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Bryan Douglass

Fantasy Golf: St. Jude Classic

June 8, 2009 11:01am CDT

The 2009 St. Jude Classic
TPC Southwind @ Memphis, Tennessee
- Dates: Thursday, June 11 - Sunday, June 14
- FedEx Cup Points: 500 (Winning Share)
- 2008 Purse: $5,600,000 ($1,008,000 Winning Share)

TV Schedule
First Round - Thursday, June 11 - Golf Channel 3:30-6:30pm EST
Second Round - Friday, June 12 - Golf Channel 3:30-6:30pm EST
Third Round - Saturday, June 13 - CBS, 3-6pm EST
Final Round - Sunday, June 14 - CBS, 3-6pm EST


The Course

TPC Southwind
Course Par Value: 70
Course Yardage: 7,244

As is the case with most TPC courses, the PGA has relied on the vision of a renowned course architect working in conjunction with a pair of Tour professionals. For TPC Southwind, Ron Prichard was the architect of choice while golfing greats Hubert Green and Fuzzy Zoeller lent their expertise and contributions to the cause.

The result is a magnificent 240 acres of golf course that will challenge the best in the game. In terms of age, the TPC Southwind is one of the younger courses the Tour will hit this season. Opened in March of 1988, the desire was to create a PGA-worthy track that would draw the Tour to the Midwest. The TPC found a wonderful site in the plains of southeast Memphis and set forth with constructing yet another stellar offering.

The primary theme at Southwind may be water, for a rugged stream of hazards run throughout the course. Nearly every hole will introduce water obstacles that could force oncoming combatants into decisions that will ultimately decide this championship. Large oak trees also spot the landscape as native features of the land while bunkers, for the most part, are somewhat sparse and rarely too punishing to overcome.

If you are interested, you can find an excellent review and tour of the course here:

http://www.tpcatsouthwind.com/default.aspx?p=CourseTourDefault&ssid=23722

Hole 9 (Par 4, 457 yds): An elongated fairway doglegs right with a gentle slope downhill, a landing area that may benefit those going long off the tee. However, the second shot is made over a lake that lies directly to the front and left of the green. This is a long approach with little room for error, and a drive that falls short of the mark will bring trees into play as well. This could be the difference between a strong round and a lot of worries heading into the back nine.

Mickelson returns to the Tour this weekend in Memphis.
Hole 11 (Par 3, 162 yds): This hole (like many on the TPC circuit) was designed to help visitors reminisce on the links at the TPC's famous Sawgrass course, namely Hole No. 17. This version is a bit smaller in size and will force golfers to hit over water into a tight island green with small pot bunkers along the front of the dance floor. Going long may be an option, but there is little room to bail out on that backside. However, the green can be as inviting as any if the wind is not blowing too hard.

Hole 14 (Par 3, 239 yds): The view from an elevated tee can be all too tempting for those hoping to go straight at the pin. Golfers must carry the pond in front of a green that is as rugged as any on the TPC courses. This hole draws as many spectators as any on the course and thus the challenge to make good on a long and challenging par-3 can be as daunting as any test these players will see this week. Hole 14 consistently ranks as one of the most cumbersome par-3 offerings on the Tour, and this week you'll see why.

Hole 18 (Par 4, 453 yds): Rated as one of the best finishing holes on the Tour, this dogleg left brings water into play right off the bat, forcing drives to come long and accurate or suffer the consequences. The second shot is played towards water as well, but the golfer surviving those tasks could find benefit in a larger, manageable green. Back pin placements will be there on Sunday and could provide strong drama should a member of the field fail to surpass the group and hold a demanding lead coming into No. 18.


2008 Leaderboard
PLACE PLAYER FINAL
1 Justin Leonard -13 (267)
T2 Robert Allenby -8 (272)
T2 Trevor Immelman -7 (273)
T4 Sergio Garcia -6 (274)
T4 Padraig Harrington -5 (275)
T4 Bool Weekley -5 (275)
T4 Alex Cejka -4 (276)
T8 Tom Pernice, Jr. -3 (277)
T8 Scott Verplank -3 (277)
T8 Gavin Coles -2 (278)
T11 Bob Heintz -2 (278)
T11 Vijay Singh

2007 Leaderboard
PLACE PLAYER FINAL
1 Woody Austin -13 (267)
2 Brian Davis -8 (272)
3 David Toms -7 (273)
4 Brian Gay -6 (274)
T5 Brandt Snedeker -5 (275)
T5 Dean Wilson -5 (275)
7 Adam Scott -4 (276)
T8 Scott Verplank -3 (277)
T8 Will MacKenzie -3 (277)
T10 Jeff Overton -2 (278)
T10 Vance Veazey -2 (278)

2006 Leaderboard
PLACE PLAYER FINAL
1 Jeff Maggert -9 (271)
2 Tom Pernice, Jr. -6 (274)
T3 John Cook -4 (276)
T3 Kris Cox -4 (276)
T5 Zach Johnson -3 (277)
T5 Jay Delsing -3 (277)
T5 Briny Baird -3 (277)
T5 Daisuke Maruyama -3 (277)
9 John Senden -2 (278)
T10 Brent Geiberger -1 (279)
T10 Ryan Palmer -1 (279)
T10 Brett Quigley -1 (279)
T10 Tjaart van der Walt -1 (279)
T10 David Toms -1 (279)
T10 Dudley Hart -1 (279)


The Field
Hitting the schedule in the week preceding the season's second major has its advantages, and while this year's St. Jude failed to draw the biggest name in the game, it pulled more than a few of the heavy hitters that hit the World Golf Rankings behind him.

The game's elite will be well represented by a respectable collection of top names. The list includes Camilo Villegas, David Toms, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Robert Allenby, Brian Gay, Tim Clark, Stephen Ames, Retief Goosen, and the return of defending champ Justin Leonard.

However, the only story that could top the defending champ would be the return of the game's top challenger for title as best in the business. Phil Mickelson returns to prepare for the US Open following an extended leave to care for his wife Amy, recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Other names of note for the fantasy faithful include Aaron Baddeley, Boo Weekley, D.J. Trahan, Andres Romero, Ben Crane, Charles Howell III, Bart Bryant, Webb Simpson, Tom Pernice, Jr., Scott Verplank, Matt Kuchar, John Senden, Bill Haas, Tommy Armour III, Jeff Klauk, Brandt Snedeker, Carl Pettersson, Woody Austin, Ted Purdy, Alex Cejka, Paul Goydos, James Nitties, Dean Wilson, John Merrick, Vaughn Taylor, Nick O'Hern, Steve Elkington, and, in another return of intrigue... Mr. John Daly.

To view the entire field:
http://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/r025/field.html

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