The last major of the season, THE SIXTH ONE in my game, so let’s goooooooooo!

But to be fair, there’s a WGC and 2 playoff events so yeah, there’s more to do.

The stunning 18th green in the late afternoon sun ☀️ #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/SjteEbEWzP

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 13, 2021

2020-2021 OAD

50 events, the most since the mid-70s, will give us plenty of time for strategy, strength and disaster.

Remember, if you don’t like it, you get DOUBLE YOUR MONEY BACK!

2020-2021 Events	Golfers	Place	Total $$
Safeway Open	Brendan Steele	T29	41,391
120th United States Open	Jon Rahm	T23	101,797
Corales Punta Cana	Pat Perez	T21	39,000
Sanderson Farms Championship	Doc Redman	T28	46,200
Shriners Hospitals for Children	Patrick Cantlay	T8	190,750
CJ CUP @ SHADOW CREEK	Matthew Wolff	73rd	16,575
ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP	Tyrrell Hatton	T28	50,137
Bermuda Championship	Will Zalatoris	T16	61,000
Vivint Houston Open	Tony Finau	T24	58,450
84th Masters Tournament	Justin Thomas	4th	552,000
The RSM Classic	Russell Henley	T30	39,552
Mayakoba Golf Classic	Abraham Ancer	T12	147,600
Sentry TOC	Cameron Smith	T24	63,200
Sony Open in Hawaii	Daniel Berger	T7	200,475
The American Express	Scottie Scheffler	MC	0
Farmers Insurance Open	Marc Leishman	T18	80,761
Waste Management WMPO	Hideki Matsuyama	T42	23,852
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am	Jason Day	T7	228,930
The Genesis Invitational	Adam Scott	T38	40,455
WGC- Championship (Concession)	Xander Schauffele	T39	55,000
Puerto Rico Open	Emiliano Grillo	T11	72,750
Arnold Palmer Invitational	Rory McIlroy	T10	195,300
THE PLAYERS Championship	Tommy Fleetwood	MC	0
The Honda Classic	Joaquin Niemann	T25	54,950
WGC- Dell Technologies Match Play	Jason Kokrak	T42	47,571
Corales Puntacana	Thomas Pieters	T13	55,350
Valero Texas Open	Charley Hoffman	2nd	839,300
85th Masters Tournament	Jordan Spieth	T3	667,000
RBC Heritage	Kevin Kisner	MC	0
Valspar Championship	Patrick Reed	MC	0
Wells Fargo Championship	Corey Conners	T43	25,069
AT&T Byron Nelson	Ryan Palmer	T47	20,958
PGA Championship	Viktor Hovland	T30	59,750
Charles Schwab Challenge	Brian Harman	T8	198,875
Memorial Tournament	Collin Morikawa	P2	1,013,700
Palmetto Championship	Matt Fitzpatrick	T10	177,025
121st United States Open	Brooks Koepka	T4	498,176
Travelers Championship	Paul Casey	T36	30,743
Rocket Mortgage Classic	Sungjae Im	T8	211,875
John Deere Classic	Zach Johnson	T34	30,955
Total Events: 39	Top 10: 12	MC: 3	$6,236,472

Last Week – John Deere Classic

Wet TPC Deere Run didn’t follow any trends over the recent past as TOUR veteran and major champion Lucas Glover won for the first time since 2011. The 41-year old closed with 64 and watched everyone behind him falter down the stretch.

THE CHOICE: Zach Johnson – T34

For my money, if you’re leading it’s him or Stricker. Make the chase pack pick hit the home run. The prize pool ($6.2 million) isn’t going to pay much off the podium so no point in over-thinking this.

If you’re chasing, good luck again this week as rounds in the 70s need not apply. The course record is 59 and the tournament scoring record is 27-under. The highest winning score in the last decade is 18-under.

Sat 10-under thru 54 holes and needed a “Glover” on Sunday but shot Even par and went backwards. Wrong 40-something…

Safety Dance:

Players in here will appear obvious until I explain why they might not be. Remember “one” means ONCE, not again down the road or don’t perhaps “fit” to this event.

Brian Harman: Yes, he’s appeared in here almost weekly because he’s been that solid. If you haven’t, you should. 2014 winner. MC as all good things must come to an end. Sorry if you were on board on the worst week in some time.

Daniel Berger: On class alone, he’s the alpha this week. That doesn’t guarantee he’ll perform but if you find you haven’t used him, this field would be the place. Some will remind me of his record at Memphis, two wins, but that’s a WGC event. Nobody said this would be easy. All four rounds under par and T34. Yep.

Sungjae Im: As with the two above, none of this troika would continue the trend of first-time TOUR winner. Racked up 23 birdies last week for his best finish in some time. 9-under heading into Sunday and posting an OVER par round. T47.

Kevin Streelman: Hits it too well and should bounce after MC and a week off.  Narrator: He did not bounce back after MC last week. MC. MC Missed Cut. Bah.

Spicy:

Russell Henley: Opening with 64 and closing with 61 on debut plus making 28 birdies was something. So was 72 in Round 3. T11 as he never found a low one that’s required to contend here.

