Chase Seiffert, Michael Kim share lead at Puerto Rico Open

What do you get after the chalk at Quail Hollow and the eraser that was TPC Sawgrass? It’s a clean slate, of course. That’s precisely how Trinity Forest in Dallas debuts as host of the AT&T Byron Nelson. As for how that translates into fantasy scoring, go into the tournament with an open mind. The most curious element concerns driving accuracy. With no rough between the native buffalo grass that frames most holes, percentages for fairways hit could be insanely high. Since PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO weighs driving over other components, fantasy scoring should follow suit, at least to a degree. Thus, avoiding zeroes on the weekend will be more important than usual. Lean first on reliable choices to make the cut, and then those who might pin the needle off the tee. With zero competitive course history, fantasy front-runners should be holding their breath. PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO My roster for the AT&T Byron Nelson (in alphabetical order): Billy Horschel Beau Hossler Marc Leishman Adam Scott Jordan Spieth Jimmy Walker You’ll find my starters in Expert Picks. Others to consider for each category (in alphabetical order): Scoring: Branden Grace; Martin Laird; Keith Mitchell; Grayson Murray; Ryan Palmer Driving: Charles Howell III; Russell Knox; Martin Laird; Keith Mitchell; Ryan Palmer Approach: Russell Knox; Matt Kuchar; Martin Laird; Ryan Palmer; Scott Piercy; Johnson Wagner Short: Branden Grace; Matt Kuchar; Martin Laird; Daniel Summerhays; Johnson Wagner Power Rankings Wild Card Sergio Garcia … Well, chalk one up for the skeptics of the Nappy Factor. (Understand that it was never advertised as being foolproof.) Certainly, we can’t rule out that the experience of being a first-time father at the age of 38 with a decorated career is greater than, say, a younger up-and-comer in a similar position who is looking to establish himself (e.g. Andrew Landry). So, as the Spaniard makes just his ninth start of the season, he presents as a contrarian piece on a new course that resembles a links-style test. In other words, class is permanent, just not necessarily in the short-term. Draws Joaquin Niemann … The 19-year-old from Chile was the last cut from the Power Rankings, which says something given his nascence. We should never forget his 67-67 finish to place sixth in his play-for-pay debut at the Valero Texas Open. His DFS value will rise incrementally, so invest freely and watch what happens. Kevin Tway … He’s cashed in 13 of 19 starts this season but hasn’t connected for a top 25. That’s hard to do and the drought won’t last. He has the makeup to execute admirably in the wind – a T28 at Corales in March is a season-best-tying finish – he’s T16 on TOUR in par-5 scoring and his DFS value should be reasonable. Grayson Murray (all) Scott Piercy (all) Rory Sabbatini (DFS) Fades Hideki Matsuyama … When a talent of his ilk scuffles, the leash is long. He’s earned that benefit of the doubt. However, since returning from the injury to his wrist, a solo 19th at the Masters is his only notable result. The rub is that that’s hardly “notable” for him. Now coming off a missed cut at THE PLAYERS, just his second MC in 15 months. Brandt Snedeker … Unfortunately, he’s rapidly drifted into the bin populated only by long-term values. The positive spin is that he could be on sale for full-season salary gamers in 2018-19 because he’s fully exempt through next season, but that this narrative has emerged at all is the overlying concern. Aaron Wise … This isn’t a knock inasmuch as it’s a “let’s see that again.” His co-runner-up finish at Quail Hollow two weeks ago cemented his card for next season, but it’s his only top 10 as a rookie in 17 starts. It also was his first top 30 in eight starts. There are larger question marks on the board at Trinity Forest, including the course itself, but the 21-year-old presents as a complementary option at best and not universally by format. Harris English Bill Haas J.B. Holmes Anirban Lahiri Kevin Na Returning to Competition Steve Marino … Walked off Quail Hollow during his second round of the Wells Fargo Championship. An explanation wasn’t released. He’s 1-for-3 with a T68 at the Valero Texas Open in his return to the PGA TOUR. Still has seven starts remaining on his Major Medical Extension, but hasn’t sustained the same form with which he resumed competition on the Web.com Tour earlier this