*UPDATE * – Nick Watney has WD before his tee time. If you had a WD pick for Watney, it will be substituted.

- Damian, Thursday 2:14pm ADT

the Memorial! Muirfield! Jack! Ohio! Jim Tressel!

I’m excited for this event. So many guys are ON FIRE! This should be a treat to watch. Donald, Watney, Kuchar, Stricker, Mahan, Schwartzel, McIlroy, Mickelson, Furyk and more look to get in shape for the US Open.

This is the first event of Month 6. For a refresher on the rules, hit the link — Contest Guidelines and leave your Fantasy Four below (don’t forget your ONE Nike Athlete).

You can also check out the Fantasy Four post from 2010 >>
the Memorial Fantasy Four recap 2010 >>

Here is the recap from the last event >>

Stewart Cink
Cink’s record here is as good as they come.  T8 last year, T8 in ’09, T30 in ’08, T5 in ’07, T12 in ’06, with three straight Top 10s in 01/02/03. Hasn’t missed a cut in 11 years here, averaging 19th place. Combine that with his recent play (5 straight made cuts, 1 Top 10, 4 Top 30s) and I think you’re looking at a winner.

Carl Pettersson
Unlike Cink,  Pettersson has won this event. Petterson won back in 2006. He followed up his win with a T31 in ’07 and a T10 in ’08. Cut in ’09, but T28 last year. Big sleeper this week. He’s also on a 5 made cut streak (1 Top 20, 5 Top 40′s).

Charl Schwartzel
Schwartzel is coming off of a bad missed cut at the BMW PGA Championship. He should bounce back fairly well here. DNP last year, T27 in ’09 and a pair of T62′s in ’07 and ’06, but he’s a much different golfer now and is always a threat to win.

Justin Leonard
Justin has missed 6 of his last 8 cuts,  but has a solid record at this event. He finished 2nd in ’00, T30 in ’01, T16 in ’02 and T11 in ’03. More recently, T55 in ’07. Longshot!

other Nike athletes to choose from :: Jhonattan Vegas and Lucas Glover

Luke Donald
recent finishes – 1st BMW PGA, 2nd Volvo Match Play, T4 Players, T8 Zurich, 2nd Heritage, T4 Masters, T6 WGC Caddy, 1st WGC Match Play
8 straight Top 10′s. Straight fire. I got chills typing his recent results. T14 here in ’09, T6 in ’08. My only worry is travelling from England.

Matt Kuchar
recent finishes – T6 HPBNC, T16 Crowne
Kuchar has made all 13 cuts on Tour this year, with 7 Top 10′s. Kuchar also finished T8 here last year, T5 in ’09, T10 in ’08 and T13 in ’07. Better than most.

Nick Watney – WD Thursday Morning
recent finishes – T8 HPBNC, T4 Players
Watney started the year with 5 straight Top 10′s.  He’s currently on another streak of 2. CUT here last yaer, but T14 in ’09, T26 in ’08 and T41 in ’07.

Hunter Mahan
recent finishes – T10 Crowne, T6 Players, T16 Wells Fargo
Hunter is a big sleeper this week. CUT last year and in ’08, but T14 in ’09. He’s well rested and ready to go!

Others playing well; Steve Stricker, J.B. Holmes, Brian Gay, Rory McIlroy, Steve Marino, Keegan Bradley

Jim Furyk
best finishes – T10 in ’10, 2nd in ’09, T23 in ’07, T18 in ’06, T8 in ’05, T24 in ’03, 1st in ’02, T23 in ’01, T25 in ’00
Insane record here. Coming off of a T31 at Colonial, with three rounds in the 60′s. MC at the Players, but made 7 straight cuts before that.

Justin Rose
best finishes – 1st in ’10, 2nd in ’08, T14 in ’06, T4 in ’04
I was surprised that JRose’s history runs so deep here. He’s shown flashes of brilliance this year, with a nice streak (T5 Transitions, T3 API, T11 Masters) in there. Coming off of a T45 at a windy Las Colinas.

Kenny Perry
best finishes – 1st in ’08 and ’03, T17 in ’10, T27 in ’09, T3 in ’07, T24 in ’05, T6 in ’04, T7 in ’01
Great history last year and really good finish last year, too. He’s coming off a T22 on the Champions Tour, CUT at Colonial before that, T39 at the Players and a T5 on the Champions Tour. Playing well enough to probably contend this week, given his history.

