Reading the Green: Allenby eyed for Ginn sur Mer
They have surveyed the green, examined the breaks and calculated the grain, speed and dimensions. Here's how CBSSports.com staffers Steve Elling, Ross Devonport and Dan Lubin are handicapping this week's Ginn sur Mer Classic.
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| Steve Elling CBSSports.com Senior Writer | Ross Devonport CBSSports.com Fantasy Writer | Dan Lubin CBSSports.com Golf Producer |
 J.B. Holmes Another week and another new PGA Tour course that has never before been played. This is the fourth “new” course since the PGA Championship, in fact. How are we supposed to pick winners if they keep changing tracks on us? The second Ginn sur Mer Classic will be contested on a visually striking Tom Watson layout nicely carved from a flat piece of property roughly 60 miles south of PGA Tour headquarters. It will measure 7,663 yards, the longest course of the year. So, based on that alone, we’ll steer toward the longer hitters and target J.B. Holmes, who lives in nearby Orlando and is seeking his second win of the season. |  Brian Davis I like the name of the course they’re playing on this week, The Conservatory, as it just has a very English ring to it. My folks weren’t rich enough to have a conservatory when I grew up, but I think one of my fellow countrymen, Brian Davis, might have made enough cash to afford one at his U.K. residence, wherever it may be. And I don’t want to hear any crap about how he isn’t a favorite. At this point in the season, everyone should just be even money to win these tournaments. While Davis might not hit the ball far, he has two T15s in his last three events and shot a 63 at the Frys event. |  Robert Allenby I can't tell how many times I've tagged Robert Allenby to win an event this season. Needless to say, I've been anticipating a breakthrough, but it hasn't happened and his winless funk remains. Allenby is certainly a high caliber player and it's stunning that he's gone over seven years without a victory. This week, he's the highest ranked player in a weak field. He returns to action after several weeks of rest. His last start at Turning Stone resulted in his second runner-up finish of 2008. The man hasn't missed a cut since January and has 16 finishes within the top 25. No argument here, the Aussie is the one to watch. |
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| Steve Elling CBSSports.com Senior Writer | Ross Devonport CBSSports.com Fantasy Writer | Dan Lubin CBSSports.com Golf Producer |
| Robert Allenby Since the Fall Series began with the Viking Classic staged opposite the Ryder Cup, there has been one constant – a player at No. 125 or higher on the money list has won each week. Apparently, desperation can be quite a motivator, because that’s the exact number of dudes who will retain their tour cards in 2009 with only the Disney World event left after this week. That said, the best player in the field is arguably Aussie Robert Allenby, who nearly won the Turning Stone event four weeks ago. The 125 streak ends this week. |  Nick O'Hern I’ve been disappointed by Mr. Allenby a number of times this season, so I’m going to go in a different direction with this middle pick, although I’ll stay with an Aussie. Nick O’Hern might find this course a little too long for him, but he’s so consistently inconsistent that I’m just going with him as a flier pick. His short game should be able to help make up for any greens he misses. With the way things have been going, he has a good a chance as anyone in my book. |  George McNeill The 2006 q school medalist acquitted himself quite well in his rookie year in 2007, capping it off with a maiden victory in Las Vegas. This season has been no less successful (minus a win) for the native Floridian. With over a $1 million in the bank, he has secured a spot on the 2009 PGA Tour. The strength of his game, which really keeps him competitive, is his iron play. But that's not the reason I want to highlight him. Rather, it's because of the impressive performances he has turned in during the Fall Series -- (in order) T22, T15 and T11. He's trending in the right direction and could easily pick up a second career title with some strong putting. |
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| Steve Elling CBSSports.com Senior Writer | Ross Devonport CBSSports.com Fantasy Writer | Dan Lubin CBSSports.com Golf Producer |
 Ken Duke In many ways, he is the anonymous pro, a guy rarely noticed, who doesn’t have a lot of flashy things to say, yet he keeps on piling up money. Ken Duke played in the Tour Championship a month ago, an indication of how well his season has gone, and earned spots in the Masters and British Open as a result. The late-blooming veteran hasn’t won on the PGA Tour, but against a weak field, the Florida resident should be in the mix if the length of the course isn’t too daunting. |  Robert Garrigus I’ll finally go with a long hitter in this last slot. Robert Garrigus, who is second on tour in driving distance, is playing some nice golf recently with a T3 at Turning Stone and a T20 last week. Seven of his last 11 rounds have been in the 60s, too. Would he be the first PGA Tour winner born in Idaho? I don’t have time to look that up, but I’m going to assume so. Anyone who comes from the state that is known for potatoes is a good man in my book. Carbs anyone? |  Davis Love III How could I pick a 19-time PGA Tour champ as a surpise 100-to-1 shot? Well, DL3 has been off our radar screens for such a long time, having dropped to 159th in the world rankings. Most fans might not even realize that he's been competing intensely over the last couple weeks to maintain his playing privileges into 2009. Thanks to ties for sixth and 11th place in the last two weeks, he is now in a firmer standing on the money list (115th). However, he can't rest assured yet. He needs one more solid showing to shore up his spot. The way he's playing, he just might steal career victory no. 20. |
