How to watch: Safeway Open, Round 3, leaderboard, tee times, TV times

SAN DIEGO – Matthew Wolff made a brave return to golf at the U.S. Open on Thursday. The 22-year-old has been missing from the PGA TOUR for two months as he looked to fight off some mental health issues plaguing his mind, his game, and his life in general. But the 2019 3M Open winner – and runner up from the 2020 U.S. Open – courageously picked Torrey Pines and its tough examination as his return despite shooting a 6-over 78 on the South Course prior to a withdrawal back in February’s Farmers Insurance Open. This time around Wolff put together a rollercoaster 1-under 70 (the U.S. Open plays the course to a par-71) that included an incredible eight birdies and just four pars – the fewest number of pars in a sub-par round at a U.S. Open since detailed stats have been kept (1983). The previous highest score to par in a U.S. Open when making eight or more birdies in a round was 4-under. Stepping aside as a professional athlete was a tough decision for Wolff but a wise one beyond his tender years. As we learn more and more about mental health battles it has become apparent that knowing when to take a break can be pivotal to any hope of recovery. Wolff says he knew something drastic was needed when he hated every minute of playing in April’s Masters where he was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard. Prior to that he’d withdrawn mid tournament from two events and hadn’t had a top-25 since being runner up in back-to-back starts at the U.S. Open and Shriners Hospitals for Children Open last fall. We often associate bravery and strength with physical feats. But one doesn’t need to play a contact sport to show these traits. Wolff was brave to submit his psyche to the Torrey test. He was bold to fight back from mid-round adversity. And he was gutsy to front up to media scrutiny and talk about his battles. “Mental health is a really big problem,” Wolff said. “Any professional athlete has to deal with a lot more stress and pressure than most people and it just kind of got to me… and I think I just put too much pressure on myself… but I’ve been working on it, I’ve been learning and I think that’s all I can do. “(The Masters) was pretty much the turning point… the entire time my head was down and I hated it. I just didn’t love being out there. The biggest thing right now that I’m trying to do is enjoy myself again and just take care of myself really. I love these fans and I want to play well for them, but right now I’m just really trying to be happy and realize I live a great life and I want to enjoy it.” As someone looking to live a little more stress-free Wolff put his nerves to the test on Thursday when he blocked his first tee-shot on the 10th way right. It was the type of swing that could’ve broken him from the start but instead he was soon smiling after a brilliant recovery shot to 22-feet and a converted birdie saw him on his way. With further birdies at 12 and 13 Wolff was immediately back in the limelight, leading the tournament. And then things got awkward. A bogey on the 15th hole was followed by a terrible double bogey on the 16th that featured a missed putt from a foot and then another bogey on 17 had him over par and seemingly in trouble. Wolff saw it as a sign. This was the moment to put into practice the methods he’d worked on throughout his time away. The score wasn’t the focus. His enjoyment was. He took a few deep breaths and reminded himself how many others would love to be where he was, playing sport for a living and how, more importantly, he loves playing the game. “My caddie and I have been working really hard about just staying in the level head space and focusing on the shot ahead of you and not the shot behind you,” Wolff explained. “I’m probably going to be struggling with that and learning how to handle bad shots for the rest of my career, but I’m young and I’m learning.” With his focus keyed in he birdied five of his next six holes – with a bogey on the other – and once again found the top of the leaderboard. His second double bogey of the round though would kill the momentum and lead to the respectable 70, just three off the pace from the morning wave. “A lot of good, a lot of bad. I started off really strong and made quite a few putts at the start of my round and then stumbled a little bit. But it’s the U.S. Open, everyone’s going to stumble,” Wolff said. “I wasn’t expecting it. It’s my first tournament back and it’s the hardest tournament that golf provides us. So it was really nice to start the way I did. It’s awesome that I played well, I’m thrilled, but no matter what score that I shot it was just good to be having fun and I haven’t had fun out here in quite a while. “I made a huge step in the right direction and I have a heck of a long way to go, but I’m working my way towards it.”

