PGA Tour ready to tee it up in 2009
The PGA Tour begins its season Thursday, but you can't fool a single Chicagoan into believing that it's golf season. Everyone in the Midwest is more likely to pick up a shovel than a 7-iron this month.
Nevertheless, the Mercedes-Benz Championship begins play in Hawaii, where there are no signs of flurries.
To whet your golf appetite, here's a preview and a few predictions for the 2009 PGA Tour season:
The majors
Masters, April 9-12, Augusta National Golf Club
Eighty-to-1 odds didn't bother Trevor Immelman in 2008 as he added a Green Jacket to his wardrobe. Augusta National will have a familiar swing on hand this year, Greg Norman. Let's hope his woes are a thing of the past. Major contender: Jim Furyk.
U.S. Open, June 18-21, Bethpage State Park
Golf's greatest test of skill comes back to the greatest test of crowd control, Bethpage Black. Everyone knows New Yorkers can be a little rough, especially Sergio Garcia. Hopefully his pre-shot routine has sped up since '02. Major contender: Tiger Woods.
British Open, July 16-19, Turnberry Links' Aisla Course,
Padraig Harrington will try to become this first person to win three Opens in a row since Peter Thomson in 1954-56. Not too daunting of a task. In '08 we saw the Shark make a run, who's to say he can't do it again? Major contender: Ian Poulter.
PGA Championship, Aug. 13-16, Hazeltine National Golf Club
Harrington's third major victory came last year at Oakland Hills. Hazeltine played host in 2002 and has had a few adjustments since, but should be no worry for "you know who." Major contender: Tiger Woods
Mark on your calendar
• WGC Accenture Match Play, Feb. 25-March 1, Ritz-Carlton Golf Club
• Arnold Palmer Invitational, March 26-29, Bay Hill Club
• The Players Championship, May 7-10, TPC Sawgrass
• BMW Championship, Sept. 10-13, Cog Hill Golf & Country Club
• The Presidents Cup, October 8-11, Harding Park Golf Course
Needing answers ...
• When will Tiger Woods return and in what condition?
• Will the Stevie Williams (Woods' caddie) versus Phil Mickelson bout spill over into the season?
• How will Greg Norman fare at the Masters?
• Who will be this year's Rocco Mediate?
• Will we see the PGA Tour's first failed steroid test?
Predictions
• Woods wins the FedEx Cup and 2009 Player of the Year.
• Sergio Garcia does not win his first major.
• Someone will call out Woods, a la Rory Sabbatini.
• John Daly will not be in any of the galleries.
• Boo Weekley's "Boooo!" chant will become golf's version of "the wave."
Players to watch - not named Tiger Woods
Anthony Kim: Had an outstanding 2008 season with a pair of wins. Crushes the ball and has the short game to match. Only 23, he looks like he'll be hanging around for a bit.
Vijay Singh: The 2008 FedEx Cup champion has stood the test of time. The '09 major courses seem to fit his game, but he'll have to hold off some tough fields.
Camilo Villegas: Until the FedEx Cup playoffs, he was just "that guy who wears tight pants and lays on the green" to many. After back-to-back wins at the BMW Championship and Tour Championship, Villegas is on the rise.
Kenny Perry: After 3 wins and a Ryder Cup victory in his home state, Perry is poised to carry over some of his 2008 success. His driving distance and putting can make him a contender in any major. Hard to believe he's 48.
Kevin Streelman: The Winfield native made a name for himself in '08 and stood out as one of the top rookies on tour. Four top-10 finishes and 35th in FedEx Cup points isn't too shabby. Nice to see someone who can emerge from Chicago winters and compete with the big boys.