FedExCup update: Rose heads into final round as projected No. 1

If you play PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO, only the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open will utilize ShotLink between now and the holiday break that doubles as the endpoint of Segment 1. Furthermore, since all three of the TOUR stops in Asia this month guarantee four rounds for everyone who commits, our objective is as simple as it gets all season: Go all-in on golfers you think will finish highest on the final leaderboard. If you’re new to the format, in tournaments that do not use ShotLink, bonus points awarded are equal to one-half FedExCup points earned by your starters in the final round. The winner of this week’s CIMB Classic will yielded 250 bonus points. Meanwhile, he may total as many as 100 fantasy points, give or take, for actual scoring in all four rounds. So, if you’re keen to review my “others to consider” in the Scoring category below, consume them with a grain of salt as those are specific to actual scoring and not leaderboard finish like the Power Rankings. One other reminder about the CIMB, because it’s contested in Malaysia, it’s scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday. That’s 5:00 p.m. on the West Coast and 2:00 p.m. in Hawaii. Set an alert and thank me later. The first season of PGA TOUR Champions One & Done concludes with this week’s SAS Championship. I’ve had a blast competing with the other experts in that stand-alone game and I’m already gearing up for a renewal in 2018. As always, I’ll include notes on several notables in Wednesday’s One & Done column. PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO My roster for the CIMB Classic (in alphabetical order): Rafa Cabrera Bello Paul Casey Hideki Matsuyama Kevin Na Brendan Steele Justin Thomas You’ll find my starters in Expert Picks. Others to consider for each category (in alphabetical order): Scoring: Anirban Lahiri; Scott Piercy; Xander Schauffele; Charl Schwartzel; Cameron Smith Driving: n/a Approach: n/a Short: n/a Power Rankings Wild Card Bud Cauley … Silverado catered to his tee-to-green strength and he capitalized with a T7, but it was expected. This week’s angle could expose his weakness on the greens and in his debut in the CIMB Classic. He’s a streaky putter at best. With no cut and a plethora of alternatives on the board, consider taking a pass on the 27-year-old. Draws Graham DeLaet … This is a checkpoint to determine where he is long range. Still a non-winner and not getting younger at age 35, he’s nonetheless springing off his best season with a putter. In fact, because he put it all together in 2016-17, newer fans of the sport wouldn’t associate his reputation as a surgeon tee to green. However, if he wasn’t coming off a T5 at Silverado where you’d expect him to shine, he wouldn’t have received this endorsement. A T7 in his debut at TPC Kuala Lumpur in 2013 proved that he’s comfortable on the putting surfaces, but it’s his body of work recently that deserves our confidence. Adam Hadwin … A limited-field, no-cut event on a course that rewards putting? Heck, yeah! Ignore his sputtering form and invest in what you know. The bonus is that he’s already familiar with TPC Kuala Lumpur after placing T21 last year. Emiliano Grillo (all) Scott Hend (DFS) Anirban Lahiri (DFS) Fades Jason Dufner … Given he’s survived eight consecutive cuts, the last two guarantees for advancing to the TOUR Championship, he doesn’t need a tune-up. Yet, that’s what this week presents the 40-year-old. He’ll break his goose egg in FedExCup points, but gamers’ expectations should be tempered since he’s not a short-lister in putting contests (even though he prevailed at the 2016 CareerBuilder Challenge). Also still chasing his first top 25 in what is now his third appearance at TPC Kuala Lumpur. Branden Grace … From the Presidents Cup to the Dunhill Links and now to the CIMB Classic, his stamina will be tested. As we know, touring professionals from South Africa endure the worst of the travel challenges, and there are examples to prove that we shouldn’t be concerned, but the 29-year-old is best reserved for limited-use contrarian plays in DFS. Kyle Stanley … TPC Kuala Lumpur sets up like a photo negative to Silverado where his ball-striking would have mattered more. (He didn’t play, though.) Instead, his skill set is neutralized in Malaysia by the premium to putt the lights out. Not surprisingly, even before he reconnected with his career arc in 2016-17, he performed inconsistently here with three rounds of 73 or worse sprinkled amid five red numbers. Wesley Bryan Russell Knox Jamie Lovemark Pat Perez Jhonattan Vegas Returning to Competition Danny Lee … When he walked off Conway Farms during his opening round of the BMW Championship with discomfort in his lower back, it effectively ended his Playoffs, but it also extended his drought to 0-for-5 since the PGA Championship. Andrew Johnston … Just some housekeeping here because he’s no longer a PGA TOUR member after finishing 189th in the FedExCup standings. He’s scheduled to compete in the Italian Open. It’s his first commitment since withdrawing during the PGA Championship two months ago with a