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With a youthful swagger to match his fearless game, Rory McIlroy was 19 when we saw him for the first time on American soil in a PGA TOUR setting. But bless his giving heart, McIlroy dropped the curtain and brought the entire show to a place called Dove Mountain in Marana, Arizona, that February in 2009. A stunning wedge shot from a seemingly difficult lie in a fairway bunker at No. 17 highlighted a second-round stunner over Hunter Mahan. Then in the quarterfinals, McIlroy gave eventual champion Geoff Ogilvy all he could handle before falling, 2 and 1. “The real deal,â€� Ogilvy said that day, when asked about the mop-haired kid from Northern Ireland, though it was a quiet observation made by Ogilvy’s caddie that put the picture in a clearer focus. MORE RORY: McIlroy, DJ partners at Sunday’s TaylorMade Driving Relief charity match | Rory’s key club at Seminole “If you want to be the second-best player in the world,â€� said Alastair Matheson, who was in step with the golf world in 2009, acknowledging that Tiger Woods was the unquestioned No. 1, “you’ve got to be better than Rory.â€� Yes, that World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play event 11 years ago is where we were introduced to the ease with which Rory McIlroy can play this game. Six years later at the same tournament, we witnessed Rory McIlroy doing something with even greater ease – being human. Now McIlroy walking into a media center happens dozens of times a year. No big deal. But sauntering in on a Saturday night to pull up a chair and watch a major sporting event alongside a bunch of “scribes?â€� Well, the memory still ignites a sense of warmth, because humility is a beautiful thing to witness. The memory of McIlroy visiting our media center is rekindled because of TPC Harding Park. That’s where the golf world was originally scheduled to be this week, enjoying the PGA Championship, and it’s where we were in 2015 when McIlroy emphatically showed why he was No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking as he rolled to victory. OK, so he didn’t quite “rollâ€� in his quarterfinal win over Paul Casey, but it’s because he did not that he graced us with his presence to watch the Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao mega-fight. All week at TPC Harding Park, McIlroy had confirmed rumors that he had tickets to the fight and fully intended to fly from San Francisco to Las Vegas that Saturday night, then return early Sunday. Hey, that’s what immensely talented and wealthy 24-year-olds do when blessed with connections and celebrity status. But here’s something immensely talented and wealthy 24-year-olds don’t do when blessed with connections and celebrity status – they don’t sit on folding chairs in cold media centers eating pizza surrounded by golf writers. Unless they’re Rory McIlroy, that is. Because his Saturday afternoon match against Casey had stretched into the early-evening hours without a decision, McIlroy had to swallow the bitter reality that he didn’t have enough time to fly to Vegas and get to the fight. (It was good news for Harry Diamond, McIlroy’s best friend and now his caddie, and to Lee Westwood, as they got the tickets and attended the fight.) But the dilemma got especially dicey when he understood he might not have enough time to drive from TPC Harding Park to his hotel for the start of the fight, so McIlroy listened to options. The offer to watch the fight in the media center appealed to him, though it came with a caveat – there was apparently an issue about getting the pay-per-view feed. “Take it out of my prize money,â€� McIlroy said. It never did come to that, but here’s what did come out of McIlroy’s pocket – he picked up the tab for the pizzas that were ordered. He was accompanied by his girlfriend Erica Stoll (they are now married) and manager Sean O’Flaherty, and what is vivid about the memory is how McIlroy was intrigued to watch reporters on deadline and genuinely respectful of the surrounding in which he sat. He joked that he wasn’t there to edit or do interviews, but he’d clarify any questions about his match against Casey. Mostly, though, it was remarkable how McIlroy blended into the setting so seamlessly. “Great memories indeed!â€� wrote O’Flaherty via text recently when reminded of the evening. “That was a special week with the perfect outcome. I remember watching the fight in the media, and we all enjoyed some Papa John’s Pizza with a few beers.â€� True, the fight hardly lived up to its massive hype, as Mayweather won a unanimous decision in a bout that was short on action and devoid of suspense. In other words, it could not compare to McIlroy, who did live up to his billing by beating Casey on Sunday morning on the 22nd hole, then getting past Jim Furyk in the semifinals and Gary Woodland, 4 and 2, in the championship. The game’s best player produced the great golf that comes easy to him. He also delivered on what comes even easier, the humanness.

