Webb Simpson 12\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nSimpson proved that he is in good form by finishing T4 last week at the Shriners. Now he gets a crack at a course that he has gone T12-second-T7 in his last three starts on this track \u2013 11 of the 12 rounds under par. This looks like Simpson\u2019s tournament to lose.<\/p>\n
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Matt Kuchar 12\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nLocal boy has gone T25-T20-T7 in his last three trips to this event and has been one of the most consistently good players the last year. He did finish a somewhat disappointing T21 in the Frys.com Open but he usually contends in any tournament he\u2019s in.<\/p>\n
Chris Kirk 14\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nDefending champion makes his first start of the new season and also finished T15 here in 2010. He has the terrific all around game to contend here again and is coming off a T4 at East Lake to finish off last season.<\/p>\n
The McGladrey Classic Contenders:<\/h3>\n
Bill Haas 16\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nMakes his fist start on this track since 2010 \u2013 a solo second. He ended last season hot \u2013 no worse than T16 in his last five starts overall. He somehow failed to win a tournament the last year and is an intriguing 16\/1 to get one this week.<\/p>\n
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Zach Johnson 18\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nOn a short track Johnson is usually very good. But he hasn\u2019t been exceptional here \u2013 just two top 20s, including a T16 last year. Johnson should be motivated for a good start to the season after suffering defeat in the Ryder Cup.<\/p>\n
Harris English 33\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nEnglish has been conspicuously quiet the last few months \u2013 a T16 last week in Vegas was his best result in a while. He\u2019s better than he\u2019s been playing and is due for a huge breakout performance soon.<\/p>\n
Russell Knox 33\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nPlayed well last week \u2013 even held the 36 hole lead en route to a solo third last week. He has played this course twice with unflattering results but Knox\u2019s arrow at present is pointing way up.<\/p>\n
The McGladrey Classic Sleepers (50\/1 or higher):<\/h3>\n
Adam Hadwin 55\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nwas terrific on the Web.com Tour last season and proved he belongs with a very good T10 at TPC Summerlin. He\u2019s an up and comer that gained a ton of confidence last week.<\/p>\n
Hudson Swafford 66\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nHome town guy has started this season of very well – a T8 (Frys.com) and a T18 (Shriners). He, like Hadwin was used to being near the top in the Web.com Tour. Swafford is a name that we are going to hear more from \u2013 possibly starting this week.<\/p>\n
2014 McGladrey Classic 4* Free Golf Pick:<\/h3>\n
I am going to go with the obvious pick this week \u2013 Webb Simpson at 12\/1<\/strong> is just too hard to pass up. Course history and current form all point toward Webb doing well this week.<\/p>\nMy sleeper is Hudson Swafford at 66\/1<\/strong> – he gets a crack at his home course this week and arrives in very good form.<\/p>\n