CareerBuilder Challenge preview: Phil Mickelson makes 2018 debut

CareerBuilder Challenge preview: Phil Mickelson makes 2018 debut, Jon Rahm looks for season's first win

Fresh off a thrilling six-hole playoff last week at the Sony Open, Patton Kizzire is back in the field this week at the CareerBuilder Challenge in California.
Kizzire became the season's first two-time winner with a par on the sixth playoff hole. He had not won a PGA Tour event before this season, making him a true breakout candidate.

This week, Phil Mickelson makes his first start of the new year. His brother will be on his bag full time this year as he tries to make yet another Ryder Cup squad. Patrick Reed is also teeing it up for the first time this year.

The CareerBuilder Challenge kicks off the "West Coast Swing", predominately played in California. Often overlooked because it occurs well before the majors start, the early-season swing features some in impressive and famous courses.

The Courses

Three courses will be in play this week. La Quinta Country Club, the Nicklaus Tournament Course, and the Stadium Course — the host course — all offer birdie chances in a tournament known for its low scoring.

The players will rotate between the three courses throughout the first three rounds, and then everyone who makes the cut will play the Stadium Course on Sunday. The Stadium Course measures 7,300 yards from the tournament tees.

The Favorites

Jon Rahm — third in the world — is the highest-ranked player in this week's field. The young Spaniard has sky-rocketed up the world rankings with consistent top-5 finishes, including a runner up at the Tournament of Champions two weeks ago.

Mickelson and Reed are also two to watch this week. Mickelson finished t-3 here in 2016 and always plays well on Ryder Cup years. Reed enters the week fresh off two straight top 10s.

It's time Kevin Kisner joins this category. Ranked 27th in the world, Kisner has recorded four straight top-25 finishes to start this season, including two top 4s. Kisner can make birdies in bunches and drain putts — two important attributes this week.

Sleepers

Chesson Hadley dominated the Web.com Tour at the end of last season, and picked up where he left off on the PGA Tour during the fall. Hadley is streaky, but he already has three top-4 finishes this season.

Charles Howell III and Webb Simpson are solid ball-strikers that played well last week. Both of them have had success here as well, meaning they could hang around the leaderboard this week.

Horse for the Course

Bill Haas has been quiet, failing to record a top 10 since his tie for fifth at last summer's U.S. Open, but he has owned this event. Haas has recorded four top 10s here since 2011, including a win in 2015 and a t-2 in 2011.

Haas has dropped from 39th to 58th in the world ranking since the U.S. Open, but he could get back on track this week at a familiar event