Steve Stricker: Counting on 50-odd year olds to win is a bit daft. But he’s playing well on the Champions Tour so that should pique interest, especially for the desperate or conservatives look to make a cut. T41. Payday accomplished.

Seamus Power: Too old for the 20-something but right on time for first-time TOUR winner. T8. Blistering form and is the favorite this week at Barbasol.

Doc Redman: Fits the USGA profile here (Spieth, Moore, DeChambeau) and 20-something and first-time TOUR winner. MC. Disappointing two weeks.

Hank Lebioda: Cashed six straight and the last two are T4 and T5. His final two approach putts last Sunday should have him ready to get back to work this week. #Short. #Shorter. Only Lucas Glover posted a better Sunday round. Another cash (seven straight) and T8 makes it three straight in the top 10.

3 AM at the Blackjack Table:

Patrick Rodgers – T23, Roger Sloan – 71st, Tyler Duncan – MC, Adam Schenk – T4, Denny McCarthy – MC

This Week – 149th Open Championship

Read more in Horses for Courses

Royal St George’s hosts for the 15th time but has crowned some interesting winners in the last 40 years.

Bill Rodgers 1981.

Sandy Lyle 1985.

Greg Norman 1993.

Ben Curtis 2003.

Darren Clarke 2011.

Bomb and gouge ain’t gonna work with undulating fairways, fescue and plenty of bunkering.

Need a bit of patience, experience and guile to navigate dry and windy conditions.

Not many weeks left. I think if I pick the winner in the next five events, I might hit the top 50.

THE CHOICE: Louis Oosthuizen

So close at Kiawah Island and even closer at Torrey Pines, the South African already has a replica Claret Jug on the shelf so he won’t have to worry about that angle this week.

Of the choices I have left, DJ and Bryson aren’t knocking Louis off the top spot this week. There are better fits for them in the next few weeks.

Safety Dance:

Players in here will appear obvious until I explain why they might not be. Remember “one” means ONCE, not again down the road or don’t perhaps “fit” to this event.

Jon Rahm: Imagine if he starts playing well and firing on all cylinders?

Brooks Koepka: He hates the course. Bryson is bugging him. He was snubbed in his 3-ball. Perfect.

Jordan Spieth: Sneaky if you saved him this long but you probably didn’t.

Rory McIlroy: I saw enough at Torrey Pines to load up on him this week. His record after MC is something.

Sergio Garcia: Checks all the boxes of experience, nous, and doesn’t have to chase the first major win. Smooooothly rolling in under the radar on three straight T20 or better plus it’s his best major, minus the win, on paper.

Spicy:

Viktor Hovland: Let’s hope he doesn’t get any sand in his eye on a links course!

Robert MacIntyre: Wasn’t much bothered at Royal Portrush on debut (T6) and has been excellent in 2021.

Tony Finau: Ringing up Open top 10s at Royal Portrush and Carnoustie is nothing to sneeze at.

Tommy Fleetwood: Trending at this event and will have plenty of support.

Branden Grace: Tell him it’s Birkdale! Rolls in 4th Memorial, T7 US Open and MC at Aberdeen last week. Bugs out and so is the jet lag.

Shane Lowry: Fantastic season and is always up for the big events. Now, going back-to-back…

Ian Poulter: If this event requires a grind and excellent short game, he might Darren Clarke this…

3 AM at the Blackjack Table:

Phi Mickelson, Kevin Kisner, Andy Sullivan, Erik van Rooyen, Rickie Fowler, Padraig Harrington

Check out my previous results below if you need a history lesson.

History Channeled:

2019-2020

Event	Golfer	Place	$$
The Greenbrier	Scottie Scheffler	T7	235,625
Sanderson Farms	Sungjae Im	P2	719,400
Safeway Open	Byeong-Hun An	MC	0
Shriners Hospitals for Children	Scott Piercy	MC	0
Houston Open	Henrik Stenson	MC	0
CJ CUP AT NINE BRIDGES	Marc Leishman	T43	31,785
ZOZO Championship	Hideki Matsuyama	2nd	1,053,000
WGC-HSBC Champions	Xander Schauffele	2nd	1,095,000
Bermuda Championship	Denny McCarthy	T15	51,750
OHL Mayakoba Classic	Russell Knox	T33	36,810
The RSM Classic	Harris English	MC	0
Sentry TOC	Rickie Fowler	T5	285,000
Sony Open	Charles Howell III	T12	116,500
The American Express	Phil Mickelson	MC	0
Farmers Insurance Open	Tony Finau	T6	253,125
Waste Management Phoenix	Bubba Watson	T3	386,900
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am	Brandt Snedeker	MC	0
Genesis Invitational	Justin Thomas	MC	0
Puerto Rico Open	Viktor Hovland	WIN	540,000
WGC-Mexico Championship	Dustin Johnson	T48	45,500
The Honda Classic	Daniel Berger	T4	280,000
Arnold Palmer Invitational	Tommy Fleetwood	MC	0
THE PLAYERS Championship	Abandoned	No Result	0
Charles Schwab Challenge	Jordan Spieth	T10	181,875
RBC Heritage	Patrick Reed	MC	0
Travelers Championship	Bryson DeChambeau	T6	233,470
Rocket Mortgage Classic	Tyrrell Hatton	T4	300,000
Workday Charity Open	Justin Rose	MC	0
Memorial	Patrick Cantlay	T32	51,925
3M Open	Will Gordon	MC	0
WGC-FESJ Invitational	Brooks Koepka	T2	695,000
Barracuda	Brendan Steele	T53	8,277
PGA Championship	Jon Rahm	T13	192,207
Wyndham Championship	Webb Simpson	T3	312,400
THE NORTHERN TRUST	Jason Day	MC	0
BMW Championship	Collin Morikawa	T20	106780
Total Events: 36	Top 10: 14	MC: 11	0

