Best of the decade: The ultimate listicle

For the first time this season, I faced the classic dilemma in PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf, and if you play long enough, you will, too, if you haven't already. Just like THE CJ CUP @ SHADOW CREEK the week before it, the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP @ SHERWOOD was a 78-man competition with no cut. So, barring mid-tournament withdrawals and disqualifications, all gamers went eight rounds without any zeroes. Movement in the ranks was projected to be slight during the fortnight, which is why I labeled the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open as a position week. The difference-makers in each of the last two tournaments were the bonus points awarded the starters in the final round. They receive one-tenth of the FedExCup points earned. This is where philosophy meets long-range strategy. I've never espoused a rule of gaming that would advise you to bite on burning the last start for a golfer if he's in contention entering the final round, but I tend to lean that way with my own decisions. RELATED: Power Rankings | Sleeper Picks Jon Rahm rode my bench during the first three rounds at Sherwood. After opening with respective scores of 68 and 67, he sat T22 and five strokes off Justin Thomas' 36-hole pace. With only one start remaining on the Spaniard, I figured that my plan to holster it for the Masters would come to fruition, but I couldn't forget why I rostered him last week in the first place. Lo and behold, Rahm spun a field-low 63 in the third round to scale to outright second through 54 holes. I already had JT starting in every round, so I had visions of a massive Sunday, but that didn't deter me from my plan for Rahm. No matter how well I expect Rahm to play at the Masters (for which there are no shot-level bonuses but where there's a slight increase in bonus points because it's a major), he still has to execute. With that in my mind in real time before his final round this past Sunday, he had only one round to play at Sherwood and he had the most momentum. If I play him for the same possibility at the Masters, he's going to need to submit the same kind of performance that compelled me to roster him in the first place at Sherwood. So, I went for it, benched Tiger Woods (who finished T72) and Rahm landed in a two-way T2 worth 25 bonus points. The same finish at the Masters would yield 27 bonus points, so the decision paid off. Of all of the majors, the Masters has the easiest cut to survive, so I'm confident that I'll get four to the weekend at Augusta National. (Famous last words in fantasy; I get it.) Should Rahm prevail and offset the recent gain that no one can take away from me, I'll tip my visor because that's the way the ball bounces. Until then, as referenced in Monday's Power Rankings, ShotLink is not used at the Bermuda Championship, so fantasy scoring will be down about 8-15 percent overall. Therefore, the focus sharpens to target overall finish regardless of prowess off the tee that might otherwise influence you to build a lineup when ShotLink is plugged in. Although five events remain in Segment 1, only next week's Houston Open will be using shot-level scoring. ShotLink is not utilized at the Masters and the Mayakoba Golf Classic, and because the Plantation Course at Sea Island Resort is not lasered for The RSM Classic, shot-level scoring on the Seaside Course will not be used, either. The same setup is adopted for all three multiple-course tournaments on West Coast Swing in Segment 2. PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf My roster for the Bermuda Championship (in alphabetical order): Emiliano Grillo Denny McCarthy Adam Schenk Brendon Todd Kristoffer Ventura Will Zalatoris You'll find my starters in Expert Picks Others to consider for each category (in alphabetical order): Scoring: Wyndham Clark Charley Hoffman; Beau Hossler; Peter Malnati; Brian Stuard; Justin Suh; Cameron Tringale; Harold Varner III Driving: n/a POWER RANKINGS WILD CARD Henrik Stenson ... I fear (or respect, depending on your point of view) that newer fans of the sport won't appreciate how he's contributed to league championships over the years because he's evolved into a social media savant more than a leaderboard lurker. His concluding contribution to the European Tour's Mannequin Challenge essentially walked off the unofficial competition for his home circuit. Seriously, I didn't remember another one after that. More relevantly in our world, he's tailing off fast at 44 years of age, but the theory is that he'd be quicker to reconnect with his former self than others, so you might as well stow him on your bench in PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf for this week at least. DRAWS Pat Perez ... I've been to his well and back with and without taking a sip that I can't remember where we are with him. He fulfilled the expectations of others on the paspalum at Corales (T21), which piggybacked a T9 at Silverado, itself in the wake of consecutive mid-tournament withdrawals due to a sore right ankle, but he's 0-for-2 since his last trip to an island. That said, he hasn't played poorly, only poorly enough not to cash. So, in the construct of the field on Bermuda and with enough on which to rely for something positive, it's time to refill the bucket. Cameron Tringale ... Among the most successful without a victory in 285 career starts, but he's been a steady contributor among the rank and file since regaining fully exempt status. Making his Bermuda debut but he's a great fit from tee to green and he's rested since a T21 at TPC Summerlin where he ranked T5 in greens in regulation and fourth in Strokes Gained: Putting. Beau Hossler ... He's not lighting stages on fire but he's still connected five paydays upon arrival with a top 25 baked in. Also placed T24 here last year while leading the field in both putting and converting scoring chances into par breakers. Ollie Schniederjans ... The Korn Ferry Tour's best putter is angling hard at a return to the PGA TOUR. In his last 12 starts, he's recorded five top 10s and a T12 to sit 35th in points. Work him in liberally in DFS. Wyndham Clark Maverick McNealy Scott Stallings Brian Stuard FADES Hudson Swafford ... As much as it must be respected that he ended his victory drought a month ago at Corales, it's necessary to revisit the fact that he authored a dynamite performance with his putter ... which failed him in two starts since with consecutive 75-71=MCs in Mississippi and Vegas. It's especially frustrating for full-season owners, but it's also a reminder why wins are bonuses, not expectations. Continue to assume the position of his baseline, which is to consider continuing to abstain. Danny Willett ... When he recorded the T4 at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in early July, the fear was that it was a one-off. Sho'nuff. Since, he's just 3-for-8 without a top 30. Russell Knox ... Not so much streaky as consistent over time, his T11 here last year was a reflection of that profile. It's the opposite phenomenon now despite a T9 at Silverado to open the season because of the months-long slump that has defined his 2020. He's also 0-for-2 since that surprise performance. Jhonattan Vegas ... Reopened 2020 with three cuts made, but he's gone just 1-for-7 with a T52 at Silverado since. Brian Gay ... Originally on my short list for the Power Rankings, he was the first to get the axe, and it's as obvious as to why as it is hard to believe. Placed T3 here last year and T14 two weeks later at Mayakoba, but since is just 4-for-19 without a top 25. Vaughn Taylor ... Now a combined 0-for-7 since the Travelers, the last three shortfalls after sitting out five straight starts with a sore rib. Andrew Putnam ... This will be interesting. In advance of the birth of his first child - a girl in early March of 2019 - he rolled together a number of strong results before struggling immediately before and after Pepper arrived. Now, the 31-year-old is making his first start since the birth of his second child - a boy(!), Paxley, on Oct. 20 - but without a top-35 finish in over nine months. If the Nappy Factor takes hold, he'll rekindle the kind of form that lifted him inside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking early last year. Ryan Armour Rafa Cabrera Bello Will Gordon Branden Grace Matt Jones Tom Lewis Troy Merritt Kyle Stanley RETURNING TO COMPETITION Shawn Stefani ... Presents as an intriguing play in DFS because the Texan has performed very well in the wind multiple times during his career, including a T11 at Port Royal last year. He's been out a month since calling it quits after one round at Corales with a sore back, but he's worth the dive, at least fractionally. However, given his conditional status, he's not a commended long-term own. Robert Garrigus ... Maybe the third time's the charm. He hasn't competed since withdrawing during his second round at Corales on Sept. 25 due to heat exhaustion. He had committed to a pair of Korn Ferry Tour events since, but withdrew early from both. Saddled with Past Champions status on the PGA TOUR, he doesn't have any fantasy value. NOTABLE WDs Zac Blair ... Just 1-for-4 with a T70 at Corales this season. Also no better than a T35 at Barracuda in his last 15 starts, a stretch that predates the hiatus. Sebastian Cappelen ... Currently 89th in the FedExCup despite only one cut made in three starts because it