Emergency 9: RBC Heritage, Round 3

Patrick Reed opens the FedExCup Playoffs with his second victory at THE NORTHERN TRUST. Here’s a look at Reed’s equipment: Driver: Ping G400 (9 degrees) Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 70TX Fairway Wood: TaylorMade M6 Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 80TX Driving Iron: Titleist U-500 (3 iron) Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 AMT  Irons: Callaway X Forged 2013 (4 iron), Callaway Razr MB (5-PW) Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 Tour Issue Wedges: Artisan Golf (51 degrees), Titleist Vokey SM7 (56 and 60 degrees) Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S400 Tour Issue Putter: Odyssey White Hot Pro 3 Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1 Grips: Golf Pride MCC

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In this digital day and age, it’s often argued that the most effective way to get people connecting with one another is, simply, to disconnect. For too many in Detroit, though, that has never been a problem. And, that is precisely the problem. Hard to imagine, perhaps, but more than 250,000 of Detroit’s most financially-strapped residents continue to live without basic internet service and/or the technology to even make connectivity a possibility. With most every action, education and piece of information reliant in some way on the internet these days, that’s a commodity virtually impossible to effectively live without. Ranked as the least-connected major city in the United States, nearly 40 percent of all Detroit households struggle with little-to-no web options. Additional statistics paint an even more disturbing picture. Currently, 40 percent of Detroit families have no cellular data plan, 30 percent have no access to the internet at home, and the only way 22 percent of Detroit families can get internet access is through a cell phone. In an effort to help eliminate Detroit’s digital divide, the Rocket Mortgage Classic continues its multi-year commitment to its Changing the Course initiative. To help bring it to fruition, the City of Detroit, along with private and non-profit organizations, established the initiative’s main funding mechanism, the Connect 313 Fund. In 2020, the Rocket Mortgage Classic raised $2.4 million for Changing the Course, the bulk of which went directly to the Connect 313 Fund. The Connect 313 Fund’s four-part strategy begins with collecting neighborhood-level data on technology and internet access. In other words, it’s to understand the size and scope of what’s at stake. From there, they coordinate fundraising and advocacy for systemic change with regard to digital inclusion, support neighborhood technology hubs to grow tech resources and empower residents to become digital literacy ambassadors. The Connect 313 Fund was developed in advance of last year’s tournament by the Rocket Mortgage Classic in partnership with the City of Detroit and the United Way for Southeastern Michigan – with additional engagement from community, philanthropic and business stakeholders. “I am encouraged that proceeds from the Rocket Mortgage Classic will help create connectivity hubs across the city of Detroit,” said Dr. Darienne Hudson, president and CEO of the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “The ‘Connect 313 Fund’ is a collaborative effort that is vitally important for every family, business and organization – making technology more accessible to children, families and communities. This has the potential to serve as a role model for what can be done by public/private partnerships in other areas where technology access gaps exist.” “The Connect 313 Fund will allow us to realize the dream – laid out by our ‘Connect 313’ program – of making Detroit a national model for digital inclusion,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “By striving to provide all Detroiters with access to the digital world, technology and digital literacy, we can ensure they will also have access to the opportunity it brings.” In addition to coordinating a city-wide, data-driven digital inclusion strategy, the Connect 313 Fund will make investments into Detroit-based non-profit partners to increase access to technology, internet and related resources. Proceeds from the 2021 Rocket Mortgage Classic will be used to financially support the Connect 313 Fund, in support of the tournament’s Changing the Course initiative. “While the COVID-19 pandemic certainly magnified the digital divide, the reality