Knocked out last week by Sungjae Im so that’s his last mention in this column!
Time to get Florida sunburn hot as price of poker is ratcheted up this week and next.
Moving Day? Not a bad idea…
2022 One and Done
Thanks for reading!
The purpose of this column is to free my mind and have some fun all while trying to find some winners.
From a transparency standpoint, most of my recent years are listed below so you can check how I’ve performed.
The price is the same as last year, ZERO, but my Venmo is @Mike-Glasscott if you would like to donate. You might even get your name on the column!
Sometimes we gotta look back before we look forward so I’ll post my thoughts from last week before breaking down the field this week.
Last Time – The Honda Classic
Please read Horses for Courses and Expert Picks if you need more ideas!
THE CHOICE: Sungjae Im – MC
Just brutal. No cut streak is over. Another week of a shitty pick for me. Sounds like OAD season is in full swing!
No point bleating on about a MC when I loaded up your cards again this week. Listing WINNER, second, fourth, T5, T9 and T9 plus T16 isn’t easy but here we are.
Back-to-back winners from the 3AM Category, which has never been done before!
Only player from the top four I didn’t have was Kitayama who rolled in on FIVE straight MC.
Big shout out to E-Rock and his boys in Charlotte town. Thanks for reading, gang!
Warm Blankets: The guys who should. Safe selections that will help maintain leads. Opinions on why or why not for this event or save for later.
Daniel Berger: Home game so that should help. I wasn’t crazy about his MC at TPC Scottsdale but he won’t mind any breeze or Bermuda. He’s won twice in Memphis so I’m considering that as well.54 hole leader by FIVE before cashing solo fourth after going for it on the final hole. I could write an entire column on this. He’ll be fine as there were no signs of back pain or issue. Might just line him up at TPC Sawgrass in two weeks.
Tommy Fleetwood: There’s a reason he’s playing this week. He had a chance to force a playoff with Im in 2020 and was T4 in 2019. T8 in the Saudi desert his last time out suggests he’s a firm alternative. MC. His record on US soil is incomprehensible over the recent past.
Shane Lowry: Flying along on whatever they call the European Tour, he’s never missed in four starts here. Solo second as the rain knocked him off course on the final hole.
Billy Horschel: I like him because he’s Florida and rested. His record here isn’t as outstanding as some other venues but his recent form suggests he’s ready. T16 and made nothing.
Spicy: This might be a week for sending out an “unknown” and saving a start. You just might get lucky. Or MC.
Keith Mitchell: Nothing is bothering him lately as he rolls up T12 or better finishes for fun. Another who returns to the site of win No. 1 on TOUR as he outdueled Brooks Koepka and Rickie Fowler on Sunday should provide decent memories! Not much happening here before or after his win though.T9 as he was just one of four to post both weekend rounds in the 60s. Absolutely FLYING at the moment.
Gary Woodland: Never MC in eight tries but his recent form has him firmly SPICY. First top five (T5) in a loooooong time but he doesn’t live in South Florida because he hates the grasses! Streak is now 9-9 at Honda.
Matthew Wolff: Feel like the switch can flip at anytime. Didn’t play Riviera after a trip to the Middle East so he should be fueled and ready for takeoff. That switch was stuck on OFF. Last.
Brian Harman: Too many solid results in 2022 plus holds a piece of the course record. Nobody shows up at this event if they don’t like it! Joined Fleetwood in missing by a shot. MC.
Lucas Glover: If I’ve endorsed him in the PGATOUR Game, I’ll endorse him here. He’s in decent nick and already has a T5 on Bermuda (Sony) this year. T30 as he closed with 67. Steady on.
3 AM at the Blackjack Table: Caution is thrown to the wind. Maybe not the best for this format but what the hell, right? Might throw these in if you’re in need of a miracle.
Denny McCarthy – T30, Jhonattan Vegas – T42, Lucas Herbert – MC, Sam Ryder -T9, Sepp Straka – WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER SECOND WEEK IN A ROW IN THIS CATEGORY, Kevin Tway – MC
Spotter’s Game 2022
2022 Events | Golfer | Place | Total $$ |
Sentry Tournament of Champions | Marc Leishman | T10 | 188,000 |
Sony Open in Hawaii | Keith Mitchell | T7 | 227,812 |
The American Express | Seamus Power | T14 | 119,700 |
Farmers Insurance Open | Jon Rahm | T3 | 445,200 |
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am | Maverick McNealy | T33 | 43,548 |
WM Phoenix Open | Hideki Matsuyama | T8 | 248,050 |
The Genesis Invitational | Patrick Cantlay | T33 | 64,000 |
The Honda Classic | Sungjae Im | MC | 0 |
Total Events: 8 | Top 10: 4 | MC: 1 | $1,336,310 |
This Week – Arnold Palmer Invitational
Please read Horses for Courses and Expert Picks if you need more ideas!
