Golf Events / Paul Krishnamurty / 27 October 2009 / Leave a comment

There are big names and small names all battling it out to earn enough corn to hold on to their Tour cards. Paul Krishnamurty picks out a few who appeal in the Viking Classic odds

"Another struggler who took the eye at Scottsdale over the weekend was Nicholas Thompson, whose eighth place lifted him to 132nd on the money list and within touching distance of safety. Interestingly, Thompson ranked first for greens in regulation at Scottsdale; usually by far the most significant statistic with regard to a player's wellbeing."

If ever one needed an illustration of how golfers can suddenly up their games when the pressure is on to transform their season, or even save their careers, the last fortnight has provided it.

Two weeks ago, I listed 'Five players to follow during the Fall Series'; comprised of players urgently needing a big pay-cheque to move up into the top-125 of the PGA Tour Money List, and therefore gain full playing privileges for 2010. Naturally, as these players had by definition endured a poor 2009 campaign, they were all going to be available at big prices.

I couldn't have asked for more from that team, which has provided both PGA Tour winners since; firstly Martin Laird at [150.0] and Troy Matteson followed up at even bigger odds in Sunday's Frys.com Open, after being matched at up to [1000.0].

Nor was this phenomenon restricted to these PGA Tour winners. Both of Matteson's play-off victims, Rickie Fowler and Jamie Lovemark, started nowhere near that critical top-125 position. Similarly in Europe, [650.0] chance Michael Jonzon began the week well outside of that Tour's qualifying zone in 158th place, before landing a shock that rates very highly on the Richter scale of golfing earthquakes, even in this bizarre year.

Besides Jonzon, we also got a glimpse of a highly promising youngster, Sam Hutsby, who challenged for most of the weekend. As in the case of the brilliant Fowler, Hutsby's performance shows we need to keep an eye out for these little-known youngsters, who are anxious to make an immediate impact at this late stage of the year, as well as the experienced campaigners fighting for their lives.

What these results confirm is that the trends seen during the autumn of 2008 were no fluke. Then, all six winners of the season-ending Fall Series started this batch of events outside the top-125. There are two events remaining in this year's PGA Tour schedule, and looking at the list, a number of plausible winners spring to mind. Ryan Palmer looks the best bet in my view at [210.0], and his chance is further explored in this week's 'Find Me a 100 Winner' column.

Of my original five, I could easily make a case for either Tim Herron or Carl Pettersson to make it three in a row. Herron wasn't beaten too far in 13th place over the weekend, which was his fifth top-30 in seven events. That may sound like nothing special, but its a marked improvement on the poor figures seen earlier in the year. As a four-time PGA Tour winner, Herron has the experience to save himself yet from 128th place on the list.

Petterson's case is less obvious on recent form figures, but was in the top-10 for most of Sunday before slipping back to a disappointing 29th. That poor finish leaves him needing a massive week, but at least the Swede has plenty of previous at this week's venue, Annandale, where he finished second in 2005, and 10th in 2004.

Another struggler who took the eye at Scottsdale over the weekend was Nicholas Thompson, whose eighth place lifted him to 132nd on the money list and within touching distance of safety. Interestingly, Thompson ranked first for greens in regulation at Scottsdale; usually by far the most significant statistic with regard to a player's wellbeing. Though he has only ever won on the lower grade Nationwide Tour, Thompson has challenged on several occasions on the PGA Tour, and finished second in last season's penultimate event, the Ginn Sur Mer Classic.

Finally, a couple more names that could be worth keeping an eye on. Former Ryder Cup star Chris DiMarco is down in 138th place, and interestingly finished second on this course back in 1999. And while he lacks anywhere near Dimarco's profile, 168th placed Bob Heintz registered some excellent stats in the putting average and birdie conversion lists at Scottsdale; two areas that should be particularly important this week.

It's hard to expect some of these characters to actually win, or even challenge for the Viking Classic title, but they are all well worth considering in match, finishing position and three-ball markets, as every single shot is pivotal for them right now and therefore, the least we can expect is 100% focus.

Tags: Bob Heintz, Carl Pettersson, Chris Dimarco, Martin Laird, Michael Jonzon, Nicholas Thompson, PGA Tour Money List, Ryan Palmer, Sam Hutsby, Tim Herron, Troy Matteson