K.J. Choi
best finishes – T13 in ’09, 1st in ’07, T8 in ’05, T5 in ’04, T13 in ’03, T32 in ’02
K.J. crushes it here in odd number years. He’s another great sleeper this week. Sure, he disappointed some of you last week, but he’ll step his game up with some of the best in the world this week (like The Players).

Others with good history; Ernie Els, Fred Couples, Vijay Singh, Jerry Kelly and Ryan Moore

Alan :: Hunter Mahan, Matt Kuchar, Phil Mickelson and Lucas Glover
Bob :: Ryan Palmer, Matt Kuchar, Phil Mickelson and Stewart Cink
Damian :: Hunter Mahan, Matt Kuchar, Rory McIlroy and Stewart Cink

I’d like to take Overton, Donald and Mahan, but there just isn’t enough room. This field is phenomenal.

Other big names in the field :: Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Steve Stricker, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Ernie Els, Robert Karlsson, Martin Laird, Edoardo Molinari, Robert Allenby, Ryan Moore, Rickie Fowler, Hill Haas, Ryan Palmer, Gary Woodland, Sean O’Hair, Bo Van Pelt, Camilo Villegas, Charley Hoffman, Jeff Overton, Webb Simpson, Ricky Barnes, Charles Howell III

Check out the full field here for the Memorial tournament >>

Leave your Fantasy Four in a comment below.

Remember, you have to pick at least ONE Nike Golfer and have your picks in by WEDNESDAY at Midnight (PST).

It is also your responsibility to sub your player if they WD before the deadline

More tradition this week and it’s a pretty good field. Kuchar, Watney, DJ, Choi, AK, Jason Day and many more!

TPC Four Season Las Colinas…let’s get it poppin’.

This is the last Event of Month 1 (Month 5 overall). For a refresher on the rules, hit the link — Contest Guidelines and leave your Fantasy Four below (don’t forget your ONE Nike Athlete).

You can also check out the Fantasy Four post from 2010 >>

Here is the recap from the last event >>

Anthony Kim
Made the cut last week and opened strong. He played consistently, he hits it long and he’s one of the best putters on Tour. He just needs to be accurate off of the tee and he’ll have a shot to win. DNP last year, just missed the cut in ’09 shooting 69-71. T19 here in ’08.

Stephen Ames
Ames is barely missing cuts. 71-74 at Colonial, 77-68 at TPC Sawgrass..

Justin Leonard
He finished T16 in ’09, T19 in ’08, T26 in ’06. Not playing that great though.

Carl Pettersson
T4 in ’08, T19 in’07, T21 in ’06 and a T34 in ’04. Not shabby! He’s actually on 4 straight made cuts; T33 at The Players, T9 Wells Fargo, T40 Zurich Classic, T30 Heritage. Pretty solid.

other Nike athletes to choose from :: Kevin Kisner, Joseph Bramlett

K.J. Choi
recent finishes – 1st Players, T3 Zurich, T8 Masters, T6 API
Last start here in ’07, missed cut. Playing well though!

Sergio Garcia
recent finishes – T16 Crowne Plaza, T12 Players
6 starts on the PGA this year, he’s averaging 19th place and hasn’t finished worse than T35. Money in the bank folks. Sergio won here in 2004. Last start here was T19 in ’07. Needs a big week, too, but pulled out of The Open qualifying because of a finger infection.

Sean O’Hair
recent finishes – T16 Crowne Plaza, T19 Players
He’s not necessarily hot, but his last 3 rounds at Colonial were in the 60’s. He seems to have his form back. At this event he’s finished 25 in ’07, T19 in ’06 and 2nd in ’05.

Charlie Wi
recent finishes – 2nd Crowne Plaza, T41 Players, T16 Zurich
6 straight made cuts, but he was on fire at Colonial. Cut here last yaer after a 69-72, T23 here in ’09, T7 here in ’08. Pretty good stuff. David Toms all over again?

Jason Day
best finishes – 1st in ’10
Day won last year based on recent play, and that was the first time he made the cut at Las Colinas. He’s playing well and was a very popular pick last week. He’ll bounce back this week and should be up there with DJ and Watney.