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It would probably be easiest to illustrate the next several weeks as a flowchart replete with a series of if-thens, but it really isn’t that complicated. The top 125 in the FedExCup standings at the conclusion of this week’s Wyndham Championship qualify for the Playoffs. They’re also fully exempt on the PGA TOUR in 2017-18. Those who aren’t yet fully exempt and finish 126-200 in FedExCup points qualify for the Web.com Tour Finals. That series begins on Aug. 31-Sept. 3 with the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship. This is the first time that earnings will not be used to determine status, so if you’re a full-season salary gamer, be sure to crosscheck who’s inside the top 125 in the FedExCup standings. Do not assume that a golfer inside the top 125 on the money list after the Wyndham has a TOUR card next season. PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO My roster for the Wyndham Championship (in alphabetical order): Bud Cauley Bill Haas Kevin Kisner (winner) Sam Saunders Webb Simpson Henrik Stenson You’ll find my starters in Expert Picks. Others to consider for each category (in alphabetical order): Scoring: Keegan Bradley; Jason Dufner; Lucas Glover; Brandon Hagy; Ben Martin; Graeme McDowell; Ryan Moore; Grayson Murray; Chris Stroud Driving: Keegan Bradley; Jason Dufner; Lucas Glover; James Hahn; Billy Horschel; Martin Laird; Ryan Moore; Rory Sabbatini; Kevin Streelman Approach: Chad Campbell; Jason Dufner; Lucas Glover; Ben Martin; Chez Reavie; Rory Sabbatini; Chris Stroud Short: Scott Brown; Luke Donald; Brandon Hagy; Billy Horschel; Martin Laird; Graeme McDowell; Chez Reavie Power Rankings Wild Card Keegan Bradley … Tied for 46th in his Sedgefield debut last year and he’s perfect in six starts since the U.S. Open. Three went for top 15s. Leads the PGA TOUR in total driving and ranks 23rd in greens in regulation. That quintessential form has relieved most of the pressure off below-average putting since the anchoring ban and has supported his spot at 48th in adjusted scoring. Draws Grayson Murray … This is all about hopping aboard the bandwagon while it’s in motion. His missed cut in Canada after his breakthrough at the Barbasol Championship wasn’t unexpected, but a T22 (despite a closing 75) at the PGA Championship was a welcome surprise. Now making his Wyndham debut while playing on house FedExCup points. Billy Horschel … He’s been quiet since a T4 at TPC Southwind, one of his haunts for success, but it’s time to make room again in DFS. Sedgefield isn’t quite in the same category in terms of year-to-year brilliance, but he’s missed only one of five cuts. He placed T5 last year. Currently 22nd on TOUR in greens hit. Lucas Glover … With ball-striking as strong as his, he should miss few cuts. That was his M.O. early in his career, and it has been again this season, at least until he endured a 1-for-4 blip in late May and all of June. The 37-year-old has since righted the ship that’s projected to sail nicely at Sedgefield where he finished inside the top 25 in each of the last two years. Graeme McDowell … It’s funny what can happen when a long-time PGA TOUR member makes a tournament debut later in his career and thrives. He returns! DFSers won’t mind taking a flier on the 38-year-old following a T5 on the gettable par 70 last year. He ranked ninth in strokes gained: putting for the week. It occurred during a similar up-and-down record with which he enters this week. Luke Donald … Only if you’re keen on comping his record at Sedgefield to his accomplishments at Harbour Town, site of his only top 15 in 2017. He’s as calculated a flier as it gets since he’s just 2-for-9 worldwide with no top 55s since the runner-up. The Englishman also was the runner-up here last year after finishing T26 in his debut in 2015. All of his scores have been 68 or lower. Chad Campbell … At 12th in greens in regulation and second in scrambling, he’s straight chalk as a DFS complement. Also 7-for-8 with five top 20s since the AT&T Byron Nelson. Fades Kyle Stanley … With no top 40s among two cuts made in four starts since winning the Quicken Loans National, he’s fulfilling the classic letdown after reaching the goal following months of chasing and crashing leaderboards. This is the essence of why he lands in this section. Otherwise, he’d set up wonderfully as the TOUR’s leader in greens in regulation who also slots T2 in proximity. A T14 at last year’s Wyndham doesn’t hurt the perception, either. Russell Knox … If he owned a record better than one cut made (T37, 2012) in two appearances, I wouldn’t talk you out of him. However, he went from putting beautifully on the