Spieth or Bust?
Last week’s pick: Dustin Johnson Final Standing: T17 Summary: perhaps a safe pick, but after Round 1 it was looking like I’d have to retire with a %100 pick win percentage!
The AT&T Byron Nelson
The AT&T Byron Nelson has struggled in the past with weak fields and coming after The Player’s it’s easy to understand why. But as viewers, maybe this gives us more of a reason to tune in. Learn about the golfers not named Tiger Woods and Rory McIlory or about the course they’re playing that week. Yes, the insight might be coming from a conceited Johnny Miller but I think this helps us learn more about the game. Actually, if you don’t tune in because of Johnny Miller I completely understand. The guy won’t stop talking about 1977 and a final round 63. WE GET IT. So because these tournaments can lack some storylines, I thought I’d provide some “Fast Facts” (name for this segment in future articles up for discussion depending on potential major sponsor involvement and how well they can utilize alliteration) for you about the AT&T Byron Nelson:
The tournament is named after golf legend Byron Nelson. Mr. Nelson amassed 52 sanctioned PGA Tour wins, including 4 Major Championships.
This will be the first time that Trinity Forest Golf Club (Dallas, Texas) will host the event. (It actually looks like such a fun track. Spieth says he can shoot 78’s there. Means I’d shoot 178’s)
It is the tournament’s 50th anniversary.
Who’s Hoisting the Trophy?
I really don’t like playing into the whole home field advantage thing when it comes to PGA Tour events because there are so many fantastic players playing week to week that I really don’t think it has an impact at all. However, picking Jordan Spieth (a Dallas native) might not be a bad idea. I guess his coach is based out of here, his title sponsor AT&T (and the tournament’s) played a monumental part of building the course and bringing the tournament here, and he’s basically grown up on the course. Wait, why am I not taking him again? But barring a miracle fix to a shaky, short-ranged putter Jordan will not be my pick. Now I’m no expert (unless we are talking Guitar Hero) but Jimmy Walker has been HOT. And I don’t mean that he’s dressing well these days. Since he won the 2016 PGA championship, a battle with Lyme disease had forced golf to take a bit of a back seat. But a recent stretch since the Masters has me believing the 39 year old is back in top form. Oh, and the fact that he is a resident of Texas is just a coincidence...Plan on watching the AT&T Byron Nelson this week? Who are you going with as your champion? Interact with @GolfLifeAB and myself at @10Neiler on Twitter so we can chat all things AT&T Byron Nelson!