OPINION

By Rob Bolton

updated 5:36 p.m. ET Sept. 3, 2009

Last year's Deutsche Bank Championship-record aggregate 22-under-par 262 might not be out of reach considering the outstanding weather forecast. And after last week's test, TPC Boston might allow the feel of a Bob Hope East this week. With large greens, it should be a shoot-out. There's plenty of trouble, but without rain or wind to defend the course, it will come down to how fast the greens will be running.

That said, tournament organizers will kowtow to the needs of Tiger Woods, whose foundation is the primary charity of the event. No, I'm not saying that it's a political game or that Woods will be rolling the greens himself, but the dynamic does a 180 from last week's one-and-done at Liberty National. It's a soft landing at a home away from home.

Finally, looking ahead to this weekend, Patriot Golf Day will once again coincide with the Labor Day weekend (Sept. 4-7). When you pay your greens fee, inquire about a contribution to this wonderful cause.

Scorecard

Deutsche Bank Championship
Sept. 4-7
Tournament No. 39 of 46
TPC Boston [Norton, MA]
Par: 36-35=71
Length: 7,207 yards
Year hosted: 2003-present
Purse: $7,500,000 (Winner: $1,350,000)
Field size: 99 (Paul Casey qualified but withdrew)
Cut: Top-70 & ties after 36 holes (if >78 golfers are tied, another cut of Top-70 & ties will occur after 54 holes)

The elements
SKY: Other than a very slight risk of rain on Friday, it's going to be gorgeous
WIND: Calm-to-moderate breezes
TEMP: 70s throughout, maybe 80 early

In defense
Vijay Singh: Is he really the same guy that has two wins, a second and a fourth in five career appearances here? Or is he the same guy that faded to a tie for 60th two years ago here? Well, his last top-five anywhere was his victory here a year ago. And he hasn't had a top-10 since the AT&T National two months ago. AND, he missed the cut at The Barclays. This would be a smart week to let others roll the dice.
Projection: Top 25

Championship flight
Tiger Woods. Including yours truly, a lot has been written about his issues on the greens, but Hazeltine and Liberty National are not annual stops. He still posted runners-up. And that which he cannot overcome only makes his stronger. This has all the makings of a romp.
Projection: WIN

Heath Slocum: Despite a pair of top-25s the last two years here, I wonder if he isn't in for a whoopin' from the guys that were happily taillights before sunset in Jersey City.
Projection: 26+

Steve Stricker. Three top-15s in his last three Deutsche Banks, and he's playing great coming in. Stricker won't be penalized for missing fairways, not that he's doing much of that like the old days. He could torch the greens, too.
Projection: Top 5

Ernie Els: Will THIS be his return to glory? It's a storyline that's been building all year, culminating with the tie for second a week ago. Els finished tied for third last year in his only appearance at TPC Boston.
Projection: Top 10

Camilo Villegas: The projection is the same as last week when he appeared in "Hazard." However, the prognosis suggests a quality finish at a venue where he's posted consecutive top-10s the last two years. Moreover, by all reports, he withdrew from The Barclays to gear up for the final three. It cost him 15 spots and a slide to 50th in FedExCup points but it was an investment in rest.
Projection: Top 25

Birdie chance

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Padraig Harrington: Here's where you sub for Vijay Singh or Phil Mickelson. Harrington is 0-for-2 in his only two showings at this event, but he's rediscovered the form that led to his three major championships. It's another reminder of why it's always better to lean on recent play in big events than it is past history.
Projection: Top 10

Steve Marino: Beginning the final round as the co-leader of The Barclays, Marino took 34 putts at Liberty National on Sunday to finish tied for 15th. However, he isn't quite to the Tim Clark-level of coming close without sealing the deal, so I'm not putting a ton of stock in any sort of lingering negativity. Marino's distance and ball-striking are ideal for the set-up.
Projection: Top 25

Lucas Glover: His Friday 81 at Liberty National was partially due to the fact that he played his first 11 holes with just 13 clubs. Glover cracked the face of his driver after his opening round. I don't expect him to contend, but it's a new week with a new big stick for the President's Cup probable.
Projection: Top 25

Nick Watney: Watney snapped out of his summer funk for a tie for sixth at the Barclays, his first top-10 finish in five months. At Liberty National he ranked second in distance off the tee, tied for ninth in GIR and third in putting, the kinds of numbers that should end his 0-for-5 skid at TPC Boston.
Projection: Top 25

Eagle putt
Troy Matteson: With a tie for 20th at The Barclays, he was one of four to advance from outside the top-100 in FedExCup points to the Deutsche Bank Championship. Matteson's last appearance here resulted in a tie for ninth in 2007. He's 10th in driving distance and 41st in GIR. Putting isn't his thing, but he should give himself enough looks to climb the ladder to next week's BMW, something that neither Jeff Gove (2007) nor Lee Janzen (2008) could do. Unlike that inimitable duo, Matteson would be the first to start at the bottom of the qualifiers to play three playoff events.
Projection: Top 25

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