Tournament: The Memorial Tournament Presented by Nationwide Insurance
Date: May 30th-June 2nd 2013
Course: Muirfield Village Country Club Dublin,Ohio
TV: Golf Channel Thurs-Sunday, CBS Sat-Sunday
by Tim, PGA Golf Handicapper, Predictem.com
Well, here we go! Jack’s tournament is on the schedule this week for the PGA Tour fella’s. The 2013 Memorial Tournament Honoree is Ray Floydand of course, Jackwho throws this ‘Honoree’ smokescreen up deflecting the obvious honoring intention of the Tournament; to honor Jack Nicklaus! Tiger’s the favorite here-at around 2:1-and he should be: Tiger’s won the tournament 5 times. The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance fields an extremely strong field every year and 2013 is no different; 7 of the World’s Top 10 Players are here, 25 of the Top 30, and 41 of the Top 50. And “No!” Jim Furyk will not win. If Furyk does that little “Palm to waist hitch” again he must seek counseling. Rory McIlroy is playing and, unfortunately, is still carrying Nike Irons>>>> so he’s finished. Bubba Watson made enough money at the Colonial (I mean: ‘The Crowne blah, blah, blah) to buy a brand spankin’ new Bass Boat and washer so he’ll be a non-factor. Adam Scott and his new 20 million fans, according to Sage Greg Norman (That’s right. The entire country of Australia now likes Adam Scott because he won the Masters; Sure. When will they shut up and just play?!)Australia started as a Penal Colony; right? Okay, Adam Scott is now full of himself which actually helps his cause. Placing one’s self first is a prerequisite to be a Championjust ask Tiger. Further, the entire country of Australia, according to Sage Greg Normanyou know the rest. Let’s look at this field and see if we can pick a winner.
Muirfield offers two defenses against low scores; undulating and fast greens. You could park aircraft carriers on those fairways and the greens are as big as a Mall parking lot. A few trees placed here and there off the Tee-Boxes dissuading a Player from hitting Driver (forcing a 3-wood into their hands), Muirfield is virtually wide-open. Muirfield’s prettyand pretty easy! This course is constantly rated No. 1 or No. 2 by the Pros every year as the most immaculately manicured course they play. It does have a bit to it, though. Hit the ball in the wrong place on these greens (if it hasn’t rained) and you can 4-putt. Wedge play is CRUCIAL at Muirfield and wedge play kept Kuchar from winning last week. Bo Van Pelt has a great shot here because he owns the ‘Wedge’. Scott Stallings should have won last week’s tournament until he decided to get a little extra practice in—–ON THE 15th HOLE—–turning his “29” (TWENTY-NINE) on the front into a third place finish! He needs to learn how to win and maybe, just maybe, this will give him the ‘push’ to close the deal. Stallings has won once on Tour-The True South used to be Deposit Guarantee used to be Magnolia State now is Sanderson Farms Championshipbut that one doesn’t really count since the tournament is almost a mini-Tour affair. Dustin Johnson should contend at The Memorial; if he’s interested? Steve Stricker has a great wedge and has won The Memorial, but he-like Furyk-are still smartin’ from that disgrace at the Ryder Cup last year. And the “Golden Boy” Charlie Hoffman will be slinging it around Muirfield with pizzaz and pompK.J. Choi is loaded up and ready and Charles Schwartzel looks pretty good and ready to win. But the real star of the show is Tigerbet against him here and you’ll lose. The only one with an ego big enough to swallow Tiger is the one hosting the Tournament; Jack Nicklaus. Oh! They changed the clubhouse around and put a lighthouse in the center? Look for thatand goofy Nicklaus walking down to shake the Champion’s hand after the tournament; ala Bobby Jones at Augusta (leave it alone Jack!). Let’s make some units now!
Short Favorite: Tiger Woods (2 Odds to 1 to Win)
DominanthereDominanthereDominanthere. Hate him or love him, The Memorial is Napolean’s Austerlitz to Tiger! Just complete domination at Jack’s Tournament.
Middle of the Road: Bo Van Pelt (28 Odds to 1 to Win)
Absolutely brilliant wedge player! If he’s got a wedge in his hand and playing in regulation; “Watch Out!”
Longshot: Ben Curtis (200 Odds to 1 to Win)
Ben hasn’t played all that well but his home course is about 20 miles from Muirfield (Mill Creeknice little public course) and he’ll have a TON of followers rooting for him. He also won the British Open; right? And 20 million Australians are now fansanyway, it’s a longshot but he grew up the hard way very close to Muirfield and would like nothing more than to rub those Contry Clubber’s noses in theummm.sand traps. He can winhe’s got a shot!
Head to Head Matches *Picks to win based on final score after all four rounds. Check out your favorite online betting sites for single round matches and a variety of prop bets.
Jim Furyk vs. Rickie Fowler (our pick to win: Jim Furyk)
I know I’m going to hate myself in the morning but Fowler’s been choppin’ it up all year. Furyk’s been..Furyk; un-fantastic, un-creative and un-horrible. Furyk won’t win but he’ll win this matchup thoroughly since Fowler seems to be hunting for new ways to hit bad shots.
Webb Simpson vs. Zach Johnson (our pick to win: Webb Simpson)
Zach is all heart and ALL Putter/Wedge. I think he says a big letdown here because the course doesn’t suit him well. Also, he said he didn’t play the first round well because he lost his ball marker.Lucky Ball Marker! That’s a ‘Head-Case’ waiting to happen; it happens here!
