Chris DiMarco

It seems like a lifetime ago that DiMarco was contending several times per season and earning more than $2 million per year on a regular basis. Instead of earning $2 million per season, DiMarco is now fighting to retain his card on a annual basis. Although he's been successful in doing so a few times the last five years, he's no longer the golfer who can win a big amount on the PGA TOUR.

DiMarco looks like he will continue to go backwards. The Florida is well liked on Tour, but it seems unlikely he'll turn his career around after such a sharp decline the last few years.

If DiMarco could get mentally prepared each week like he does for majors, then maybe he'd be back in the top-30 again. DiMarco picks one or two events each season where he plays lights-out, then he's struggling to make the cut the following week. DiMarco has not been the same since an early season rib injury in 2006. His numbers pre-injury were much better than what he's shown over the last two years, and I have to think it's just a matter of time before he gets back to that place.

An early season injury really took DiMarco out of his comfort zone for much of the year. How else can you explain his results from March through mid-July? Only a gutty effort at the British Open saved him from a complete disaster of a season. That said, his prospects for 2007 look pretty good. A couple months off should get him back to 100 percent health, which is all he will need to improve on his 2006 numbers.

DiMarco chose his spots well last year finishing runner-up at the WGC Match Play tournament, The Masters and the NEC Invitational. Certainly a good sign for DiMarco to finish well against excellent fields. What doesn't bode so well is that he couldn't post a victory in 2005. In fact, DiMarco hasn't won an event since January 2002. His earnings have increased for three consecutive years, though. We might be looking at a scenario like Mike Weir faced a few years back. Weir hadn't won in quite a while and an early season win opened the flood gates. DiMarco might have set himself up well for this year to be his best.

The first thing I noticed about his numbers from last year was the good Putting and GIR ranks. The second thing was the fact that he spread his earnings out well last year. Some in the beginning, middle and end. DiMarco had long been known as a fast starter and a decent finisher. Last year he added a little meat to the sandwich with top-tens at the Buick Classic and the US Open. It's hard for me to tell if DiMarco is getting better or leveling off. Either way I don't see him regressing this year, but I also don't see this as an exciting pick.

DiMarco will most likely make you money every time out, as he missed only three cuts in 27 tries, but he could manage no better than a tie for 2nd last year. He seems to be falling behind the curve when it comes to driving distance, but has improved on accuracy over the past few years. This will be a very interesting season to see if he can take his game to the next level.