Originally Published: August 26, 2008
Big hitters likely to flourish at Ginn sur Mer Classic
This week's venue -- the Conservatory Course at the Ginn Hammock Beach Resort, in its first year hosting a PGA Tour event -- is considered a bomber's paradise, as it stretches to 7,663 yards. Watch out for the big guns this week as players vie for valuable positioning on the money list in the year's second-to-last tournament.
So who will take advantage of the length this week on the east coast of Florida? Our experts break down their predictions into four categories.
Want a different viewpoint on who might win? Try the ESPN.com FOREcaster.
| Ginn sur Mer Classic predictions | ||||
| Bob Harig ESPN.com golf writer |
Jason Sobel ESPN.com golf writer |
John Antonini Golf World senior editor |
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| Horse for the Course |
J.B. Holmes. The Conservatory Course at the Ginn Hammock Beach Resort is a new venue on the PGA Tour, but it's long and can stretch well beyond 7,500 yards. Few players have seen it, but it ought to fit the eye of Holmes, who hits it a mile and will enjoy the rather generous fairways.
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A 7,663-yard course? Three holes longer than 600 yards? Sounds like a venue only J.B. Holmes could love.
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It's tough to pick against a long hitter on the 7,600-yard Conservatory Course, so Jason Gore is a solid bet.
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| Birdie Buster |
Davis Love III. With three top-10 finishes in Fall Series events, Love has moved to 115th on the money list after missing most of the early part of the year with an ankle injury and looks to secure his card for 2009 with another strong event.
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When Zach Johnson gets hot, he stays hot. Well, guess what? The '07 Masters champ has been on a roll as of late.
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Ken Duke has had at least two rounds in the 60s in 10 of his last 11 tournaments.
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| Super Sleeper |
Vaughn Taylor. Hard to believe that just two years ago, Taylor represented the U.S. in the Ryder Cup and contended at the Masters in 2007. He's now fighting to keep his PGA Tour card at No. 129 on the money list.
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Tim Clark may not usually be a sleeper, but he is on a course of this length. Even so, don't be surprised to see the short-knocker hold his own this week.
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Young Michael Sim hasn't played much this year but was T-7 a week ago in Scottsdale and had a T-9 in last year's Ginn at Tesoro.
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| Winner |
Sean O'Hair. The long course should suit him, and he gets his second victory of the year, both in Florida.
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Two weeks ago, Marc Turnesa's victory in Vegas was punctuated by a beer shower from Steve Marino as he walked off the final green. Perhaps he'll pay Marino back after his first career win this week.
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Did you know Robert Allenby hasn't missed a cut since the Sony Open? The last of his 25 straight money-making weeks was a T-2 at Turning Stone. This time he'll win.
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It's tough to pick against a long hitter on the 7,600-yard Conservatory Course, so
When
Young
Two weeks ago, Marc Turnesa's victory in Vegas was punctuated by a beer shower from
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