Tips From A Hooker is now at RotoExperts.com!!!

Yes, that is right, the fantasy golf column you know and love is now appearing at RotoExperts.com!

You can access this week's column for the Bridgestone Invitational here: TFaH on RotoExperts.com

RotoExperts.com
By Wade Alberty

I have exciting news!
I am now a member of the RotoExperts.com staff!!!
As well, Mark Strausberg is also part of the staff!

What does this mean for TipsFromAHooker.com? As of right now that is still up in the air.

For now though, check out www.RotoExperts.com.

If you were a TalentedMrRoto.com reader, and enjoyed the forums and community there, you will love RotoExperts.com!
For one, a lot of staff members from TMR are at RotoExperts.com. Also the forums there are new, but they have more of a community feel like the TMR forums did. You can post questions and have real experts answer them in a timely manner!

It's a newer website, and there is going to be a lot of rapid growth!! Check it out!! www.RotoExperts.com

So now that I got that out of the way, here are Mark Strausberg's picks for this week!


Yahoo:
A: Woody Austin and Jerry Kelly
B: Perez, Byrd, Watson, Overton
C: Perry and Slocum

A little chalky for my tastes, but I like it.

ESPN: Perry (carryover, but um, duh!), Perez (he is so due and I like him against a weaker field), Merrick and Pettersson (the last two I seriously considered in Yahoo, but decided to use them here)

CBS: The 3 Ps-Perry, Perez, and Pettersson and then my two agressive plays: Todd Hamilton (I gotta have a local angle guy!) and Patrick Sheehan (made the cut all four times he has played the Deere, including a 7th place last year. Plus, he's coming off a T-12 last week where he kept it under par all four rounds)

PGA: (Before I tell you my picks, I have to say that even I was surprised that I'm ranked 110th! Granted, there's probably less than 25 K player and probably less than 10K that take it seriously. But that's still pretty darn good! Anyway, enough tooting my own horn...
Perry
Austin
Watson
Perez
Kelly
Merrick (although I was kind of tempted to go with Kuchar here to mix it up)

And because I went very chalky here (not only against my personal tastes, but I aslo try to go a little aggressive in the PGA game) I'll go with JP Hayes as my tiebreaker. Had a 2nd place here last year, has won it before, and has the course record. For a long shot, I like it....

Strausberg Picks the Buick Open

CBS:
Leonard
Furyk
Slocum-Been quite hot lately. And he's first in proximity to the hole.
Mize-You know I like to go a little agressive on CBS. But Mize has won here and cashed in all six of his recent starts here including 4 Top 26 finishes. Why not?
Streelman-He's been white hot lately.

Yahoo:
Furyk
Verplank-He won in 98 and has cashed in each of the last eight years at the Buick, including a T-5 last year and T-4 the year before. He's accurate off the tee (6th) and is 1st on tour in proximity to the hole in approaches from 125-150 yards (he's 4th in overall proximity).
(But it is tearing me up not being able to take Snedeker here. I am VERY tempted....)

Mark Wilson-Looking to save some guys. He hasn't missed too many cuts this year and wanted at least one local guy. He's the only one I found.
Rocco Mediate-He won here in 2000 and losing to Tiger in OT aint bad for your last appearance.
Leonard
O'Hearn-Hoping to steal some points here on my leaguemates. I like him to do well this tournament. Lets just call it a hunch.

ESPN:
Perry-(Carryover)
Furyk
Verplank
Mediate-I might have consider Quinney and/or Leonard for above as well, either way it was going to cost me at least a combined 39 for my top 3. Didn't love too many options closer to 11 anyway. The one I considered was Billy Mayfair, because he had the course record but that felt even more agressive than Rocco. So I went with the sentimental pick....


