Wachovia Draws Top Talent

After the disappointing showing at the Byron Nelson, it’s good to see that 28 of the top 30 players are returning to the field at the Wachovia Championship. Woods, of course, is the headliner, and Jim Furyk returns as the Champion.

The Quail Hollow course is long, at 7,438 yards, and seemingly on that basis, Woods is a heavy favorite in most betting lines. But past winners have not necessarily been big bombers. Jim Furyk, David Toms and Joey Sindelar have won here in the past.

An even bigger knock against Woods: he has never won here. Interestingly, this is the first event he’s played where he hasn’t previously won since the Nissan in Feb. 2006. Woods does remarkably well in repeat performances; more than a third of his victories are on just six courses:  Bay Hill, Augusta, Muirfield, Medinah and Firestone. So if you bet against him, you couldn’t be blamed.

Still, I have him as the number one on my fantasy golf team this week. I’ve also got Luke Donald, Padraig Harrington, John Rollins, Jerry Kelly, Sean O’Hair, Bubba Watson and Henryk Stenson on the roster.

I’m looking forward to watching this tournament.