was a T11 at Corales. As a result, he's well-positioned to climb in the Reshuffle if the next reorder happened right now. Martin Trainer ... He's 0-for-4 this season and has gone 13 consecutive starts without a payday. Chad Campbell ... The 46-year-old is 0-for-3 since testing positive for COVID-19 in late June. He's in his second consecutive season on Past Champion status. POWER RANKINGS RECAP - ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP @ SHERWOOD Power Ranking Golfer Result 1 Xander Schauffele T17 2 Matthew Wolff T50 3 Webb Simpson T17 4 Justin Thomas T2 5 Tyrrell Hatton T28 6 Rory McIlroy T17 7 Patrick Reed T14 8 Jon Rahm T2 9 Joaquin Niemann T17 10 Collin Morikawa T50 11 Jason Kokrak T17 12 Viktor Hovland T47 13 Harris English T28 14 Russell Henley T4 15 Bubba Watson T4 Wild Card Phil Mickelson 76th SLEEPERS RECAP - ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP @ SHERWOOD Golfer Result Gunn Charoenkul T54 Joel Dahmen T8 Ryo Ishikawa T63 Takumi Kanaya T41 Cameron Smith T4 BIRTHDAYS AMONG ACTIVE GOLFERS ON THE PGA TOUR October 27 ... Fabián Gómez (42) October 28 ... none October 29 ... none October 30 ... none October 31 ... Mark Wilson (46) November 1 ... none November 2 ... James Hahn (39); Adam Hadwin (33)

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AUGUSTA, Ga. - The rain was falling softly in the semi-darkness as Tiger Woods stood on the practice putting green awaiting his 7:55 a.m. tee time, while legends Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player were on the nearby first tee preparing to hit their ceremonial first tee shots. Woods sensed something flying over his head. He looked up. "There was a drone flying over the putting green," he said after shooting a 4-under 68 in which he didn't make a bogey, his first bogey-free round here since 2008. "Down one today you could hear the drone over there. You don't hear drones here." Yes, CBS has added drones to the coverage. It was, all in all, a new kind of experience in the first round of the pandemic-delayed Masters at Augusta National. No patrons. No flowers. Strange plot twists. RELATED: Leaderboard | Like ‘old' times at Augusta | DeChambeau bounces back from calamity Paul Casey shot a 7-under 65 to take the early lead, although half the field didn't finish. At 5 under through 10 holes, Justin Thomas had the best round going among the late starters. "I’ve got a lot of golf left," said Thomas, whose best finish in four Masters starts was his T12 last year. "Just go home and get some rest. It’s a long day tomorrow." The rain-delayed first round was suspended for darkness with 44 players, roughly half the field, still out on the course at 5:30 p.m. They'll restart at 7:30 a.m., with round two set to begin at 9:35 a.m. Friday, if all goes according to plan. The way things have gone, that's a big if. Indeed, Thursday was an odd one. Bryson DeChambeau, the most talked about player in golf, double-bogeyed the short par-5 13th hole, the most vulnerable hole on the course, and shot 70, the same score as Larry Mize, 62. Woods began his round at the 10th hole at 10:55. He'd never started a Masters on 10, but then there's never been a November Masters, with daylight a precious commodity. Another difference: no blooming azaleas, or much of anything else. It's just too late in the year. The course does, however, have more Bermuda grass in it than normal, causing the ball to react differently. And it was humid Thursday, like East Lake in September, Casey said. Tony Finau, one of his playing partners, spun his approach shot into the bunker at the first hole. "On a good-looking wedge shot," Casey said. Woods said putts just weren't breaking. Casey said the greens were softer than ever. "There was a shot I hit on number two, a 6-iron to that left hand pin that you can’t hit that shot in April," said Casey, who eagled the hole. "It was just left of the flag. It pitched and stopped instantly, and that shot in April would have one hopped over into the patrons, and probably would have walked off with a 5 instead of a 3." A first-time Masters participant this week could return in April only to find a totally transformed, much firmer and faster course. "They are going to have a rude awakening," Casey said with a laugh. Still, he added, there remained something special about just being here, even with the quirks. Woods agreed. "There’s no patrons, no roars," he said. "Yes, as the camera guys would say, ‘Where did the ball end up? Because we just don’t know.' That’s very different. A lot of firsts today. That’s kind of the way this entire year has been. The fact that we’re able to compete for a Masters this year, considering all that’s been going on, it’s a great opportunity for all of us."

