Fantasy Insider: Ranking rest of the SBS Championship field

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Jan. 6, 2010
By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy Columnist

It didn't take long for the e-mails to start pouring in -- OK, so it was a steady trickle -- after my full-membership ranking was posted to the main page. And I love it. Half of this gig is engaging with you.

Just like during my two years as columnist over at Rotoworld, from your e-mails I gather player values on the whole, how sleepers stack up and all sorts of other factors that lead to league championships in all formats. I think many of you would be surprised to know how much your information molds what I pass along to you. Always stay in touch. And I will as well.

This space has been given the latitude to evolve a bit, which is really nice since it has to. However, since I'm writing Monday's Power Rankings, which features my top-10 for the next tournament, the weather forecast and a reference to how the course(s) plays, it would be redundant to copy and paste here.

Instead, you'll read my takes on smart fades, possible injury impacts and other vital information as it pertains to many fantasy formats. I'll also give one-and-dones and duffer leagues my selections of the week. What you won't see here are my Yahoo! picks. Instead, look for those in Wednesday's Approach Shots. I'll explain my method of attack for that game when our first edition of 2010 rolls out.

So, since I've already hit the top-10 for the SBS Championship, might as well share with you my take on the remaining 18 at Kapalua. Please don't expect a full-field analysis every week. I love what I do, but I'd like my family to remember who I am.

In order of projected finish after the top 10:

11. Retief Goosen. There's always one final cut when I'm prepping the fantasy preview. Hence, the Goose. Returned to territory north of $3 million in earnings in 2009 at the age of 40. Hasn't played Kapalua since '05 but has four top-15s in as many starts, including two T4s. He's longer off the tee than you think and his below-average ball-striking won't factor in the expanse that is the host course.

12. Stephen Ames. Finished third in 2008 and has retained a worthy short game at the age of 45. Finished first in greens in regulation under 75 yards and first in putting from 15-20 feet in '09. Also, fourth 4th on TOUR in birdie-eagle percentage on par 5s.

13. Martin Laird. One of seven first-timers at the SBS. Lotta length and gutsy performer. Sat third in birdie-eagle percentage on par 5s in 2009.

Picks for other formats
ONE AND DONE: Stephen Ames. I'm saving my top 11 this week. Ames won his last start of 2009 at the Children's Miracle Network Classic, and he has a solid track record here.

DUFFER: Michael Bradley. He's this year's Greg Kraft.

14. Rory Sabbatini. His love of Kapalua and Hawaii is well-documented. Even when he hasn't qualified for this event, he's teed it up in the pro-am, as a few will every year. The long-hitting South African is the last guy inside my top half for the SBS. He hasn't had a top-10 anywhere since winning the HP Byron Nelson Championship in May.

15. Stewart Cink. Prone to funks, but his last payday was a T5 at the Chevron World Challenge a month ago. Finished tied for 24th here a year ago. Can't ignore long hitters in this thin field.

16. Angel Cabrera. If you can't appreciate this fella's game, then you don't love golf. Forget about the fantasy frustration here. He's a fun own when he pushes a peg into the earth. Placed T15 in his only appearance here in 2008, but crushes it (you already knew that) and arrives after a relatively quiet PGA TOUR postseason (for him), making only two starts.

17. Troy Matteson. Another bomber who might lead the field in greens in regulation but hasn't played since his playoff win at the Frys.com Open, which was his only top-10 of 2009. Toss in a rusty putter and here you go. Finished tied for 11th in 2007, the only other time he was qualified.

18. Paul Casey. This is a leap of faith considering his healing interior oblique muscle. He's a first-timer at Kapalua but is a stud when he can air it out. Smart fantasy owners will monitor his quotes this week. And his swing.

19. Bo Van Pelt. This week's sleeper is another first-timer. For someone with his kind of game and who led the TOUR in total birdies in 2009, you'd think that he'd contend more often. In fact, most of his successes have occurred on shorter tracks, but then he snuck in a tie for seventh at the Turning Stone Resort Championship last fall.

20. Pat Perez. You won't see PP included much in my previews unless he's nursing a known injury. He's way too hot-and-cold, which speaks to his fiery personality. I tend to prefer known commodities in short-term fantasy formats, but he's a great putter, which matters a lot this week.

21. Jerry Kelly. Hasn't qualified since 2003, when he finished T10. His grinder mentality offers the perception that he's an overachiever, which usually deflates his fantasy value. Indeed, he was a force in '09 and should have a great time this week. He'll need to be aggressive to contend, however.

22. John Rollins. Hasn't finished better than 25th in two starts here but plays well when he can lace into a few drivers. Like a few others here, he's benefited by a relatively weak field. Much smarter long-term own.

23. Brian Gay. In his debut here a year ago, he shared first in driving accuracy and was last in distance en route to a tie for 18th. It will boil down to his accuracy with the irons. Too many fanned approaches will place too much stress on his splendid putting game.

24. Y.E. Yang. Oh, for his frequent-flier miles. World leaders have traveled less in the last four months. First-timer has been on a whirlwind junket, so give him a week or two to fall into a routine before plugging him in.

25. Heath Slocum. Nothing special here. The lesser of the remaining evils. Always more valuable in long-term formats.

26. Mark Wilson. Love him and his value long-term, but not this week. He finished 27th in 2008, the only other time he's qualified.

27. Nathan Green. Hasn't had a top 25 since winning the RBC Canadian Open in a playoff. Not quite the confidence booster we wanted. Plus, this is his first go at Kapalua.

28. Michael Bradley. Hasn't appeared since finishing 30th in 1999, the first year Kapalua hosted. Cashed just six times in 16 starts since his win at the Puerto Rico Open presented by Banco Popular.

Rob Bolton is PGATOUR.COM's new fantasy columnist. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the PGA TOUR. To contact Rob, please e-mail him at FantasyInsider@charter.net

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