DraftKings preview: Hero World Challenge

‘Heartbreaking' is the word that best describes what happened on the 72nd hole of the 2006 U.S. Open. Phil Mickelson, who was chasing his first U.S. Open and fourth major title, experienced a nightmare finish at Winged Foot. "I still am in shock that I did that, I just can't believe I did that. I am such an idiot," he famously said afterward. Mickelson stepped to the 450-yard par-4 18th needing a par to win and a bogey to tie. And, as we all now know, the unmentionable happened. RELATED: Tee times for Rds. 1 & 2 | Nine things to know about Winged Foot | Looking back at wild finish in 2006 The details of that final hole are well told. We saw a fan favorite carrying the weight of himself, his expectations, and the golf fans across the world. Every demon came out in the span of about 20 minutes. The risks never turned into rewards, aggressiveness never favored him, and desperation set in at the worst possible time. The U.S. Open is still the one major that stands between him and the career Grand Slam after a record six runners-up in his national championship. Mickelson is the epitome of constant evolution, a notorious searcher for what’s next. His equipment has evolved in parallel with his game and body over the years. As you can see below, the bag has changed quite a bit in 15 years. The more-traditional set up of 2006 has been replaced by a bag that’s designed for gapping, optimal launch conditions and plenty of options in the area where he might be the best ever: wedges. Since 2006, Mickelson has incorporated a higher-lofted wood in his arsenal, the now-famous 64-degree wedge, and combo iron sets. That's in stark contrast to his lifelong competitor, Tiger Woods, who is a staunch traditionalist and has only added a 5-wood to his bag over the years. Here is Phil Mickelson's WITB from the 2006 U.S. Open and what he's playing for the 2020 edition. 2006 U.S. Open Driver: Callaway FT-3 Tour (8.5 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana Blue Board 73X 3-wood: Callaway X (15 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana Blue Board 73X Irons: Callaway X Tour (2-PW) Shafts: Project X Rifle (Satin) 7.0 Wedges: Callaway X Forged (54, 60) Shafts: Project X Rifle (Satin) 7.0 Putter: Odyssey PM Proto Mallet Blade #9 Grips: Royal Grip Sand Wrap Ball: Callaway HX Tour 2020 U.S. Open Driver: Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero (9 degrees) Shaft: KBS TD 70 C5 TX 3-wood: Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero 3+ (13.5 degrees) Shaft: KBS TD 80 C5 TX 5-wood: Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero (18 degrees) Shaft: KBS TD 80 C5 TX Irons: Callaway Epic Forged (4-7), Callaway Apex MB (8-PW) Shafts: KBS Tour V 125 S+ (4-PW) Wedges: Callaway MD3 (56 degrees bent to 53.5), Callaway PM Grind '19 "Raw" (60-12, 64-10) Shafts: KBS Tour-V 125 S+ Putter: Odyssey WHXG Blade "Phil Mickelson" Grip: SuperStroke Pistol GT Tour Ball: Callaway Chrome Soft X (with Triple Track) Grips: Golf Pride MCC (White/Black)