sore shoulder. Power Rankings Recap – Safeway Open Power Ranking, Golfer, Result 1 Tony Finau 2nd 2 Brendan Steele Win 3 Kevin Na T37 4 Sam Saunders MC 5 Phil Mickelson T3 6 Jamie Lovemark T43 7 Chez Reavie T13 8 Bill Haas T17 9 Ryan Moore T17 10 Zach Johnson T13 11 Martin Laird T17 12 Webb Simpson T17 13 Bud Cauley T7 14 Mackenzie Hughes MC 15 Ollie Schniederjans T17 Wild Card Peter Uihlein MC Sleepers Recap – Safeway Open Golfer, Result Bronson Burgoon T17 Chesson Hadley T3 Denny McCarthy MC Keith Mitchell MC Rob Oppenheim MC Birthdays among active golfers on the PGA TOUR October 10 … Charlie Beljan (33) October 11 … Greg Chalmers (44) October 12 … none October 13 … none October 14 … Tyrrell Hatton (26) October 15 … Len Mattiace (50); Richard S. Johnson (41) October 16 … Ryan Blaum (34)

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NAPA, Calif. - Officials from the PGA TOUR and Safeway Open will continue to monitor air quality after smoke and ash from nearby wildfires descended on the Silverado Resort ahead of the 2020-21 season opener. Several wildfires are burning across the state of California and while the immediate area around Napa is currently not in danger the course was blanketed in an eerie darkness and thick smoke during Wednesday practice. Visibility may yet affect the tournament as players were left to practice under lights on the putting greens and the range in the middle of the day. Safety of all concerned is the top priority. "Our thoughts are with those impacted by the ongoing wildfires in California. As we do every week, the PGA TOUR is in constant communication with local authorities to monitor current health and safety conditions," the PGA TOUR said via statement. "This week in Napa, we are also consulting with the Air Quality Management District, and at this time, there are no restrictions on outdoor activities for the area immediately surrounding the Safeway Open. The Air Quality Index is currently in the moderate range; visibility, however, may become an issue that impacts or temporarily disrupts the event. We will continue to monitor and coordinate with local officials, keeping the well-being of our players and constituents as a top priority." TOUR meteorologist Joe Halvorson said possible wind changes might help clear the smoke haze. "There may be some improvement in the visibility and air quality later this afternoon behind south-southwesterly winds, but additional fires in Monterey County will allow for additional smoke/haze to filter northward into the Bay Area," Halvorson's daily forecast said. The resort is no stranger to wildfires. Significant sections of the course, including grandstands, were destroyed just hours after the 2017 tournament. Brendan Steele won that year but was awaiting a flight for his next tournament when the fires ripped through. On Wednesday, he said things were very strange indeed and in fact he had slept in longer than expected because the darkness tricked his mind into thinking it was earlier than was actually the case. "I haven’t seen anything like this from a golf standpoint," Steele said. "Unfortunately, growing up in California I’ve been around a lot of fires. My parents have been evacuated a number of times from their house up in the mountains above Palm Springs, so we’ve had to deal with it quite a bit. It’s very scary, it’s always very uncomfortable how quickly it moves and not knowing where it is and what’s going on. My thoughts are with those in a similar situation right now. "As far as us here, if it stays like this, we might have a hard time playing at 7 o'clock in the morning. It’s just very eerie... and it’s amazing how the fire creates its own climate conditions. It looks very strange and somewhat apocalyptic." Australian Cameron Davis tried playing early Wednesday. He is scheduled for a 7 a.m. start on Thursday and has experience in the conditions having played the Australian Open last December in thick haze caused by bushfires near Sydney. He said the conditions had not reached that level of concern, which at the time saw tournament officials increase medical personnel onsite for spectators and all involved. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, spectators are currently not permitted on site for the Safeway Open. "I have grown up with fires being a sad reality of summers and my thoughts are with all affected," Davis said. "Last year's Aussie Open was probably worse than this. I am basing how bad it is on how much my eyes are stinging. It's amazing how dark it is though. We couldn't see the ball for the first six holes this morning and I started my round later than my scheduled Thursday tee time." Davis wore a mask while practicing Wednesday, something he wishes he had done in Australia. He may yet wear it in competition, or source a neck gaiter or buff to add to his outfit. "It's just one more thing you can do to help yourself," Davis said. "It will be interesting to see if it continues and if we need to allow for the conditions. Do you allow a bit for the ash on the green to slow the ball down for example? At the end of the day, the most important thing is the safety of those involved directly. I hope all fires can be under control soon."

