St. Jude Classic Preview: Big Names Missing

There are any number of ways that a golfer can break through for his first win on the PGA Tour. The most common method is that of the bumbling oaf who struggles to accomplish the easiest of tasks, such as hitting the ball straight or making a three-foot-putt. This, of course, is due to the enormous amount of pressure and the player realizing just what a victory means to his future success.

Not all first-timers travel that particular road to success, however. There are, from time to time, a few guys who go well beyond just hanging on to victory; they actually win in style. David Lingmerth is one that comes to mind when thinking about those that captured their first win in style. Lingmerth started the day as the hunter, which always helps, but the only problem was his prey, Justin Rose, who is a very accomplished player and many, including yours truly, thought this event was over before the final round even started. But Lingmerth would have his say.

Lingmerth's position, a few strokes back entering the round, lent itself to cover as virtually no eyes were on him during most of the final round. He did, however, take the lead near the end of the final round, which put him in the precarious spot of playing while in the lead. Lingmerth didn't exactly thrive in that position, but he did what was needed to force a playoff. It was in that playoff where he showed what he was made of. No one would have thought less of Lingmerth had he failed to make a tricky par putt on the first playoff hole to force another, especially after Rose had previously seized all the momentum with a bomb just seconds prior, but Lingmerth held strong and made the putt. The holes that followed tested Lingmerth's mettle, but he simply refused to give in and in the end, he was a champion on the PGA Tour. It wasn't the victory, though, that stood out from last weekend, it was the manner in which he attained that victory.

This week: Fed Ex St. Jude Classic - TPC Southwind - Memphis, TN

Last Year: Ben Crane shot a final-round 73 on his way to a one-stroke victory over Troy Merritt.

Players to Consider:

Dustin Johnson

There aren't many big names in the field this week, so when you get one like DJ, who actually has a win at this event, it certainly catches your eye. Johnson has been pretty consistent this season, so there's no reason to think he goes in the tank this week just because it's not a top-tier event on the PGA Tour.

Ben Crane

Crane is not the player he was five years ago, but no matter the state of his game, he usually finds a way to play well at this event. He won here last year and has four top-20s in his past five tries.

Camilo Villegas

There aren't many big names in the field this week, remember? Villegas is a bit of a stretch most weeks, but this week, not so much. He's been remarkably consistent at this event over the past five years, with four finishes in the top-11. If you want to avoid the big names and possibly gain some on the pack, Villegas might be your man.

Harris English

English got off to a strong start this season, but he hasn't been able to build off the momentum of that start. With that said, he won this event in 2013 and a return here might be the spark he needs to kick his game into gear.

Webb Simpson

A bit of a cop-out here as I'm going back to a big-name for my fifth pick this week, but Simpson did play well here last year when he earned a solo-3rd place finish, and he's capable of winning just about any time he tees it up, so if you are thinking of taking a big-name other than Johnson, Simpson is your man.

Players to Avoid:

Justin Leonard

Leonard has won this event twice in the past decade, but his most recent win was in 2008 and he's missed the cut here (three) more often than he's made it (two) over the past six years. For the math majors, yes, he skipped a year.

John Rollins

Rollins finished in the top-10 just two years ago, and he actually has three top-25s in his past five starts here, but there's something off about his game and even a trip to Memphis doesn't look like it will do him much good.

Luke Donald

Though he hasn't played like a big-name player in years, the former No. 1 golfer in the world is still a big name. There are two problems though when considering Donald: 1. he's lost his game; and 2. he's playing here for the first time.

Steven Bowditch

Course history can be tricky, especially when you look at a player who's improved from year to year like Bowditch. Is the course or his game to blame for the poor track record? Though Bowditch is certainly better now than he's ever been, the fact remains that he missed the cut by a mile his past two times here.

David Toms

Toms has a long and mostly successful track record at this event, as he's played here 23 times and missed the cut only six times. Unfortunately, three of those missed cuts have come in the past four years.

ONE AND DONE GOLFER

Last week: Hideki Matsuyama (T5) - $226,300; Season - $3,573,977

This week: Camilo Villegas - It's going to take a leap of faith this week to take either Crane or Villegas as both players are really struggling this season, but as stated earlier, no matter the state of their games, they usually find a way here, so it's just a matter of which one and I'll take Villegas.

YAHOO PICKS

Points: 3,342
Rank: 10,648

This Week:

Group A: Harris English, Webb Simpson

Group B: Dustin Johnson, Billy Horschel, Phil Mickelson, Troy Merritt

Group C: Camilo Villegas, Ben Crane

SURVIVOR PICK

Last week: Jim Furyk (T5); Streak - 1

This week: Camilo Villegas - Certainly a risky pick, but he's only missed one cut here in eight tries and considering that there aren't many big-name players in the field, Villegas looks like a solid option this week.