Mark Strausberg has been playing fantasy sports since back when Jose Canseco was a first round fantasy pick and not a 'best-selling author'. Mark's work has appeared in newspapers, magazines, and of course the talentedmrroto.com. He wishes he could play golf as well as his analyzes it, but he has also been known to suffer from "paralysis by analysis". Mark would also like to thank the Hooker for this opportunity, but he's worried that his wife might find out and not understand. If you want to let him know what an idiot he is, drop him a line at mstrausberg@hotmail.com

The U.S. Open

The Hooker is back! Sometimes life gets in the way of your best intentions, but nothing was going to stop me from missing the US Open!

There seems to be only one question surrounding this US Open.... To Tiger, or not to Tiger?

This is a very difficult decision for me. First this is the longest US Open course ever, by nearly 400 yards. Not only is it long, it's Torrey Pines, which Tiger is about two wins away from having it renamed "Tiger Pines." Finally, do you really want to bet against Tiger at a major?

Then again he is coming off knee surgery, and he hasn't played in a tournament since the surgery. I also have to throw in some personal experience. I have never had knee surgery, but I do have a knee that is somewhat of a time bomb. About five years ago, at the beginning of spring, I blew out my Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) while playing basketball. I ended up not having surgery to rebuild the ligament because my knee was still pretty stable and my quality of life was not diminished by it.

Despite that decision my knee wasn't close to 100% for at least a year. I remember golfing that summer, and just not feeling like my game was right. Walking the course got to be a difficult about midway through the round, and crouching down to read a put was difficult.

Ok, I know that was way too long, but long story/short, don't think a knee injury is something that just goes away after a couple of weeks. I know Tiger is in a hell of a lot better shape than I was, but when your knee is creaking and barking, and your range of motion isn't what you are use to, 18 hole of golf, times four, can take a toll on you.

So am I starting Tiger this week?
No and Yes. It depends on the game. I don't feel like he is a no brainer, but I also doing feel like I can ignore him. ESPN: No. Yahoo: Yes. CBSSportline and PGATour.com: No

ESPN Best Ball Challenge

My Picks

Adam Scott – He's playing like a champ, but can he step it up and be a champ?

Phil Mickelson – I think Thursdays round will be very telling to the type of week Phil is going to have. Will the pressure of Tiger get to him, or will his killer instict kick in and he go for a kill on the wounded?

Richard Stern – He a world top 50, and has gone five for five in cuts on the PGA tour, including a nice 25th place finish at the Masters. The young South African probably won't win, but he looks like he could be good value.

DJ Trahan – Another piece to my studs and duds lineup. Trahan has shown some flashes this season, and for the price I think he is a good gamble.

Yahoo! Fantasy Golf

A Pool

Phil Mickelson

Tiger Woods - Tiger is riding my bench, and will only get a start if Phil flops, and he's going to post a top 10.

B Pool

Anthony Kim - I still have my man-crush on Kim. It's not wrong, it's a beautiful thing, and I think it's possible it could grow stronger after this tournament.

Retief Goosen – While he hasn't been playing the level of golf he once had, he has won the US Open twice, and has shown he still can play some quality golf.

Stewart Cink – It seems like you can never go wrong picking Cink. Considering he has a top 10 average for everyone in the field who have played in the Open two or more times, he is once again a solid play.

Justin Leonard – Leonard is playing so well, that it's hard to bet against him in this format.

C Pool

Lee Westwood - Westwood has a nice history at the Open, though his last couple haven't been his best. He's still a world top 50, so don't think he's just going to fade away.

Ben Crane – Crane has been solid this season, only missing one cut in 12 tournaments.

CBS Sportsline.com Fantasy Golf Challenge

Golfers	Salary
Phil Mickelson	$296,750
Adam Scott	$293,500
Padraig Harrington	$257,750
DJ Trahan	$75,000
Stephen Marino	$75,000
TOTAL	$998,000

PGATour.com Fantasy Pick'em

GROUP 1: Phil Mickelson

GROUP 2: Boo Weekley

GROUP 3: Jeff Quinney

GROUP 4: Adam Scott

GROUP 5: Ernie Els

GROUP 6: Padraig Harrington

TIE BREAKER: Retief Goosen

Wade “Southpaw” Alberty was a regular columnist for TalentedMrRoto.com, writing about both golf and baseball, while constantly partoling the forums, and  he has also written for ESPN.com. Wade is a
lifetime golfer and has worked in the golf industry and played intercollegiate golf. He can help you set your weekly lineup, fix your swing, tweak your short game and tell you what clubs to buy. When he isn't playing fantasy sports, you can find Wade hacking up the links in St. Louis or anxiously awaiting outside the Busch Stadium as his Cardinals get ready for another season.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Drop Wade a note at Southpaw@southpaw32.com

Strausberg on the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial
By Mark Strausberg

We started with Yahoo last week, we'll start with ESPN this week. Because I'm the kind of guy that change course at any time. I'm good like that....

Anyway, all ESPN prices reset starting with this tournament. I'm not digging it--I had Anythony Kim at almost a million and half lower than his current salary. But that's how the cookie crumbles (mmm, cookies!) Anyway, I have no choice and neither do you. So, here's who I'm going with this week:

Furyk-The Colonial is not a course for the bombers but those that have high GIR, aka, guys like Jim Furyk. He was the runner up last year and I'm hoping the trend of runner-ups winning the following year continues.

Justin Leonard-Gotta go with at least one Texas guy. Leonard is the choice.

Nathan Green-He's not playing poorly and two top 5 finishes the last two years at the Colonial. That's too strong a history to ignore.

Nick O'Hearn-I got a budget of 10.1 left after the first three. So, I'm grabbing O'Hearn at an even 10. He's playing pretty well-a T-20th at the AT&T and finished 12th the last two years at the Colonial. For that price, I'll take it. And FYI, I originally put Nicholas Thompson in. I only mention it because if you like the "Guys that Strausberg Almost Chose but Didn't Theory" (a strategy that often works quite well), he's not a bad pick.
Kim is on my bench because I couldn't afford him, but you should not use him anyway. Please, don't choose him. He's not that good. (because dammit, I want to win that grand prize!)

Yahoo:
As: Furyk and Mickelson. See above for Furyk and Mickelson has won the Colonial before and is one of the highest ranked players in the field this week.

Bs: Leonard and Green-See Above. Campbell is on my bench, but I'm choosing him because of the Texas connection and the fact that he has the course record (along with five others) And you never know, he just might show up. I know he's not much of a dark horse, but he's my dark horse selection. And I'm also going with Bryant because he's been playing well lately (two Top 3 finishes in his last five starts) and what do you know, he's from Texas also.

Cs: Perry He's playing well and has won twice here, including being the holder of the tournament record. That's enough for me. And Frazar, because sooner or later, he is going to play well in a Texas tournament. Why not this one.

CBS: (And remember, I pick much more aggressive in CBS)
Choi-3 Top 25s in his last three Colonials. And I like to spread my picks around.

Kim-Because he was amazing at the Heritage and would not be surprised to see him win another tournament.

Ames-Plays well at the Colonial in even years (3rd-2004 and 4th-2006).

Pavin-A two time winner here.

Colt Knost-There's aggressive, very agressive, and then there's picking Colt Knost this week. Would not be surprised to see him in DFL this week (the D stands for dead and the L stands for last, you can figure out what the F is for). But I just have this feeling about him this week and of course I have this unexplained need to go deep in my selection. But hear me out--he played at SMU, so he's got the Texas connection. And his record backs him up, playing his best golf in Texas tournaments. He's 11th in Driving Accuracy on the PGA tour as well. And in the Cowboy state, i feel like riding a Colt....

PGA:
Lefty-See above

Furyk-Wait, I can have both? Cool. See above.

Sabbatini-Have't picked him yet and I do like to have the returning champion selected somewhere

Ames-See above

Hart-Back to Back Top 10s earlier this year and has been in the Top 10 twice here.

Crane-I'm still bitter about him withdrawing at the last minute last week, but I'll ride him one more time.

Verplank-I had to take a Texan again, didn't I?

Mark Strausberg has been playing fantasy sports since back when Jose Canseco was a first round fantasy pick and not a 'best-selling author'. Mark's work has appeared in newspapers, magazines, and of course the talentedmrroto.com. He wishes he could play golf as well as his analyzes it, but he has also been known to suffer from "paralysis by analysis". Mark would also like to thank the Hooker for this opportunity, but he's worried that his wife might find out and not understand. If you want to let him know what an idiot he is, drop him a line at mstrausberg@hotmail.com

Strausberg on the AT&T Classic

By Mark Strausberg

YAHOO:
"Pick any two Bond movies you want from his collection."
"Really? Cool!"
"Yeah, but I hope you like Timothy Dalton".

A Pool
That's what picking the As are like this week in Yahoo. I can live with no Tiger or Phil or Scott or Singh. But no Verplank, no Choi, no Furyk, no Snedeker, nor my favorite Boo Weekley. Heck, you can't even choose the fun to say Vance Veazey. So I went with the obvious pick of ZJ (Zack Johnson). Originally when I picked my lineup earlier in the week, I was kind of excited to finally pick Kevin Na because I like his game, but he's not usually worth using as my A and this was a golden opportunity. So of course, he withdraws. I ended up choosing the rook, Jason Day, whom I rode earlier in the other games to much disappointment. But just in case he decides to play well, I'll have him on my team. But you're probably better off going with the other rookie, Nick Flanagan. But if you want someone who has actually won a tournament, go with Chucky Three Sticks, but he's dead to me....

B Pool
You want to start him on your bench? Fine. But if you don't include Cink on your team this week, you're an idiot. He DQ'd himself and missed one cut this year. Outside of those two tournaments, Cink's worst performance was 26th. He's #3 on the money list. Has 6 top 10 finishes this year already. (That Woods guy can't even say that!). And oh yeah, he played in college at Georgia Tech and has a home at Sugarloaf. Do you really need anymore reasons?

Bubba Watson-One of my favorite players and I haven't used him yet this year in this format. Sugarloaf rewards those that can bomb and those that can putt. If Bubba gets his putter going (like he did in the US Open last year), don't be surprised to see him in one of the last groups on Sunday.

Imada-Another who played his college ball in Georgia. Maybe its the 2nd place finish last year, but just a hunch he gets back on track here.

Goosen-I know he hasn't played that well lately, but he won that thing called the US Open not too long ago and he won this event back in 2002 and had a T-4 place finish in 2006. I'm going to roll the dice with him.

C Pool
Crane-I like to play guys that own the course record. Crane does. And he won here back in 2003. And he had a T-6 in the deep field of the Players Championship.

Slocum-His record is not the best here, despite living in Alpharetta. But he's playing better lately, so I'll hope he keeps it up. But I'll be honest, I might make a last minute switch and go Shane Bertsch. He has 5 Top 25s this year and he finished T-7 back here in 2006.

ESPN
Watson-He's a carryover.
Imada-See above
Cink-See above
Baird-That's 7 Top 25 performances already this year and Top 10 finishes here both of the last two years. Given that it leaves me with just .1 million left that'll work!

CBS-Here's what I like to do in CBS--roll the dice on two minimums and use the remaining $850K on three guys. So the first one is Parker McLachlin. Made his last three cuts and finished tied for 16th place last year. Good enough for me.
Since the youngest Strausberg entered the world last week, I feel like going with someone young and new on the scene.-D. Johnson it is. Plus, that gives me enough money to choose Cink, Johnson, and Watson.