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The PGA Championship heads to Kiawah Island for a second time, with Collin Morikawa looking to defend his first major and Rory McIlroy seeking to recapture the magic that led to an eight-shot win here in 2012. Storylines abound, as Jordan Spieth will be attempting to complete the career Grand Slam and Bryson DeChambeau will bring his big drives to the longest venue in major championship history. FIELD NOTES: Two-time FedExCup champion Rory McIlroy arrives on a winning note, claiming the Wells Fargo Championship in his last start. McIlroy’s eight-shot win here in 2012 is the largest winning margin in PGA Championship history and came a year after he won the U.S. Open by the same margin… The reigning FedExCup champion Dustin Johnson along with current FedExCup leader, Bryson DeChambeau, lead one of the strongest fields in golf teeing it up at the second major of the year. Johnson had to WD from the event preceding the PGA, the AT&T Byron Nelson, beause of knee pain… After returning home to a hero’s welcome after his Masters win, Hideki Matsuyama returned to the TOUR at the AT&T Byron Nelson, where he made the cut… There will be 20 PGA of America club pros in the event, who all qualified in various ways… Brooks Koepka missed the cut in Texas at his first start since the Masters after returning from injury, however, Koepka – a two-time PGA winner – has never missed the cut in eight attempts at the PGA… Collin Morikawa already beat a world-class field once this year, having won the WGC-Workday Championship in February, and now he’s looking to do it again as he defends his title from 2020. He and Tiger Woods are the only players to win a major and World Golf Championship before turning 25… Justin Thomas is hoping to add to his major championship trophy case with another Wanamaker, after winning the PGA in 2017. Thomas, who won THE PLAYERS earlier this year – his 14th TOUR title – has never missed the cut at the PGA. FEDEXCUP: Winner receives 600 FedExCup points. COURSE: The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, par 72, 7,876 yards. The Pete and Alice Dye design has been stretched to more than 7,800 yards, making it the longest major championship venue in history (the previous mark was Erin Hills which, for the 2017 U.S. Open measured 7,741 yards). It’s also 200 more yards than when Kiawah hosted the PGA in 2012. Six holes will play over 500 yards. The course, which also hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup, is set alongside the Atlantic Ocean (it boasts the “most seaside holes in the Northern Hemisphere”) and wind certainly will play a factor. STORYLINES: Jordan Spieth’s game is trending in the right direction heading to the PGA. Spieth, a winner already on TOUR this season, is looking for the career Grand Slam once again at the PGA, the lone major that has eluded him in his career thus far. This is Spieth’s fifth crack at trying to win the Grand Slam… Americans have won five straight PGA Championships and seven of the last 10 (with Rory McIlroy being the exception twice)… McIlroy along with Keegan Bradley, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, and Steve Stricker are golfers who finished inside the top 10 in 2012 who are back in the field at the Ocean Course in 2021… Rickie Fowler and John Catlin were extended special exemptions for this year’s PGA. Fowler didn’t play in the Masters (for the first time since 2010) and he’s not teed it up at a major since last year… Dustin Johnson was teary-eyed after winning the Masters near his childhood hometown of Columbia, South Carolina. Can he win a major in his home state this time? 72-HOLE RECORD: 264, Brooks Koepka (2018 at Bellerive CC) 18-HOLE RECORD: 63, Bruce Crampton (2nd round, 1975 at Firestone CC), Raymond Floyd (1st round, 1982 at Southern Hills), Gary Player (2nd round, 1984 at Shoal Creek), Michael Bradley (1st round, 1993 at Inverness), Vijay Singh (2nd round, 1993 at Inverness), Brad Faxon (4th round, 1995 at Riviera CC), José María Olazábal (3rd round, 2000 at Valhalla), Mark O’Meara (2nd round, 2001 at Atlanta AC), Thomas Bjorn (3rd round, 2005 at Baltusrol), Tiger Woods (2nd round, 2007 at Southern Hills), Steve Stricker (1st round, 2011 at Atlanta AC), Jason Dufner (2nd round, 2013 at Oak Hill), Hiroshi Iwata (2nd round, 2015 at Whistling Straits), Robert Streb (2nd round, 2016 at Baltusrol), Brooks Koepka (2nd round, 2018 at Bellerive; 1st round, 2019 at Bethpage Black), Charl Schwartzel (2nd round, 2018 at Bellerive). LAST TIME: Having been originally scheduled May 14-17, the 2020 PGA Championship was moved to August 6-9 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was the first major played in over a year. By week’s end, it was Collin Morikawa who had won his first major title. Morikawa had won on the PGA TOUR earlier in the year (his second TOUR title) and his final-round 64 – highlighted by one of the shots of the year, a driver on the par-4 16th that ended up just 7 feet from the hole – saw him jump to the top of the leaderboard. He starting Sunday two shots back of Dustin Johnson’s lead. Morikawa’s Sunday 64 was tied for the low round of the week, and his 129 on the weekend set a new PGA Championship record. Johnson ended up T2 alongside Paul Casey, while Matthew Wolff, Bryson DeChambeau, Scottie Scheffler, Tony Finau, and Jason Day finished T4. HOW TO FOLLOW (All times ET) Television: Thursday-Friday, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. (ESPN+), 1 p.m.-7 p.m. (ESPN). Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-10 a.m. (ESPN+), 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (ESPN), 1 p.m.-7 p.m. (CBS) Bonus: Thursday-Friday, Featured Group #1, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. (ESPN+), Thursday-Friday, Featured Group #2, #3, #4, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m. (ESPN+). Saturday-Sunday, Featured Group #1, #2, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. (ESPN+), Featured Group #3, #4, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. (ESPN+). Radio: Thursday – Sunday, 1 p.m.-7 p.m. ET (on SiriusXM 208, XM 92. Not available on PGA TOUR Digital platforms).

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