Survivors and families who lost loved ones in the Sept. 11 terror attacks are planning to protest Saudi backed LIV golf series’ first event on U.S. soil this week outside of Portland, Ore.
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IRVING, Texas — Billy Horschel’s emotions from winning the AT&T Byron Nelson went far beyond ending more than two years without a victory. One day after Horschel was vague about issues off the course, his wife took to Twitter to reveal she is battling alcoholism. Brittany Horschel said last weekend marked the one-year anniversary of her sobriety. “I write this nervously, skeptically, but also proudly because I have embraced the woman I have become over the past year,” she write in a poignant post. “One year ago, I began a journey to a healthy me, mentally and physically. I will keep his simple, `I am an alcoholic.’ I say that now without shame.” Horschel and his wife met at Florida, where she played on the golf team. She gave birth to their first child, a daughter, right as Horschel was winning the BMW Championship and the TOUR Championship at the end of 2014 to capture the $10 million FedExCup. They had their second child in April. Horschel declined to get into specifics on the extra layer of emotions after his playoff victory over Jason Day. “Just life gets in the way sometimes and, you know, it’s truly special to be winning on something on a day like this that’s I honestly … I’m not able to talk about it right now,” he said. “But it’s just lot of stuff happens in the last year and this is just … this is nice.” Brittany Horschel said in her post that her husband respectfully left her to answer it however she wanted, if at all. “However, to not answer would not only be unfair to him, but to my own integrity,” she said. She said she spent the end of last May through July in a treatment center in South Florida. She said her husband took full responsibility taking care of their first child, moving into a new home, competing on the PGA TOUR and “God only knows what else and what all went through that man’s head during that time.” “He silently battled through, with support from family and close friends, a very sad, scary and trying time,” she wrote.
Whew. And ouch. Sort of. What transpired – or didn’t – at last week’s U.S. Open would have crushed a few gamers in PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO if not for the fact that only actual scoring and bonus points were measured. As noted last week and many times before, we can absorb a bad week when ShotLink is turned off so much better than when everything applies. It also didn’t hurt that so many notables failed to survive the cut at Erin Hills. Note that eight of the top 10 in my Power Rankings (see the Recap below) fell short. Plainly, and crudely, the majority of gamers were stung by the mass exodus, but likely experienced little impact in the overall standings and in private leagues. Segment 3 concludes at this week’s Travelers Championship. However, while starts for anyone available to you won’t be an issue, the full array of fantasy scoring is back, so it’s once again critical to get at least four to the weekend and avoid costly goose eggs. PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO My roster for the U.S. Open (in alphabetical order): Paul Casey Jason Day Rory McIlroy Brandt Snedeker Brendan Steele Justin Thomas You’ll find my starters in Expert Picks. Others to consider for each category (in alphabetical order): Scoring: Daniel Berger; Tony Finau; Brian Harman; Charley Hoffman; Marc Leishman; David Lingmerth; Patrick Reed; Jordan Spieth Driving: Daniel Berger; Keegan Bradley; Graham DeLaet; Tony Finau; Zach Johnson; Marc Leishman; Kyle Stanley; Kevin Streelman; Bubba Watson Approach: Keegan Bradley; Chad Campbell; Graham DeLaet; Jim Furyk; Zach Johnson; David Lingmerth; Chez Reavie; Webb Simpson; Jordan Spieth; Kyle Stanley Short: Daniel Berger; Graham DeLaet; Harris English; Brian Harman; Marc Leishman; David Lingmerth; Seung-Yul Noh; Chez Reavie; Patrick Reed; Jordan Spieth Power Ranking Wild Card Webb Simpson … TPC River Highlands is in that next tier of reliable sites for us to consider plugging him in, regardless of concerns with his putting. He opened his record with six straight paydays before sitting out the 2014 and 2015 editions. Last year’s return resulted in a T34. Of his 28 trots around the place in competition, he’s signed for only three over-par scores. Twenty-two were in the red. His scoring average is 68.11. Launched his current streak of four consecutive cuts made with a T16 at TPC Sawgrass and a solo fifth at Colonial. Draws Zach Johnson … In ZJ we trust. His numbers on approach have declined since he turned 40 years of age 16 months ago, but TPC River Highlands is still the kind of joint where he’s expected to make the cut at worst. He’s done that in nine of his 11 trips and finished sixth just two years ago, but he’s likely overpriced in DFS because of the slower rollback that usually occurs with talents of his cachet. Now, what is concerning is how he’ll be performing when he shows