2007 Mercedes-Benz Championship Preview
shlinklincoln January 3rd, 2007
Preview
The 2007 Fed Ex Cup season starts this Thursday in Hawaii. Stuart Appleby goes for his fourth straight Mercedes-Benz Championship title. No golfer has won a tournament four straight years since Tiger won the Bay Hill Invitational from 2000-2003. Appleby has owned Kapalua over the last three years, shooting -22 in 04, -21 in 05 and -6 last year on a renovated and weathered course en route to his third consecutive victory. All indications point to perfect Hawaiian weather this week, so expect to see some low scores.
Keep an eye on Vijay Singh this week. VJ has finished runner up to Appleby in this event twice, in 2004 and last season where he lost in a playoff. VJ had a down year last year, winning just one event. Winning at Kapalua would be a springboard for VJ to get back to his dominatination of years past. Remember not too long ago Singh overtook the #1 world ranking away from Tiger. VJ won’t win nine tournaments this year as he did in 04, but you can bet the plantation (course) that he’ll win more then one tournament this year.
There are thirteen noobs playing in the Mercedes this year, on the wave of first time tour winners in 2006. Look for 06 Rookie of the Year Trevor Immelman to make some noise this week as well as Hawaii native Dean Wilson, who is playing with a little “home course” advantage. Also in the small field this week are 06 Money List #2 Jim Furyk and Tour Championship winner (and 06 Money List #3) Adam Scott, either of whom could end Appleby’s quest for four.
BTW, this year marks the first year that all early round coverage will be on The Golf Channel. (This ain’t nothing but a good thing bay-bay!) No more tape delayed, two hour coverage, in which the first hour is an exposè on John Daly’s dog’s eating habbits. (Yes, I’m dogging you USA Network). TGC will now be broadcasting full 1st and 2nd round coverage, and will be broadcasting a few full tournaments (this week is one of them). This is huge for golf and huge for golf fans. 2007 is going to be a banner year for the PGA Tour, with better coverage and a new playoff system. Stay tuned……………
