Champions Tour Insider: Preview the 2010 season

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Chris Condon/PGA TOUR

Tom Watson has already won two events -- including the Champions Tour's season opener -- in 2010.

Tom Watson is poised and positioned. His game is purring and he has the confidence of the champion that he has been for so many years and continues to be.

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Everything is in place for Watson to enjoy an exceptional year on the Champions Tour.

Fast start? Check.

Watson, an eight-time major champion who nearly made it nine last year in the Open Championship at Turnberry, teamed with Jack Nicklaus to win the Wendy's Champions Skins Game. Watson backed it up with a victory Sunday at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai in a shoot-out over Freddie Couples, the Champions Tour's new poster boy.

Ball-striking? On target.

"That's what I'm out here to do," Watson said. "To hit shots when they count. That's what I live for."

He hit the shots when it mattered most down the stretch against Couples. Watson knew he needed birdies at the 17th and 18th holes, and he got them.

Putting? He finished birdie-birdie at Hualalai.

Watson made an 8-foot birdie putt at the 17th and holed from five feet at the 18th for the winning stroke.

"The putting stroke was a lot better (in the final round)," Watson said. "Straighter back, straighter through."

Mind-set? Listen to Watson:

"I didn't win last year. That's how I judge my year, by winning a golf tournament. That's a success. The year's been a success already."

There will be other successes for Watson in 2010. Count on it.

Here's a preview of the 2010 Champions Tour season:

Top of the Class (Player of the Year top contenders)

1. Tom Watson -- Off to a terrific start, riding the crest of the Open Championship performance and looking for first Champions Tour POY since '03

2. Bernhard Langer -- He's looking for an unprecedented three-peat

3. Loren Roberts -- Twice a Charles Schwab Cup winner but so far blanked in POY race.
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Rookies to Watch (While everybody is focusing on Fred Couples, Corey Pavin and Paul Azinger - and rightly so -- here are three other rookies who are likely to make a big impression):

1. Mark Calcavecchia -- His magic number is June 12. This winner of 13 PGA TOUR events, including the 1989 British Open, is a birdie machine when he gets on a roll.

2. Kenny Perry -- The Kentuckian has enjoyed a sensational decade since turning 40. He'll be 50 on August 10. Does another outstanding decade await? Yes.

3. Peter Senior -- He came from Down Under to win medalist honors in the Champions Tour's Qualifying Tournament. He has the game and mind-set to become a winner.
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Ready for a major championship breakthrough

1. Fred Couples -- How perfect is Sahalee for the U.S. Senior Open in his home state of Washington?

2. Bernhard Langer -- The same comment as last year: It's got to happen sooner or later, doesn't it?

3. John Cook -- Chalk one up for the Buckeye who will build on a standout finish to '09 campaign.
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In the Driver's Seat (Best Driver)

1. Fred Couples -- He's got the perfect nickname for a driving machine -- Boom Boom. His driving is a joy to watch. He'll shorten the Champions Tour layouts.

2. Nick Price -- The Total Driving stat leader and only golfer in top 20 in both distance and accuracy.

3. Olin Browne -- Just 1 point behind Price in the Total Driving stat.
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Masters of the Greens

1. Morris Hatalsky -- There's no denying the statistics. It's no secret why he's No. 1 in putting average.

2. Ben Crenshaw - Amazing how perfectly a putter fits into his hands.

3. Loren Roberts -- For Roberts, it's not only about statistics; it's about results. He putts to win.
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Short Game Wizards

1. Fred Funk -- Loves the challenge of getting it up-and-down and his 68.55 percent of par or better after missing greens proves it

2. Paul Azinger -- His sand game is money.

3. Andy Bean -- Has a terrific touch for a big man. Just behind Funk in the stats round-up at 66.02 percent.
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