Fantasy Insider: Best of the rest, others to avoid in Scottsdale

text size

DISCLAIMER: If you're just tuning into my fantasy previews here and have taken your first glance at this format, I use the Yahoo! game as the outline. This does not mean that all other fantasy formats are overlooked. Golfers are merely pigeon-holed here based on Yahoo! Groups.

Got a fantasy question for Rob? Click here to e-mail him. You can also follow Rob on his Twitter account.

Now, while there wasn't a flood of thank-you's in my email box (I received precisely one), do you see what I mean now about taking Ian Poulter in the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship for a one-and-done? I'm not sure if I'm more grateful for depositing the $1.4 million or not having to worry about burning him again.

The Waste Management Phoenix Open hosts a terrific field, so I can't hit all of the household names, but look for the most relevant below. Also, this is the final event before the first reshuffle. Long-term fantasy values for the following will increase beginning next week: Alex Prugh, Omar Uresti, Rickie Fowler, Brian Stuard, Chris Riley, Vance Veazey, Spencer Levin. All are projected to climb at least 20 spots in the pecking order, which not only increases potential playing time, but does wonders for the confidence. Remember, the goal for this group is to get off to a hot start, so there is a sense of accomplishment behind the numbers.

Meanwhile, barring strong performances, these fellas will absorb the biggest hits: Neal Lancaster (injured), Chris Tidland, Cameron Percy, Justin Bolli, Garth Mulroy (fourth alternate at the time of my deadline), Jeff Gove (ninth alternate) and Cameron Tringale (no worse than 12th alternate). (NOTE: Billy Horschel tweeted today that he will have wrist surgery, which will end his season.)

The bottom-feeders in the reshuffle category will struggle getting one start in addition to Puerto Rico before the second reshuffle, which occurs following the Shell Houston Open. If you're new to this dynamic in a rotisserie golf league, it's not too dissimilar to when a benchwarmer gets more playing time due to an injury to the starter in team sports. Quite simply, more playing time translates into more opportunities to succeed.

MORE: Rookie Watch | Medical Extensions | Reshuffle | Major qualifiers

TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for Zach Johnson and Phil Mickelson.

Kenny Perry -- The defending champion played 17 holes in 2-over-par in his 2-and-1 loss to Brian Gay at Accenture. I'll ride this hoss into the ground when he heats up, but there's linear thought to that approach. One before the other. At best, bench him on Thursday.

Steve Marino -- In a sense, Marino's glass ceiling is his greatest asset in our world. How many times have you seen a guy play lights out, then finally win for the first time, and then disappear? He's so tempting to plug in for every projected shootout on the schedule, including this week. With top fives in his last two starts, and with a game well-suited for TPC Scottsdale despite his poor history here, he just might scratch his name off the short list of the best never to have won a PGA TOUR event. Perhaps there's some motivation in watching Ian Poulter break through, too.

Anthony Kim -- Despite our best wishes, and although it's still early, I'm afraid that we're getting more of the disinterested AK than the one that is recommitted. It's not a conviction on my part yet, but golf is results-based.
________________________________________________________________________________________

TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for Briny Baird, Brian Gay, J.B. Holmes and Kevin Na.

Camilo Villegas -- Loved what we heard from him on the weekend at Accenture. Since he posted a T2 in his first trip here in 2006, he's missed two cuts and finished T34 ('08). Still, with Holmes and Na in this group this week, you can save a start for the Colombian.

Geoff Ogilvy -- Last year's T17 is his best effort in eight career appearances here, half of which have ended in missed cuts. Smart week to bench him.

David Toms -- Tricky play here. He hasn't had a top 10 since his co-runner-up at the Travelers Championship in June (17 starts back). However, his record here is great, with top 20s in seven of his last eight starts, including a T4 a year ago. Can you find a spot for him on your bench?

Michael Sim -- Was eaten alive at Riviera where he hit just 16 greens in regulation over two rounds, and he still needed 59 putts. He was then dismissed early at Accenture by Ryo Ishikawa. In a vacuum, he's a borderline no-brainer in Scottsdale, but he doesn't get to play Torrey Pines North every week.

________________________________________________________________________________________

TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for Paul Goydos, Matt Kuchar, Ian Poulter and Brandt Snedeker.

Trevor Immelman -- He started chipping and putting two months ago, a coincidence considering that is the premium this week. Immelman didn't have a single top 15 in 17 starts worldwide in 2009 and hasn't competed since early October. No doubt he's eager to put his healed wrist to the test, and his fantasy league owners are thrilled that's he's back, but as is the case with just about all golfers returning from injuries, do not invest early.

Cameron Beckman -- The Mayakoba champ hit just two-thirds of his greens at El Camaleon, but finished third in putting (and first in putts per round). Afterwards, he said, "This is probably the best I've putted in a long time. Probably since the last time I won. I just put a new putter in play two weeks ago, and just absolutely putted beautifully on these greens. My caddie and I read them really well, too." Beckman has scored well here in the past, so if you're looking to save starts of luminaries, consider plugging him into your bench.

Martin Kaymer -- Intriguing first-timer but he's still relatively green in non-majors and non-World Golf Championships in the U.S.

Ricky Barnes -- Prior to his runner-up at the 2009 U.S. Open, Barnes' best finish on the PGA TOUR was at this event in 2004. He placed T14 in what was his only appearance until this week. It was also marked his first paycheck as a golfer. Although he missed the cut at Pebble Beach two weeks ago, his improved work on the greens has given him a jumpstart on 2010, with four paydays, including a top 10. Like dozens in the field, he lives locally, but there might be a chip on his shoulder to remind his Arizona faithful of what he can do. Sleeper material.

Ryan Palmer -- Gotta admit that he wasn't on my radar screen despite his Sony win and T2 here in 2006. While that's all well and good, he sneaks into the preview because I was the winner of the trivia quiz on his Twitter page (@RyanPalmerFDN) on Tuesday. I look forward to the prize - his autographed, game-used cap from the @WMPhoenixOpen - beside the one I just picked up from Ken Green (KenGreensComeback.com). (Although it doesn't mention it on the link "Commemorative Hat" on Green's site, the one I received is signed.) For more about Palmer's cause, check out RyanPalmerFoundation.org. And like @ParkerMcLachlin, it appears that Palmer also will have weekly quizzes. Stay tuned.

Rob Bolton is PGATOUR.COM's new fantasy columnist. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the PGA TOUR. To contact Rob, please e-mail him at FantasyInsider@charter.net.