is that one in nearly three Detroit families have lacked access to internet and digital resources for decades. It’s important to our entire organization, and our founder and chairman Dan Gilbert, that the Rocket Mortgage Classic serves as a driver of lasting change,” said Jay Farner, CEO of Rocket Mortgage. “The Connect 313 Fund, alongside other primary beneficiaries, will allow us to address long-lasting gaps in access to healthcare, education and employment, which are a consequence of the underlying lack of digital connectivity.” In addition, Emergency Broadband Benefit 313 (EBB 313), which grew out of the Connect 313 Fund, is a federal program designed to assist with the cost of internet and technological devices for eligible households. What that translates to is a monthly $50 discount for internet access and a one-time $100 subsidy toward a desktop, laptop or tablet for eligible residents. As somewhat of a case-in-point, the application process requires internet access. That stymies many of those most in need of these services. Rather than miss out on the opportunity, though, residents can visit a non-profit partner for application help on the federal EBB portal and even selecting an internet service provider. Current providing partners include AT&T, Comcast, T-Mobile, Verizon, human-I-T and the Detroit Community Technology Project. “When I’m talking to residents, I hear both concerns and appreciative remarks for the work done thus far,” said Joshua D. Edmonds, Director of Digital Inclusion, City of Detroit, Department of Innovation and Technology. “Historically, we as a nation, have left our communities to fend for themselves when it comes to consumer technology. How internet providers have treated and continue to treat our most vulnerable residents is shameful. “My role illuminates the desire to course-correct that narrative by prioritizing connecting residents to technology (internet, computers, technical support) that works best for them. Through our larger collaborative effort within the Connect 313 Fund, we have a growing list of a few hundred organizations and residents all making the pledge to bridge Detroit’s digital divide. This impact is leading to the cultivation of one of the most important ingredients for this work — trust. If we can continue to cultivate, maintain and bolster trust from the broader community, the digital divide becomes beatable.” One of the most fun and effective ways the Rocket Mortgage Classic raises money for the Connect 313 Fund is via the AREA 313 Challenge on holes 14-16 (pars 5, 3 and 4, respectively). If a player can post a 3-1-3 cumulatively over the course of the four competitive rounds, the Rocket Mortgage Classic will donate $313,000 in that player’s name to Changing the Course. That trifecta isn’t the only way funds are raised through the AREA 313 Challenge. Eagles and birdies at Nos. 14 and 16, respectively, net $5,000, while aces at the par-3 15th are good for $25,000 donations. Last year, thanks to 15 eagles made on the 14th hole and 63 birdies made on No. 16, Rocket Mortgage’s donation in support of Changing the Course totaled $385,000. The digital divides in places like Detroit are, sadly, not uncommon. A lack of means to afford basic tech resources continues to impact a large representation of the U.S. population. Kids fall behind in school, parents cannot seek employment or even get information and access to medicine. Thanks to the support of the Rocket Mortgage Classic each year, that divide in Detroit is growing smaller every day, one connected line at a time. “Our overriding mission has been, and always will be, to use this event as a way to affect positive change in the city of Detroit,” said Jason Langwell, the Rocket Mortgage Classic’s Executive Director. “We’re confident that we will be able to do that for several years to come, thanks to some creative new activations we developed to support the cause. We are looking forward to a terrific tournament week and an impactful one, as well.”