2018-19

My contributions for the major championships and PLAYERS selection were worse than bad so to still break the $10 million mark with those awful results was encouraging.

Another valuable lesson learned is that the Playoffs are for the big boys. Now, WHICH big boys make this more and more difficult and that’s why it’s enjoyable and maddening all at the same time. Only McIlroy and Woods have won the FedExCup twice so start there.

Event	Golfer	Place	$$
Safeway Open	Brendan Steele	T53	14,610
CIMB Classic	Ryan Moore	T66	12,740
CJ CUP @ 9 BRIDGES	Gary Woodland	2nd	1,026,000
WGC-HSBC Champions	Ian Poulter	21st	93,500
Sanderson Farms	Cameron Davis	MC	0
Shriners	Aaron Wise	T15	101,675
Mayakoba Golf Classic	Charles Howell III	MC	0
The RSM Classic	J.J. Spaun	MC	0
Sentry TOC	Jon Rahm	T8	191,000
Sony Open	Marc Leishman	T3	307,200
60th Desert Classic	Andrew Putnam	T34	29,975
Farmers Insurance	Patrick Cantlay	MC	0
WMPO	Hideki Matsuyama	T15	113,600
AT&T Pebble Beach	Jason Day	T4	334,400
Genesis Open	Justin Thomas	2nd	799,200
WGC-Mexico Champ	Xander Schauffele	T14	128,000
Puerto Rico Open	Graeme McDowell	T42	10,500
The Honda Classic	Adam Scott	MC	0
Arnold Palmer Invitational	Rickie Fowler	T40	35,490
THE PLAYERS Championship	Sergio Garcia	T22	125,000
Valspar Championship	Patrick Reed	MC	0
Corales Punta Cana	Trey Mullinax	T61	6,450
WGC-Match Play	Paul Casey	T9	167,000
Valero Texas Open	Billy Horschel	MC	0
Masters	Rory McIlroy	T21	107,956
RBC Heritage	Matt Kuchar	2nd	745,200
Zurich Classic	Ryan Palmer	WIN	1,051,200
Wells Fargo Championship	Phil Mickelson	MC	0
AT&T Byron Nelson	Keith Mitchell	T59	17,301
PGA Championship	Brooks Koepka	WIN	1,980,000
Charles Schwab Challenge	Jordan Spieth	T8	197,100
Memorial	Tony Finau	MC	0
RBC Canadian Open	Jim Furyk	T27	55,100
U.S. Open	Tiger Woods	T21	117,598
Travelers Championship	Bubba Watson	T54	16,560
Rocket Mortgage Classic	Sungjae Im	T21	68,528
3M Open	Bryson DeChambeau	T2	563,200
John Deere Classic	Collin Morikawa	T4	264,000
The Open Championship	Rafa Cabrera Bello	MC	0
Barbasol Championship	Denny McCarthy	T11	77,000
WGC-FESJI	Dustin Johnson	T20	113,500
Barracuda Championship	Martin Laird	T7	105,437
Wyndham Championship	Webb Simpson	2nd	669,600
THE NORTHERN TRUST	Tommy Fleetwood	T43	27,565
BMW Championship	Brandt Snedeker	T5	351,500
Total Events: 45	Top 10s: 14	MC: 10	$0

2017-18 Thermometer: FINAL

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
Ft. Worth Invitational	Adam Scott	T52	16,472
AT&T Byron Nelson	Jimmy Walker	T6	257,950
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
John Deere Classic	Zach Johnson	T16	81,366
British Open	Rory McIlroy	T2	694,250
RBC Canadian Open	Charley Hoffman	T29	37,743
Barracuda	Martin Laird	T15	51,000
WGC-Bridgestone Invite	Rickie Fowler	T17	104,250
PGA Championship	Brooks Koepka	WIN	1,980,000
Wyndham	Brandt Snedeker	WIN	1,080,000
THE NORTHERN TRUST	Jason Day	T20	101,160
Dell Technologies	Marc Leishman	T21	100,800
BMW Championship	Gary Woodland	T12	189,000
TOUR Championship	Justin Thomas	T7	279,900
Total Events: 47	Top 10s: 15	MC: 7	$10,967,909

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).

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)

Thanks for reading!