The Tradition is currently held on the Founders Course at the Greystone G&CC in Hoover AL. (That's just outside Birmingham, which I think is the biggest city in Alabama.) The defending champion is the Ageless Machine, aka Bernhard Langer.
Enough said, I think. When you say "Langer," you've said it all, haven't you? It almost seems silly to pick "5 to Watch" this week, but I think I can make a good case for some other players.
I should note that Fred Couples -- who would have made this list -- is not in the Tradition's field list. Given that he had committed to the event last month, I can only assume he's having some back problems.
- Of course, Bernhard Langer makes this list. He has Top10 finishes in the last five editions of this event, including that win last year.
- So far this season, Miguel Angel Jimenez has almost as good a record as Langer -- 5 Top10s in 7 starts, with one win and one runner-up. (Langer does have two thirds and Jimenez none.) He's certainly in form to give Bernhard a challenge.
- Kevin Sutherland has no wins this season but has 7 Top10s in 7 starts, with one runner-up finish. And if memory serves me right, he has played well in this major in the past. This may be the best he's played going into this major in quite a while.
- Scott McCarron has only 3 Top10s in 8 starts this season, but he has one win and is #5 in the Schwab Cup standings. In addition, he was 6th at this event last year. He may be a bit streaky, but I see no reason he couldn't start a new streak at this venue.
- And my flier is Vijay Singh, who has a win on the Champions Tour this season -- a team win, admittedly, but that's still a win -- and that T16 at THE PLAYERS last week. I like his form coming into this event.
GC's live coverage starts Thursday at 12:30pm ET, before the AT&T Byron Nelson.
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