Farmers Insurance Open: Brandt for Success

Brandt Snedeker emerges a winner at the Farmer Insurance Open after a surprising finish by tournament leader Kyle Stanley. Throughout the duration of the tournament Stanley seem to have everything going his way, favoring a possible win. Stanley’s lead ceased to exist as he reached the back nine, bogeying holes 11 and 12, cutting his lead to 3 shots with 6 holes left to play. As known in sports the size of the lead doesn’t matter, the more breathing room one obtains, usually leads to more mistakes. Snedeker started the final round with a tough task of playing catch-up after a disappointing third round. Snedeker played well, birding 5 holes till he reached hole #17 were he recorded a bogey but, he fired back with a birdie on #18. Not knowing that it would get him in a playoff. 

Stanley stood on the 18th tee looking to seal the deal but, after a ball in the water and a three putt, he found himself in a playoff with Snedeker. Both would birdie the first playoff hole. Feeling the pressure of victory they both missed the 16th green, Stanley would fail to get up and down.

Definitely a terrible lost for Stanley and best of luck to him. But in the case of Snedeker this victory couldn’t have come at a better time. Coming off hip surgery in late 2011, he seems to be fully healthy and fit to compete. 

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HTWD Picks of the Week: Farmers Insurance Open

   -VS- 

JJ: What's up everyone. Let's get right to it this week! For the Torrey Pine event, I'm going with a golfer I've always enjoyed watch play ever since he turned pro. I'm going with former UNLV star Ryan Moore. I've always admired how he does things his own way, and I really look up to that. The 29 year old had one of the most successful amateur careers of all-time, and although it hasn't fully translated to the professional circuit, he's still had a superbly productive career. He only has one career PGA Tour victory, but I think this could be the time he collects win #2. Torrey always is a good springboard for some other notable Americans (ex- Tiger, Bubba, Nick Watney), and I think Ryan is due for a win. Also, he is finally settling down in his life. He just got married, so he definitely is becoming a more mature person. I just think he's due to have a stellar week.

Bernardo: For the second event on the West Coast swing, I’m going with Ben Crane. Many of you may know him for his humorous personality off the course, notably his appearance in “Golf Boys”, staring Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson, and Hunter Mahan. Besides his dashing moves off the course, Crane can definitely back it up with some solid play. The Portland native has played well at the Farmers Insurance Open, winning back in 2010 with a respectable 13-under par. His most recent win was at the 2011 McGladrey Classic, defeating Webb Simpson (One of the hottest players in 2011). I feel pretty confident Crane will perform this week, especially after a few good runs these past few weeks.

Recap: Last week at the Humana Challenge, Bernardo's choice of Bill Haas made the cut and finished the tournament, whereas JJ's selection of Bryce Molder had his hopes ended with a "9" on cut day.

Already used: 

JJ: Jonathan Byrd, Keegan Bradley, Bryce Molder

Bernardo: Martin Laird, K.J. Choi, Bill Haas

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HTWD News: Rickie Fowler Joins Cobra Golf

This is something newsworthy - up and coming American golfer Rickie Fowler has changed his main equipment manufacturer from Titleist to Cobra. Although this is an in house move (Titleist and Cobra are owned by the same company), it is somewhat of a significant change. Many golfers who have tried both brands realize the different feels they offer. Rickie will be playing this week at the Farmer's Insurance Open, so we will immediately see how his game is affected by this change. Hopefully, it's not much, and he goes out and plays well like he normally does.

Check out this ad-spot that Cobra has already created with Rickie:

Humana Challenge: Leaving A Mark

Wilson with the trophy in hand

Mark Wilson is a very hot player on the West Coast Swing, and in early PGA Tour seasons. He now has accumulated 3 total wins on this swing in the past two years, including taking this week's Humana Challenge, in partnership with the Clinton Foundation. He finished at a -24 total, 2 shots better than last week's winner Johnson Wagner. This is one of the harder events on tour to win, for a few reasons. It is played on 3 different courses, which makes it very difficult to get a feel of any course since you can't hit the same shots and see the same holes everyday. It is also played with amateurs, which can slow down the pace of play more than it already is slowed down.

But Mark plowed through these challenges and came out on top. His fifth total win on the PGA Tour, this will continue to push Mark up the Official World Golf Rankings. Hopefully he'll be able to continue his success for the rest of the season, and he slowed down considerably as last season moved along.

NOTE: Everyone should be watching the NFC Championship battle that is going on right now!!! Go go! Read this blog later! Watch football now!

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HTWD Pick of the Week: The Humana Challenge

Molder vs. Haas

JJ: Wheeeeeew!! Finally got the monkey off my back, and won my first point of the year. Thank you Keegs! Alright, now that we are on the West Coast swing, for an event that has gotten some new life in it thanks to Bill Clinton. With this new life, I'm going with a player who has been pretty rock solid as of late. I'm choosing Bryce Molder for my pick this week. Why am I going with Bryce? Well, he hasn't had a finish outside the top-11 since the JT Shriner's tournament last year, and he's an excellent putter. He put that on display in his Frys.com Open victory. And with a pro-am field set to have bumpy greens and impatience, I have a strong feeling that he will be able to get it done.

Bernardo: This week I’m going with Bill Haas for my pick. Haas has come a long way these past few years becoming the youngest FedEx Cup Champion. Haas also plays well here in the sunny California desert, winning this event in 2010. Many are not firm believers of Haas’s  ability to become a great player, maybe because they rather see other players win. Haas plays golf in a manner of simplicity, no bright colors here, just good stats. So far in 2012 he is ranked first in a variety of stats, notably driving accuracy and greens in regulation. The Wake Forest Alumni has experienced feelings of greatness, hopefully igniting some hunger to keep winning. I believe he will play well this week from tee to green.

Recap: Last week, JJ's pick of Keegan Bradley finished the tournament at an -8 total, which put him in a tie for 13th place. This was enough to beat Bernardo's choice of K.J. Choi, who finished at -4. JJ earns his first point of the year.

Already used:

JJ: Jonathan Byrd, Keegan Bradley

Bernardo: Martin Laird, K.J. Choi

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Photo Editing Done By Ian Kyle Contreras

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