up at the John Deere Classic in three weeks. If that tournament was this week, he wouldn’t be an automatic in as many fantasy formats as usual in that event. Jim Furyk … If we’re having fun with the common narrative, it’s fair to wonder how he chases a low round, albeit 10-and-a-half months later. His 58 in the finale of last year’s Travelers is a PGA TOUR record, of course, but he might settle for quad-68s this week. As noted too often in this column, it’s been a tough 2017 for the Ryder Cup captain, but TPC River Highlands sets the stage for a continuation of form found at Erin Hills of all places. The stats are irrelevant. Instead, approach him as a potential complement in any format where you can surround him with reliability. Given his penchant to contend, not to mention his feel for the track, it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s in the mix. Kevin Streelman … The 2014 champ hasn’t skipped out on a trip since he was first eligible in 2008. While he’s missed the cut the last two years, he presents well on the strength of top 20s in his last two starts upon arrival. Chez Reavie … Loyal readers know that he’s been on my radar all season, even during the rough four-month patch earlier this year, so it’s rewarding (and reassuring) to see him put it all together in his last two starts. He chased a T4 in Memphis with a T16 at the U.S. Open, easily his best finish in 11 career starts in the majors. Co-leads the PGA TOUR in proximity to the hole and ranks T33 in scrambling. He’s the definition of how keeping his ball in play at TPC River Highlands yields success, so look no further in his price range in DFS. The 35-year-old is perfect in five tries here since 2009 with a pair of top 25s. David Lingmerth … When he’s going good, he’s one of my favorites. It’s just that it occurs so infrequently, but that’s the nature of the beast for the rank and file. Quite simply, gamers can’t get enough of his confidence. The 29-year-old’s best weapon is his putter. It’s the reason why he’s been simmering of late. Strolls in for his third crack at TPC River Highlands with top 25s in four of his last five starts (preceded by a T14 at the two-man event in New Orleans). Seung-Yul Noh … We still don’t know why he called it quits after one round at Colonial, but he returned at TPC Southwind and placed T37. That relieves any doubt entering his sixth appearance at TPC River Highlands where he’s never missed a cut and has averaged 68.90 with a pair of top 20s. Beau Hossler … It was just a matter of time, and sooner than later at that, before he was going to make noise again in PGA TOUR-sanctioned competition. Last week’s runner-up finish on the Web.com Tour in Wichita, Kansas, secured status on that circuit for the remainder of 2017. That opens all kinds of doors, including the competitive freedom to parlay it into something special in his first look of TPC River Highlands. Ranked fourth at the Air Capital Classic in greens in regulation and ninth in scrambling. Both are keys to success this week. Fades Russell Knox … It’s been just under 11 months since he answered the winning putt with a cap throw for the record books. Alas, my confidence was greater two weeks ago in Memphis where he settled for a T37. Yet, it’s his second-best finish in the last five months. So, let the course history buffs among your competition nibble while you look elsewhere for a bite. Daniel Summerhays … Hasn’t recovered from fading to T10 at Muirfield Village to start the month, but that’s also nothing out of the ordinary for the occasional threat. He owns the same reputation at TPC River Highlands where he debuted with a solo 74th in 2011, followed with three missed cuts, and then hung up four red numbers for a T11 last year. Kevin Na … It’s too bad that his humor on social media wasn’t more obvious before I faded him outright for the U.S. Open. When watching him hack away in the fescue, it seemed like a joke, but it would have been irresponsible not to take him seriously in the absence of an obvious cue to express otherwise. Nevertheless, he’s manufactured only one top-30 finish in seven attempts at TPC River Highlands and it’s been 10 years since that. Without a strong run of form entering the week, there’s simply no reason to force him. Ryan Palmer … Given the value of confidence off the tee at Erin Hills last week, it’s an upset that he didn’t factor. Case in point, Tommy Fleetwood finished fourth with essentially the same profile of a guy who does work tee to green. Palmer can sustain form due to the confidence borne from lacing tee ball after tee ball. We’re reminded of this as he grinds through his current trough. He also hasn’t seen TPC River Highlands since 2009 and his only cut made in three starts was way back in his rookie season of 2004. Lucas Glover … Same goes for this guy. In retrospect, his proficiency tee to green should have played at Erin Hills, but he also missed the cut. It was the latest of three substandard efforts since a T6 at THE PLAYERS. With a 1-for-4 slate at TPC River Highlands since 2012, we can leave him alone this