This article is part of our Golf Draft Kit series.
Here's a look at the top Sleepers for the 2013 golf season. Improvement percentage is calculated by comparing the 2013 projected earnings vs. 2012 earnings. Golfers listed below are ranked by projected earnings.
1. Y.E. Yang
2012 Final Rank: 153
2012 Earnings: $454,276
2013 Projected Earnings: $1,500,000
Improvement Pct: 230.2
2013 Outlook: Yang's drop-off last year was astounding. He went from nearly $2.5 million to less than $500K. Usually when a player of his caliber goes missing like that, there's an injury to blame. That wasn't the case with Yang, though, he simply lost his game last year. Fortunately, he's still exempt because of his win at the 2009 PGA Championship. Yang is simply too good to miss the Top 125 again, and as such, he's a must-have at his price. In draft leagues, he could be taken anywhere in the second half of the draft.
2. Steve Marino
2012 Final Rank: 212
2012 Earnings: $85,040
2013 Projected Earnings: $1,250,000
Improvement Pct: 1369.9
2013 Outlook: Marino missed most of last season due to lingering issues with his knee. He gave it a go on two separate occasions, but the knee just wouldn't cooperate. He'll play this season on a major medical extension, and because he only teed it up six times last season, he'll essential have an entire season to earn his card for this season. It's redundant, but that's how it works; make enough to match No. 125 on the list and you have your privileges for the remainder
Here's a look at the top Sleepers for the 2013 golf season. Improvement percentage is calculated by comparing the 2013 projected earnings vs. 2012 earnings. Golfers listed below are ranked by projected earnings.
1. Y.E. Yang
2012 Final Rank: 153
2012 Earnings: $454,276
2013 Projected Earnings: $1,500,000
Improvement Pct: 230.2
2013 Outlook: Yang's drop-off last year was astounding. He went from nearly $2.5 million to less than $500K. Usually when a player of his caliber goes missing like that, there's an injury to blame. That wasn't the case with Yang, though, he simply lost his game last year. Fortunately, he's still exempt because of his win at the 2009 PGA Championship. Yang is simply too good to miss the Top 125 again, and as such, he's a must-have at his price. In draft leagues, he could be taken anywhere in the second half of the draft.
2. Steve Marino
2012 Final Rank: 212
2012 Earnings: $85,040
2013 Projected Earnings: $1,250,000
Improvement Pct: 1369.9
2013 Outlook: Marino missed most of last season due to lingering issues with his knee. He gave it a go on two separate occasions, but the knee just wouldn't cooperate. He'll play this season on a major medical extension, and because he only teed it up six times last season, he'll essential have an entire season to earn his card for this season. It's redundant, but that's how it works; make enough to match No. 125 on the list and you have your privileges for the remainder of the year. No matter the system, Marino if healthy, should easily crack $1 million again this year.
3. Gary Woodland
2012 Final Rank: 134
2012 Earnings: $592,879
2013 Projected Earnings: $1,100,000
Improvement Pct: 85.5
2013 Outlook: Maybe 2011 was a fluke and 2012 is actually the real Gary Woodland, but considering he's fully exempt from a win during the 2011 season, he's probably worth a look. Woodland's upside is huge, as we witnessed it just two years ago when he earned nearly $3.4 million. Woodland is going to be hard to pass up in salary cap leagues at his price. In draft leagues, you can probably swipe him pretty late.
4. Lucas Glover
2012 Final Rank: 216
2012 Earnings: $67,112
2013 Projected Earnings: $1,000,000
Improvement Pct: 1390.0
2013 Outlook: Glover spent all last season dealing with a bum knee and it showed in his results. Glover could play on a medical extension this season, but he doesn't need it. He's still exempt from his win at the 2009 U.S. Open. As long as Glover is healthy this season, he should have no problem surpassing $1 million in earnings, which makes him a must-have in salary cap formats. In draft leagues, he should probably go somewhere near round six.
5. Retief Goosen
2012 Final Rank: 136
2012 Earnings: $571,174
2013 Projected Earnings: $900,000
Improvement Pct: 57.6
2013 Outlook: Goosen's 2012 season was cut short due to a back injury, but he wasn't exactly tearing it up prior to that anyway. Goosen came into 2012 as a sleeper after winning only $800K in 2011, but obviously fell short. It would seem that Goosen is too talented to earn less than $1 million in any season, but it's possible his skills are just fading with time. Whatever the case, he's deserves one more shot as a sleeper this season. He's not a must-have in salary cap leagues, but he's worth a look. In draft leagues he'll likely go too early because of his name, but he's not worth anything but a late-round draft pick.
