This article is part of our Weekly PGA Preview series.
Is this it? Is this finally the moment we've all been waiting for? No, I'm not talking about the end of Tiger Woods' career, but rather the start of what could be a great career for Jason Day.
To say it's the starting point, though, is to ignore what he's accomplished to this point, which is quite a bit. But many of us in the golf world have been waiting for Day to not only take his game to the next level, but to blow past everyone on his way. Is he the best player in the world? No, but he could be, and it's moments like last week that give some of us that notion.
The kicker for Day has always been his health, of course. Just when he's about to take that leap, he runs head on into some injury that either sidelines him or hampers him enough to affect his game. This year, however, could be different. I say could be, because with injuries you simply never know. Day's game is exactly where it needs to be now, and if he stays healthy, there's no reason to think he'll finish outside the top 5 on the PGA Tour Money List.
That's not the end-game, though. The end-game is No. 1 in the world, and he could get there -- if he stays healthy.
This week: AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am - Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, Calif.
Last Year: Jimmy Walker shot a final-round 74 for
Is this it? Is this finally the moment we've all been waiting for? No, I'm not talking about the end of Tiger Woods' career, but rather the start of what could be a great career for Jason Day.
To say it's the starting point, though, is to ignore what he's accomplished to this point, which is quite a bit. But many of us in the golf world have been waiting for Day to not only take his game to the next level, but to blow past everyone on his way. Is he the best player in the world? No, but he could be, and it's moments like last week that give some of us that notion.
The kicker for Day has always been his health, of course. Just when he's about to take that leap, he runs head on into some injury that either sidelines him or hampers him enough to affect his game. This year, however, could be different. I say could be, because with injuries you simply never know. Day's game is exactly where it needs to be now, and if he stays healthy, there's no reason to think he'll finish outside the top 5 on the PGA Tour Money List.
That's not the end-game, though. The end-game is No. 1 in the world, and he could get there -- if he stays healthy.
This week: AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am - Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, Calif.
Last Year: Jimmy Walker shot a final-round 74 for a one-stroke victory over Dustin Johnson and Jim Renner.
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER
Dustin Johnson
Johnson missed the cut last week, but that was somewhat expected as he was coming off a long layoff. And while he missed the cut, he just missed it, and important distinction as it shows his game isn't that far off. The reason he's No. 1 on this list is his track record here. DJ has five top-10s in seven tries here, including two wins.
Jimmy Walker
Walker has yet to prove he's a top-tier player outside the west coast, but last time I checked, Pebble Beach is on the west coast. Walker's history here is impressive. Prior to his win last year he earned three consecutive top-10s at Pebble.
Spencer Levin
There is plenty of firepower in the field this week, but if you want to go a bit off the beaten path, then Levin might be your man. Levin finished just outside the top 10 last week at the Farmer's, and he's played well here with two top-10s in his past three starts.
Kevin Na
Na is usually at his best early in the season, and that's proven the case here the last three years as he's finished inside the top 25 each year. Two of the last three years he's managed to sneak into the top 5 here.
Jason Day
I'm torn as far as Day is concerned this week. On one hand, you might be better off saving him for majors or WGC events. On the other hand, he's playing well, and his track record here is solid.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Nick Watney
Watney is playing well, but even when he's been at the top of his game, he's rarely played well at this event. Watney has only two top-10s in 11 starts here. He might be playing well enough to make that three top-10s after this week, but there's no reason to take a chance on Watney when there are so many good options.
D.A. Points
Points actually won this event in 2011, but that appears to be the exception rather than the rule. It was his only top-10 in eight tries at Pebble Beach.
Jim Renner
Not that many, if any, would consider Renner, but he did manage a runner-up here last year. Unfortunately, that runner-up showing appears to be a fluke as he hasn't seen that type of success since early last year. He enters this week on a streak of five consecutive missed cuts.
Jordan Spieth
You won't often find Spieth on this list, but there's simply no reason to use Spieth in a one-and-done league this week. There will be plenty of spots to use him this year, and this doesn't appear to be one. He did earn a top-5 here last year, but he's coming off a rare missed cut.
Pat Perez
Perez has a decent track record at this event, but he hasn't played at a high level here for quite a while. Add to that, he's coming off a final-round 83 at the Farmer's last week.
ONE AND DONE GOLFER
Last week: Bill Haas (T19) - $76,356; Season - $873,410
This week: Jimmy Walker - He's not playing at the level he was last year at this time, but he's still atop the FedEx points list, so he's got that going for him. Time is running out on Walker, so you might as well strike while the iron is hot.
YAHOO PICKS
Points: 700
Rank: 34,933
This Week:
Group A: Ryan Palmer, Jim Furyk
Group B: Jimmy Walker, Dustin Johnson, Hunter Mahan, Jason Day
Group C: Spencer Levin, Patrick Reed
SURVIVOR PICK
Last week: Bill Haas (T19); Streak - 5
This week: Jimmy Walker - Unlike last season, this doubling-up thing is working like a charm. Walker owns the early part of the schedule, and the thought of him missing the cut this week seems ridiculous.
