The 2009 Memorial Six Pack

Before we get into the Memorial, we need to talk.

We need to talk about last week's unreal outcome at The Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial Country Club in Irving, TX.

How could Steve Marino survive the first hole of the playoff, only to play it extra safe on the second hole, by teeing off with a hybrid, resulting in his second shot coming from the trees?

How did Tim Clark miss that putt?

How in the world did Steve Stricker miraculously chip in on 17 to make it into the playoff?

Then how did he make such a perfect shot on the second playoff hole? How did Tim Clark's second shot hit the flagstick and end up 19 feet away?

Pure craziness.

If you are a regular reader of my articles, you know that I was rooting for Steve Marino.

Obviously, my wager was on him, but to be honest with you, if I did a 10 pack, Tim Clark would have been there. I won't lie, Stricker was not on my radar.

The crazy factor last week was that you had two guys going for their first PGA win ever and then you had Stricker, a four-time winner, who legitimately has the ability to be a 10-time winner.

I really wanted to see Marino or Clark take the prize to get their first feather in their cap, but at the same time, I just couldn't route against a guy like Steve Stricker. The next time you look up "class act" in the dictionary, you will see Steve Stricker's picture right beside the entry.

I never want to see those three guys in a playoff again. I like and respect all three of them way too much.

Anyway, Steve, I know you are reading, so congratulations big guy, way to go.

As you probably noticed, there's my man, the man of steel, Kenny Perry, pictured with the trophy at last years Memorial.

He is a three-time winner here at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, yet alas, he is NOT in my six pack...EVEN THOUGH, he is listed at 20:1 to win it all.

Remember, I rarely pick guys to repeat.

This was NOT easy for me to do. You should see my notebook. Perry's name has been written and erased so many times, there is no paper left on that area of the page!

If you think this "six pack" idea is pretty cool, then you should check out Stracka.com's new weekly "pick 6". You can actually play against others for real $$$$. You can go as low as $10 or as high as $1000!

My Yahoo! Fantasy year continues to impress, as I continue to hold my ground in the 99th percentile.

Here is who I like for the Yahoo league this week:

GROUP A
I am starting the red hot Jim Furyk, and taking the surging Vijay Singh as my back up.

GROUP B
I will be starting the impressive Sean O'Hair and young stand out Nick Watney. They will be backed up by my main man Steve Marino, and another one of my favs, Dustin Johnson.

GROUP C
Sadly, my favorite two "C" guys ten starts are getting used up very quickly. I can't avoid starting Ian Poulter this week, and of course I will back him up with the talented Englishman, Luke Donald.

Let's get on with the six pack, I've got some stone cold killers for you this week!

1. Vijay Singh

...and I thought, I was done picking this guy in '09, 'sha right!

It looks as though Mr. Singh is getting back to his old self again. What better time to get back on the winning track, then at Jack's Place?

Vijay won here back in 1997, and I think this week sets up for him to contend for the victory, after all, that's what Vijay means in Hindi.

Singh's last five tourneys have produced noticeable improvement, going 30, CUT, 9, 16, and 6th respectively. Whatever it was that was bothering Vijay injury wise, looks to hopefully be a thing of the past.

Considering Vijays' dismal start to 2009, it is impressive to see he still ranks T14 in total driving on tour, and T13 in ball striking.

Those two stats are elemental, in playing this golf course, as there is PLENTY of yardage to be had at Muirfield.

I think that Vijay is a great pick this week at 20:1 odds.

2. Jim Furyk

When you see guys like Vijay Singh AND Jim Furyk at 20:1 or higher, and they are healthy, you HAVE to give them due diligence and careful consideration.

It was impossible for me to not pick Jim Furyk in my six pack this week.

This guy is just three words.

WAY

TOO

GOOD

Furyk won at Muirfiled in 2002, and has NEVER missed the cut here. He has 4 top ten showings (one was a runner up to Vijay in 1997) and almost always is in the top 25.

Furyks last 5 events had him placing 10, CUT, 11, 5, and 9th respectively.

