Fantasy : Fantasy Preview: Buick Invitational : Fantasy Golf Strategies

Buick Invitational Preview:

Torrey Pines Golf Course, La Jolla, California

Defending Champ: Tiger Woods

There isn't much to take into consideration when making your fantasy picks for the Buick Invitational this week. Defending champ, Tiger Woods, has won in his last two trips to Torrey Pines, and has won the Buick four times. Tiger also won a Jr. Golf World Championship at the same venue when he was 15. He is trying to win his seventh consecutive PGA event and even though this will be his first start of the season, Woods is clearly the favorite.

Three time Buick winner Phil Mickelson is also very familiar with Torrey Pines, where he, like Tiger, was a Jr. World Champion as well. He loves the golf course and is a seasoned veteran on this track, where he not only has won three times (1993, 2000, 2001), but has finished in the top 10 five of the last seven years at Torrey Pines.

Past Winners:

John Daly (2004), Jose Maria Olazabal (2002), Mark O'Meara (1997), Davis Love III (1996)

MY PICKS (Subject to change)

"A" Players: This is a no brainer. Either Phil or Tiger has won this event six times in the last eight years. Tiger has won in 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2006 while Phil won in 2000 and 2001. It doesn't matter if this is Tiger's first start, he's won this event the last two years and you must select him! If you aren't thrilled with Woods or Mickelson for some odd reason, there are a few other "A" player options.

Luke Donald has performed well at this event, losing in a playoff in 2004 and 2005, and adding a top 25 last year. Davis Love III finished top 25 last season and has won here in the past. Jose Maria Olazabal won in 2002 and found himself in a playoff at the Buick last year, where he was eliminated by Tiger.

Final "A" picks: Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson

"B" Players: John Rollins and Lucas Glover tied for fourth last year and have both been playing steady golf early this season. Jesper Parnevik has had decent success here, finishing 10th last year and losing in a playoff in 1997. J.B. Holmes, Robert Allenby, Justin Rose, Charles Howell III and John Senden have been playing well. Howell was also in same 2005 playoff at Torrey Pines that Luke Donald was in. Tiger beat them both.

Final "B" picks: John Rollins, Lucas Glover, JB Holmes, Jesper Parnevik

"C" Players: John Daly won in 2004 and is always a crowd favorite. Carl Pettersson has had some success here. Will Mackenzie and Dean Wilson have been solid in the "C" class. Its only a matter of time before Troy Matteson wins again and this could be the place. Paul Azinger is my dark horse.

Final "C" picks: John Daly and Troy Matteson

Good luck!

Email your questions or comments to Tourdeep1251@aol.com