Welcome to the Steve Stricker Invitational Presented by Zach Johnson.

TPC Deere Run plays host this week as it has since 2000.

See?

2018 Thermometer:

Event	Golfer	Place	$$
Safeway Open	Tony Finau	2nd	669,600
CIMB Classic	Paul Casey	T7	218,166
CJ CUP @ 9 BRIDGES	Keegan Bradley	T47	23,759
WGC-HSBC Champions	Hideki Matsuyama	T50	51,875
Sanderson Farms	Chesson Hadley	T2	464,400
Shriners	Patrick Cantlay	WIN	1,224,000
OHL Classic	Kevin Chappell	MC	0
The RSM Classic	Charles Howell III	MC	0
Sentry TOC	Kevin Kisner	T17	99,333
Sony Open	Brian Harman	T4	256,266
CareerBuilder Challenge	Jason Dufner	T36	27,189
Farmers Insurance	Jon Rahm	T29	43,872
WMPO	Alex Noren	T21	80,040
-AT&T Pebble Beach	Phil Mickelson	T2	488,400
Genesis Open	Dustin Johnson	T16	111,600
Honda Classic	Graeme McDowell	MC	0
WGC-Mexico	Tommy Fleetwood	T14	126,500
Valspar Championship	Ryan Moore	MC	0
Arnold Palmer	Tyrell Hatton	T69	18,067
WGC-Match Play	Patrick Reed	T9	163,000
Corales Puntacana	Patrick Rodgers	T22	27,850
Houston Open	Luke List	T24	54,162
Masters	Jordan Spieth	3rd	748,000
RBC Heritage	Cameron Smith	T32	35,510
Valero Texas Open	Billy Horschel	T11	136,400
Zurich Classic	Bud Cauley	MC	0
Wells Fargo Championship	Bryson DeChambeau	4th	369,600
THE PLAYERS	Francesco Molinari	MC	0
AT&T Byron Nelson	Jimmy Walker	T6	257,950
Fort Worth Invitational	Adam Scott	T52	16,472
Memorial	Tiger Woods	T23	76,985
FESJC	Henrik Stenson	T26	50,820
US Open	Justin Rose	T10	270,151
FESJC	Xander Schauffele	MC	0
Quicken Loans National	Kyle Stanley	T32	36,841
A Military Tribute	Bubba Watson	T13	121,632
Total Events: 35	Top 10s: 11	MC: 7	$6,322,440

Last week:

Bubba Watson was in a great position entering Sunday (T6) and couldn’t take advantage. It’s the second year in a row that he’s posted 72 in the final round so I wonder if this track just wears on him. Luckily he made an eagle and birdie in his final six holes or the damage would have been worse.

Russell Henley’s obviousness continued as his final round 63, the best of the day, moved him up 38 places to 10th. #Play72 folks.

Joaquin Niemann is going to grab attention every week he plays until the Playoffs. He MUST WIN an event to be eligible for the FEC this season.

Webb Simpson was the biggest disappointment especially after opening with 61. I guess we could throw Lahiri in there as he also posted 61 in Round 2 before fading at the weekend.

Robert Streb’s streak of podiums ended at two but his 64 in the final round made for T11, his best of the season.

I regret nothing but I didn’t gain any ground either.

My Choice: Bubba Watson – T13

Picks for Leaders: Russell Henley – 10th, Tony Finau – T21, Webb Simpson – T47

Picks for Chasers: Jamie Lovemark – T26, Danny Lee – MC, Joaquin Niemann – T5

Picks for Dreamers: Robert Streb – T11, Anirban Lahiri – T39, C.T. Pan – T39, Ryan Blaum – MC, Ryan Armour – T21.

Picks for Noses: Kevin Kisner – 55th

Six Beers In: David Hearn – T30, Jimmy Walker – MC

#NappyFactor: Austin Cook – T5, Wesley Bryan – T26

Drop-Dead Pick: Russell Henley – 10th

 

This week:

It’s not difficult this week: Steve Stricker or Zach Johnson.

They have the most birdies.

They have the most rounds under par.

Both are in form.

So you have two choices:

Follow the herd or venture outside the box and hope to catch lightning in a bottle in an event where the top 40 players will be double-digits under-par.

If you’re angling young this week, remember the last first-time participant to win was Sean O’Hair in 2005.

If you’re angling for first-time winners, three of the last five have checked that box but check those pedigrees!!

 

My Choice: Zach Johnson

Picks for Leaders: Steve Stricker, Ryan Moore, Francesco Molinari

Picks for Chasers: Joaquin Niemann, Austin Cook, Patrick Rodgers

Picks for Dreamers: Wesley Bryan, Kevin Tway, Aaron Wise

Picks for Noses: Bryson DeChambeau

Six Beers In: Andrew Landry, J.T. Poston

#NappyFactor: Austin Cook, Wesley Bryan

Drop-Dead Pick: Zach Johnson

 

My Life

I left the “obvious” choice of Henley last week and paid.

I’m not trying that again, not on this track.

The Steve Stricker Open brought to you by Zach Johnson is an easy one for gamers. You just have to get it right.

Davis Love III won at Greensboro at 51 so don’t dismiss Stricker at the same age. Check his record in 2018 if you need more convincing.

I gave Patrick Rodgers a deep look before realizing I already had burned him.

Yeah, I’m smart.

I go into plenty of detail in The Confidence Factor, so please read that!

Here’s my tentative plan:

Barbasol Championship: TBD (brand-new venue)

The Open Championship: Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler

RBC Canadian Open: Matt Kuchar, John Vegas, Brandt Snedeker

Barracuda Championship: Martin Laird, TBD – old pro/vet

WGC-Bridgestone Invitational: McIlroy, Schwartzel, Koepka

PGA Championship: First-time venue Bellerive Country Club will suggest a top 10 OWGR player. Jason Day, Koepka and Thomas are obvious choices.

Wyndham Championship: Kevin Na, Ollie Schniederjans

NORTHERN TRUST OPEN: Matt Kuchar will be the only winner in the field at Ridgewood Country Club (2010). He was also T5 in 2014.

Dell Technologies TPC Boston: Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Chris Kirk

BMW Championship: Aronomink is the host and Rose (2010) and Nick Watney (2011) are the only two winners on TOUR here (Donald Ross course).

The TOUR Championship: There has never been a repeat champion or anyone who has won multiple FedExCup titles so whoever is left! A rookie won for the first time last year (Schauffele) so it’s not impossible!

Good luck!

History Channeled:

2015-16 Season total: $5,978,929; 47 events

• Wins: 2 (Matsuyama, Hoffman)
• Seconds: 0
• Thirds: 1
• Top 10s: 9
• Top 25s: 18
• MC: 8 (Mickelson, FIO; Oosthuizen, SHO; Chappell, Colonial; Casey, Memorial; Woodland, FESJC; Hearn, RBC Canadian; McGirt, Wyndham; Justin Thomas, DBC)

2016-17 Season total: $6,533,509 45 events

• Wins: 1
• Seconds: 1
• Thirds: 1
• Top 10s: 12
• Top 25s: 20
• MCs (10): Grayson Murray (Safeway Open); Patton Kizzire (SFC); Jamie Lovemark (CB Challenge); Jimmy Walker (FIO); Charl Schwartzel (Genesis); Russell Knox (Honda); Henrik Stenson (API); Thomas Pieters (Zurich); Kevin Kisner (WFC).

 

Thanks for reading!