Dustin Johnson
best finishes – T7 in ’10, T4 in ’09
DJ started May on the European with a T4 a few weeks ago and then a T57 at the Players. However, DJ with a few weeks off is one I may not trust. Last year, he got his good finishes on a hot streak and bounced back from poor finishes. I don’t see that as much this year. Prove me wrong, DJ.

Scott Verplank
best finishes – T5 in ’10, 1st in ’07, T6 in ’05, T14 in ’04, 4th in ’03, 2nd in ’01
Hasn’t missed a cut this year. 2 Top 10′s in his last 4 starts..seems to alternate Top 30′s with  Top 50′s…indicates a good week for Verplank. Well rested, too.

Rory Sabbatini
best finishes – 1st in ’09, T3 in ’07, T14 in ’05, T21 in ’04
He could have made the Hot List this week, actually. His last 3 starts; T16 at Colonial, T26 at The Players, 3rd at Wells Fargo. Has a good history in odd number years, too!

Alan :: Nick Watney, John Senden, Brian Gay and Stephen Ames
Bob :: K.J. Choi, Charlie Wi, Jason Day and Carl Pettersson
Damian :: Nick Watney, Matt Kuchar, Brian Gay and Anthony Kim

Really hard not to take Dustin Johnson, Charlie Wi and Sergio here..but I think Kuchar will walk away with the win. Pettersson is probably the safest Nike pick, if one exists.

Other big names in the field :: Matt Kuchar, Ben Crane, Nick Watney, Brian Gay, Robert Allenby, Marc Leishman, Jeff Overton, Spencer Levin, Vijay Singh, Brandt Snedeker, Jason Dufner, Gary Woodland, Angel Cabrera

Check out the full field here for the HP Byron Nelson Championship >>

Leave your Fantasy Four in a comment below.

Remember, you have to pick at least ONE Nike Golfer and have your picks in by WEDNESDAY at Midnight (PST).

It is also your responsibility to sub your player if they WD before the deadline.

Welcome to Colonial! Tradition lives on these grounds and a champion will rise!

Pretty awesome field this week. That being said, there are 3 guys that initially stand head and shoulders in terms of the ultimate combination; HOT + HISTORY!

Let’s check out these three gems that caught my eye (one of them is even a Nike athlete);

Stewart Cink – coming off T19 at Players, T9 at Wells Fargo, T30 at Heritage
(last 10 appearances at Colonial; 2 Top 10s, 7 Top 25s, 0 MCs, Averaging 21st place)

David Toms – coming off 2nd at Players (including 5 Straight Top25s – with 2 Top 3’s in there)
(last 10 appearances at Colonial; 4 Top 10s, 6 Top 25s, 0 MCs, Averaging 18th place)

Zach Johnson – coming off T12 at Players, T6 at Wells Fargo
(last 5 appearances at Colonial; 2 Top 10s, 3 Top 25s, 0 MCs, Averaging 16th place)

This is Event 3 of Season 2, Month 1 (Month 5 overall). For a refresher on the rules, hit the link — Contest Guidelines and leave your Fantasy Four below (don’t forget your ONE Nike Athlete).

You can also check out the Fantasy Four post from 2010 >>

Here is the recap from the last event >>

Stewart Cink
See above.

Stephen Ames
Ames is blazin’ at Colonial. 9 apperances, 3 Top 10’s, 0 MC’s, averaging 29th at the event. JUST missed the cut at TPC Sawgrass with an opening 77, followed by a 68. Great sign for the Canuck.

Justin Leonard
In Leonard’s last 11 appearances here, he’s had 2 Top 10s, 6 Top 25s, 0 MCs averaging 29th place. Coming off of a T57 at TPC, he should make the cut this week.

Anthony Kim
This is probably the week where we all count out AK after last week and the Masters and he comes out and wins the event. Honestly, I would not be surprised. He’s played here in ’07, ’08 and ’08, finished 18th, 40th and 54th.

other Nike athletes to choose from :: Lucas Glover

Jason Day
recent finishes – T6 Players, T9 Heritage, T2 Masters
Pair that with a T4 here in ’09 and you could have your winner.

