Columnist Peter Benton: Senior Classic: Irwin is top pick to repeat in LV

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

Here I go again, endeavoring to select a winner for the $1.4 million Las Vegas Senior Classic which officially gets under way Thursday at the TPC in Summerlin and the TPC at The Canyons.

* Hale Irwin, 10-1: Off to an uncharacteristically slow start this year, picking up his first official victory of the season just last week. Has won this event the last two years and no doubt is looking for a three-peat.

* Graham Marsh, 12-1: "Swampy" won The Tradition a month ago and is playing very consistently. Placed sixth here last year despite a 4-over 76 in the third round.

* Larry Nelson, 14-1: This player is as solid as they come as his three victories last year will attest.

* Bruce Fleisher, 15-1: Has three victories so far this year and prior to an illness which forced him to miss nearly a month off the tour had been virtually unbeatable.

* Vicente Fernandez, 16-1: This Argentinian was runner-up here last year and enjoys the desert courses. His '98 stats prove he does not have a weakness.

* George Archer, 18-1: Back on his game after a hip replacement a couple of years ago. Has never won this event but did win the old Sahara Invitational back in 1976.

* Allen Doyle, 18-1: Medalist in last year's National Qualifying Tournament and with two victories this year is battling Fleisher for top honors on the money list.

* Gil Morgan, 20-1: Six victories last year and runner-up to Irwin on official money won. His lone victory this season was the Senior Slam back in March. Can never be counted out.

* Bob Murphy, 22-1: Has not tasted victory since the 1997 Toshiba Senior Classic but his play last week intimates that he is now back in the swing of things. Very accurate off the tee.

* Bob Charles, 25-1: Failed to finish in the top 31 for the first time in his Senior career last year (45th on official money list) but enjoys his forays in Vegas, as his three second-place finishes here will attest.

* Isao Aoki, 26-1: One of the tour's premier putters, and although winless so far this year, is invariably in the top 10.

* John Jacobs, 28-1: The Senior Tour's longest driver -- although not the straightest -- captured the season-opening Mastercard Championship. Although his putting is suspect, definitely has a chance for victory.

Peter Benton'sgolf column appears Wednesday.

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