Fantasy Insider: Best of the rest, others to avoid in New Orleans

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If it looks like some of the game's stars are showing up in places you wouldn't expect, your eyes are not deceiving you.

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Last week, a host of current and former studs landed in the field at Harbour Town. Sergio Garcia hadn't entered since 2002. Mike Weir ended a 10-year hiatus. K.J. Choi had played the Heritage just once before, back in 2001. And although it comes as no surprise as he attempts to reclaim his career, it's worth mentioning that Stuart Appleby hadn't made the trip since 1998.

While one-and-dones that finalize picks at the top of the year would love to have predetermined schedules at the ready, that's simply not realistic. Moreover, it's questionable if even having access to the future would modify approaches. Appleby's T8 at the Heritage was his first top 10 in 13 months. Choi finished T41, his worst effort in what has been a tremendous comeback season. Weir faded to a T64. And Garcia missed his first cut of the year.

Seasoned fantasy owners know better than the hop on bandwagons of guys making debuts or returning after lengthy absences. So, while Garcia steers his way into New Orleans for the first time in his career, my advice is not to ride shotgun.

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TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for Steve Marino, Bryce Molder and Steve Stricker.

Stephen Ames -- It is my civic duty to report that the street is giving much love to the soon-to-be 46-year-old (April 28). He's earned it. Ames played 41 holes in bogey-free 14-under-par in the middle of the Heritage en route to a T14. He's 0-for-1 at TPC Louisiana (2009) so if you must, start the week with him on your bench.

Bubba Watson -- That old slogan, "What will Phil do next?" applied to Mickelson, but it could get tagged onto other lefties on TOUR. Mike Weir's owners will concur, as would Watson's in a heartbeat. Indeed, what WILL Bubba do next? He has three top 15s in nine starts and five finishes outside the top 35. Safe to say that they speak his language in the bayou, but consistency is always an issue on the golf course. He finished T5 here in 2007 so there is a memory bank of gold from which he can withdraw if necessary, and that has value. If you're saving starts on Stricker and/or are cool on others in this shallow talent pool, begin with Watson on your Yahoo! bench.

Jason Dufner -- Placed T9 here a year ago, when he was T8 in greens in regulation. Had just five holes over par, too. In 2010, he's cashed in nine of 10 starts, but hasn't posted a top 15. I'd like to see him score better on the par 4s since that's where the field will make its hay this week. Marginally overrated at the moment.

Scott Verplank -- This is the first year that he's gone this deep into a season without a top 15 since 1997, when he was returning from a second elbow surgery. His numbers across the board are worse than in recent years. One wonders if the 45-year-old has hit a career wall even though he's still good for a few paychecks.

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TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for Brian Davis, Charles Howell III, Pat Perez, Rory Sabbatini and David Toms.

K.J. Choi -- The T41 at the Heritage, where he failed to shoot par or better in the last three rounds, is his worst finish of 2010. He might be tiring, but I wouldn't say that to his face. On paper, he's a good fit for TPC Louisiana - fifth in scrambling and 19th in GIR. Also finished T24 here in '09.

Sergio Garcia -- Hmm ... Making his first career appearance in New Orleans. (He hadn't played the Heritage since 2002 before last week's missed cut.) Hasn't posted a top 35 in all six stroke-play starts on the PGA TOUR this year. I don't know how you invest in the Spaniard right now.

Andres Romero -- In case you missed it on Sunday, he won the Tour de las Americas event in Cordoba, Argentina, otherwise known as Angel Cabrera's hometown. (Props to Christopher of Plainview, N.Y., who stole this thunder in an email on Tuesday morning.) Romero won the Zurich in 2008 and was disqualified after signing an incorrect scorecard after his second round last year (he wouldn't have made the cut anyway). I'm not normally in favor of Romero in short-term formats, but he's returning to the site of his only PGA TOUR victory with some momentum.

Kevin Stadler -- Don't forget about this guy. Has five top 25s in eight events this year, including three top 10s. Finished T6 in his last start (Houston). Leads the TOUR in greens in regulation.

Mark Wilson -- First start since his wife gave birth to the couple's second child. Hasn't played TPC Louisiana since 2005 (MC) and since The Honda Classic, has gone 72nd-MC-MC. If he accomplishes anything this week, he might catch up on some sleep.

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TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for Jerry Kelly and Ian Poulter.

Kris Blanks -- Until last week's T5, the lasting image I had was of his chunked approach (and subsequent smirk) at the 72nd hole in Puerto Rico en route to the runner-up, basically securing Derek Lamely's two-stroke victory. At Harbour Town, Blanks finished T8 in greens hit, eighth in putting and T1 in birdies. Perhaps most impressive was his 68 on Sunday, when the nerves often get the best of those thinking paychecks. Keep an eye on him.

Boo Weekley -- He is outperforming my expectations giving his maladies. He closed with a 73 at Harbour Town, and he has had trouble putting for rounds together (fatigue?), but facts are facts. He shows up in the Mississippi Delta with three top 25s over his last four starts. He also placed T13 here a year ago. I still have major concerns over his health, but he's manning up, and that cannot be ignored.

Justin Rose -- A busier stateside schedule had paid off for the Brit, who has locked up a 2011 TOUR card already, with over $776K in earnings. Although he missed this cut last year, TPC Louisiana is an ideal venue for his game. With three top 15s in his last four starts, he's flashing above average consistency. Three of the four winners at this host course were first-timers. I'm bully on JR.

Woody Austin -- Final-round 75 at the Heritage left him with a T22 payday, and likely quite hotheaded after a snowman on the 72nd hole. He's cashed in all four starts at TPC Louisiana, including two top 5s (2005, 2008). Simply a horse for this course.

Jeff Maggert -- Ran up to last week's missed cut with three straight top 20s. Posted top 25s at the Zurich in 2007 and '08. His putting is much improved over recent years overall, but he required 59 strokes on the greens at Harbour Town after finding just 22 of them in regulation. He also finished bogey-bogey-double bogey to miss the cut by two. It's a leap of faith if you're feelin' it. I'm not.

Ben Crane -- He's a surpising 0-for-2 at TPC Louisiana but that changes this week. In 2010, he's 22nd in greens hit, 34th in scrambling and fifth in par-4 performance. His clip in GIR is up over four percent alone over a year ago. Also comes in riding three straight top 25s. Took last week off so he's rested, too.

Chris Couch -- Won the Zurich in 2006, its last year at English Turn. At TPC Louisiana, he's finished T80 (2007) and MC (2009). Lots of numbers point to a good week, but because of his shoulder issues, I don't know if I'll ever subscribe to anything other than a long-term investment here. Sorry.

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.