Dean and Deluca Invitational Preview, Picks & Analysis

Post by Sports Writer Derek Clements

BEN HOGAN'S name is linked inextricably with what they used to call The Colonial, winning it five times. As we all know, money talks so now we can look forward to the Dean and Deluca Invitational at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, won last year by Chris Kirk.

Colonial was designed by John Bredemus and Perry Maxwell. It is a par 70 and measures 7,204 yards. The course is bordered on one side by the Trinity River while the rest is surrounded by some large and imposing homes.

A look back at previous winners reads like a who's who of tournament golf - Hogan, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, Tom Weiskopf, Phil Mickelson. So you get the picture - this is an event that attracts the best in the game. And one of the reasons for that is because it is staged just two weeks prior to the US Open, and the world's top golfers want to prove they are ready for what is the most mentally demanding of all of golf's majors.

Kirk won by a single shot last year, his 268 total good enough to hold off Jordan Spieth, Jason Bohn and Brandt Snedeker. The event was won in 2014 by Adam Scott, by Boo Weekley in 2013, Zach Johnson in 2012 and 2010, and David Toms in 2011.

All of these golfers have one thing in common - they are proper shotmakers, as is Jason Dufner, who finished second in 2012 and 2014. And Dufner is the man to beat this time. Already a winner this year, he hit more greens in regulation at the Players Championship than any other golfer. Dufner has his troubles on the greens but the rest of his game is so good that he gets away with it. No player on the PGA Tour is better with a wedge in his hands. And he won't be troubled if the wind should blow.

Spieth finished second 12 months ago during his astonishing purple patch when it seemed that he was in contention every single week. Things have gone awry for him this season and he has slipped to number two in the world rankings, but this young man is a very special individual and it would be a foolish individual who bets against him making a stout defence of his US Open title. He proved for 54 holes at the Byron Nelson Classic that he has put his Masters disaster behind him - and Spieth is a man who is not afraid to be in contention two weeks on the trot.

Johnson, who won The Open at St Andrews last year, will fancy his chances of winning here for a third time. He adores this place and when he won in 2010 he did so with a scarcely-credible total of 259. Like Dufner, Johnson is a fabulous iron player and, when he is on song, he is one of the best putters in the game. His recent form hasn't been great, but a return to Colonial may just get his juices flowing once more.

I also expect big things from Ryan Palmer, a Texas native whose form has been getting better and better in recent weeks. Palmer is a glorious ball striker and just needs four good days with the short stick to fin his way into the winners' circle.

It is a huge week for Ian Pouler. The Englishman's tumble down the world rankings is beginning to look terminal and unless he can halt the decline soon then he can forget all about the Ryder Cup. If he is to play in the US Open then he will have to do so through final qualifying - and as things stand right now he is not in the field for The Open either.

This golf course should suit Louis Oosthuizen, who remains one of golf's great conundrums. How can a player with such a beautiful rhythm and technique play so many poor shots and make so many bad decisions on the golf course? It is a complete mystery. Despite all that, he has the honour of the Clements curse this week. 

To Win

Louis Oosthuizen. Come on Louis, show us what you are made of

Each Way

Jordan Spieth. No brainer

Each Way

Ryan Palmer. Has played well here in the past

Fantasy Picks

Louis Oosthuizen. Too good to be so infuriating

Jordan Spieth. The boy is back

Ryan Palmer. Will have good vibes about Colonial

Boo Weekley. Right at home in Texas

Jimmy Walker. Overdue a good week

Kevin Chappell. Will hope he can continue his recent good form

Chris Kirk. Don't be surprised to see Kirk make another run this week

Chez Reavie. Has shown signs of life recently

Ian Poulter. Simply desperate to do well

Jason Dufner. Loves this place