Mark Hensby

Which is the real Mark Hensby? The one who came from nowhere in 2004 and earned more than $2.7 million? Or the 2005 version who earned less than half the amount from the year prior? A quick glance at his results from 2005 doesn't look so good, but if you look closer you'll see the fifth-place finish at the Masters, the third-place finish at the US Open and the 15th-place finish at the PGA Championship. Anyone can get hot at a single major and play well, but to play well during three majors in a year means you can play. Hensby was a little off last year, during the non-majors, that is. But I think he's going to bounce back big time this year.

Is this right, $2.7 million in 2004? OK, let's take a closer look. He won the John Deere Classic, that makes sense -- that tourney falls under the radar every year. What else? Second at the Bell South, OK that one gets lost in The Masters shadow each year. He tied for fourth at the Tour Championship, impressive though it's not part of the regular season. He tied for third at the Western Open -- that's the part of the stretch between the Opens. So it's easy to see how Hensby might have come in unnoticed. We like the fact that he broke out, but won't pay for him at a "next level" basis until we start seeing conistency against the stronger fields. Take Hensby if you can get him cheap again, but don't bid more than a $2 million expectation.