Fantasy Crystal Ball: Shell Houston Open

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This week, it's the Shell Houston Open on the PGA Tour as the final stop before the Tradition that Used to be Unlike Any Other Until They Butchered the Place.  I have always like the Houston event, and do so more now that they have tried to attract players into the field by setting up Redstone to be as much Augusta Lite as possible.  (Even more Augusta than Augusta in some ways.)

The ploy has worked and the field is strong this week in Houston.  There's Lefty, Sergio, Paddy, Rory, and other players that I can refer to by their first name alone.  That's how you know the field is good.  Also, it gives you a lot of options for your fantasy game this week.

I'm going with Mickelson on the A-team this week.  The guy is freakin' obsessed with winning the Masters.  Win at Riviera?  Tune up for Augusta.  Win at Doral?  Yeah, that'll help him for Augusta.  A start in Houston?  You guessed it. 

I'm also favoring Justin Leonard.  Texas guys play good in Texas.  It may not be Texas wedge kind of golf, but home state has value.

Let me also recommend Mullet Man Charley Hoffman.  He posts decent finishes here and he might be a good way to round out your B-list.  I get more and more impressed by Jeev Milkha Singh each week that he is over here on his US tour.  I'm going to add him in as well.

You have to think of a dark horse to win this week.  The top players are not playing to win in Houston.  They're playing to feel ready for Augusta next week and a win just would happen to be a bonus.  I think the winner will come from here and be a dark horse.

Johnson Wagner won't win again, but look to your C-list as a placeholder for him (a win & T9).

How can you not go with Fred Couples?  Plays well here and he's Fred Couples.  Finished top 5 last year, as well.  Go Cougars!  He went to University of Houston.  With Jim Nantz. 

Which brings us back to A Tradition Unlike Any Other - Waggle Room's Fantasy Crystal Ball.  Good luck this week!