6. Anthony Kim
2012 Final Rank: 232
2012 Earnings: $33,960
2013 Projected Earnings: $750,000
Improvement Pct: 2108.5
2013 Outlook: If he can ever get healthy, Anthony Kim should easily re-enter the Top 125 on the money list. That's a big if, though. Kim has dealt with several injuries the last few years and each time he's come back a little less potent. It might be best to take more time off to insure he's completely healthy, but that doesn't look like it will be the case. Kim will play on a medical extension this season, and let's just hope when he comes back, he's finally 100 percent healthy. At his price, Kim is more a why-not than a must-have. He will go late in drafts, as well.
7. Paul Goydos
2012 Final Rank: 220
2012 Earnings: $57,220
2013 Projected Earnings: $750,000
Improvement Pct: 1210.7
2013 Outlook: Goydos was limited to only six events last season due to a wrist injury, but he'll play this season on a medical extension. If he performs like he did in 2010 when he earned more than $1.3 million, he'll have no problem staying active on the PGA TOUR the entire season. Goydos should be on every squad in salary cap formats. In draft leagues, he'll probably slip to the end of the draft, if he's drafted at all.
8. Stewart Cink
2012 Final Rank: 149
2012 Earnings: $477,173
2013 Projected Earnings: $750,000
Improvement Pct: 57.2
2013 Outlook: Although Cink has thoroughly stunk up the joint the last two years, he still remains fully exempt from his 2009 Open Championship victory. Cink hasn't shown anything to make us think he'll somehow revert to his old form this year. However, there's always a chance, and with Cink's upside, it's worth the risk he'll figure it out. Because Cink has played so poorly the last two years, he's not considered a must-have, but the reward outweighs the risk in salary cap leagues. He will get drafted as well, but probably too early because of his history.
9. Camilo Villegas
2012 Final Rank: 144
2012 Earnings: $491,729
2013 Projected Earnings: $750,000
Improvement Pct: 52.5
2013 Outlook: Villegas missed out on the Top 125, so he's not fully exempt this season, but since he remained inside the top 150 he'll have conditional status, which will get him into some events this year. In addition, he's sure to receive sponsor's exemptions because of his popularity, so he will get an opportunity to succeed this season. Can he get anything done? He's been off his game for a few years now and needs to turn it around quickly. Whether he gets all the way back to his old form or just partially back, he's probably worth the risk at his price in salary cap leagues. In draft leagues, he'll probably be available late because of his status.
10. Paul Casey
2012 Final Rank: 221
2012 Earnings: $56,755
2013 Projected Earnings: $500,000
Improvement Pct: 781.0
2013 Outlook: Casey won't be fully exempt this season, but he'll get enough opportunities to make some money this season through sponsor's exemptions and possibly his World Golf Ranking if he can improve his rank overseas. Casey's been off his game for a few years now, but his earnings number is so small, there's no reason to not take him in a salary cap format. In draft leagues, he'll probably go undrafted.
11. Angel Cabrera
2012 Final Rank: 174
2012 Earnings: $283,385
2013 Projected Earnings: $500,000
Improvement Pct: 76.4
2013 Outlook: Cabrera is exempt this season because of his 2009 Masters win, and although his better days are behind him, he'll still have plenty of chances to earn big checks this season. If he hits just once, it will justify his selection. Because of his form last season he's not a must-have, but he should be considered in salary cap leagues. In draft leagues, he might be worth a look because of his exempt status at the majors.
12. Scott Verplank
2012 Final Rank: 235
2012 Earnings: $31,168
2013 Projected Earnings: $400,000
Improvement Pct: 1183.4
2013 Outlook: Verplank played only nine events last season due to a hip injury, so he should qualify for a medical extension this year. Verplank's best days are behind him, but if he's healthy, he should have no problem crushing his number from last season. Verplank's price is a drop in the bucket in salary cap leagues, so you might as well grab him. In draft leagues, he'll likely go undrafted.
