TOUR Insider: Five guys who have made early impacts
By Stan Awtrey, PGATOUR.COM Contributor
It comes as no surprise that Steve Stricker and Geoff Ogilvy rank among the PGA TOUR's top five in FedExCup points and money earnings this year. They both have the ability to go the post and win. Stricker nearly ran away with it last week in claiming the Northern Trust Open while Ogilvy has turned Kapalua into his own personal paradise.
But the first five weeks of the season has produced more than its share of surprises, too. You can't simply write down the name of the highest-ranked player in the field and expect to win a wager. (For example, Phil Mickelson played in his back yard the last two weeks and didn't scratch.)
If you didn't believe the TOUR's motto that "These Guys are Good," this is probably the proper time to be reminded that, in this instance, there is truth in advertising. These guys are good, even if their recognition factor among casual sports fans isn't high.
Here are five guys who have gotten off to good starts in 2010 and proven themselves worthy of being bothered by autograph hounds:
BILL HAAS: After three seasons of hanging around the fringes of keeping his card, Haas figured it out a year ago and finished No. 61 on the money list. He took his success to the next level last month by winning the Bob Hope Classic, his first TOUR victory. Now he gets to play in the Masters for the first time, following in the footsteps of his father (Jay) and his uncle (1968 champion Bob Goalby).
RYAN PALMER: No, he's no relation to Arnold Palmer. Nope, not even a relative of Sandra Palmer. Not even certain he listens to Emerson, Lake and Palmer. The Texan seems to vacillate between a good year and an average-to-poor year. The 2009 season was a bad one; he had a bum shoulder that required surgery during the offseason. the 2010 season has been a very good one, as he won the Sony Open in Hawaii, his third TOUR victory, and is now exempt through 2012.
This is a guy you would like. He established a fund that helps junior golfers with financial needs and another foundation that last year funneled $100,000 to a children's hospital in his hometown of Amarillo. This guy is good -- and good-hearted.
BEN CRANE: His reputation for slow play is unfortunately the only thing a lot of people know about Crane, who has been a fine player when healthy. He's tried to play faster -- honest -- and has made progress in that regard. A bad back has been the main culprit to holding Crane back, but it didn't seem to bother him two weeks ago when he was dicing up Torrey Pines.
ALEX PRUGH: First of all, please learn the proper pronunciation of his last name: PROO. (The fans aren't booing, they're saying "Prooooo.") He made the Big Show by finishing 16th on the Nationwide Tour's money list last year.
The two-time All-American from Washington has made the most of his opportunity. He's notched three top 10s in his first four starts, largely because of his ability to go low at any minute. In his first 16 competitive rounds, has posted eight scores at 67 or better. That'll make people stand up and notice. He's the early leader for Rookie of the Year honors.
MICHAEL SIM: Sim, born in Scotland, raised in Australia and residing in Arizona, re-wrote all the Nationwide Tour records last year and earned an instant promotion with three victories. Three weeks ago, he tied for second at the Farmers Insurance Open, a warning shot to anyone who felt he couldn't cut it in the big leagues.
Will these five guys finish strong? Too early to say, really. There's always a chance for a flameout, but a quick start often provides the fuel for a good season. A year ago Pat Perez rode his first career victory at the Bob Hope Classic to a second excellent season. Who knows, you might even hear roars of "Proooo" echo throughout Amen Corner in a few weeks?
Stan Awtrey is a freelance columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His views do not necessarily reflect the views of the PGA TOUR.
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