May. 2, 2007Believe it or not, the EDS Byron Nelson Championship marked the midway point of the 2007 PGA TOUR season. So PGATOUR.com asked its panel of experts to weigh in on their top performer of the first half of the year.
T.J. Auclair
PGATOUR.com Interactive Producer
Pick: Vijay Singh
The FedExCup standings say it all -- so far, Vijay Singh has been the top performer in 2007. The man is a machine. Just when you think he might be letting up a little as he reaches his mid-40s after a one-win season in 2006, the Fijian has already won twice midway through 2007. In 12 events, Singh has finished in the top-20 nine times. He is one of the most consistent performers the game has ever seen.
Brett Avery
The Fantasy Insider
Pick: Charles Howell III
Sure, Vijay Singh and Tiger Woods stand above him on the FedExCup standings -- and at least one of them will get tons more votes from the other experts. It's also true Howell has cooled considerably in his last three starts, since the middle of March, including a Masters where one again he wasn't low Augustan. But for a guy who at times couldn't finish a tournament (and at other times looked as if he couldn't finish a round) he certainly stepped into the vacuum created by Woods' part-time competitive schedule. Howell defeated Phil Mickelson in a playoff for the Nissan Open, took a pair of seconds and his top-10 count (five) already matches or betters half of his six full pro seasons. He's seventh in scoring average (69.50), a level harkening to 2002, when he ranked 12th and won his first tournament (Michelob Championship at Kingsmill). He might not draw much attention in the second half but he sure set an example for the if-he-can-do-it-I-can-too guys.
Lauren Deason
PGATOUR.com Editorial Coordinator
Pick: The young American golfers
For awhile now, fans and players alike have bemoaned a lack of winners among the young United States set. In the first half of this season, though, many of the top performers and tournament winners have been in their mid-20s to early 30s and from the U.S., like Charley Hoffman, Mark Wilson, Boo Weekley, Nick Watney, Charles Howell III and Zach Johnson. And not only do they win, but they've got personalities that are attracting a whole new crop of fans. From Hoffman's blonde-wig impersonators to Will MacKenzie's Spicoli-like following, these young Americans are breathing new life into the golf world both on and off the course.
Melanie Hauser
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: Tiger Woods
No, he didn't win the Masters like we all figured he would, but it's tough to argue against Tiger. Two wins. Two more top-9s and one tie-for-22-oops at Bay Hill in five events? There's a reason we put him on another level. Just wait. There's more coming. And to that end, best performer who isn't TW? Veege. Two wins and eight-top 25s in 11 events. More coming from him, too.
Dave Lagarde
PGATOUR.com Correspondent
Pick: John Rollins
Tiger Woods has won twice and is in his familiar spot atop the money list, but honestly now, his complete body of work in 2007 -- five starts -- just doesn't float this boat. So the choice here is John Rollins. He hasn't won, but has been incredibly consistent in 12 events with a pair of seconds, a fifth and only one missed cut. He's sixth on the money list and while Tiger likely will be the best at year's end, he simply has not played enough to be selected at mid-season.
John Maginnes
PGA TOUR on XM Analyst
Pick: Undecided
The year's top performer so far has to be ... well, heck, it's obviously ... I don't really know. Tiger and Vijay are multiple winners. Tiger won for the third straight time in San Diego and made it three in a row at Doral. Vijay won the Mercedes Championships and Arnold's tournament. Zach Johnson is the year's only major champion. Vijay has a slight lead over Tiger in the new FedExCup but he has played seven more events than Tiger's five. Can you be the top performer if you have only played a third of the events? So far so good in the inaugural FedExCup year. If the Tour can reorder the players in August then so can I. I'll let you know then
Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents
Pick: Charles Howell III
Tiger simply hasn't played enough events -- although two wins in five starts and a tie for second at the Masters is admittedly impressive. Maybe we've just come to expect excellence from players like Woods and the season's other two-time champ, Vijay Singh. My vote, though, goes to Charles Howell III who worked hard in the offseason and turned his fortunes around with a playoff win over Phil Mickelson at the Nissan Open and two runner-up finishes among five top-10s in his first seven starts.
Dave Shedloski
PGATOUR.com Senior Correspondent
Pick: Vijay Singh
The leader of the FedExCup points list has earned the distinction with two victories, nine top-25 finishes and nothing outside the top 40 in his 12 starts. He ranks first in the All-Around category and third in scoring. At age 44, he's showing no signs of letting up.