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PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf
My roster for the U.S. Open (in alphabetical order):
Dustin Johnson
Rory McIlroy
Collin Morikawa
Jon Rahm
Xander Schauffele
Webb Simpson
You’ll find my starters in Expert Picks.
Others to consider for each category (in alphabetical order):
Scoring: Daniel Berger; Patrick Cantlay; Bryson DeChambeau; Tony Finau; Tyrrell Hatton; Patrick Reed; Justin Rose; Justin Thomas
Driving: Daniel Berger; Paul Casey; Bryson DeChambeau; Tommy Fleetwood; Tyrrell Hatton; Viktor Hovland; Matthew Wolff; Gary Woodland
POWER RANKINGS WILD CARD
Tiger Woods … Quite simply, he’s yet to impress in the absence of the energy generated by spectators. That said, it’s merely the latest challenge in his career during which he’s overcome every other. He never can be classified as a contrarian, obviously, but in a vacuum, that’s what he is in the context of form upon arrival and without proof that he can summon the feels all on his own.
DRAWS
Gary Woodland … He’s still in search of stable ground at the moment, but the defending champion must be elated just to have the opportunity to live the experience this week, especially after it was delayed three months. He was playing better in advance of his title at Pebble Beach in 2019, but he misses so few cuts that another run isn’t out of the question, with his firepower and on a course that rewards length. The only problem, at least in our world, is that he’ll be over-owned as the last winner. If this is your estimation in your format, pass.
Phil Mickelson … You already know all of narratives, but what I love most about his approach at this week over time is how he hasn’t wanted to force it. He wasn’t going to accept a special exemption and he’s at peace with all of his shortfalls over time. Because that’s golf and he’s 50 and he’s wise. While no one would buy this argument, given these variables, it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to label a victory this week as a coincidence, at Winged Foot, and for the career grand slam. From our perspective, he belongs only as a benchwarmer in PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf, just in case.
Tyrrell Hatton … Nothing not to love about the Englishman. Terrific record on challenging courses. Progressively better results en route to his first TOUR Championship two weeks ago. Statistically as strong as anyone. A no-brainer in every format.
Jason Day … While he enjoyed that torrid stretch with four consecutive top 10s during a five-week stretch earlier this summer, he probably peaked too soon. But that’s ancient history as he’s had two weeks off to decompress. Trust in the recent success. His track record in the U.S. Open ain’t too shabby, either, what with five top 10s and a T21 in nine tries.
Mackenzie Hughes … His most stressful experience was the T10 at the BMW Championship because it vaulted him into his first TOUR Championship. An additional two positive takeaways from it are that Olympia Fields tested similar to what he faces this week, and that he’s reset after a week off.
Cameron Champ
Lanto Griffin
Billy Horschel
Viktor Hovland
Martin Kaymer
Matt Kuchar
Chez Reavie
Adam Scott
Kevin Streelman
Lee Westwood
Matthew Wolff
Will Zalatoris
FADES
Jordan Spieth … The short version is that he can’t be expected to find his game at Winged Foot. If this wasn’t the U.S. Open, there’s an argument that he shouldn’t play given how the course’s greatest challenges are the same as what’s bothering him most.
Rickie Fowler … Suffice it to say that he’s still working towards consistent comfort with his swing. Winged Foot is the ultimate test, so to the optimist, a solid week could do wonders in the short- and long-term, but gamers don’t have to attach themselves to that hope. However, I stand by my vote that he’s the best of his generation without a win in a major. No, he’s far from the best right now, but when you accept the entirety of a career, he’s no. 1.
Alex Noren … This wouldn’t be the first time he’s been tripped up in the U.S. Open. He’s just 2-for-7 since he debuted in 2011. His strength is around and on greens, so while he enjoyed a wonderful bounce-back season that propelled him to the BMW Championship at the end of August, missing fairways and greens at Winged Foot projects to set him back. He’s a trap for recent-form devotees.
Henrik Stenson … In even more limited action than that which was caused by the pandemic, he’s failed to find a rhythm. It was in 2017-18 when he led the PGA TOUR in both fairways hit and greens in regulation, but he’s far removed from that form. While Brendon Todd would disagree, accuracy off the tee is hard to lose, and Stenson’s precision is fine enough, but he’s lost his way on approach and, therefore, his ability to get the ball in the hole faster has been suboptimal.
Danny Willett … After finishing T69 at TPC Southwind, he’s 0-for-3 worldwide. He’s at the point of what has been a roller coaster of a PGA TOUR experience that he barely warrants full-season investment. It’s tough to absorb so many lousy weeks filling an already reduced schedule.
Rafa Cabrera Bello
Sungjae Im
Marc Leishman
Kevin Na
Eddie Pepperell
J.T. Poston
Brandt Snedeker
Jimmy Walker
Matt Wallace
Bernd Wiesberger
RETURNING TO COMPETITION
None.
NOTABLE WDs
Brooks Koepka … Sidelined indefinitely with discomfort in his left knee.
Francesco Molinari … Continuing to transition to life as a Californian. Moving never is easy, but when you relocate internationally and with a family, there’s never a good time for that kind of experience as a professional golfer. He’s in no rush to return to competition. The best news is that he’s not injured.
Scottie Scheffler … Tested positive for COVID-19. The week wasn’t all bad news, however. It was announced on Monday that he will be the recipient of the Arnold Palmer Award. Eligible members voted him as the Rookie of the Year for the 2019-20 season.
Sam Horsfield … Won twice on the European Tour this summer. Already possessed the pedigree to be a world-class talent (and frequent fantasy contributor, naturally), but he can’t play this week due to testing positive for COVID-19.
Jung-gon Hwang … The 28-year-old from South Korea is fulfilling his two-year military conscription.
POWER RANKINGS RECAP – SAFEWAY OPEN
Power Ranking Golfer Result
1 Brendan Steele T29
2 Joel Dahmen T52
3 Phil Mickelson T44
4 Brandt Snedeker MC
5 Cameron Davis T36
6 Charley Hoffman T56
7 Si Woo Kim T44
8 Chez Reavie T3
9 Troy Merritt MC
10 Kevin Streelman T3
11 Mark Hubbard MC
12 Maverick McNealy MC
13 Harold Varner III T29
14 Kristoffer Ventura T7
15 Charl Schwartzel T23
Wild Card Emiliano Grillo T29
SLEEPERS RECAP – SAFEWAY OPEN
Golfer Result
Bud Cauley T14
Joohyung (Tom) Kim T67
Carlos Ortiz T46
Doc Redman T3
Vincent Whaley T23
BIRTHDAYS AMONG ACTIVE GOLFERS ON THE PGA TOUR
September 15 … Kevin Na (37)
September 16 … Bryson DeChambeau (27)
September 17 … Byeong Hun An (29)
September 18 … Viktor Hovland (23)
September 19 … Ryan Palmer (44); Michael Gligic (31)
September 20 … Chad Collins (42)
September 21 … none
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Source: PGA tour