Weir set to defend at Frys.com

BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2008 Frys.com Open | Preview | 22 Oct 2008

The Frys.com Open is the next event on the PGA Tour and with just two further events this season, much is at stake on the Tom Fazio designed Raptor layout at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale.

The event was named the Fry’s Electronics Open when it was played for the first occasion in 2007 with Mike Weir securing a narrow one shot victory over Australian Mark Hensby.

Hensby would have been heading for Tour School that year if it wasn’t for his great finish. The only problem was that he had overlooked his entry form for Tour School and so this event became his last real hope of maintaining his status. He did just that and regained his privileges.

In 149th position on this year’s money list, Hensby faces a similar scenario this week, needing another big week to have job security in 2009.

It would not surprise this writer to see Hensby have another big week. He is the sort of player and individual who seems to thrive when his back is against the wall and that is certainly the case this week. He has shown improving form in recent weeks.

An improving Mike Weir looks to defend his title after a series of recent events where his game has shown dramatic improvement. Five top tens in his last seven starts should have him ready for a successful defence.

Aaron Baddeley must be given a chance because of his comparatively high world ranking but he missed the cut in this event last year and has played sparingly in recent weeks. He is playing ‘a home game’ to a large extent in so much that he has a home in Scottsdale.

Pat Perez has yet to win on the PGA Tour but a tied for 6th in this event last year and recent solid play gives him the credentials to do a little better. Top tens in two of his last four starts give him a chance to finally break through.

Tim Herron is back close to his best, three top ten finishes in his last five starts confirming such. A final round of 62 last week in Las Vegas has him arriving at this event in a fine frame of mind. He did well enough in this event last year to be a serious consideration.

England’s Brian Davis has shown glimpses of good form in recent weeks, more especially when runner up at the Reno event in August. He was 6th in this event last year and although he too is looking for his first win that should not discount him from being a contender at least.

Mark Wilson played very consistently this year, seldom missing a cut and his recent runner up finish in Texas suggesting that a win is not too far away. He did not play this event last year but has played well on similar styles of courses.

The Australian contingent has various agendas.

Mathew Goggin has been inconsistent in recent weeks but when he has been good he has been very good. Like Baddeley this is essentially a home game for the Scottsdale based Tasmanian. He did not make the cut in this event last year but recent top five finishes in events such as the Barclays and the Turning Stone Championship suggest he can do much better.

Aside from Hensby, Baddeley and Goggin several other Australians get their chance. Nick O’Hern, Peter Lonard, Nathan Green, Jason Day, Rod Pampling, Steve Elkington, Steve Allan, Nick Flanagan, Matt Jones, Brett Rumford and David Lutterus are all targeting various money list milestones, some targeting survival on the PGA Tour, some looking to avoid stage two of the Tour School while others are seeking a place in the top 70 to ensure starts in invitational events next year.