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Since you’re reading this, it’s assumed that you’re registered and ready to give the $1-million prize in the Perfect Lineup Challenge a try. Just remember that it’s a stand-alone game and not affiliated with the Roster game in PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO. Even if you want identical lineups, you need to make your selections in both games. Now that the FedExCup Playoffs are here, you can abandon the strategy not to chase bonus points in the Roster game. ShotLink will be measuring every stroke as usual, but because FedExCup points are quadrupled in the each of the last four events, bonus points are as well. This means that winner will yield 200 bonus points. When you figure that an average day of fantasy scoring distributes 85 points per golfer and a good day can mean as many as 115 or so, the bonuses in the Playoffs should be renamed motivational points. This simplifies the decision-making process. With no cuts in the last two events and with fields whittling down to 30 for the TOUR Championship, ration properly. PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO My roster for THE NORTHERN TRUST (in alphabetical order): Patrick Cantlay Dustin Johnson Francesco Molinari Jon Rahm Justin Rose Jordan Spieth You’ll find my starters in Expert Picks. Others to consider for each category (in alphabetical order): Scoring: Jason Day; Tony Finau; Tommy Fleetwood; Brian Gay; Brooks Koepka; Hideki Matsuyama; Justin Thomas; Tiger Woods Driving: Rafa Cabrera Bello; Paul Casey; Jason Day; Tommy Fleetwood; Sam Ryder; Adam Scott; Kyle Stanley; Gary Woodland Approach: Rafa Cabrera Bello; Brian Gay; Zach Johnson; Matt Kuchar; Kevin Na; Ian Poulter; Sam Ryder; Tiger Woods Short: Jason Day; Brian Gay; Matt Kuchar; Alex Noren; Webb Simpson; Brandt Snedeker; Tiger Woods Power Rankings Wild Card Gary Woodland … The latest evidence on the fluidity of this badge. Last week, it was a scuffling Jason Dufner who occupied this space, almost as punishment. Sure enough, after a relatively strong pre-cut effort, he shot 2-over on the weekend to finish T66. Flip the coin over to find Woodland who should be consumed as an extension of the Power Rankings at Ridgewood. He placed T13 here in 2014, which doesn’t hurt, but he’s back on the rise since a T22 at the RBC Canadian Open with a T17 at Firestone and a T6 at Bellerive. Doesn’t mind throttling back when necessary as he’s more brains than brawn. Currently fifth on TOUR in greens hit. Draws Ian Poulter … It’s special to witness how he’s tackled distractions outside the ropes through simplification while improving his play, and at 42 years of age to boot. Opens 34th in points thanks to terrific form over the last five months. Just 1-for-3 at Ridgewood with a T15 in 2010, but let that bother only your opposition. Lest we overlook that he’s also hot on the heels of a return to the Ryder Cup. Matt Kuchar … In full disclosure, I may be giving my man-crush more benefit of the doubt than the rest of the world, but he did win at Ridgewood in 2010 and placed T5 in his return trip in 2014. It’s a classic track that caters to his strong tee-to-green game, so you can understand the success. However, it’s due to that success that he’s poised to be over-owned in DFS specifically. I’ll grant that his current form – four missed cuts in his last six starts of which one didn’t include a cut (WGC-Bridgestone) – you can afford not to play defense in this deep field. Kevin Na … Steady as he goes. While he’s let off the gas a touch since winning at Greenbrier, there’s enough fuel in the tank to suggest that he’ll be able to get to East Lake. Opens as the 19-seed and finished T9 at Ridgewood in 2014. Alex Noren … Gotta give him one more opportunity to dispute a negative trend even as he debuts in the Playoffs. The 39-seed ranks T12 in par-5 scoring and fifth in strokes gained: putting. Both stack up as critical components to tame Ridgewood. Branden Grace … He’s 82nd in the FedExCup standings, so you might as well burn him while you can. Ridgewood is a par 71, which defies the tilt to use him only on par 70s, but overall consistency mitigates general concern. Brian Gay (all) Tyrrell Hatton (DFS) Billy Horschel (DFS) Russell Knox (DFS) Marc Leishman (DFS) Xander Schauffele (all) Charl Schwartzel (SERVPRO) Kyle Stanley (all) Fades Ryan Moore … Coming off a predictable T6 at Sedgefield, which is an extension of a solid season, but he’s 0-for-3 at Ridgewood. For a guy best known as a horse for courses, that doesn’t project well this week. Phil Mickelson … Statistically strong as usual and you know he’ll be adored by the locals, but he’s yet to climb out from a relative slump since the U.S. Open that’s included multiple distractions both inside and outside the ropes. So goes Lefty, but we play a results-based game. He’s also gone five consecutive rounds at Ridgewood without a red number. Bryson DeChambeau … Ninth in points on the back of a wild season but enters with some worry over his