Byron Nelson Championship - Phil pulls out last second

Tee-off: 5/21/2009

The big guns, save for Tiger and Phil, will be on the links this week for the Byron Nelson Championship. With Tiger on the bench and Phil Mickelson having to pull out last second, it leaves the door open for someone who wants to step up.

Adam Scott, the defending champion, will be looking to take the title as well as last week’s Valero Texas Open winner, Zach Johnson.

Let’s analyze the chances of some of the top golfers in the Byron Nelson Championship.

Golf: Byron Nelson Championship To Win

1. Kevin Na +5000 - - Kevin Na has done everything right this year except win a tournament. He will look to do that this week and no doubt should be tough to beat. Na doesn’t have history on the course, but at golf odds of 50 to 1 gamblers could do worse than bet on a guy ranked 2nd in total putting, 1st in sand save percentage and 7th in scoring average. He also ranks 12th in par-5 scoring which could give him a nice advantage over a lot of the competition. He’s the pick at the odds.

2. Charley Hoffman +2000 - - Hoffman finished 9th in the Valero Texas Open and made the cut yet again. He’s the made the cut in 12 of the tournaments he’s played in this year. Hoffman ranks in the Top 25 in driving distance, putting and scoring average. It’s only a matter of time before his excellent form leads to a victory.

3. Ian Poulter +1500 - - Poulter tied for 3rd in this tournament in 2007 and has been very good this year with a 2nd place finish at TPC Sawgrass and a fifth place finish at Quail Hollow. He should be on his game for the Byron Nelson this week.

4. David Toms +2000 - - Talk about hitting the ball well! Toms finished 5th in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, 18th in the Quail Hollow and tied 9th at TPC Sawgrass. He took the Valero off to study up for this tournament. Toms is also ranked in the top 10 in driving accuracy, putting and scoring average. He’s got a shot.

5. Vijay Singh +2500 - - Vijay put in a great effort at the TPC Sawgrass when he finished 9th. If he’s returning to form, then he has a much better chance than the 25 to 1 odds would indicate as Vijay won the Byron Nelson in 2003 and has finished in the Top 25 three other times.

Best Long Shot

Brian Davis +5000 - - Besides Kevin Na, who I picked to finish first, the best long shot on the board has to be Brian Davis who missed the cut at the Byron Nelson in 2007 and 2008 but has put together two back to back 5th place finishes and has scored 16 straight par or better rounds in a row.