HTWD Picks of the Week: AT&T National

 VS

JJ: I keep losing. Therefore I choose to keep taking flyers on guys who can either win or just plain miss the cut. Not the best strategy, but I'm losing patience. So, for this week, I'm taking rooking and former Alabama star Bud Cauley. He's been relatively quiet this year, but this should be a good time to break out, right? 

Bernardo: This week for AT&T National I’m picking long hitting J.B. Holmes. With the pick of the week race coming close to its final stretch, the decision on selecting a player is becoming difficult, but I believe Holmes will get the job done. In his previous starts at Congressional GC, Holmes has played well, leading one to believe this could be his week after a few setbacks.  

Already used: 

JJ: Jonathan Byrd, Keegan Bradley, Bryce Molder, Ryan Moore, Brandt Snedeker, Phil Mickelson, K.J. Choi, Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood, Charl Schwartzel, Nick Watney, Bubba Watson, Johnson Wagner, Hunter Mahan, Aaron Baddeley, Matt Kuchar, Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott, Ernie Els, Graeme McDowell, Dustin Johnson, Padraig Harrington

Bernardo: Martin Laird, K.J. Choi, Bill Haas, Ben Crane, Matt Kuchar, Dustin Johnson, Aaron Baddeley, Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Brandt Snedeker, Webb Simpson, Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott, Jim Furyk, Bud Cauley, Bubba Watson, Hunter Mahan, Keegan Bradley, Rickie Fowler, Robert Karlsson, Lee Westwood

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Traveler's Championship: Off the Leish

Wow. We just had another drama filled finish that follows a major. This time, it's Marc Leishman who gave us the suspense we crave after shooting a brilliant 62 that made him wait around for a possible playoff, and then soon realizing that he actually ended up winning. He finished more than 2 hours ahead of the leaders, yet stuck around the clubhouse because he knew he had a chance for a playoff at the least.

Fortunately for him, and unfortunately for Charley Hoffman, a playoff wasn't needed. Hoffman held a 2 shot lead with 2 holes to go, yet couldn't hold on for the title. He made an ugly double on 17, then followed that up with a bogey on 18 to miss out on a possible 2 man playoff.

Leishman stuck around by chilling in the clubhouse, watching some soccer, and hanging with his family as he tried to figure out his fate. I know I definitely would have been very anxious to see if I was going to claim my first PGA Tour title or not, so it must have been very intense for him,

Congrats, Marc!

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HTWD Picks of the Week: The Traveler's Championship

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JJ: My pickings are getting slim, and with Bernardo's lead now doubled on me, I need to keep my picks smart, short, and sweet. I'm picking Bernardo's fave player, Padraig Harrington. Paddy hasn't had much of a stellar season so far, and really hasn't done anything to merit a pick in the last 3 seasons or so. But you know what they say: All it takes is 4 good rounds, and you never know what could happen. Let's hope Paddy catches lightning in a bottle this week.

Bernardo: What an exciting finish at the U.S. Open, but now we move onto the Traveler’s Championship. This week I’m picking Fredrik Jacobson the swedish pin-seeking machine. Freddy is coming off a T15 finish at U.S. Open and notably the defending champ this week. I believe he will have a good week, resulting in a possible repeat win. 

Recap: Bernardo continues to roll, with Lee Westwood having a solid finish for him to gain on his already big lead.

Already used: 

JJ: Jonathan Byrd, Keegan Bradley, Bryce Molder, Ryan Moore, Brandt Snedeker, Phil Mickelson, K.J. Choi, Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood, Charl Schwartzel, Nick Watney, Bubba Watson, Johnson Wagner, Hunter Mahan, Aaron Baddeley, Matt Kuchar, Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott, Ernie Els, Graeme McDowell, Dustin Johnson

Bernardo: Martin Laird, K.J. Choi, Bill Haas, Ben Crane, Matt Kuchar, Dustin Johnson, Aaron Baddeley, Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Brandt Snedeker, Webb Simpson, Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott, Jim Furyk, Bud Cauley, Bubba Watson, Hunter Mahan, Keegan Bradley, Rickie Fowler, Robert Karlsson, Lee Westwood

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U.S. Open: Webb Simpson Now A Major Champion

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Golf’s second major  has come to a completion, living up to its tough course conditions with a winning score of 1-over par by Webb Simpson. Throughout the duration of the final round there were many players just a few birdies away from holding the lead, making it difficult to pin point a possible favorite. 

Jim Furyk started the day atop of the leader board at 1-under par, but after a demanding day at the Olympic club he fell a few shots short of winning. At one point we saw Erine Els in contention, but after a few bogeys on the back nine, the dream was short lived. This was the story for many players today, notably Tiger Woods who finished the tournament at 7-over par. Michael Thompson who led the field after the first round finished in a tie for 2nd place. The first six holes got the best of most today, averaging over par throughout the week.

The amateur competitors played a key role this week. To start off Andy Zhang, the 14 yr. old Leadbetter student, stunted the world after setting the record for the youngest player to compete in the U.S. Open.  Beau Hossler who had the possibility of winning, but was unable to overcome the final round pressure. Finally the low amateur, Jordan Spieth, who finished T7 with Tiger. 

Webb got the job done after firing a pair of 68s over the weekend. He started the final round a bit bumpy, bouncing back with 4 birdies in a 5 hole stretch. GMac and Furyk both stood on the 18th tee needing a birdie to force a playoff. Webb nervously watched both players as they finished and failed to convert. This win is his 3rd victory on tour followed by his first major championship. 

Congratulations Webb Simpson!

HTWD Picks of the Week: U.S. Open

 VS

JJ: Whoop! The U.S. Open is here, right in the bay area at the Olympic Club is going to be a tough test. It's going to be long (a par 5 that's 670 yards!), narrow, and have unpredictable weather. Not to mention that the 6 opening holes may be the hardest opening stretch in major championship history. This is sure going to be fun to see how the professionals handle these adverse conditions. And with that, I'm going with Dustin Johnson this week. DJ has been hurt for most of this year, but just won last week, showing us that he is still capable of reaching top form. This should bode well for a tough course, and hopefully he can come out on top and possibly collect that 1st major title.

Bernardo: The second major of the year is upon us, the U.S. Open. It will be held at one of California’s golfing gem, the Olympic Club. Its location is prime for some enormous crowds to hit the course running. For what is said to be a difficult track I’m going with the talented englishmen Lee Westwood. Not the biggest Westwood fan, but the guy can play some superb golf, especially in majors. Westwood is major-less, with numerous attempts at securing his first major title, he should have no problem contending this week.

Recap: Both GMac and Karlsson had MCs, so it resulted in no gain of points.

Already used: 

JJ: Jonathan Byrd, Keegan Bradley, Bryce Molder, Ryan Moore, Brandt Snedeker, Phil Mickelson, K.J. Choi, Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood, Charl Schwartzel, Nick Watney, Bubba Watson, Johnson Wagner, Hunter Mahan, Aaron Baddeley, Matt Kuchar, Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott, Ernie Els, McDowell

Bernardo: Martin Laird, K.J. Choi, Bill Haas, Ben Crane, Matt Kuchar, Dustin Johnson, Aaron Baddeley, Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Brandt Snedeker, Webb Simpson, Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott, Jim Furyk, Bud Cauley, Bubba Watson, Hunter Mahan, Keegan Bradley, Rickie Fowler, Karlsson 

Make sure to “like” our Facebook page! Either by going to the page itself (fb.com/hacktillwedie) or clicking on the “like” button on the right side of our home page.

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