Tampa Bay Championship
Innisbrook Resort-Copperhead Course, Palm Harbor, Florida
7,340 yards, Par-71
Field: 156 players
Defending champion: Luke Donald (-13), won in a four-way playoff
Purse: $5.5 million
Winner’s share: $990,000
TV Times: Golf Channel: Thursday: 2-5 PM CT; 7:30-10:30 PM CT; Friday: 2-5 PM CT; 9:30 PM-12:30 AM CT; Saturday: 12:30-2 PM CT; Sunday: 12-2 PM CT; NBC: Saturday: 2-5 PM CT; Sunday: 2-5 PM CT.
Analysis:
The key holes are in the snake pit: No. 16, 17 and 18. Sixteen is a 460 yard Par 4. Driving is critical on this hole as water stretches along the entire right side. Any player who cuts it too much will go in the drink. The second shot is a long one to a wide green. This hole will be a determining factor in the outcome on Sunday.
No.17 is a 215 yard par 3. Bunkers and trees line both sides of a very narrow green. Birdie is a very good score and par is safe. Ernie Els made bogey here last year but was still tied for the lead going to 18.
No.18 is an uphill 445, par 4. Beautiful hole. This is an awesome course. An accurate tee shot leaves an uphill second shot to an elevated, hidden green. The putting surface slopes back to front and has bunkers short and long. Ernie unfortunately missed a three-footer for par and missed the playoff with Luke Donald, Robert Garrigus, Sun Moon Bae and Jim Furyk. It was painful for Ernie and he was so dejected in the post round interview. He didn’t qualify for the Masters, but redeemed himself winning the British at Royal Lytham and St. Annes to capture his fourth major title; two U.S. Opens and two Open Championships. He’s a hall of famer and has earned it. But this one came down to these four guys and Luke won it with a seven-foot birdie putt that just dropped in the left side of the hole. Garrigus had just barely missed a nine footer for birdie right before Luke’s winner. Furyk and Bae parred. Luke regained his spot as the No.1 player in the world. He is now No.3 behind Rory and Tiger.
Who can win:
Guys I see who have a shot are Kuuuuch, because he’s been playing lights out up until last week, which I think was an aberration, and tied for 10th last year. Jason Dufner finished T-10 last year. Think he’s ready to get it going. If he putts well he’ll be right in it. Luuuke of course. With that putter he’s always a threat and he’s a very solid driver. Not long, but accurate. Webb Simpson. Webb also finished T-10 last year and he’s had a pretty good year so far. Sean O’Hair. Kind of a reach, but he’s a Florida guy and plays the Florida courses well. Like him to have a good week.Still think he can do some good things on the tour.
Winner:
This is a reach somewhat, but I’m going to pick the guy who leads the tour in strokes gained putting. He’s had a couple of top 25’s and has made all six cuts he’s played in. He played with Kuchar at Ga. Tech, was a four-time All American and Player of the year his senior year. He was considered the next big thing when he came out in the early 2000’s. He shot a 60 playing with former President Clinton on his home course in Arkansas a while back. I know that doesn’t mean a lot to Cooperhead, but I feel like this guy still has ability to be a big time player on the tour. Solid player. This season has been unpredictable with guys like Michael Thompson winning the Honda, Russell Henley winning at the Sony in Hawaii and John Merrick winning at the Northern Trust at Riviera. There have been the consistent winners winning in Tiger, Phil and Sneds, but the field is so deep and talented now that it’s anybody’s game in these regular events. I’m going with this guy because of his solid overall game and particularly his putting ability.
Bryce Molder
