Brace yourself, folks. One of the biggest names in golf is returning to action this week. No, Tiger Woods' isn't teeing it up at Torrey Pines for another couple of weeks, but Jim "Bones" Mackay is back on the bag. Justin Thomas' bag to be exact. Bones will be pulling double duty at this week's Sony Open, looping for the tournament's defending champ and commentating for Golf Channel's coverage. (Hopefully, at the same time.)
To discuss this unexpected comeback, Dustin Johnson's legendary drive, Jason Dufner's legendary hat collection, and our picks to play well at Waialae Country Club, Joel Beall joined me for our weekly chat. Please have a listen.
And if you're more old school and would rather just read my normal weekly fantasy golf picks, here's my fab foursome in Honolulu:
Jordan Spieth: An opening 75 was too much for Spieth to overcome, but he rallied for a solo ninth. I'm taking him over JT not because he's got his regular caddie this week, but because I think he provides slightly more value than his friend, who everyone will be taking after his record-breaking performance here last year.
Kevin Kisner: With a T-4 and a T-5 the past two years at Waialae, Kisner seems like the safest pick out there. Our only concern is whether Kisner can recover from his Georgia Bulldogs losing an absolute heartbreaker in Monday night's National Championship Game. And he'll be playing with Alabama superfan Justin Thomas the first two days. Rough.
Brian Harman: Speaking of Georgia products, the red-hot Harman finished third at Kapalua, picking up his fourth top 10 in as many starts this season. He's already one third of the way to the 12 top 10s Spieth and Thomas had last season to lead the tour. No reason no to ride the hot-hand in Honolulu this week.
Webb Simpson: The top-15 machine has been just that at the Sony Open, finishing exactly T-13 for the past three years. We're also digging he and his caddie, Paul Tesori, going frugal with their digs for the week:
Maybe a top 10 will be enough for the two to book separate rooms at the next tour event.
Just missed: Marc Leishman and Justin Thomas. (He did shoot a first-round 59 and a PGA Tour 72-hole record 253 at this event last year.)
Knockout/One-and-done pick: Brian Harman.
And here's the podcast link again, if you want to hear Joel and I jabber:
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