Unknown Kyle Stanley Leads on PGA Tour

His name is Kyle Stanley and he has played in 17 PGA Tour events and has won $313,588 in three years since turning professional in 2009, his best finish is a tie for 13th at last week’s Mayakoba Classic in Mexico, and he has played in two majors, he played his college golf at Clemson... and that’s about it.

Stanley shot a 4-under-par 66 for a 134 total, one stroke better than the infinitely better-known Rory Sabbatini, who had the day’s best round with a 6-under 64 for a 135 total on the Champion Course at PGA National Resort & Spa.

“I played well,” said Stanley, a 23-year-old from the unlikely gol hotspot of Gig Harbor, Wash., “I controlled my golf ball really well, which is what you need to do out here. And I also putted well.

“I feel like I’ve been playing well all year but haven’t quite put four good rounds together, but I’m getting better, and that’s the main thing.

I love seeing it when these young players come out of nowhere and start playing well.

Kyle Stanley

Fantasy Golf Buy, Sell, or Hold For The Honda Classic

 

The PGA Tour heads east as the West Coast Swing wraps up and the players will soak up the fun and sun of Florida.

The Honda Classic used to be skipped by many of the top players; not so much this year as world #1 Lee Westwood, and the likes of Luke Donald, Matt Kuchar, Rickie Fowler, and Rory McIlroy are all entered.

"We have talked about the rise in stature of The Honda Classic for the past several years and these great commitments from some of the best players in the game serve as an endorsement of that," Honda Classic Executive Director Kenneth R. Kennerly said. "The Champion course at PGA National provides a great stage for the competition and challenge they will undertake the week of the tournament. And we will continue to push ourselves to become better each year so that the golf fans of South Florida and the golf capital of America continues to enjoy an elite event."
Fan favorite Camilo Villegas is the defending champ and he is back to try and repeat.

There are a lot of tough decisions to make this week, so do your research.

Here is our buy, sell, and hold for The Honda Classic.

Buy:

Steve Marino (A) - It's only a matter of time before Marino gets a win.  He has two top-10's so far in 2011.  When he gets hot, Marino will rack up the points.

Graeme McDowell (A) - McDowell is poised to have a great year on tour.  He took a month off to rest for a big stretch of events this Spring.  He played well last week at the Accenture, he could have a big week at the Honda with a win.

Spencer Levin (B) - Levin is quietly having a good year.  He currently ranks 13th on the money list and has two top-10s in 2011.  He missed the cut here last year, but he won't if he keeps playing like this.

Vijay Singh (B) - Vijay hasn't missed a cut so far in 2011.  Hall of Famer Singh has found the touch with his putter and that led him to a 2nd place finish at Riviera.  Singh is 48, but he feels completely healthy after years of nagging injuries.  He finished T-4 here last year.

Jimmy Walker (C) Walker has been "Dynamite" so far in 2011.  Five starts and five made cuts including a T-4 at the Northern Trust.

Sell:

Blake Adams (B) - Has missed four straight cuts.  He may make it five here at the Honda.

J.P. Hayes (C) - Years ago, Hayes was a fantasy bargain.  Not anymore.  He hasn't made a cut so far in 2011 and hasn't even shot a round under par.

Heath Slocum (A) - Not a viable A-level play.  Has only made two cuts in six events this season. 

Hold:

Chris Couch (C) - He's the leading C-level player right now, but didn't play well last year here at the Honda.  He hasn't missed a cut so far in 2011.  Play him if you have to, but he may miss the weekend this week.

Remember to listen to the AudioBoo for the "flyer" of the week.