The guys is simply shooting lights-out right now.

Furyk is ranked 15th on tour in Par 4 birdies or better at 19 percent. He also is 15th on tour in scoring average at 69.96 strokes per round.

If Tiger was not playing this week, there is no way you would see Jimmy sitting at 20:1 odds this week.

Put him on the board, he's mine.

3. Sean O'Hair

Another rock solid performer in 2009 is the unmistakable, Sean O'Hair.

O'Hair has done well in this tournament. In four appearances he has had a T12 and a T5.

Have you seen what this kid has done in '09 so far?

O'Hair has played in 12 events, and made 10 cuts. ALL ten of those cuts made were top 25 finishes, and six of those were top 10's including a 2nd to Tiger at Bay Hill, and a victory at Quail Hollow.

That my friends, is nothing short of impressive.

Here is why O' Hair is a great choice for the long and strong Muirfield track:
-He ranks 1st on tour in All Around Ranking
-He ranks 2nd in Par Breakers at 25.5 percent
-He is 2nd on tour in GIR at a whopping 71.37 percent
-He also ranks 2nd in a scoring average of 69.62 strokes per round

Not very often do I take three guys in the twentysomething to one range, but at 25:1 I cannot deny Sean O'Hair admittance to the six pack.

Welcome aboard Sean, now go out and win.

4. Steve Marino

My heartbreak special from last week is in my six pack, largely because, I feel like if I don't pick him, he will surely win.

Marino's game just keeps getting stronger and stronger the more 2009 evolves. I think he learned a lot about himself after his tee shot on the second playoff hole last week.

The taste of victory was in his mouth, but his taste buds were sheared off cleanly by that hybrid into the trees.

Well, luckily for him the hunger is back, and taste don't mean diddly this week. Marino is going to attack with a vengeance, to secure that first tour victory, that he so narrowly missed last week.

Marino has steadily improved over his last five outings, going T5, T38, T79, T16, and T2. He is third on tour in total birdies at 214. Steve's scoring average of 69.88 ranks 13th, and he holds an impressive 14th place in GIR at 69.34 percent.

I have to go back to my "six pack crack", Steve Marino at 50:1 odds

5. Dustin Johnson

He came through for me once this year, and this very well could be the week he shows up again in the winner's circle.

After cooling down a bit, DJ is heating back up, going 30, CUT, 79, 34, 4 in his last five events. This kid is a shooter, and knows what it takes to win.

He is an impressive fourth on tour in average driving distance of 304 yds. Guys and gals, thats an AVERAGE drive for him. Let that sink in for a minute.

Dustin's future is bright, and so is his birdie average. He averages a birdie or better every 4.53 holes. That my friends, is the very best on the PGA tour in that category.

DJ is also first in Par Breakers at an astounding 26.17%. Here's another juicy number for you. Johnson also ranks fourth on tour in Par 5 performance. In 2009 DJ is -75 on par 5's so far.

The odds makers are asleep behind the wheel on this kid. DJ is 60:1 odds to win this week, so check him out quickly.

No. 6 Kevin Na

Kevin Na is kind of like Steve Marino for me. I know he is going to win this year. I just am not sure when.

This could be his week, even though he is not a long ball hitter. His putter is his weapon of choice.

If he showed up to a gun fight with his putter, the guy with the gun would be in trouble.

Na has been iffy on making the cut this year. He has made 9 cuts in 14 attempts this year.

That being said, all nine of those cuts made were T25's. Six of those were T10's, and TWO of those were T3's!

I'll take my chances, with this kid again this week. He has gone CUT, WD, 3, CUT, 9th in his last five attempts. He is 9th on tour in scoring average at 69.81 strokes per round.

Kevin is third on tour in final round scoring at 68.7 strokes, showing that he can surge to a victory, for sure.

Of course, this guys flat stick, cannot be overlooked. He ranks 10th on tour at 1.726 putts per hole.

If Kevin Na was fast food, he would be McValue.

Na is also 60:1 odds of victory this week.

Good luck to you all, and hit 'em straight!