This is Boo’s tournament to lose
By LANCE HANLIN
lhanlin@yahoo.com
843-986-5540
How does one pick the winner of this year’s Verizon Heritage?
Easy. Take the guy who never loses here.
Boo Weekley has played Harbour Town Golf Links twice and has two tartan jackets to show for it. His quest to make it three in a row starts today.
Obviously, it won’t be easy.
There’s a load of talent in this field, and Weekley has been off his game in 2009, recording just one top-10 finish.
None of that matters though. This is Hilton Head Island, the place where Weekley shines the brightest. The crowds following him get larger with every round, and he seems to feed off their energy.
He’s proud to be our champion, and people here are proud that he is.
He keeps saying Harbour Town reminds him of the place he grew up playing.
I guess that gives him a home-course advantage. He’s the safest pick.
Hanlin’s 10 who have a shot
BOO WEEKLEY
Best Heritage finish: Won it in 2007 and 2008.
Pertinent stat: Seven of his eight rounds here have been in the 60s. The other was a 71.
On target: He’s never lost at Harbour Town. The course layout suits his game.
Off target: He has struggled in 2009. His all-around ranking is 135th, and he’s frustrated with his game at the moment.
His shot: Great. The crowd will be behind him from his first hole to his last. He won’t disappoint.
AARON BADDELEY
Best Heritage finish: Won it in 2006.
Pertinent stat: He’s ranked No. 3 on tour in putts per round with an average of 27.65.
On target: After missing the cut in his first Heritage, Badds has been a Harbour Town stud, recording three straight top-10 finishes.
Off target: He has no top-10 finishes this year and has an all-around ranking of 114.
His shot: Great. Expect him to be in the hunt this Sunday.
JIM FURYK
Best Heritage finish: Second in 2006.
Pertinent stat: He’s ranked No. 7 on tour in sand save percentage at 65.38 and is No. 6 in putts per round at 27.95.
On target: In the past four tournaments at Harbour Town, “The Grinder” has two second-place finishes and one fourth-placer.
Off target: He’s the Susan Lucci of the Heritage. Of course, Lucci did eventually win that Emmy.
His shot: Great. The guy is as steady as they come and is always a threat to win here.
RORY McILROY
Best Heritage finish: This is his first trip to Harbour Town.
Pertinent stat: At 19, McIlroy is the youngest player to crack the top 50 of the world rankings.
On target: Tiger Woods says McIlroy has all the components to be the best player in the world. Nice endorsement.
Off target: His aggressive play could get him in trouble on Harbour Town’s narrow layout.
His shot: Very good. If he plays up to his potential, “Boy Wonder” can win this thing.
DAVIS LOVE III
Best Heritage finish: Won it in 1987, 1991, 1992, 1998 and 2003.
Pertinent stat: In 24 starts at Harbour Town, he has 11 top-10 finishes, 12 top-25s and has missed just four cuts.
On target: Nobody knows the ins and outs of this golf course better than Love does.
Off target: The tournament has been won by a player 40 or older just five times. Love turned 45 on Monday.
His shot: Very good. After his last three disappointing finishes, Love is due for another title.
ERNIE ELS
Best Heritage finish: Second in 2007.
Pertinent stat: More than 50 worldwide career victories along with three major championships.
On target: He’s ranked No. 7 in greens in regulation with an average of 70.51.
Off target: After a career of strong play at Harbour Town, Els missed the cut last year.
His shot: Very good. Big Ern’s Heritage history is punctuated by close calls and narrow defeats. He’s itching for a win here.
CAMILO VILLEGAS
Best Heritage finish: Seventh in 2008.
Pertinent stat: Leads the tour in greens in regulation at 73.15 percent.
On target: With three top-10 finishes this year, he’s primed to win soon.
Off target: He’s best known for his distance off the tee, something that won’t help him much this week.
His shot: Good. “Hombre Arana” may have figured out this course last year.
STEWART CINK
Best Heritage finish: Won it in 2000 and 2004.
Pertinent stat: Cink is ranked No. 3 among career Heritage money leaders with $1,808,618.
On target: After nine years at Harbour Town, his average round score is 69.79.
Off target: Outside of Match Play, his best finish this year is 24th at the Mercedes-Benz Championship.
His shot: Good. He should never be counted out at Harbour Town. Just ask Els.
JUSTIN LEONARD
Best Heritage finish: Won it in 2002.
Pertinent stat: With a scoring average of 70.01, Leonard is playing his best golf since 2004.
On target: His all-around ranking is No. 25. He has three top-10 finishes this year.
Off target: He has been inconsistent at Harbour town. He missed the cut two years before he won the tournament, then finished 47th the year after.
His shot: OK. His accuracy could make him a factor here once again.
D.J. TRAHAN
Best Heritage finish: 17th in 2008.
Pertinent stat: Ranks No. 2 on tour in greens in regulation at 71.78 percent and is No. 4 in total driving.
On target: Trahan has four top-20 finishes this year and won PGA Tour events in 2006 and 2008.
Off target: Despite his local ties, Trahan has not played well in this tournament.
His shot: OK. He is improving each year. His last round at Harbour Town was a 66.
Just off the mark: Tim Clark, Todd Hamilton, Paul Casey, Trevor Immelman, Rory Sabbatini, Dustin Johnson, Woody Austin, Tommy Gainey, Matt Kuchar, Jose Maria Olazabal.
