The CareerBuilder Challenge this week hosts 74 past winners on the PGA Tour. It is played at PGA West Stadium Course, the sister course of TPC Sawgrass as both are designed by Pete Dye, and it plays 7,300 yards and is a par 72 in La Quinta, California. It also has a pro-am the first three days so the pros also play at La Quinta Country Club and the Nicklaus Tournament Course. 

The defending champion is Jason Dufner. The former Auburn player shot -25 and was victorious in a playoff over David Lingmerth. That was Duf’s fourth victory on the tour which includes the 2011 PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club.

500 Fed Ex points are at stake for the winner and a $1,044,000 first place check. 

TV

 Golf Channel, Thursday through Sunday at 2-6 PM CT/3-7 PM ET.

Weather is not as good as usual. There are rain chances Thursday, Friday and Sunday, but it’s not major so shouldn’t be a problem. Wind is 5-10 MPH on average for the 4 day event. Saturday is partly sunny and 64, but the wind gets up to 10 MPH, so could be a factor particularly on the brutal 17th. 

Last week

Justin Thomas was victorious for the third time in 5 starts last week at the Sony Open in Honolulu. Most notably, Justin shot 59 on the first day with an 18-foot eagle canning to reach the magic number. Justin also won  the Tournament of Champions at  Maui 2 weeks ago, and the CIMB Classic in Malaysia last October.

Thomas shot 59, 64, 65, 65 for -27 on the par 70 Waialee Country Club Course and set the lowest four hole score ever on the PGA Tour at 253. Tommy Armour III had the record at 254 set at the 2003 Valero Texas Open. Justin also was the youngest player to shoot 59 at age 23. He joined Jim Furyk (58, 2016 Travelers Championship), Al Geiberger (59, 1977 Fed Ex St. Jude’s) Chip Beck ( 59, 1981 Shriners Hospitals), David Duval ( 59, 1999 CareerBuilder), Paul Goydos (59, 2010 John Deere), Stuart Appleby (59, 2010 Greenbriar Classic) and Furyk at the 2013 BMW Championship (59). 

I see a major in Justin’s future, and very possibly this season. He loves Augusta National and wants to win there badly, and the course suits his game with his length and precision with his irons. If he putts like last week, he can surely win the Masters. But I see him having a shot at all 4 majors. The U.S. Open will be at Erin Hills, Wisconsin, and it’s a working man’s tournament, as always, and Justin knows how work a course. The Open Championship is at Royal Birkdale in England, and players can go pretty low there, and Justin is so explosive. So, quite possibly, he can win across the pond. And the PGA Championship is at Quail Hollow Country Club in Charlotte, NC, and that’s a workmanlike course  for length and accuracy, and of course putting as well that Justin can handle.

So I see the 23 year old former University of Alabama stud having an excellent shot at capturing his first major this season.

Key holes

No.17, 168, par 3

An island hole, much like TPC Sawgrass, and a real challenge. Called Alcatraz because you’re sunk with one mistake. If you miss right, left, short or long you’re wet. Just like TPC Sawgrass, with the intense pressure of the Players Championship, this one requires heavy metal toughness. Duf hit it over the green on this hole last year, and was in the sand and rocks just short of the water, then, accordingly,  almost holed out his chip,. His ball hit the pin, and caromed 1 foot away from the hole for a tap in. He parred it and went on to win.

No. 18, 435 yards, par 4 

Water all along the left side of this hole much like the 18th at Sawgrass, so the play off the tee is to the right center, but there are bunkers guarding the right side, so precision is a must. If the player hits it left on his approach, he’s in the drink, and if he hits it short right, he’s in the bunkers. If the player is long right, there is a bail out area  there. Total drama on these last 2 holes.

Contenders

Smylie Kaufman

Shot 68, 69, 67, 67 here last year to finish T-14. He’s the longest driver on tour right now averaging 323 off the tee. On a 7,300 yard track, that’s helpful. The 25 year old from Vestavia Hills, AL. won the 2015 Shriners Hospitals. He’s ready to win again. 

Chez Reavie

Shot 65, 66 here on the final two days last year to finish T-17. Last week at the Sony, Reavie shot 61 on Sunday to finish T-8th. I haven’t seen much of this player, but I like the results from the 35 year old from Wichita, KS. He won the 2008 RBC Canadian Open, so he’s won before. He’s got a good shot at the Stadium course.

Luke List

Part of my Vanderbilt University brethren, finished T-13 at the Sony last week at -13, and finished T-6th here last year. He’s 5th on tour in driving distance at 318. He just needs to putt well to get over the hump and capture his first title. The 31 year old from Seattle is very close right now and is 10th in the Fed Ex standings.

Bill Haas

Bill won here in 2010 and 2015, so for sure he’s a factor. Haas was T-13 at the Sony. The 34 year old from Charlotte won the Fed Ex Cup in 2011 and can get it done in the clutch.

Duf

The defending champion is fourth on the tour in driving accuracy which this course definitely requires. I’m expecting a great showing from Jason.

Winner

This 32 year old from Aiken, SC is another guy that’s close to winning a big tournament like a Players or even a major. He’s a super player and clutch city. He finished T-4 last week at the Sony, shooting 65 on Sunday, for a score of -18. Nobody was going to catch Justin, but he’s always in the hunt it seems like. The 2015 RSM Classic winner gets it done on the first leg of the West Coast Swing.

Kevin Kisner