Dustin Johnson leads after second-round 60 at THE NORTHERN TRUST

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Martin Laird … The Scot has slumped in recent months, but he always emerges from hibernation in the Valley of the Sun. He’s also among the bevy of PGA TOUR members who will be sleeping at home this week, and he’s been a fixture at TPC Scottsdale since he first qualified in 2009. In 11 starts, he’s cashed eight times, four of which for a top 10. For various reasons, the final round has been his bane as he’s broken par only once in the last six finales, but his scoring average in his last 24 competitive loops overall is 68.75. Matt Jones … Like Laird, the native Aussie is a local resident, but Jones hasn’t qualified since 2017 when he needed a sponsor exemption to crack the field. He finished T36 for his fifth straight cut made in the tournament. He committed to this year’s edition on merit and with six consecutive paydays worldwide in tow, the highlight of which a victory at his national open in early December. He launched the streak with a T20 in South Korea and he opened the season with a T10 at Greenbrier. Bud Cauley … En route to a T4 at PGA WEST two weeks ago, he revealed that he had knee surgery in the fall. That explains why he sat out after a T9 in Houston, but both results are evidence that he was well enough then and feeling good again now. In his last 10 starts, five of his six cuts made went for a top 25. Inside the top 40 on TOUR this season in Strokes Gained: Putting, scrambling, par-5 scoring and adjusted scoring. Also 4-for-5 at TPC Scottsdale. Chesson Hadley … The last time he was included in this group, he finished T18 at the Shriners in October. It’s the best result of his last 13 starts. His track record at TPC Summerlin is terrific, so it was an easy call for the tall drink of water. His history at TPC Scottsdale isn’t as strong, but it’s getting there. He’s 3-for-4 with a T5 in 2018 and a T20 last year. When he’s on, his irons are responsible. Thus far this season, he’s 29th in greens hit, T33 in proximity and 15th in Strokes Gained: Approach-the Green, but he’s also 34th in putting: birdies-or-better, so there’s fire to follow the spark. Kiradech Aphibarnrat … Remember this guy? The Thai turned 30 last July and qualified for his first FedExCup Playoffs, but it was a disappointing summer and early fall until he finished T8 at THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES. It sparked a modest consecutive cuts made streak of five that remains active as he pegs it at TPC Scottsdale for the third time. He placed T33 last year while averaging only 11 greens in regulation per round (T66). He did his work on the greens, slotting third in both Strokes Gained: Putting and putting: birdies-or-better percentage. It’s his strongest skill, so this week’s objective it to set up more scoring opportunities to let it shine. NOTE: Sleeper is a relative term, so Rob uses unofficial criteria to determine who qualifies. Each of the following usually is determined to be ineligible for this weekly staple: Winners of the tournament on the current host course; winners in the same season; recent major champions; top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking; recent participants of team competitions.

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Here are nine tidbits from the second round of the CareerBuilder Challenge that gamers can use tomorrow, this weekend or down the road. Be looking for the Emergency 9 shortly after the close of play of each round of the tournament. Done with this One These were the top five picked golfers in the PGA TOUR Fantasy One & Done presented by SERVPRO: Remember, there is one more chance tomorrow to get into position to get into position. Those supporting Dufner (raises hand) and Mickelson will need a low one tomorrow from each to get back into the fight. The downside is that they are playing the Stadium Course, the toughest of the three tracks, in Round 3. Course and Weather Management There were rumbles during the telecast again on Friday that gusting winds could be on the menu for round three Saturday. While the Stadium Course played easier on Friday, it was still two full strokes harder than La Quinta Country Club and almost two full shots more difficult than the Nicklaus Tournament Course. Yesterday, there were only five of the top 41 who played the Stadium Course. Today, nine of the top 35 had to play the Pete Dye design. If you didn’t balance your lineup in the PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO you’ll have to hope your guys mimic Kevin Chappell’s performance in round two. His 64 was the best on that track by two shots. Three other players, Bronson Burgoon, Andrew Putnam and Zac Blair posted 66’s. Leader Landry Andrew Landry has taken advantage of playing the two easier tracks in the first two rounds. His 63 at La Quinta to open and 65 at Nicklaus Tournament in round two has a one-shot lead on first-round leader Jon Rahm on 16-under-par 128. It’s never easy backing up a career-low score but his 65 qualifies as backed up! He hasn’t squared a bogey and his seven birdies in round two tied his career-best output. Landry fired 64 at The RSM Classic to close last season so he’s in the mood. There is exactly ONE of you on him in PGA TOUR Fantasy One & Done presented by SERVPRO. Memory Loss There were plenty of 64’s posted in round two but the one that caught my eye was the one from Zach Johnson on the Nicklaus Tournament. His previous two trips to this rotation saw him post nothing lower than 67. Entering the week, he had signed for 64 or lower in his last three events so maybe I shouldn’t be surprised. His worst finish in four events this season is T23 so he’s had sharp winter. He enters the weekend T4 and has two rounds of the Stadium Course in front of him. Brian’s Song 2013 champ Brian Gay signed for 64 at La Quinta to jump 35 spots into the top 10 at T7. His opening nine 30 included six of eight birdies on day where he didn’t make a bogey. Similarly to Johnson, Gay has missed the cut the last two seasons on this track. His opening rounds of 68-64 are his only two rounds in the 60’s from eight tries in the last three years. Muscle Russell Gamers heard the engine turning over last week at Waialae as he posted Friday-Saturday rounds of 64-65. He continues trending in the right direction with another 64 (Nicklaus Tournament) today to move up 54 spots to T10. Knox joins Landry as the only players in the top 10 without a bogey on their cards for the first two rounds. It’s interesting that Bubba Watson also hasn’t made any bogeys. His five birdies and a double bogey suggest that it isn’t his week (T108). Don’t Sleep on Sleepers Rob Bolton picks his crew each week and gamers should add it to their routine before each tournament. At the halfway point, he’s has a few performing, including Beau Hossler. His opening round of 64 was backed up by 69 in round two as he’s currently T10, the exact same scores from one of his other selections, Aaron Wise. Lucas Glover sits a very solid T19 at 10-under. Lurking Canadian Adam Hadwin hasn’t finished worse than T6 in the two events in the new rotation. It didn’t hurt that he shot 59 at La Quinta on Saturday last year but he joined the famous club of posting that number and not winning. His bogey-free 67 at the Stadium Course today piggybacked his 66 Thursday at the Nicklaus Tournament layout. I’m not Colombo but even I can figure out he’s heading back to La Quinta tomorrow sitting T10. Study Hall According to reports, Greg Chalmers added CareerBuilder Challenge to his schedule and dropped the Farmers Insurance Open. Gamers can connect the dots on which type of courses suit the veteran Aussie moving forward. … I’m fascinated that Wesley Bryan isn’t carrying a driver until he figures out where it’s going. He opened with 65 but added 75 today to drop 81 spots to T90. We’ll see how long the experiment lasts. … Maverick McNealy sits T19 after 66-68 but gamers must remember that he doesn’t carry any status. … Rory McIlroy is bogey-free through 36 holes in Abu Dhabi and is just three back. … Dustin Johnson, playing the same event, busted out 64 in round two to move to T11. … Sergio Garcia is one back at the Singapore Open as Ryo Ishikawa (!) is one of three tied for the lead on seven-under-par. … Brooks Koepka announced that his wrist does need surgery so this should activate contingency plans for season-long owners who knew this might have been a possibility. Read more here from our man Ben Everill.

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