06-26-17

After THAT shot, I guess I should put some words on paper.

In fantasy golf sometimes it’s necessary to look back to move forward.

Here’s my quick wrap on the weekend (hint: he’s good).

Well, that sucked.

Most pro gamers will tell you this week that Spieth wasn’t a factor in their plans in most, if not all, formats.

In one of the most popular private OAD games going my man @A340Spotter had one winner. Go ask him how many dudes are in his league (hint: a lot).

Spieth’s win this week reminded all of us, young and old, new and pro, that he’s capable of this weekly.

Check those stats above.

Unlike Rory McIlroy, Spieth seems to find a way to get the ball in the hole when the putter doesn’t work. McIlroy, who led the field with almost TEN STROKES GAINED tee-to-green needed THREE putters to find the top 20. Spieth couldn’t make anything all week and missed plenty on Sunday inside 10 feet and found a way to WIN.

So what does it all mean????

Spieth joins Woods with 10 wins on Tour before turning 24.

Fantasy golf is hard.

Tour golf is harder.

These boys are quite good at their jobs.

What Did I Learn?

1.) Gamers might have to re calibrate their season-long plans if Spieth is going to return here annually as he hinted after the win. McIlroy has also suggested he’ll be back after a great tournament and atmosphere. Interesting as both were playing the event for the first time.

2.) Bubba Watson is on the shelf until further notice in my fantasy land. I have no idea what’s the issue but when he doesn’t fire on tracks he loves (Riviera, TPC Scottsdale, Augusta, TPC River Highlands) I’m not sure where or why I’m going to use him down the road.

3.) Daniel Berger’s chip on his shoulder is real and it’s spectacular. After defending in Memphis he mentioned that he’s not getting enough love like his 2011 classmates. I suggested continuing to win. Finishing second to THAT SHOT this weekend and sewing up a Presidents Cup spot is also recommended.

4.) Charley Hoffman LOVES TPC River Highlands. He’s fired 61 and hit the top 10 three times in the last six years and has made seven weekends in a row during that streak.

5.) Danny Lee is rounding into form just in time to defend his title at Greenbrier in two weeks. After back-to-back top 10’s in his hometown of Dallas/Fort Worth he picked up T-3 this week as well. He’s an excellent Bentgrass putter evidenced by finishing eighth SGP this week. Remember, there was no defense of Greenbrier last year due to the deadly flooding in the area.

6.) Patrick Reed: Next stop is putting all four rounds together and don’t be surprised if it is this week at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm. Better get on board!

7.) Paul Casey continues to do everything that fantasy golfers crave minus holding the trophy on Sunday. Rob Bolton leanred me a long time ago that top 10’s and top fives in ANY fantasy format is nothing to sneeze at. Casey has been a rock this season in every format.

8.) This was Boo Weekley’s first top 25 this season. On a brand-new course to 90% of the field this week he’ll fall into the sleeper department as ball-strikers will have the advantage.

9.) Troy Merritt held off Rickie Fowler the last time QLN moved to a “new” host venue. He also played at TPC Potomac on the Web.com a few years back. Hmmmmmm.

10.) Webb Simpson’s divine short game was the key this week as he tied for the least number of bogeys squared (4). He ranks in the top 10 for the season around the green.

11.) Bent/Poa yo? Yo Canada as David Hearn (T-8), Mackenzie Hughes (NAPPY FACTOR T-17), Graham DeLaet (T-26), Brad Fritsch (T-43) and Adam Hadwin (T-57) loaded up on checks this week. For Hearn it’s back-to-back top 10’s for the first time ever. Noted.

12.) Keegan Bradley hasn’t had a great season but it’s been worse. His T-8 is his best finish ever in this event and first top 10 since Torrey Pines.

13.) C.T. Pan tweeted in earlier June that he finally stuck a round in the 60’s and he was playing better. I used him in my weekly game on a whim this week and collected. His last top 10 was also Torrey Pines. #TrendNotATrend.

14.) Brandt Snedeker adds T-14 to his run here that includes T-24, T-11 and T-10 over his last three visits.

15.) Xander Schauffele rewarded those who rode the hot hand this week (T-14) after his T-5 at Erin Hills. It’s amazing what a bit of confidence can do and pro gamers will tell you a run of three or four weeks in a row isn’t out of the question. The question is when to abandon ship before all of the life jackets are gone.

16.) His stellar season carries on as Brendan Steele backed up his T-13 at Erin Hills with T-14 this week. That’s now seven years in a row inside the top 25 at TPC River Highlands. This is a recording.

17. ) Marc Leishman is the Australian Brendan Steele at TPC River Highlands except that his seven in a row have a trophy included.

18.) Bryson DeChambeau broke a nasty run of form (7 MC) with T-26.

The 19th Hole:

Grayson Murray pocketed another check, this time for T-26, upping his streak to eight events in a row. Don’t game angry my friends!

Cuts Missed

–The last time Jason Day MC more than three times in a season was 2012. I’m not even wasting my time to look up the last time he MC in back-to-back events. His uneven season continues to unfold causing gamers headaches.

–Justin Thomas said he was out of gas after last weekend at Erin Hills and that the two extra days will help. He’s in the field this coming week at QLN and will make for an interesting fantasy decision.

–Carl Pettersson brought the “course form v current form” discussion into play for gamers digging deep. His 71-80 MC burned those who played only one factor. There’s never just one thing, folks!

–Wyndham Clark struggles in the NCAA tournament we’re cured by a sponsor’s exemption (78=74, MC). There’s no doubt he’s talented but not everyone makes the “Jon Rahm Jump” to the next level. Relax, he’s a kid.

 

Coming Tomorrow

My preview of QLN will focus on the most important part of the event, the “new” track as the event moves to TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm.