Golfweek - Golf News Magazine

Best Bet: Ernie Els

Great record at the Sony, and he got the kinks out last weekend at Kapalua.

Ace Up My Sleeve: K.J. Choi

Thank you, Jeff Sagarin. The defending champion, a world-class player, slips out of the top 50. Pennies from heaven.

Best Bet: Boo Weekley

If you forget that Waikiki Beach isn’t anything like Hilton Head and you can’t find grits anywhere here, there’s a sort of Verizon Heritage / Harbour Town feel to the Sony / Waialae experience.

And guess who has won each of the last two stops at Harbour Town? That’s right, Weekley, a ball-striking, fairway-splitting, course-management type of guy who has got to like the doglegs of Waialae.

OK, so his chances are diminished everytime he puts the putter in his hand, but there’s always the possibility he knocks it so close he doesn’t have to putt.

Ace Up My Sleeve: Will MacKenzie

He’s coming off of a solid Mercedes-Benz Championship and he’s the sort of free spirit, fun-loving guy who fits in well in this Waikiki Beach landscape. MacKenzie has cashed two paychecks at the Sony, both times for a share of 42nd place, and it’s not hard to envision him doing much better than that this time around.

You can almost picture him telling the sponsors that he’ll accept the winner’s check out on the beach as he goes surfing.

Best Bet: Ernie Els

I know, I know. I picked him last week. But Els is unstoppable on the Islands, so take advantage of him now, especially since Tiger and Vijay are still on the shelf and many of the best international players won’t start their seasons for a couple weeks.

In his last three Sony starts, Els has won twice (2003, ‘04) and finished second (‘05). In five starts this decade, Els hasn’t finished worse than fifth at Waialae. He kicked off his season in fine fasion, as well, finishing T-6 at Kapalua.

If you’re looking for a lesser-known name, go with Steve Marino, who’s seeking his first Tour victory. Marino, No. 26 in the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index, finished fourth at last year’s Sony. Chad Campbell, No. 45 in Golfweek’s rankings, finished 10th at last year’s Sony and second in 2006.

Ace Up My Sleeve: K.J. Choi

It's hard to pick against the defending champ, especially considering he's coming off a victory at golf's "sixth major" – the Skins Game – and a T-15 at the Mercedes.

Best Bet: Ernie Els

Even with his numerous two-foot missteps on the greens at Kapalua, Els was ranked third in putting at Mercedes, not bad for the Big Easy. With previous success at Sony, including victories in 2003 and 2004, and with what seems like a renewed interest in golf, Els is a solid contender.

One other player to look at is Rory Sabbatini, who finished second to Choi here last year. The South Africian came to Hawaii for vacation and likes the Islands. Since he is already here and has had a chance to play and get acclimated to the conditions, Sabo is a good bet as well.

Ace Up My Sleeve: K.J. Choi

Playing well last week at Mercedes (T-15) was just a precursor for this week’s defense. Choi seems to like Hawaii and its funky grasses. I think he will like returning to Waialae and is the favorite this week (though at No. 52 in the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index, he qualifies as a sleeper).

Paul Azinger and Harrison Frazar are making their 2009 debut. Azinger, who won at Sony in 2000, is playing a mish-mash of clubs since he no longer has an equipment deal. He sounds happy that he can play what he wants.

Frazar is coming off an eight-shot victory at Q-School, including a 59. He’s also had previous success at Sony, finishing runner-up to Els in 2004.

Best Bet: Kenny Perry

Last week my pick was Justin Leonard - the best player in the field (according to the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index). Toss out his opening-round 74 and he would have surely been in the mix, but I will take a solo fifth. I see no reason to buck the trend this week.

We will stick with the best player in the field - according to the best ranking system in golf - and Kenny Perry is the play. I figure if I simply pick the best player according to the numbers, is there anyway I can be beat at this Fantasy Aces game? We will have to figure a way around the maximum seven pick thing, but we will cross that bridge when we get to it.

Ace Up My Sleeve: K.J. Choi

This pick has to be a player outside the top 50 and I will go no farther than No. 52 K.J. Choi. He is the defending champ and will find Waialae Country Club to be a comforting site to his game, which is heading back in the right direction.

Best Bet: Steve Stricker

First, I just want to thank Vijay Singh for releasing all that bum-knee info a day before last week’s Fantasy Aces went to print. Second, pick Stricksy. Guy has a solid Hawaii record the last two years (he hasn’t finished worse than 4th in three island events, including two t-4s at the last two Sony’s), and ended the year strong with a runner-up finish at the Chevron.

Ace Up My Sleeve: K.J. Choi

Don’t let Choi’s middle-of-the-pack finish at the Mercedes fool you. The reason he was there in the first place was because he followed a T-28 at the ‘08 Mercedes with a victory at Sony, and he was T-4 a year before that.

Also like Tim Clark here, but considering Clark and Geoff Ogilvy are business partners in an Australian “meat pie” restaraunt in Scottsdale, Ariz., just seems like too good of a story to actually happen.

Best Bet: Geoff Ogilvy

The hot-horse theory. Ride him until further notice.

Ace Up My Sleeve: Davis Love III

Another hot player. Top-10 machine since summer. Closed 2008 with a victory at Disney and opened ‘09 with a T-2 at the Mercedes-Benz. Like Mickey Rourke, he’s back.