For a tournament that is unable to draw Tiger Woods and loses a number of stars because it takes place so close to the PGA Championship, The International has done a good job of attracting many of professional golf’s greatest talents.
The No. 1 attraction in this year’s field is Phil Mickelson, who is just one horrendous hole away from looking for his third major of the season next week at Medinah Country Club near Chicago. A year ago he tied for 10th at Castle Pines, then hit Baltusrol and won the PGA.
Perhaps this year’s winner will mimic 2002 champ Rich Beem, who bested Steve Lowery in a dramatic Sunday finish, then won the season’s final major in his next start. Or maybe it will be an unheralded player such as 18-year-old Australian Jason Day, making just his third professional start when he tees it up at Castle Pines, or South African Charl Schwartzel. A look at those likely to have a big impact:
TOP 10 COUNTDOWN
10. Brandt Jobe | Jobe says he tries to approach each tournament the same way, be it a major or the B.C. Open, but the former Kent Denver star has to regard The International as more than just another stop. Had things gone a little differently, Jobe might have been last year’s winner. He held the lead on Sunday and eventually finished second to Retief Goosen. Maybe this will be the year – and the event.
9. Tom Pernice Jr. | The 2001 champion has quietly crafted a very nice 2006 season, with a second-place finish at the St. Jude Classic and eight other top-25 efforts.
8. Stuart Appleby | After winning the season-opening Mercedes Championship for a third consecutive year, Appleby seemed primed for a dominant season. The Australian also won the Houston Open, but has failed to make his mark in the year’s biggest events. He missed the cut at the U.S. Open and British Open, and finished in a tie for 19th at the Masters.
7. David Duval | A victory at the British Open, the event in which he earned his most recent PGA Tour title five years ago, would have been a pretty good story. That didn’t happen. But winning The International, with friends and family members looking on, might be even better. With all the tools at his disposal there is no question Duval is capable of winning again. Given the birdie-fest that is part-and-parcel to The International, and the fact Duval is as capable of anyone in the field of scoring points, it may be the perfect combination.
6. Chris DiMarco | The modified Stableford scoring system in play doesn’t quite suit this grinder extraordinaire, but DiMarco is so tough it might not matter. Having finished second in the British Open, DiMarco seems to be over the slump that plagued him after a skiing injury in Colorado.
5. Fred Couples | It seems like Couples would have/could have/should have won at least one International in his previous eight appearances. Boom-Boom hasn’t had much success since tying for third in the Masters, missing the cut in three of his six starts since then, including the British Open. Even so, with the exception of Els, no one in golf hits the ball farther while making it look so easy.
4. Sergio Garcia | Garcia has been the European team’s spark plug in the recent Ryder Cup competitions. But to achieve more individual success, he has to putt better. This season Garcia has four top-10 efforts in just 13 PGA Tour events and he’s won more than $1 million. But chances are both of those numbers would be dramatically higher if he didn’t rank 162nd in putting. Even so, his ball-striking and creativity are among the best in golf. If he gets hot on the greens, he could run away with the tournament.
3. Retief Goosen | The defending champion is winless in 2006 in America, but has five top-10 finishes in just 12 events. That includes second place at the Players Championship and a tie for third at the Masters. Goosen also was in contention at the British Open before finishing in a tie for 14th. Truly a world-class player, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him repeat as champion here and then win the PGA the following week.
2. Phil Mickelson | The player most likely to hop a jet to Chicago to get in a little PGA work while playing The International. From his two-driver win at the Masters to his flameout at the U.S. Open, Mickelson has been the top story of the 2006 season. A two-time winner at Castle Pines, the tournament is the perfect event for Mickelson, so it’s entirely possible victory No. 3 here is just days away.
1. Ernie Els | Except, that is, the event will be won by the Big Easy. Els’ 2005 season was all but lost because of knee surgery. He struggled both mentally and physically earlier in the season. However, at the British Open the veteran seemed to finally get past his concern over the knee as well as some putting woes that have plagued him. As a result, Els, the all-time points and money winner here, is primed to win The International for the second time.
THOSE WHO ARE READY TO LAUNCH
Olin Browne | Enjoying a career resurgence the past couple of seasons.
Tim Clark | Clark is another South African with a very big game.
Ben Crane | Has a pair of top-10 efforts this season.
Steve Flesch | One of the “other” left-handers on the tour, Flesch has two career wins.
J.J. Henry | A first-time winner on the tour this year, Henry likely will be a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team.
Charles Howell III | Made 15 cuts in 20 events this season, but still is looking for career win No. 2.
David Howell | A disappointing British Open that knocked him out of the top 10 in world golf rankings.
Jonathan Kaye | A tough 2006 season would be made right with a victory here.
J.B. Holmes | One of the tour’s longest hitters could have a field day here this week
Justin Leonard | Not a birdie machine. But a tough, skillful player.
Davis Love III | It seems strange not to have Love included among the top 10. But this has been a strange year for one of golf’s best.
Arron Oberholser | Won at Pebble Beach this season and had top-20 finishes in the Masters and U.S. Open.
Jose Maria Olazabal | Has one of golf’s best short games.
Greg Owen | Englishman ranks 54th on the money list this season.
Rod Pampling | The 2004 champion won at Bay Hill this season.
David Toms | Has been dealing with back problems of late, but one of golf’s most consistent performers.
Camilo Villegas | One of the leaders in the race for rookie of the year. Villegas has yet to win this year, but The International would seem to be a good fit.
DARK HORSES
Aaron Baddeley | Rebounding from poor play since winning at Hilton Head this year.
Rich Beem | The 2002 champion can get really hot.
Lucas Glover | Potential Ryder Cup player has enough talent to win.
Ryuji Imada | Tied for 12th at U.S. Open.
Corey Pavin | Returned to victory circle, but probably not long enough to keep up with the big boppers.
Bill Haas | Could get his first tour win.
John Senden | Winner of the 2006 John Deere Classic this year.
Patrick Sheehan | Watch, he will be among the early tournament leaders.
(NOTE: ALL STATISTICS BEFORE LAST WEEKEND’S BUICK OPEN)