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Tommy Fleetwood narrowly qualified for THE PLAYERS Championship and then endured a long, wet start at the TPC Sawgrass with a 6-under 66 to share the early lead with AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am winner Tom Hoge. RELATED: Full leaderboard | Jon Rahm switches back to U.S. Open-winning putter Where that leaves them after the opening round could take time to determine. The PGA TOUR enjoyed ideal weather with no delays for nine weeks in four states across five time zones to start the year. And then for its biggest event, it barely got started. More than an inch of overnight rain delayed the start by an hour. Storms in the area resulted in another delay of more than four hours. Fleetwood, a Ryder Cup star in Paris in 2018 who has gone two years since his last victory, returned from the long delay to complete a string of three straight birdies around the turn and then kept his round together with two big putts, one for par and another for birdie. Hoge had an eagle on the par-5 second hole, his 11th of the round, and shot 31 on the front nine to join him in the clubhouse at 66. Keith Mitchell was poised to join the until his approach to the 18th was right of the flag and landed on the slope of gnarly rough in the mounds, and he failed to save par. He was at 67, along with Genesis Invitational winner Joaquin Niemann, Anirban Lahiri and Kramer Hickok. The stop-and-start nature might not be over. The forecast called for a slightly lower chance of rain Friday — 99% instead of 100% — and there was a chance those who finished the round might not see the course again until Saturday. Six players from the early side of the draw did not finish, meaning they return at 7:15 a.m. Friday to play one or two holes before getting the rest of the day off. Twelve players never even hit a tee shot. Ian Poulter can rest easy, even if it takes time for his heart rate to steady. The 46-year-old could sense the horn about to sound to suspend play for darkness. By rule, players can finish the hole that anyone in the group has started. Poulter was on the tee at the par-3 17th, the island green with a back pin and soft greens, when he fired is shot and barely saw it land 4 feet from the cup. He jogged all the way to the green, holed the birdie putt, ran through the tunnel beneath the bleachers and onto the 18th tee. He hit his tee shot as the group in front cleared out of the way from the fairway. He did the same thing 11 years ago. Even with only 66 players completing the round, that was enough time for the Stadium Course to provide its share of thrills and spills, mostly the latter. Harold Varner III, needing good results to stay in the top 50 and make a trip to the Masters, had a two-shot lead when he stepped to the 17th tee. His shot spun sharply down the slope, across the light cut of rough and into the water. His next shot from the drop zone nearly did the same. He made triple bogey, dropped another shot on the 18th and shot 69. “Just was in between clubs and didn’t execute the shot, and that’s what you get a lot of out here,” Varner said. Amazingly, that was the only ball in the water out of 69 tee shots. No need telling that to Adam Scott. The former PLAYERS champion pumped two tee shots into the water off the 18th tee and took a quadruple bogey on his way to a 78. Fleetwood has reason to be happy just to have a tee time. He missed the cut at the Honda Classic and narrowly stayed inside the top 50, one of the criterium for THE PLAYERS Championship. For the most part, it was safe and steady play, far from perfect though Sawgrass rarely demands that. He was 6 under through 14 holes when he hit a wild drive into the pine straw to the right of the sixth fairway, leading to bogey. He was even further to the right on the seventh, but a superb save from behind the green kept him from dropping another shot, and then he holed a 25-foot birdie on the par-3 eighth. “I’m chuffed to be in on that score,” Fleetwood said. “I felt like I drove the ball well aside from a couple, and I felt like I chipped and putted great. For sure, that was the most I could have got out of the round. So days like that are very, very pleasing.” Long. Wet. But pleasing.

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