PGA-I should tell you that because this game has weekly prizes, I often go a little more aggressive here often choosing other players I like for the week that I haven't chosen yet.
Group 1-Nicholas Thompson. I like Imada and Cink more, but NTom (okay, maybe it doesn't work, but that's what I'm calling him) has six top 25 finishes this year and played at Georgia Tech. Just because I'm going aggressive, doesn't mean I can't be smart about it also.
Group 2-No one jumps out at me. Elkington has been playing well recently and he has a 16th place finish last year. Goydos will probably be the popular choice, but his track record for back to back success is non-existent.
Group 3-Crane. Almost went Baird. Not EVERY pick has to be aggressive.
Group 4-Goosen is probably the smart pick. But I'm an idiot-just ask my wife. So I'm going with Matteson who also lives in Alpharetta and played at Ga Tech.
Group 5-Byrd. Slocum and Flesch are tempting, but Bryd has finished in the top 10 twice here both of the last two years.
Group 6-ZJ. See above.
Tiebreaker-Villegas. The only player in the tiebreaker list that I like that I haven't chosen somewhere else.

Mark Strausberg has been playing fantasy sports since back when Jose Canseco was a first round fantasy pick and not a 'best-selling author'. Mark's work has appeared in newspapers, magazines, and of course the talentedmrroto.com. He wishes he could play golf as well as his analyzes it, but he has also been known to suffer from "paralysis by analysis". Mark would also like to thank the Hooker for this opportunity, but he's worried that his wife might find out and not understand. If you want to let him know what an idiot he is, drop him a line at mstrausberg@hotmail.com

Wachovia Championship

So I've been absent a couple of weeks. Sorry about that, but a big thanks to Mark Strausberg for filling in. I hope to have more of Mark's insight on the site in the future!

So this week is the Wachovia Championship, with it's long, storied history dating back to 2003. Then again Joey Sindelar won here in 2004, and it's seemed like forever since we have seen him on a leader board.

Ok, enough with the Sindelar cheap-shots, let's get to the picks!

ESPN Best Ball Challenge

My Picks

Vijay Singh – He's a past winner here, and having a nice season.

Stewart Cink – I've always liked Cink, and this year he's solid. I look for him to post a top 10 this week.

Anthony Kim – I may be going to this well too often, but this kid has game, and he showed some of it last week. Add in his fifth place finish here last week, and I think he is a good play.

Trevor Immelman – He's been sold here in the past. Let's hope he still has some of that Masters magic left!

Yahoo! Fantasy Golf

A Pool

Adam Scott – Ride him while he is hot!

Vijay Singh

B Pool

Anthony Kim

Lucas Glover – Has posted two top 10s in four tries at this event.

Nick Watney – In three tries here Watney has finished no worse than 24th.

John Senden – Senden is having a solid season, and he finished 10th here last year.

C Pool

Trevor Immelman

Jose Maria Olazbal – He finished 16th here last year, but I think this is a bit of a gamble.

CBS Sportsline.com Fantasy Golf Challenge

Golfers	Salary
Vijay Singh	$287,000
Adam Scott	$280,500
Anthony Kim	$222,000
Lucas Glover	$131,000
Stephen Marino	$75,000
TOTAL	$995,500

PGATour.com Fantasy Pick'em

GROUP 1: Vijay Singh

GROUP 2: Adam Scott

GROUP 3: Trevor Immelman

GROUP 4: Brandt Snedeker

GROUP 5: Anthony Kim

GROUP 6: John Senden

TIE BREAKER: Hunter Mahan

Wade “Southpaw” Alberty was a regular columnist for TalentedMrRoto.com, writing about both golf and baseball, while constantly partoling the forums, and he has also written for ESPN.com. Wade is a lifetime golfer and has worked in the golf industry and played intercollegiate golf. He can help you set your weekly lineup, fix your swing, tweak your short game and tell you what clubs to buy. When he isn't playing fantasy sports, you can find Wade hacking up the links in St. Louis or at Busch Stadium cheering on his Cardinals.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Drop Wade a note at Southpaw@southpaw32.com