Fantasy Insider: Best of the rest, others to avoid at Farmers

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Critics can say what they want about the irrelevance of golf before the PGA TOUR's best tee it up, as Phil Mickelson will this week, but make no mistake, the beginning of the season is a gentle incline for a reason. From the warmth and serenity of Hawaii to the easy-lifting at the Bob Hope Classic, membership gets three events to dust off the rust, dial in the irons, bury a few birdies and jog muscle memory. Now, it's time to really play.

The Farmers Insurance Open (nee Buick Invitational) is the first substantive exercise the pros get in golfing their balls. While the top five on Sunday will be at or near double digits under par, the goal isn't necessarily to make the most birdies; rather, it's who makes the fewest bogeys. Like Waialae, and unlike the four Hope hosts, rookies will be overshadowed, if not overmatched.

Yahoo! gamers want to burn starts on the North Course whenever possible. Review the tee times when they are posted and adjust accordingly. The weather will be a non-factor for us fantasy owners. Remember to look for my starting lineup and bench in Wednesday's "Approach Shots."

And, as always, please refer to the Power Rankings for my top 10 (click here for Rankings) .
MORE: Rookie Watch | Medical Extensions | Reshuffle | Major qualifiers

See "Power Rankings" for Ernie Els, Bill Haas, Mickelson and Bubba Watson.

Ryan Moore -- Enters this week with five straight top-10s dating back to the Fall Series. Although it's a very small sample size, he's leading the TOUR in ball-striking this year. I've all but ignored his history at his first two starts this year, and it's worked. He's 1-for-4 at the Farmers, with a T16 in 2007. A suitable replacement if you want to save starts for Mickelson.

Steve Marino -- Making his 2010 debut, but let him stretch out first. Has two top 25s in three starts here, but missed the cut last year after opening with a 78 on Torrey South.

Luke Donald -- Essentially one triple bogey at Waialae cut his week short on Oahu. He has an outstanding record at the Farmers, with six top-25s in as many starts, including four top-10s. Great bench material this week.

Jason Dufner -- I'm trying not to notice because I don't buy into out-of-nowhere seasons, but he's making it hard not to stare, with two top-20s to start the year. He's broken 70 just once in 10 rounds at the Farmers, but he's another guy to consider for your bench.

Stephen Ames -- Backed up a pedestrian 20th at the SBS Championship with a T16 at the Sony Open, but this is where the good times stop rolling. Putrid record at the Farmers, with zero top 40s in eight starts. Hasn't cashed in six years. Nearly plugged him in for my Duffer Leaguer of the week.

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See "Power Rankings" for Robert Allenby, Charles Howell III, Dustin Johnson, Kevin Sutherland and Nick Watney.

Hunter Mahan -- First start anywhere since finishing 10th (of 12) at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in early December. His T11 at last year's Farmers is more indicative of what you should expect this week than his record prior to that (zero top-25s in five appearances). However, Mahan tends to heat up later in the year, so saves the starts.

Charley Hoffman -- Surprisingly missed the cut at the Bob Hope Classic, but the Monday finish might have affected his focus. His annual pro-am at Del Mar CC in Rancho Santa Fe was on Monday. If you'll give him a pass for that, then you definitely want to consider him this week. The local yokel will be making his 13th start at this event. He's cashed in his last five starts, including a T7 a year ago.

Aaron Baddeley -- With top-15s in his last two starts here, he'll get noticed by a few of you. You'll want to abstain this week but pay particular attention to his approach shots. As I stated in my full-membership fantasy rankings at the top of the year, Badds has already had trouble amassing birdie putts, so the new grooves could aggravate that part of this game. He's still a brilliant putter, but he can only drain so many 10-footers for par before the field whizzes by.

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See "Power Rankings" for Brandt Snedeker.

John Rollins -- He wasn't on anyone's radar entering last year's runner-up to Nick Watney. This year's mission is for more consistency, and he's off to a flying start. With a T8 at the Sony following his T14 at the SBS, Rollins is worth a long look in the Yahoo! game this week.

Graham DeLaet -- While Alex Prugh was making headlines with his solo 5th, DeLaet went ahead and posted his second straight top 25 to begin his own rookie season. He can crank it off the tee, but leave him alone this week as he gets his first peek at Torrey Pines. That said, if he's a free agent in your long-term format, grab him.

Matt Jones -- If you're sitting Snedeker or Rollins, then plug the Aussie in this week. He finished 5th last year here and T23 in 2008. Also coming off an impressive T8 at the Hope. Absolutely superb long-term own, too.

Joe Ogilvie -- Crashed and burned on Monday at the Hope, with a 74 to finish T26. He hit 11 (of 13) fairways at the Palmer Course in his final round, but only 10 greens in regulation. Maybe he was already channeling the Farmers, where he's 0-for-5 dating back to 1999 and hasn't broken 70 in all 10 career rounds.

Rob Bolton is PGATOUR.COM's new fantasy columnist. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the PGA TOUR. To contact Rob, please e-mail him at FantasyInsider@charter.net.