THE CHOICE: Rory McIlroy
Some of you will be saving him for next week at THE PLAYERS and frankly I won’t argue that decision. I’m playing him THIS WEEK because he doesn’t have to beat a field of the top 100 OWGR players in the world.
That matters.
As good as he is why wouldn’t I want the easier of the two?
Some of you will be saving him for the career grand slam at Augusta National and frankly I won’t argue that decision. He’s been through the ringer enough times over there where the scar tissue should be solid as a rock. The challenge that week is playing guys who have cracked the code around Magnolia Lane.
He is the cheat code this week so I’m loading up.
There’s no pressure here.
He’s posted a round of 66 or better in all seven visits and only one check is outside T11.
Welcome aboard.
Warm Blankets: The guys who should. Safe selections that will help maintain leads. Opinions on why or why not for this event or save for later.
Marc Leishman: Speaking of comfortable, the Aussie is exactly that in Orlando. He’s No. 2 on the money list all time and is making start No. 13.
Matt Fitzpatrick: He was on point, in form and ready to pop before a WD (illness) at Riviera set him back. T12 is the worst paycheck in his last four starts world wide and he’s cashed in the top 10 in his last three visits here.
Keith Mitchell: Guys that are hot are impossible to ignore and he easily qualifies. Superb tee to green and on Bermuda all the boxes are checked this week.
Jon Rahm: Every week until he’s not. Here’s my angle: I get to use him once. I better get it right. Last year I picked him for the wrong US Open. This year I played him at his spiritual home of Torrey Pines. I don’t have to make this choice again but YOU do! I’d play him on tracks he’s flourished (Memorial stands out after last year) or tracks NOBODY has seen (Wilmington Country Club) to enjoy the advantage.
Spicy: This might be a week for sending out an “unknown” and saving a start. You just might get lucky. Or MC.
Viktor Hovland: I know, I know, I know, DOWN HERE ?!?!?!?!?! Yes, down here. 3 tries. 3 T40-somethings. Putting on Bermuda matters. So does chipping on over-seeded Bermuda. I want a better match.
Scottie Scheffler: Played 2020 (T15) and didn’t play last year? Was the purse too big? Field not deep enough? Weird.
Billy Horschel: Hasn’t put together four rounds yet but he’s perilously close to doing just that. His grass, his home state and no pressure of a home game next week in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Justin Rose: Sat T7 after 54 holes last year but had to WD. Former Orlando resident has had plenty experience here as he’s making start No. 17. Quietly went about his business with T6 at Torrey Pines, another course that requires solid ball-striking.
Will Zalatoris: Average winner here needs about five previous tries. He’s on his second.
3 AM at the Blackjack Table: Caution is thrown to the wind. Maybe not the best for this format but what the hell, right? Might throw these in if you’re in need of a miracle.
Keegan Bradley, Chris Kirk, Lanto Griffin, Ian Poulter, Sam Ryder,
History Channeled:
Final Silly Season Totals:
2021-2022 Events | Golfer | Place | Total $$ |
Fortinet Championship | Kevin Na | MC | 0 |
Sanderson Farms Championship | Will Zalatoris | T14 | 127,750 |
Shriners Children’s Open | Cameron Tringale | T56 | 15,820 |
CJ CUP @ SUMMIT | Viktor Hovland | T18 | 116,331 |
ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP | Hideki Matsuyama | WIN | 1,791,000 |
Bermuda Championship | Russell Knox | T12 | 129,025 |
Mayakoba Championship | Abraham Ancer | T7 | 218,700 |
Hewlett Packard Houston Open | Scottie Scheffler | T2 | 667,500 |
The RSM Classic | Russell Henley | T40 | 27,000 |
Total Events: 9 | Top 10: 3 | MC: 1 | $3,093,126 |
2020-2021
2020-2021 Events | Golfer | 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 | 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 |
The Open Championship | Louis Oosthuizen | T3 | 682,500 |
Barbasol Championship | Charl Schwartzel | T26 | 26,075 |
3M Open | Robert MacIntyre | MC | 0 |
Barracuda Championship | Ryan Armour | MC | 0 |
WGC – FESJI | Dustin Johnson | T10 | 220,000 |
Wyndham Championship | Webb Simpson | T7 | 201,666 |
THE NORTHERN TRUST | Harris English | T31 | 48,925 |
BMW Championship | Bryson DeChambeau | P2 | 1,026,000 |
Total Events: 50 | Top 10: 16 | MC: 6 | $8,441,638 |
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!