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Best Bet: Vijay Singh

Offseason? What offseason? Singh already won three times in 2008, as well as the money title and FedEx Cup, but added a Tiger’s Chevron World Challenge to his trophy case.

Ace Up My Sleeve: Davis Love III

Finished the fall with some nice momentum (including a victory at Disney) and has three top-10s at Kapalua (and actually won here at the old Lincoln-Mercury Kapalua International).

Best Bet: Geoff Ogilvy

After a one-year hiatus with Vijay Singh, the Aussie rule will be restored here in paradise. (Stuart Appleby won the Mercedes-Benz in 2004-06, while last year’s winner, Daniel Chopra, is married to an Aussie. A stretch, yes, but hey, it’s only the season-opener.) Ogilvy won the Australian PGA last month and has plenty of length to master the Plantation Course.

Ace Up My Sleeve: Andres Romero

At a venue where the birdie opportunities are surpassed only by the spectacular views, why not go with a young man who has never seen a hole location he couldn’t attack? While Anthony Kim and Camilo Villegas have justifiably been annointed as players with great flair, for on-course thrills and pure excitement, Romero provides a fascinating ride.

Best Bet: Ernie Els

Vijay Singh is the smart play, but I’m going to go out on a limb and take Ernie Els. He may be making his first Mercedes-Benz appearance since 2005, but it’s tough to beat his record at Kapalua; he’s finished in the top three in four of his past five visits to the resort. He shot 31 under par to win in 2003 and set a Tour record for relation to par, and lost to Tiger Woods in that memorable playoff in 2000. Els has finished in the top 20 in six of his past seven worldwide starts, including four top-six showings in that span.

Ace Up My Sleeve: Davis Love III

Love was hampered most of last season as he recovered from ankle surgery, which is one reason he only got better as the year went on, culminating with his victory at Disney. That wasn’t his only high showing during his successful Fall Finish – he was T-3 at Turning Stone, T-6 at Las Vegas and T-11 at the Frys.com. Now he’s had a whole offseason to rest up for this event.

Look for Love’s big ‘09 to start here.

Best Bet: Vijay Singh

Singh, the current FedEx Cup champion, has an affinity for the Islands. At Kapalua he has never finished lower that 12th and seven top-fives, including a win in 2007. He is coming off a win against a good field at Tiger’s event. Throw in his four top-10s at the Sony – including a victory in 2005 – Singh is your Ace this week.

Ace Up My Sleeve: Daniel Chopra

It’s hard to believe Chopra never broke out in 2008 after his victory at the Mercedes-Benz. His year was by all measures abysmal with no top-10s and 12 missed cuts.. But he has to have some fond memories in returning to Hawaii, where he won in his first attempt at Kapalua.

Best Bet: Justin Leonard

Right out of the gate, we don’t have a lot to base our plays on, so we will default to pure math and pick Justin Leonard - the best-ranked player in the field according to the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index.
Leonard, who was one of the hottest players in the world at season’s end with five consecutive top 20s, has a decent track record on the Plantation Course. In seven starts, Leonard has four top 10s.

Ace Up My Sleeve: Sean O’Hair

Something is pulling me to select Sean O’Hair. I have no idea why. It’s just a gut feeling.

Best Bet: Vijay Singh

Veej at Kapalua, where he won and lost in a playoff two of the last three years? Considering how the Big Fijian (last time I use that nickname this year, I promise) finished ‘08 – cha-ching.

Ace Up My Sleeve: J.B. Holmes

Kapalua likes the long ball. J.B. Holmes has to like those wide fairways. (i.e., Stuart Appleby, who sends golf balls to the ER and won three Mercedes in a row.) I also like that T-4 in his only other appearance here. What’s not to like?

Best Bet: Vijay Singh

Ace Up My Sleeve: Davis Love III