year. David Berganio, Jr. … Due to ongoing issues with his back, the 49-year-old hasn’t pegged it on the PGA TOUR since 2009, but he still has seven starts to burn via a medical extension in the reshuffle category. He’s 0-for-2 on the Web.com Tour in 2018. Arguably best known among long-time observers as the playoff victim to Phil Mickelson in the 2002 CareerBuilder Challenge. Bob Estes … Withdrew after just one round of the Wells Fargo Championship due to allergies, which is nothing new to the 52-year-old. He’s scheduled to compete in this week’s Regions Tradition on the PGA TOUR Champions. Thanks to a new provision affecting the 50-and-older crowd, he won’t be losing a start on his Major Medical Extension on the PGA TOUR even though he’d have cracked the field at the AT&T Byron Nelson on merit because the Regions Tradition is a major. So, he’ll still have three starts on the medical when he reappears on the main circuit. Notable WDs Chesson Hadley … Collected his eighth six-figure paycheck of the season with a T11 at THE PLAYERS and sits 17th in the FedExCup standings. He’s a gold mine, not to mention a terrific example of grit and self-belief. Brice Garnett … He was due for rest. His breakthrough victory at Corales yielded an exemption into THE PLAYERS, which was his fifth consecutive start. Everything henceforth is gravy for full-season investors. Congratulations. Chez Reavie … It’s been over three months now since he recorded a top 25 on his own ball, but an electric start to the season has him positioned at 23rd in FedExCup points, so he can afford to be choosy. Steve Stricker … Acknowledged on the weekend at THE PLAYERS (where he finished T23) that he’d be a last-minute decision to stick with this commitment or return to the PGA TOUR Champions for the Regions Tradition – the first of five majors on that circuit. At second in Schwab Cup earnings, you can understand his motivation, but his tug of war between tours is going to be an ongoing “nice problem to have.” Trey Mullinax … You know we’re in the heart of the season when a golfer with conditional status opts out of any tournament. That means that playing time is no longer a concern. At 71st in the FedExCup standings, regaining fully exempt status for next season isn’t, either. Whee Kim … After a strong fall to secure his job for 2018-19, he’s banked only 25 FedExCup points in his last 14 starts, making it all but impossible to endorse in any format when he does lace it up. Power Rankings Recap – THE PLAYERS Championship Power Ranking Golfer Result 1 Jason Day T5 2 Justin Thomas T11 3 Rickie Fowler MC 4 Rory McIlroy MC 5 Henrik Stenson T23 6 Zach Johnson T75/MDF 7 Patrick Reed T41 8 Webb Simpson Win 9 Justin Rose T23 10 Ian Poulter T11 11 Francesco Molinari MC 12 Dustin Johnson T17 13 Kyle Stanley MC 14 Jordan Spieth T41 15 Louis Oosthuizen MC 16 Sergio Garcia 70th 17 Chesson Hadley T11 18 Adam Hadwin T57 19 Jon Rahm T63 20 Hideki Matsuyama MC Wild Card Phil Mickelson MC Sleepers Recap – THE PLAYERS Championship Golfer Result Branden Grace T46 Russell Henley MC Chris Kirk T46 Russell Knox MC Luke List MC Grayson Murray T30 Rory Sabbatini T30 Cameron Smith MC Steve Stricker T23 Birthdays among active golfers on the PGA TOUR May 15 … none May 16 … Bo Van Pelt (43); Derek Ernst (28) May 17 … Jason Gore (44); Søren Kjeldsen (43); Hunter Mahan (36); Andrew Yun (27) May 18 … none May 19 … K.J. Choi (48) May 20 … Branden Grace (30) May 21 … Stewart Cink (45); Gary Woodland (34); John Huh (28)

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Alex Cejka birdied two of the final three holes for a 6-under 64 and a two-stroke lead in the Bridgestone Senior Players Championship.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. – Tommy Fleetwood’s wife Clare battled for a peek of her husband all day. Marc Leishman’s wife Audrey used her short stature to her advantage when politely asking to push through the ropes at Amen Corner a few times before giving up. Even Tiger Woods’ own mother – who knows every shortcut and special viewing secret at Augusta National – was unable to get more than a few glimpses of her boy. Welcome back to the Masters, Tiger. As expected, the patrons moved in a wave, engulfing the 10:42 a.m. trio of Woods, Leishman and Fleetwood at every turn. Those walking along would routinely merge into those who had chosen to stake their claim on a viewing spot ahead of time. As each grandstand was passed, the unmistakable rumble of footsteps evacuating the structures would begin. Everyone wanted to see Tiger, and plenty wanted to show their affection. At Augusta National, only players, caddies and the bare minimum television cameraman get inside the ropes. There is no special treatment. And so standing back behind crowds — 30 and 40 deep at places — were family members and friends and media. There were even a few members in Green Jackets walking a hole or two. “I don’t really expect to see any shots,â€� Clare said early in the round. “But it is a good day for a walk.