Fantasy Island: Sony Open

A runner-up last year at Waialae who has not missed a cut anywhere in the world since last June's Memorial Tournament.

Tied for ninth in his 2011 debut last week at Kapalua and when he is healthy has the talent to be a perennial contender.

Finished 2010 strong with a T-4 (Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open) and T-3 (Children's Miracle Network Classic) and he has played solidly at the Sony Open before.

The man from Wisconsin worked some rust off quickly at Hyundai in Maui last week. His record's strong at Waialae. He's been T-4 or better three of last four years.

It's all about riding waves in Hawaii. Palmer should ride a wave of confidence into this week as defending champion.

The veteran's getting back his game and confidence. He once shot four rounds in the 60s at Waialae. He's ready for one last run and it starts this week.

Past winner at Sony, T-9 at Kapalua, and is highly motivated as he eyes huge tax bill that will come due soon on monster 2010 earnings.

Solid record at Sony and is due for a big year.

Riding high on confidence after winning Q-School and Waialai is a course that should suit his eye.

Played well last week, good course for him.

Plays hard, smells first victory, increased confidence from Ryder Cup.

West Coast guy, streaky ... looking for a sleeper in this group.

He’s the best player in the field and has three top-4 finishes at Sony in the past four years.

A bit of a gamble because he’s played here twice and had no success. But I’m banking that a ninth-place finish in Kapalua is a sign that a great week is near.

Finished second in 2003, 15th in 2004 but hasn’t done much since. Still, in this category it’s difficult to find anyone who’s had any sort of success here.