high money" and managed to move me up in the rankings again. I climbed all the way to second just three points out of the lead.

So, what do this week look like?

I'm playing my "hot hands" from the West Coast Swing. That means I'm playing Craig Kanada, Doug LaBelle II, Brandt Snedeker, and Steve Stricker.

Here's what I expect from their play this week.

Craig Kanada isn't a long-hitter, so I don't expect points from him on 300+ yard drives. He does put the ball in the fairway 65.03% of the time, so will be looking for contribution to my driving accuracy pct., which is currently 60.83%. With a putting avg of 1.759 he should also contribute in that area. I'm only .003% away from another point in putting.

Doug LaBelle II is another of my "accuracy pro's". He won't provide any 300+ yd drives, but should help with the driving accuracy as he's currently showing a 68.44% avg for staying in the short grass. His putting average matches Craig's and his greens in regulation is slightly above my current standing.

Brandt Snedeker continues to play well. As long as he plays to at least his averages, and makes the cut, I'll be very pleased.

Steve Stricker is my "wylie coyote" of the week. With a third place finish at the Shell Open last year, and then an amazing run after that, I'll be asking him to once again step up to the plate and carry my team. This year's stats aren't really indicative of what he can do... and since he's doing his final tune-up for his first Masters appearance in five years, I'd expect him to really be honing his edge.

Standings wise I need to defend points in driving accuracy, putting, and stroke average. I could gain points in total sand saves (difference of 4 saves), eagles (tied with 10) and the next level is 11. I could move up one more time in putting with really solid play by all four on my team. If they all continue to the weekend, I could also move up the board in stroke play average.

Sliding down the board a bit...

Gee, I had four guys playing all through the weekend... and dropped clear to 4th, 6 points out of first place.

So much for last week's stratgey.

This week, I'm playing my "hot" players. Forget whether or not their the "undroppables".

Whatever points these guys can muster up will be greatly appreciated.

There's only one cure for what ails this team... these guys have to each play better. They've got to find more fairways, reach more greens in regulation, and put more balls in the hole in less than two putts.

So, how do I think my "hot" guys stack up?

Charles Howell III is ranked #2 in the FedEx Cup run and #15 in the world. He hits the ball a long ways, but only finds the fairway 52.62% of the time. He hits the green in regulation 68.58% of the time and his putting average is 1.76.

Paul Goydos is ranked #9 in the FedEx Cup run and #42 in the world. He doesn't hit the ball a long ways, but he does find the fairway 71.88% of the time. He hits the green in regulation 64.29% of the time and his putting average is 1.757.

Henrik Stenson is ranked #10 in the FedEx Cup run and #5 in the world. He hits the ball longer than Goydos, but not as long as Howell. He finds the fairway 57.14% of the time. He hits the green in regulation 63.89% of the time and his putting average is 1.739.

Geoff Ogilvy is ranked #15 in the FedEx Cup run and #8 in the world. He hits the ball longer than Stenson and finds the fairway 55.47% of the time. He hits the green in regulation 64.51% of the time and his putting average is 1.837.

I don't see gaining points in the 300 yd drive category, as my team is 11 drives behind the next position. The team behind me is 10 drives back.

When it comes to driving accuracy, I have a chance to regain a point if my team can hang it together. My team is .2% behind the next team. I could use a little help from them... suppose they could miss the fairways?

Greens in regulation is where I should gain a point or more as there is .03% to the next point and .2% to the point after that. My team this week will have to play above their average to gain ground as I show a current team average greens in regulation of 65.04%.

I could see improvement in the scrambling percentage, although that's an indication that your team isn't having great success with greens in regulation.

This team shows great promise for moving up a point in putting, if... and that's a big IF, they putt to at least their average, if not slightly better.

Lastly, I could gain a quick point or two with a couple of eagles.

Total birdies, sand saves, and FedEx points take care of themselves with solid play... and all four guys playing on Saturday and Sunday.

Dropped to 2nd place by a half point...

Last week wasn't nearly as good as I wanted. I limped across the finish with three guys on the the weekend... not good when others had at least three and in one case, four.

In a woulda-coulda-shoulda moment, I would have played Heath Slocum. Who knew he'd make a strong run early, before fading on Sunday.

I'll give him a chance this week along with Stuart Appleby, Charles Howell III and my newcomer, Henrik Stenson.

I've dropped Ryuji Imada in favor of Stenson. As I've watched him play over the last couple of years, he's got a lot of drive, and isn't bothered in the least by less than optimal conditions.


With Stenson, I gain length, a better putting average, and of course, that "winner's edge".

I'm looking for strong play this week from Stuart Appleby. He's off to a bit of a slow start, but has good memories of Bay Hill. He's come close to winning and has finished in the money more times than not.

Charles Howell III is playing so solidly, he's a "no-brainer" to start this week.

My goals are four guys playing on Saturday and Sunday; good putting as I need points in putting average, and it's very possible; over 60% of the drives in the short grass; and nice high finishes for FedEx points.

Most of the other teams in this league are playing four players this week, so the real winners will be those who have the most players playing on the weekend.

Areas where I can attack and move up include putting average. I'm showing a 1.785. With the kind of putting my team averages, I could pick up a couple of points. The team with 5 points shows a putting average of 1.781 and my guys average 1.750. There's only .001 separating me from the next team and a point.

I could pick up points in the stroke average, too if my guys play well. I'm .02 away from the next point as I'm showing tied (sharing a point) at 70.64 with the next point at 70.62. Right now, my team has about a 70.32 average. Like I said earlier... Stuart Appleby's had a slow start. I expect him to come to life this week.

Other points up for grabs include total eagles, as well as the FedEx points.

I have to defend against losing points in driving accuracy and greens in regulation, as well as stroke average.

Four team members playing in the late afternoon on Sunday would give me great joy!

Wow, I'm still in 1st place...

After a thorough butt-kicking this last week, I was amazed to find myself hanging onto 1st place by .5 points.

Seems PGA National ate everyone's lunch last week.

Ok, some very quick observations... Ryuji Imada is riding my bench for a while... I'm sorry, unless you're injured, you play the game. I wasn't crazy about his withdrawl after going 6 over on the front nine and then quitting.

Others on my team kept playing despite their issues with the course, the wind, and the water.

This week's line up emphasizes putting strength again, as that is where I can gain the most points.

Paul Goydos brings accuracy, and strong putting skills. Additionally, as a winner this year, he knows the feeling.

Charles Howell III brings length, strong putting skills and the same winning knowledge.

I really like Doug LaBelle's scrappiness... he just doesn't quit. Last week he played his heart out to come from 43rd and finsh T-13th.

I'll play Steve Stricker for the first time this year. Last week he played very well and I would expect him to continue. His putting skills and low scoring average are welcome additions.

The only thing left is for these guys to play like I know they can. This week's test will be nearly as difficult as last week. With the Florida "breezes", the courses toughen considerably. Previous PODS Tournament's have been played in the fall, and having lived in Florida, I can attest to the difference between spring and fall.