J.B. Holmes
recent finishes – T6 Players, T9 Wells Fargo, T11 Texas Open
J.B. is hot, too. Two appearances here at Colonial (MCs in ’09 and ’07).

Jason Dufner
recent finishes – T6 Players, T3 Zurich, T14 Heritage
I didn’t know Dufner was playing this week. He only has 1 MC all year in his 11 events. Two appearances here with a T59 in ’09 and MC in ‘07

Matt Jones
recent finishes – T19 Players, T21 Wells Fargo, T6 Zurich
Solid finishes for Matt Jones. He also had a T13 here last year. SLEEPER ALERT.

Of course, Toms and ZJ could go here, too.

Zach Johnson
best finishes – 1st in ’10, T9 in ‘09
See above.

David Toms
best finishes – T2 in ’02, T3 in ’05, T4 in ’00, T8 in ’01, T13 in ‘10
See above.

Corey Pavin
best finishes – 1st in ’96 and ’85, 2nd in ’90 and ’92, 7th in ‘10
Sure, Pavin has old history, but he also has 3 straight top 25’s here in ’10, ’09 and ’08. Coming off of a T45 at TPC. SLEEPER ALERT!

Kenny Perry
best finishes – 1st in ’05 and ’03, 2nd in ’02, T22 in ‘10
Last 11 appearances, only 1 MC, averaging 28th place. Coming off of a T39 at TPC.

Alan :: Jason Day, Kevin Na, Hunter Mahan and Stephen Ames
Bob :: David Toms, Jason Day, Zach Johnson and Stewart Cink
Damian :: Ben Crane, Steve Marino, Matt Kuchar and Stewart Cink

I almost took Jeff Overton over Matt Kuchar…sure, Kuchar just came off of a T54, but he’s going to bounce back! I actually like Sergio this week. He was on fire in his final round at Sawgrass and is a former winner at Colonial.
A grown-man dream team would be Cink, Toms, ZJ and Pavin.
A modern dream team would probably be Fowler, Day, Kuchar and AK.

Other big names in the field :: Matt Kuchar, Jim Furyk, Hunter Mahan, Adam Scott, Jason Day, Robert Karlsson, Martin Laird, Ben Crane, Brandt Snedeker, Rickie Fowler, Bill Haas, Rory Sabbatini, Mark Wilson, Jeff Overton, Sean O’Hair, Kevin Na, Angel Cabrera, Sergio Garcia, Brian Gay, Spencer Levin

Check out the full field here for Crowne Plaza Invitational >>

Leave your Fantasy Four in a comment below.

Remember, you have to pick at least ONE Nike Golfer and have your picks in by WEDNESDAY at Midnight (PST).

It is also your responsibility to sub your player if they WD before the deadline.

I’m not a player, I just crush a lot. One thing that bugs me is that Westwood and McIlroy aren’t playing. Other than that, the field is top-notch..but not as good as WGC or Majors.

This is the 1 year anniversary of the NG Nation Fantasy Four! We started this contest one year ago! We’ve already given away multiple Nike ONE Vapor Speeds, a bunch of Nike Golf shoes in the Fall Contest and a VR Tour STR8-FIT driver along with a Nike SQ Machspeed Black driver. Not too, shabby. Let’s show up big, for the 1 -year anniversary.

Since then; myself, Alan, Lendell, no3putt, Courtney Zylstra and Chris Wang still remain! Thanks for staying with us everyone! (take a look at the original post)

One thing of note;

2010 – Tim Clark won (finished T9 in 2009)
2009 – Henrik Stenson won (finished T10 in 2008)
2008 – Sergio Garcia won (finished 2nd in 2007)
2007 – Phil Mickelson won (finished T14 in 2006)

I’ll let that speak for itself.

This is Event 2 of Season 2, Month 1 (Month 5 overall). For a refresher on the rules, hit the link — Contest Guidelines and leave your Fantasy Four below (don’t forget your ONE Nike Athlete).

Here is the recap from Event 1 >>

Lucas Glover
G’Lover should be a popular pick this week, as he won last week and finished 3rd here last year.

Tiger Woods
I honestly didn’t think Tiger would play this week after he WD from the Wells Fargo. Tiger doesn’t peak for the Players, but he still has good results. Tiger was having a solid round last year, but WD through the final round. If Tiger shot 70 or 71 (like his previous 3 rounds) he’d have a Top 25. Finished solo 8th in 2009, DNP in 2008, T37 in ’07. I think it would still be a good win for Tiger. Won in 2001.

