Fantasy Island: AT&T Pebble Beach

Group A:
Dustin Johnson

Group B:
Nick Watney

Group C:
Gary Woodland

He’s won back-to-back Clambakes and could be 3-1 on the storied layout as a professional if not for a horrid start to his U.S. Open Sunday last year. No such thing as locks in golf, but DJ at Pebble Beach is as close as one gets right now.

He was born in Sacramento, attended Fresno State and considers the old Crosby his personal “fifth major.” He doesn’t have a stellar record at Pebble, but he’s playing well and knows his way around the Monterey Peninsula.

We’ve been camping on Woodland the last few weeks (two top-10s in his last three starts) and one of the Tour’s longest hitters should fit in nicely at the bomber-friendly Pro-Am.

Group A:
Dustin Johnson

Group B:
Nick Watney

Group C:
David Duval

Forget about that meltdown in the final round of the U.S. Open. It only makes him more determined to win here again.

Showing terrific early season form in his two starts with a T-6 in San Diego and a T-5 in Phoenix.

Good memories of that T-2 at Pebble Beach last year carry over this week.

Group A:
Phil Mickelson

Group B:
Vijay Singh

Group C:
Tommy Gainey

Phil’s game is starting to show signs of life and he’s due for a great week at Pebble Beach.

Vijay says he’s feeling great and his scorecard looked great at the Waste Management.

Gainey plays on emotion and momentum. Monday at the Waste Management will not sit well with him and the only thing that will erase the sting is a win at Pebble Beach.

Group A:
Dustin Johnson

Group B:
Vijay Singh

Group C:
David Duval

Until he doesn’t win this tournament, I see no reason not to pick him.

Dunno how many wins, if any, are left in the tank, but he has fooled us before. Strong Phoenix.

Sometimes, wishful thinking becomes reality.

Group A:
Dustin Johnson

Group B:
J.B. Holmes

Group C:
David Duval

Easy pick. DJ rules Pebble Beach during February. As long as he doesn’t get bad vibes from his disastrous final round here at last year’s U.S. Open, he should contend.

Looking at past performances at Pebble and recent form this year on Tour and I like this pick. Holmes tied for second at Pebble last year and was in the hunt last week in Phoenix.

This may be wishing more than anything, but it’d sure be great to see Double D jump on the leaderboard again anywhere. I’d take Pebble since he played well here last year.

Group A:
Jim Furyk

Group B:
J.B. Holmes

Group C:
Kevin Sutherland

Four top-10s in 14 appearances and is one good round away each year from a top 5 or a win.

Finished tied for fifth last week. Was also runner-up at Pebble in 2010, and when he’s on, he’s on.

Has shot even par or better in each of his 11 rounds in 2011 & finished runner-up in 2007.

Group A:
Dustin Johnson

Group B:
J.B. Holmes

Group C:
John Mallinger

Two-time defending champion and has never finished worse than eighth in four events at Pebble, need I say more?

Can take advantage of the shorter courses, has shown he can play well at Pebble, and finished tied for fifth last week

Finished third in 2007 and 2008 and has never missed the cut in five events at Pebble Beach

Group A:
Phil Mickelson

Group B:
Steve Marino

Group C:
David Duval

Usually taking Lefty isn’t going deep. However, this week it just might be with Dustin Johnson the overwhelming favorite. Three-peating is hard and Phil already has three wins at Pebble.

He’s flying under the radar despite tying for second in his season debut at the Sony Open. Marino was solo fourth at Pebble last year. Don’t be surprised if he breaks through in Monterey.

Double D tied for second here a year ago, his highest finish since he tied for second at the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black. Couple that with the fact he has two top-25s in three starts so far in 2011 and he’s your dark horse.