The stars have come out for the third leg of the Texas swing. We’ve got 5 of the Top 10 World Golf Ranked players and 6 of the Top 10 Money Leaders on Tour this year. That doesn’t even include Henrik Stenson, YE Yang, Geoff Ogilvy, Nick Watney, Sean O’Hair and other top notch studs. It should be a doozy and there couldn’t be a tournament better to finish the first month of the NG Nation Fantasy Four Contest.

This is Week 4 of the NG Nation Fantasy Four Contest and it’s never too late to join. For a refresher on the rules, hit the link — Contest Guidelines >>

NIKE GOLF : Four to Watch

Stephen Ames
Last two starts have been shaky, but he was very consistent before that. Not a bad record at Colonial; T27 in ’09, 4th in ’08, T4 in ’06, 3rd in ’04. It seems like he does well on even numbered years. That might entice some people.

Paul Casey
Coming off a T17 at the BMW PGA Championship, I think Casey proved he is healthy. He was the hottest golfer on the planet before he was injured and I think he’s at full health. He also had a solo 5th at Colonial last year in his only outing.

Lucas Glover
G’Lover’s last two starts have been encouraging, T22 at Quail Hollow and 3rd at The Players. T15 here in ’08,  T29 in ’07 is as good at it gets at Colonial, and he’s playing well so I think he can do very well here.

Stewart Cink
Even though he was the only Nike golfer to get a Top 25 last week, he still wants to be playing better. T22 here in ’09, T18 in ’07, T4 in ’06, T14 in ’04, T13 in ’03, T33 in ’02, T26 in ’01 and 2nd in ’00… should all give him confidence heading into this week. Keep your eyes open.

THE FIELD : Four Who Are Hot

Phil Mickelson
Phil has a lot of pressure on him this week and I think he’ll come through. A two-time winner at Colonial (2000 and 2008) and coming off a 1st, 2nd and 17th, some think he may choke under the pressure, but he has a great record here.

Jason Day
Coming off a win, Day has been quite consistent so far this year. 4 of his last 6 starts have been Top 25′s, but I wanted to include him because he just missed out on a playoff here last year with a solo 4th. Big sleeper this week.

Ben Crane
In his last 6 starts, he has 2 Top 10′s and 5 Top 25′s. That’s pretty hot. Solo 5th at Colonial in ’08, T4 in ’06, T17 ’05. He’s hot and has history.

Fredrik Jacobsen
Also in his last 6 starts, he has 3 Top 10′s and 5 Top 25′s. Even hotter than Crane, if you ask the ladies. T17 in ’06, 16th in ’05  are his best finishes here, but he could be a shocker.

THE FIELD : Four Who Have History

Steve Stricker
The questions with Stricker’s health will prevail but he is the defending champion and has a few MC’s here, but also has 2 Top 10′s and 3 Top 25′s. The buzz is all about Phil, but Stricker was No.2 in the world not so long ago.

Tim Clark
Coming off a win at the Players, Clarky had a T2 in ’09, T2 in ’08 and T12 in ’07, T21 in ’05. I think he’s drooling at the chance to pick up back-to-back wins with a stellar record at Colonial.

Kenny Perry
Another two-time winner at Colonial (2003 and 2005). He hasn’t had a Top 25 here since his last win, though his last two starts were  a T22 at The Players and T16 at The Byron Nelson.

Jim Furyk
Furyk has been a fantasy work horse this year. The only question is his last start was a T47 at The Players, but he still has two wins and a bunch of top 10′s this year. His record here is incredible with 6 Top 10′s and most recently having a T9 here last year.

FINAL FOUR : Ian Poulter, Ben Crane, Phil Mickelson and Paul Casey

I know, Poulter didn’t fit into one of the categories, but I have a feeling. The only clear choice to me was Phil. I could have taken all 4 Nike Golfers and be happy. It hurts to leave Clark and Marino off this list, too. I would pick about 10 players who I think can actually win, but we’re limited for a foursome.

I couldn’t fit Poulter, Mahan, O’Hair, Stenson, DJ, Kuchar, Verplank, Na, Perez, Gay and other golfers into the actual categories, but don’t forget about them. I still have questions about Stricker, but I’m taking Crane  instead of big names like Furyk or Mahan. I didn’t even include Justin Leonard and he has a bunch of Top 15′s here in the recent years with a 2nd in ’03. It’s a tough week for picks, but it’s a great way to finish the first month of the contest.

Leave your Fantasy Four below and tell your friends!
hit the jump for the full list of players >> Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial Full Field

Remember to submit your picks by MIDNIGHT (PST) the night before the tournament starts, and to include at least ONE Nike athlete in your picks

Pick with your heart,

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