It's Here at Last: The 2009 PGA Season, the Mercedes-Benz Championship

Even with the absence of Tiger Woods to start the 2009 PGA season, who isn't expected to play until late February, in the World Match Play Championships in Arizona, it feels good to be able to watch a final round on Sunday, once more.

The $5.6 million Mercedes-Benz Championship starts Thursday, with 33 players, all winners from last season, teeing it up on the Plantation Course in Kapalua.

I have delved into fantasy golf this season, and my one of my A players, Anthony Kim, plus my B player, Adam Scott, are in the field.

The Plantation Course at Kapalua plays 7,411 yards and is the only par 73 that the tour will deal with this season.

The winner gets a little over a cool million dollars. Why didn't my folks see how well I hit balls at the range at age 12? Oh well, in the next life, maybe.

Daniel Chopra is your defending champion in this tournament, and a pretty good player.

Tiger, Sergio, Phil, and Padraig are not playing in this one, which seems all too strange to me. I can understand Tiger being out with his injury still healing, but what's with these other three?

They should be here, enjoying the sun and getting the kinks out to start the season.

I just find it strange, these three guys are not interested in playing with the other winners from last season.

Thirteen players have never played Kapalua. Only six players were in this one last season. This one seems wide open, but I like Anthony Kim's chances.

Kim won twice last year in his coming-out party. I'm looking for Adam Scott to have a nice showing also, hopefully.

This is my first attempt at fantasy golf, so I do not expect much success, but who knows.

Here is your winners field for the first tournament of the season.

Marc Turnesa, Cameron Beckman, Will MacKenzie, Dustin Johnson, Davis Love III, Zach Johnson, Greg Kraft, Steve Lowery, Parker McLachlin, Richard S. Johnson, Ryan Palmer, Sean O'Hair, Johnson Wagner, Chez Reavie, Adam Scott, Brian Gay, J.B. Holmes, Geoff Ogilvy, Boo Weekley, Ryuji Imada, Andres Romero, Carl Petersson, D.J. Trahan, Stewart Cink, Trevor Immelman, Ernie Els, Kenny Perry, K.J. Choi, Justin Leonard, Anthony Kim, Camilo Villegas, Daniel Chopra, and Vijay Singh.

Kenny Perry has been playing well in the winter also, winning at the Merrill-Lynch Shootout in Florida with his partner. 

Have a great Sunday rooting for your favorite player, and practice your chipping and putting in the house, if it's snowing!

Thomas [ NFL Mikee ] Moreland