â€� Fleetwood’s wife recounted how they had been talking prior to the tee times being announced and she had voiced getting Woods would be the worst-case scenario – and then sure enough the times flashed on the screen. “Worse case for me!â€� she quickly reminded her man. Fleetwood himself enjoyed the marquee group and fought hard to a nice even-par round. Leishman immediately decided to treat the scenario as a positive. “If I can’t handle it now, I mean I never will,â€� Leishman said of the masses. “But the way I looked at it, if you’re going to win here, you got to play in front of crowds like that, with energy like that. “So I looked at it as a positive and preparation for later in the week.â€� The admiration started early for Woods, who claimed “the nerves really were just normal. I wasn’t flying high. I wasn’t jittery, I wasn’t any of that stuff.â€� They stood and cheered for him at the range when he arrived just under an hour before his tee time. When he signed a glove for a man in the disabled viewing section he got his first raucous cheer. The seas parted from the clubhouse door to the practice putting green and the crowd encouraged voraciously as his tee time neared. They stood and hollered a little more as he was introduced on the first tee for the first time since 2015. And it continued as he marched down the opening fairway in a seemingly endless chorus until one clever patron broke up the Woods love-fest with a very audible “Marc you’re the man!â€� — making all three break into a giggle. Woods returned the love by hitting his opening shot – and a few others – outside the ropes. It meant he would ply his trade right amongst a select few lucky patrons. At one stage, they were a little too eager. With Woods looking to punch a shot from well right of the 11th fairway he moved everyone well back. But once he made contact with the ball they surged forward and into the path of the shot, stopping it from chasing toward the putting surface. “It was a great shot there. Unfortunately people ran out and it clipped them. Otherwise it’s just short right of the green, an easy up-and-down from there, where I was trying to leave it,â€� Woods said after the round. On the course, Woods was a little more animated and agitated but otherwise he was certainly loving being back in major championship golf. In the end, Woods’ 1-over 73 wasn’t overly special, but it was better than it could have been as he fought back hard from some mistakes. It was no secret everyone out there wanted a charge. They wanted a low number. You could feel the collective will of the crowd trying to push short putts forward or errant shots back on line. They wanted to roar. There was an early one thanks to a birdie putt on the third hole, but back-to-back bogeys sucked the life back out of the throng. They lifted again at the par-3 sixth hole when Woods hit it tight off the tee. But he failed to convert, and the sighs reverberated around the pines. A run of pars came before the hordes of people were bummed with a bogey on 11 and a water ball into Rae’s Creek on 12. Failure to birdie the par-5 13th also hurt. But those who stuck around were rewarded on the 14th hole when Woods made his second birdie of the round. They let him know even if it was more a roar of relief. A more pronounced reverberation came on the par-3 16th – the sight of his infamous chip-in in 2005 – when he coaxed in another birdie. And while a red number start didn’t materialize – they still stood on the 18th green and warmly welcomed the four-time champion back. “The crowds have been incredible. It’s been awesome this entire comeback,â€� Woods admitted after finishing the day in a tie for 29th. “I could have easily let it slip away. And I fought hard to get it back in there, and I’m back in this championship. There’s a lot of holes to be played.â€� You can bet those with weekend tickets certainly hope he is right.  

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