week. Byeong Hun An … Really liked his fit at Erin Hills but he missed the cut. Now that he has to throttle back in his debut at TPC River Highlands, it’s time to abstain. Returning to Competition Padraig Harrington … As promised, he’s returning from an injury suffered when an amateur clocked him in the left elbow during a corporate outing two weeks ago. The three-time major champion required stitches. He alerted followers on Twitter on June 16 that he’s “on track to play” the Travelers. TPC River Highlands has been good to him, so there’s an element of bewaring the injured golfer in play. However, even with just one missed cut in seven appearances, gamers don’t need to roll the dice given his recent brush with bad luck. Nicholas Lindheim … Back in action after an illness knocked him out of the FedEx St. Jude Classic after an opening 76. The PGA TOUR rookie is just 7-for-14 with one top 25. He’s 175th in the FedExCup standings. Notable WDs Si Woo Kim … Proven big-stage performer placed T13 at Erin Hills. His early exit from the Travelers is his third such decision of the season (Sony, Byron Nelson) to go with five mid-tournament withdrawals. If only he could stay healthy, he just might be eclipsing the crazy numbers he put up as a rookie in 2015-16. Power Rankings Recap – U.S. Open Sleepers Recap – U.S. Open Birthdays among active golfers on the PGA TOUR June 20 … Charles Howell III (38) June 21 … Matt Kuchar (39); William McGirt (38); Russell Knox (32); Sangmoon Bae (31); Julian Etulain (29) June 22 … Dustin Johnson (33) June 23 … Roberto Castro (32) June 24 … none June 25 … John Rollins (42) June 26 … Colt Knost (32)
SAN DIEGO – As each week went by without a win Jason Day became a little more frustrated. A little madder. And a little harder to be around. He watched young guns Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth and long-time rival Dustin Johnson dominate 2017 and finally turned the annoyance of not being part of it into motivation. It was less than a year ago he was still world No. 1 before Johnson took it from him and hasn’t looked back. Meanwhile, without a win since the 2016 PLAYERS Championship, Day had free-fallen to 14th on the world stage entering the Farmers Insurance Open this week. There were extenuating circumstances – a cancer scare for his mother curtailed his regular focus and practice time – but he still expected more of himself. With every win from Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson his goal of being the best was slipping further and further away. He also dealt with a mini split from Colin Swatton – who reverted to full-time coach and moved away from caddy duties – because Day was afraid of damaging the friendship. He was snapping at everyone. But over the off-season he got things back in sync. And in his first start in 2018 he grabbed career win No. 11 with his triumph over Alex Noren in a six-hole playoff. Now his sights are firmly set on winning the FedExCup – he moved to ninth in the standings – and climbing back to world No. 1 – he is now 10th. In short – he is telling his rivals – look out. “Last year was a good kick in the butt, you know, not really being talked about — and being talked about for the wrong reasons,â€� Day said. “Last year I felt mentally stressed but also rundown, burnt out. It was hard for me to be on the golf course, but this year my whole mindset’s different. I’m very motivated to get back to the No. 1 spot and I know that the only way to get back to the No. 1 spot is win and that’s what I’ve just got to do. “I’ve said it for the longest time, I’ve always wanted to be the No. 1 player in the world. I got there for 51 weeks but I’ve always wanted to be a dominant No. 1 player in the world. “I’ve got to keep trying to build and build and build and hopefully win the FedEx Cup at the end of the year.â€� The biggest question mark on Day’s ability to make the long climb back is just that – his back. He pulled out of the pro-am with soreness this week and admitted he couldn’t bend over to hit a golf ball just a few weeks ago. He now must continue to manage it going forward, saying it takes about an hour or 90 minutes worth of work every day. “My facet joints just got a little bit larger over the years just through constant wear and tear of hitting golf balls,â€� he explained. “When they get a little bit larger, they get a little bit closer to the nerve, and when they get close to the nerve and things kind of all align, your back can go out and you can get shooting pains down both legs. Even last night to a certain degree I had pain going down my right leg. “But I know that I need to do my posture, my mobility exercises. I know that I need to go back and ice it straightaway and I need to heat it up every morning before I come. I’m constantly doing stuff trying to maintain my back.â€� Next up for Day is the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am where he intends to make further statements against his rivals. He will be joined there by the likes of defending champion Spieth, Johnson and Rory McIlroy … what a great year we have in store.
