Showdown, Week 23: Jonathan Byrd vs. David Toms

So in an attempt to inject a bit more life and interest into tournaments, and because we're both inveterate gamblers who are one bad card from being out on the streets, Jay Busbee and I are playing a golf version of a football suicide pool: We each pick one golfer per tournament and see how they do against each other, straight up. Victory over the other guy gets one point, victory in the tournament gets three points. And when we burn a golfer, he's done for the year. This week, we head to the Bluff City for the St. Jude Classic.

Bacon: Sometimes it just seems the week works out perfectly for this little game, and having the first pick in Week 23, I really like Jonathan Byrd. He might have struggled on Sunday at the Memorial, but he still landed in the top-10, his fourth of the season, and his game seems to be rounding into shape just fine for the St. Jude.

Busbee: I meant to pick David Toms two weeks ago, I didn't, and he won. I meant to pick Steve Stricker last week, I didn't, and he won. Therefore, I am NOT picking Toms, who has won twice at St. Jude and has several top-3 finishes. You hear that, golf gods? I am NOT picking Toms. (I'm picking Toms.)

Last Week: Man. This is the kind of week that could get me kicked out of the pool entirely. Kenny Perry carded an 80 on Day 1 at the Memorial, and guess what: he missed the cut! Bacon's Chez Reavie pick finished +4, but it didn't matter; he got the win.

Overall Record: Bacon 14, Busbee 13

Already Used: Busbee: Ernie Els, Steve Stricker, Chad Campbell, Bill Haas, Nick Watney, Tim Clark, Hunter Mahan, Graeme McDowell, Brian Gay, Matt Kuchar, KJ Choi, Webb Simpson, Jhonattan Vegas, Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott, Jim Furyk, Luke Donald, Anthony Kim, Ben Crane, Zach Johnson, Sean O'Hair, Kenny Perry. Bacon: Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk, Steve Marino, Ben Crane, Jhonattan Vegas, Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell, Nick Watney, Padraig Harrington, Tiger Woods, Spencer Levin, Anthony Kim, Angel Cabrera, Aaron Baddeley, Pat Perez, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, David Toms, Rory Sabbatini, Chez Reavie.

Drew Barrymore Marley Shelton Thalía Brooke Burke Thandie Newton