The Top 100 list is out, but which prospects on that list are the most talented? A look at those prospects with the best packages of tools in all of baseball.
THE OVERVIEW Spanish-born Jon Rahm won 11 college events during his celebrated career at Arizona State. Two years ago, while still an amateur, he tied for fifth at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. In the process, golf fans in the Arizona desert left no doubt they have adopted the man from Basque country. “The support I get from the fans here is unconditional,” Rahm said. “I don’t get the support like this even almost when I go back home to Spain.” If possible, the support at this week’s Waste Management figures to be even more pronounced now that Rahm is a PGA TOUR winner, having claimed the Farmers Insurance Open with a fantastic back-nine performance on Sunday. The ensuing 48 hours after his win were, in Rahm’s words, “a little bit of roller coaster.” He didn’t get much sleep Sunday night, waking up at 3 a.m. still on an emotional buzz. He then participated in a corporate outing on Monday and was barely able to finish 18 holes in a Tuesday practice round. Meanwhile, his phone lit up. He had 320 messages on one of his messaging apps, most of those from Spain, and he had no less than 75 text messages. One of those was from Arizona Cardinals star Larry Fitzgerald. “If some people are watching and I haven’t responded, I’m really sorry,” Rahm said during his Tuesday news conference. “I’m trying to keep up. It’s not easy. I’m not used to it.” The challenge this week will be to refocus and concentrate on winning another tournament. It’s difficult for any young winner but might be even more so given Rahm’s ties to the area. Despite all the well-wishers, Rahm hopes to find some isolation time. “If I get caught up in the moment of just keep celebrating and trying to say hello to everybody that I’ve met over the years here in Phoenix,” he said, “I feel like I will lose track of what I have to do this week.” Nobody will lose track of what hole he’s playing at TPC Scottsdale. Certainly his appearance at the raucous 16th hole this week will push the decibel meter. “Really, it’s amazing to have so many supporters on the biggest show on earth,” Rahm said. “… The support I get is amazing … it really is a special place for me.” THREE PLAYERS TO PONDER Two consecutive starts outside the top 25. Gasp! Expect the defending champ to get back on track this week. His last TOUR win on American soil came here four years ago when he shot 28 under. Speaking of 28, that’s how many starts he’s made in this event. Played twice in January, finished third both times. Looking for his first TOUR win in February. THE FLYOVER A closer look at one of the PGA TOUR’s most celebrated holes, the 163-yard par-3 16th, the loudest hole in golf. Last year, the 16th played to a stroke average of 3.015. THE LANDING ZONE The 490-yard par-4 14th at TPC Scottsdale was the most difficult hole on the course at last year’s Waste Management Phoenix Open. It played to a stroke average of 4.193 and yielded just 31 birdies, a tournament-low for any hole that week. Players face an uphill tee shot, then must attack a green that was once a spectator mound. Here is where all tee shots landed last year. WEATHER CHECK Should be perfect all week. Not much else to say beyond that. TEMPS: In the 60s each day and, of course, low humidity. RAIN: None expected. WINDS: Gentle. Won’t be a factor. For the latest weather news from Scottsdale, Arizona, check out PGATOUR.COM’s Weather Hub. SOUND CHECK I’m a little reluctant to say I’m in top form. But hopefully coming back to the desert, especially here in Scottsdale, it will revitalize me. ODDS AND ENDS 1. 59, 59 AND TWIN 60s. Justin Thomas shot a 59 in the first round of the Sony Open in Hawaii earlier this year. Two weeks ago, Adam Hadwin also shot 59. And Phil Mickelson has twice flirted with 59 at TPC Scottsdale, settling for 60 in 2005 and 2013. Those three can compare notes while playing in the same group for the first two rounds. 2. PLENTY OF FANS. Last year, a new weekly attendance mark was set at 618,365 fans, with record crowds showing up on both Friday (160,415) and Saturday (201,003). With a favorable forecast and plenty of big names in the field, those totals should be challenged this week. 3. GOING LONG. In each of the last eight years, TPC Scottsdale has ranked in the top 10 in field driving distance average among all TOUR courses. In 2013, it ranked No. 1, with players averaging 295.6 yards on all drives. A year ago, the average was 291.5 yards, sixth longest for any course. Bottom line – the ball flies in Scottsdale, which is 1,250 feet above sea level. 4. SPEAKING OF LONG. No player consistently hits it farther in the Arizona desert than Bubba Watson. He’s averaged 313 yards on all measured drives at TPC Scottsdale, the longest average of any player. John Daly is second at 311.7, with J.B. Holmes next at 309.1 5. CONSISTENTLY LOW. FedExCup leader Justin Thomas has produced 54 rounds of 67 or better since the start of the 2014-15 TOUR season. That’s the most of any player during that span. Charles Howell III has 49 such rounds, while Thomas’ good buddy Jordan Spieth has 48. WATCH PREVIEW
With few exceptions, Team USA’s World Baseball Classic roster is set. Once the full 28-man group is revealed on MLB Network on Feb. 8, the lineup debate will begin in earnest.
(Officialsportsbetting.com) – Tiger Woods will take the next step on his comeback this week at the Dubai Desert Classic, a step that just a few months ago he was not at all sure he would be able to take. It was more than brutal,” Woods said in a video interview released in conjunction with the Desert Classic event. “Because there were times when I physically didn’t know if I could get out of bed.” In the 15 months before Woods next played in a tournament – the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas in December 2016 – he slid to 666th in the world rankings, having enjoyed a total of 683 weeks as number one.
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Tiger Woods is looking to old friend Roger Federer for some inspiration. The 40-year-old American hasn’t won a major since 2008, while the 35-year-old Federer claimed his 18th Grand Slam title on Sunday at the Australian Open, beating Rafael Nadal in the final in his first tournament following a six-month injury layoff. ”What Rog has done is he’s been dominant for so long,” Woods said as he continues his comeback from 16 months off at this week’s Dubai Desert Classic.
The Detroit Lions gave up on Kyle Van Noy, shipping him to New England. The Patriots’ linebacker says he’s in a better place now: The Super Bowl.
Brandon Marshall spent a lot of time in 2016 lobbying for his quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick as the signal-caller struggled throughout a rough campaign. The Jets wideout said he will focus on his own game now.