right shoulder. The results have been uninspiring since he withdrew during his title defense at the John Deere Classic with the discomfort. The positive spin is that you can save a start or two because he’s tracking for a trip to East Lake. Bubba Watson … Inconsistency has killed our curiosity for this cat. He had been trending predictably on tracks where he’s performed well in the past, but he detached from that angle as well. For the record, he’s finished a respective T12, T31 and T30 at Ridgewood. Best only as a contrarian investment in PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO. Kevin Kisner … While impressive on their own, a T2 at Carnoustie and T12 at Bellerive are the only shiny objects in the rear-view mirror since May. He’s 40th in points and missed the cut at Ridgewood in 2014, so consider slow-playing him. Daniel Berger Pat Perez Brendan Steele Jimmy Walker Aaron Wise Returning to Competition Louis Oosthuizen … Couldn’t play the PGA Championship due to a sore back. Of course, his litany of maladies over the years prompts enough concern to look elsewhere, but he could still grant two starts in the Playoffs. At 74th in points, he’s assured of the opportunity, but his health may force otherwise. Lucas Glover … Didn’t compete after missing the cut at the U.S. Open and fell from 107th to 135th in the FedExCup standings. He’s committed to the opener of the Web.com Tour Finals, but it remains to be seen if he’ll qualify for a Non-exempt Medical Extension to begin 2018-19. Chad Collins … After reclaiming his card at the 2017 Web.com Tour Finals, he didn’t make one start on the PGA TOUR this season. No news has emerged to explain why, but he’s back in the Finals on a medical dispensation. Attempted a comeback at the Chitimacha Louisiana Open in March and placed T36, but that was his only rehab start of 2018. Notable WDs Rickie Fowler … Any injury is bad news for any professional athlete, but the timing of the partial tear in his right oblique couldn’t be worse what with the Playoffs upon us and the Ryder Cup at the end of September. We can’t assume the severity of the injury, but in a vacuum, it’s worthy of significant concern. He’s 17th in points, so we’ll see what he says in advance of next week’s Dell Technologies Championship. Rory McIlroy … Befuddled with his game, he’s sitting out the first event as a mental break. He didn’t play in the 2015 edition of THE NORTHERN TRUST, either, so this isn’t unprecedented. His best FedExCup finishes have occurred in Ryder Cup years, but this one isn’t following a similar trajectory. Opening 21st in points, he’ll get at least two starts. Two-time winner at TPC Boston. Henrik Stenson … The 50-seed is resting his left elbow. As I stated in multiple platforms last week, credit him for giving it a go to defend his title at the Wyndham Championship when he wasn’t 100 percent. Sure, he’s after a Ryder Cup berth and he finished T20 at Sedgefield, but it would have been understandable if he elected not to compete just as Si Woo Kim took a pass on his title defense at last year’s Wyndham (due to a sore back). Patrick Rodgers … Getting married in Europe. Opening 93rd in points, he’s unlikely to survive, but it depends on how the guys ranked worse fare. Last year, Michael Kim opened as the 95-seed, missed the cut at THE NORTHERN TRUST and fell to only 100th but that’s because 16 guys ranked lower missed the cut and one didn’t compete. Bud Cauley … It was curious that he committed in the first place given his recent return to hitting balls after suffering multiple serious injuries in the automobile crash in Ohio on June 1. At 122nd in points, he won’t advance in the Playoffs. Power Rankings Recap – Wyndham Championship Power Ranking  Golfer  Result 1  Webb Simpson  T2 2  Rafa Cabrera Bello  T11 3  Shane Lowry  MC 4  Ryan Moore  T6 5  Brandt Snedeker  Win 6  Joaquin Niemann  T33 7  Billy Horschel  T11 8  Kevin Tway  T11 9  Julian Suri  T41 10  Chris Kirk  T11 11  Brian Gay  T6 12  Hideki Matsuyama  T11 13  Jason Kokrak  T57 14  Ollie Schniederjans  T57 15  Henrik Stenson  T20 Wild Card  Jason Dufner  T66 Sleepers Recap – Wyndham Championship Golfer  Result Abraham Ancer  T24 Ricky Barnes  T70 Danny Lee  T24 John Oda  T11 Johnson Wagner  T33 Birthdays among active golfers on the PGA TOUR August 21 … J.J. Spaun (28) August 22 … none August 23 … none August 24 … Rich Beem (48); Cameron Tringale (31) August 25 … none August 26 … Ben Martin (31) August 27 … none

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