This article is part of our Weekly PGA Preview series.
A golfer who overpowers courses, has great touch around the greens, is lethal with the putter and closes out 54-hole leads. This was the best way to describe Tiger Woods in his prime, but it also fits the guy who might be the best thing since Tiger -- Jason Day.
It's easy to get ahead of ourselves when crowning the next this or the next that, especially in golf, where one really impressive showing can stay with us for weeks or even months, and although we've seen a couple guys, mainly Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy, impress for short stretches, we haven't witnessed anything like what Jason Day has done the last 12 months in quite a while. It would be easy to regurgitate the numbers that encapsulate Day's game, as impressive as they are, but what's more impressive is the way Day looks on the course. Health issues notwithstanding, Day has appeared to be in complete control of every facet of his game the last 12 months. No mental breakdowns, no prolonged stretches of the pulls or the pushes off the tee, no yips, no nothings, just complete and utter control.
Rory is more accomplished and Spieth has more majors, but Day looks like the best player in the world now, and he's looked that way for almost a year. It's way too premature to make the Tiger comparisons -- Day would have to play like this for a decade to do so -- but it's not too early
A golfer who overpowers courses, has great touch around the greens, is lethal with the putter and closes out 54-hole leads. This was the best way to describe Tiger Woods in his prime, but it also fits the guy who might be the best thing since Tiger -- Jason Day.
It's easy to get ahead of ourselves when crowning the next this or the next that, especially in golf, where one really impressive showing can stay with us for weeks or even months, and although we've seen a couple guys, mainly Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy, impress for short stretches, we haven't witnessed anything like what Jason Day has done the last 12 months in quite a while. It would be easy to regurgitate the numbers that encapsulate Day's game, as impressive as they are, but what's more impressive is the way Day looks on the course. Health issues notwithstanding, Day has appeared to be in complete control of every facet of his game the last 12 months. No mental breakdowns, no prolonged stretches of the pulls or the pushes off the tee, no yips, no nothings, just complete and utter control.
Rory is more accomplished and Spieth has more majors, but Day looks like the best player in the world now, and he's looked that way for almost a year. It's way too premature to make the Tiger comparisons -- Day would have to play like this for a decade to do so -- but it's not too early to say he's the best golfer we've seen in a long time.
This week: AT&T Byron Nelson - TPC Four Seasons Resort, Irving, Texas
Last Year: Steven Bowditch shot a final-round 64 on his way to a four-stroke victory over three players, including Charley Hoffman and Jimmy Walker.
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER
Charley Hoffman
Hoffman's game has been strong since the beginning of March, and his track record at this event is solid, as well. Hoffman has finished in the top 20 three of his last four starts, and although he missed the cut last week, we can chalk that up to the uniqueness that is Sawgrass. Hoffman will get back on track this week at an event where he's finished in the top 10 in nearly half of his nine starts.
Dustin Johnson
This seems like the perfect "just off the radar" event where DJ will thrive. He's played well here with four top-10s in his last five starts at this event. His game appears to be in good enough shape to make a charge here, as well.
Keegan Bradley
Bradley is approaching Mahan-ian levels of irrelevancy, but a trip back to Irving might snap him out of his recent funk. Bradley won here in 2011 and has finished inside the top 30 in all of his five starts at this event.
Marc Leishman
Leishman hasn't cracked the top 10 since mid-February, but he's played well enough to make me think that he has a chance this week. To clarify, the only reason he's on the radar is because of his track record here, which includes five top-15s in seven starts. Like several others players in the field this week, Leishman is hoping at return to this course will jumpstart his game.
Jason Dufner
When Dufner won early in the year, we thought the old Dufner might be back. And while his play since has tempered expectations a bit, he's still playing better than in previous years. With that in mind, he's a serious threat to win this week as his track record at this event is sound.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Steven Bowditch
Bowditch is the defending champion, but his win at this event last year came as a surprise as his track record entering the week was anything but strong. This year, he enters on a streak of five consecutive missed cuts.
Ken Duke
Duke pulled what could be the round of the year and maybe his life, out of his behind last week at the Players, but if history teaches us anything, it's that guys like Duke don't often carry momentum like that over from week to week. Also not helping his cause is a ho-hum track record here with two top-10s in seven starts.
Brendon Todd
Todd won this event in 2014, which would lead you to believe he has a chance this week, but considering he's missed a staggering 11 consecutive cuts on the PGA Tour dating to February, he'll probably be happy to simply make it to Saturday this week.
Mike Weir
There must have been something in the water in 2014, as the year Todd won this event, Weir finished runner-up. It was a rare strong showing from Weir, and one we haven't seen since. Weir simply has lost his way, and it would be more than a stretch to take him this week.
Alex Cejka
Jason Day notwithstanding, last week's Players leaderboard wasn't exactly a who's-who of professional golf. In other words, what rose to the top last week, wasn't cream. Alex Cejka rose to the top last week -- don't expect it again.
ONE AND DONE GOLFER
Last week: Sergio Garcia (T45) - $24,150; Season - $6,460,289
This week: Charley Hoffman - I'll likely never make up for not using Hoffman at the Texas Open, but fading him here again could prove even more regrettable. So, I'll make the smart play and use him.
YAHOO PICKS
Points: 2,586
Rank: 25,863
This Week:
Group A: Dustin Johnson, Keegan Bradley
Group B: Zach Johnson, Charley Hoffman, Jason Dufner, Jimmy Walker
Group C: Billy Horschel, Matt Kuchar
SURVIVOR PICK
Last week: Sergio Garcia (T54); Streak - 2
This week: Marc Leishman - While I failed to use Hoffman as my one-and-done pick at the Texas Open, I did use him as my survivor pick, so I have to go a different route. Have no fear though, Leishman is fairly reliable and he's been solid at this event over the years.