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LOS ANGELES - Sam Burns put on a show worthy of Hollywood, but reigning FedExCup champion Dustin Johnson sits poised in a log jam for second place heading to what promises to be a hard and fast weekend at The Genesis Invitational. Burns backed up his opening 64 with a 5-under 66 to set a tournament record 36-hole mark of 12 under at Riviera Country Club. It gave the 24-year-old former college standout a five-shot cushion over his four nearest competitors. Burns is rightfully confident his game can match it with anyone but if there is a player to fear at Riviera world No. 1 Johnson is likely the man. DJ is coming off a European Tour win a few weeks ago, but perhaps more threateningly has an incredible record at Riviera. Johnson won the tournament in 2017 and has nine top-10 finishes from his 13 appearances. And he has proven he can go low at the iconic course which stands to get tougher over the final two rounds. Johnson has more rounds of 66 or better than any player at this event over the last 14 years with 12 - a whopping seven more than the nearest competitors. He now has 211 birdies since 2008 at Riviera and is cumulatively 90-under. It's why DraftKings has Johnson at +250 to win the tournament, only slightly behind Burns at +225, despite the five-shot buffer. "I like my position. I’m five back, but on this golf course there’s only one guy in front of me," Johnson said. "I like where I’m at and I do like this golf course, and hopefully I can drive it a little bit better on the weekend and give myself a few more chances." Johnson leads the field in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green (+7.267) despite being somewhat uncharacteristically wayward off the tee. He has hit just 10 of 28 fairways to rank 102nd in a 120-man field in driving accuracy. But a text from his coach Claude Harmon pointing out a slight adjustment needed on his takeaway has Johnson even more confident he can surge ahead on moving day. Johnson's biggest bugbear came in the form of par-5 scoring. He has made just one birdie on the three par 5s over the opening two rounds despite the three holes playing as the easiest on the property. It leaves him ranked T94 on those holes. Burns is 5-under on the same holes. "One under is not going to get the job done over the weekend (on those holes). Definitely need to take advantage of the par 5s the next couple days," Johnson said. "But other than that I feel like I’m swinging my irons really well, I’m rolling the putter nicely, so looking forward to the weekend." While Johnson will fight it out for the title, fellow big hitters Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas won't be around for the weekend after a tournament to forget. DeChambeau rebounded from his opening 75 with a 2-under 69 but was still two shots shy of further play while McIlroy (73-76) and Thomas (77-73) were well off the pace.

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As crowds admire the beauty and glory of Pebble Beach Golf Links this week during the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, life and reality are a little different 20 miles down the road in Salinas, California. While the two areas are a short drive apart, they might as well be a world away. In Salinas, crime rates are high, gang violence common, and the city holds the highest homicide rate in the state of California. In the midst of the crime and violence there is a safe haven for youth. The First Tee of Monterey County, which is located in the most distressed neighborhood of East Salinas, keeps a high percentage of the city’s vulnerable youth safe by providing supervised, healthy activities that help strengthen their resilience to the gang influence and violence. And youth like 17-year-old Robert Aguayo are finding success in school and at home, and learning golf along the way. “The community I live in is plagued with gang violence,� said Robert, a participant with The First Tee of Monterey County. “I am thankful I have had The First Tee of Monterey County as a safe haven. I have had many friends give in to temptation of the streets, but with the guidance of my family, The First Tee staff, my mentors and following the Core Values, I am on the right path to having a successful future.� Robert first started visiting The First Tee of Monterey County during school with his first grade class. Through a partnership with the Alisal Union School District, The First Tee of Monterey County buses more than 9,000 students to their campus every three weeks to learn golf and The First Tee’s Nine Core Values. Kids like Robert can then take the experience to the next level. Robert quickly became involved with The First Tee’s after school program, and that’s when the doors started opening. Robert began excelling in his golf game, earning him opportunities like playing on his high school’s varsity golf team and being selected for the prestigious Sankaty Head Caddie Camp in Nantucket, Mass. This last September, he was one of 81 juniors from across the country selected for the 2018 PURE Insurance Championship impacting The First Tee, where he played Pebble Beach Golf Links with PGA TOUR Champions player Scott McCarron. “It has been kind of like the domino effect,� said Marilu Aguayo, Robert’s mom. “One opportunity led to another, and so on.� The impact has also extended beyond the golf course. Robert is part of the chapter’s Pay it Forward Scholarship & Mentoring Program. Through the program, Robert meets with his mentor, a local university student, five hours every month to help with academics – an area in which he has struggled, but is improving thanks to the program. This spring, Robert will be eligible to earn a $20,000 four-year scholarship to California State University, Monterey Bay through the program. If Robert is selected, he will then become a mentor to a young participant at The First Tee, starting the cycle over again. “The First Tee has changed my life in many ways,� Robert said. “The First Tee has kept me on the right path that will lead me to success. I have had the opportunity to visit one of the most amazing golf courses, Pebble Beach, and have been able to participate as a standard bearer there at many events over the years. I owe a lot to The First Tee and hope to someday be able to give back in appreciation of all they have done for me.� To learn more about The First Tee and its programs offered across the country and select international locations, visit www.thefirsttee.org.

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