Francesco Molinari
Solo 9th last year. He fits the bill for the trend above. Missed the cut at the Masters and Heritage, but has the game with his WGC win and a T3 at the WGC Cadillac. 9th here last year is pretty good too.

Stewart Cink
Coming off of a T9 and 9 of 10 made cuts, Cink is always a threat to contend at events like this. T3 here in 2007. Just missed the cut last year, MDF in 2009, T21 in ’08.

I’m just gonna mention Stephen Ames. Won here in 2006, 5th in 2008.

I need to say something about Charl Schwartzel, too. After winning the Masters, he finished T11 in Malaysia. He’s hot and I think he’ll get a Top 10.

other Nike athletes to choose from :: Paul Casey, Anthony Kim, Justin Leonard, Jhonattan Vegas

10 to choose from this week. (would have been 11, but Lovemark is injured)

Luke Donald
recent finishes – T8 Zurich, 2nd Heritage, T4 Masters, T6 WGC Caddy, T10 Honda Classic, 1st WGC Match Play
Hotter than my oven. T26 last year, T37 in ’09, T27 in ’08, T16 in ’07, CUT in ’06, T2 in ’05. Gotta be worth a shot. I just don’t like his history.

Kevin Na
recent finishes – 5th Wells Fargo, T9 Heritage
Since blowing up at the Texas Open, Na is out to prove himself. CUT here last year, but T3 in ’09. GOtta like that.

K.J. Choi
recent finishes – T3 Zurich, T8 Masters, T6 API
Choi is super hot and rested. T34 last year, MDF in 09, CUT in ’08, T23 in ’07. I think he’s worth a shot since he’s playing so well.

Webb Simpson
recent finishes – T21 Wells Fargo, 2nd Zurich, T14 Heritage, T16 Houston
Webb is playing well and finished with a 69 a the Wells Fargo. Hasn’t made a cut here though.

Holmes and Stricker could probably go here too.  Same with Kevin Na I can’t list them all!

HISTORY STAT OF THE WEEK :: see the above winners

Phil Mickelson
best finishes – T17 in ’10, T21 in ’08, 1st in ’07, T14 in ’06, T3 in ’04
Coming off of a quiet T9 at the Wells Fargo, and a T27 at the Masters before that and a win the week before that. Can’t be discounted and you also can’t predict when Phil will win.

Ben Crane
best finishes – T4 in ’10, T5 in ’09, T6 in ’08
Coming off of a T6 and T20. I wouldn’t be surprised if he won this week.

Tim Clark
best finishes – 1st in ’10, T9 in ’09, T21 in ’03
I think he’s forced his starts this year and still isn’t healthy.

Davis Love III
best finishes – T4 in ’10, 1st in ’94 and ’03
Coming off of a T16 last week. Don’t forget about him.

Alan :: Adam Scott, Ben Crane, Bill Haas and Tiger Woods
Bob :: Luke Donald, Phil Mickelson, Stewart Cink and Tiger Woods
Damian :: Luke Donald, Matt Kuchar, Steve Stricker and Anthony Kim

I really like Poulter and Fisher this week. Heck, I really think Crane and Na are big sleepers this week. I hate to ditch Watney and Mahan, too. Adam Scott is a good look, too.

I think the most popular Fantasy Four will be :: too hard to tell this week… Phil…Donald..Kuchar..Glover?! We’ll see

Other big names in the field :: Martin Kaymer, Adam Scott, Dustin Johnson, Jason Day, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Mark Wilson, Edoardo Molinari, Ricky Barnes, Charles Howell III, J.B. Holmes, Jeff Overton, Padraig Harrington, Steve Marino, Sergio Garcia, Marc Leishman, Davis Love III, Nick Watney, Hunter Mahan, Graeme McDowell, Ernie Els

Check out the full field here for The PLAYERS Championship >>

Leave your Fantasy Four in a comment below.

Remember, you have to pick at least ONE Nike Golfer and have your picks in by WEDNESDAY at Midnight (PST).

It is also your responsibility to sub your player if they WD before the deadline.