bentgrass at Firestone en route to a T5 to missing the cut on Bermuda at Quail Hollow. While the Scot has succeeded on all surfaces, it was a regression toward form that yielded just the singular top 10 in 2017. Kevin Na … It hasn’t been a bad season, but it’s been his worst while healthy in nine years. It also hasn’t been any one thing, so there’s a direct relationship between his stats and his production. It’s been six months since his last top 20 in stroke-play competition on the PGA TOUR. Last year’s T10 at Sedgefield occurred amid a stretch of consistently strong form. William McGirt … Now 0-for-3 since The Open Championship with the withdrawal in Canada sandwiched in there. Has a pair of top 15s at Sedgefield, but he’s also finished outside the top 50 four times. For a veteran who often lines up as a horse for a course, the smart play is to leave him in the stable this week. Kyle Reifers … As often as he emerges as a potential sleeper, it’s surprising that he’s 152nd in the FedExCup standings. However, he’s outside the top 155 in both third- and final-round scoring average. With T18s in the last two additional events, there’s reason to be hopeful yet again, but he’s just 2-for-4 without a top 35 at Sedgefield. Returning to Competition Smylie Kaufman … The recently engaged 25-year-old made the cut at the Barracuda Championship two weeks ago but withdrew before the final round. Now makes his Wyndham debut positioned 135th in the FedExCup standings, but he’s fully exempt through 2017-18 via his victory at the 2015 Shriners. Julian Etulain … Withdrew during his second round of the Barracuda with a wrist injury. The rookie is 160th in the FedExCup standings. Brian Davis … Making his first appearance on the PGA TOUR in 14 months. Sat out nearly a year due to injury. Went 3-for-5 without a top 45 on the Web.co Tour this summer. Has five starts on a medical extension that will extend into 2017-18 PGA TOUR season, if necessary. Notable WDs Brandt Snedeker … He’s now gone five commitments from which a rib injury has forced his early withdrawal. It’s the first time in 11 years that he’s missing the Wyndham Championship. He’s been a faithful participant (and frequent contender) ever since he won in his debut as a PGA TOUR rookie at Forest Oaks in 2007. Currently 57th in the FedExCup standings, he’s fallen just 16 spots since a T14 at the Travelers. Charles Howell III … Once a regular at Sedgefield, he’s now sat out the last two editions. However, at 20th in the FedExCup standings, he’s in position to go deep into the Playoffs. It speaks to the value of the length of the season given he was sidelined for two-and-a-half months with a rib injury. Kelly Kraft … Opting to rest on the eve of his debut in the FedExCup Playoffs. He’s 56th in points. The 2016-17 season marked quite a turnaround for the former U.S. Amateur champion after he placed 165th as a first-time PGA TOUR member last season. It also served as a reminder to gamers that the learning curve doesn’t discriminate based on pedigree. Sung Kang … The 30-year-old is rapidly rising in the ranks among the better talents on TOUR without a victory. Poised for his second Playoffs and a virtual lock to make at least three starts as he’s 42nd in points. Boo Weekley … At 167th in the FedExCup standings, he’s eligible for the Web.com Tour Finals. Turned 44 in July. Once said that when he had enough money in the bank, he’d retire and go fishing. It’s doubtful that he’s considering the former anytime soon, but you can sure bet on the latter as often as possible. Dominic Bozzelli … Withdrew early from the Barracuda Championship as well. No news has surfaced regarding injury or another reason why. Just 1-for-6 since late June but will qualify for next week’s NORTHERN TRUST. That’s a goal achieved for any rookie. Power Rankings Recap – PGA Championship Power Ranking, Golfer, Result 1 Hideki Matsuyama T5 2 Rory McIlroy T22 3 Rickie Fowler T5 4 Zach Johnson T48 5 Jordan Spieth T28 6 Thomas Pieters MC 7 Charley Hoffman T48 8 Paul Casey T13 9 Brooks Koepka T13 10 Dustin Johnson T13 11 Tony Finau T44 12 Adam Scott T61 13 Phil Mickelson MC 14 Jon Rahm T58 15 Henrik Stenson T13 16 Matt Kuchar T9 17 Marc Leishman T13 18 Alex Noren T67 19 Patrick Reed T2 20 Tommy Fleetwood T61 Sleepers Recap – PGA Championship Golfer, Result Bud Cauley T33 Hao Tong Li MC Luke List MC Ian Poulter T22 Brendan Steele MC Birthdays among active golfers on the PGA TOUR August 15 … Ted Purdy (44); Harold Varner III (27) August 16 … none August 17 … none August 18 … Cameron Smith (24) August 19 … Jhonattan Vegas (33) August 20 … Zac Blair (27) August 21 … J.J. Spaun (27)

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