Garrigus gets rocky break, leads RBC Canadian Open

“It’s one of the most shocking, tragic days that I’ve ever been a part of in a very quick span here,” Tiger Woods said Sunday, reacting to the news of Kobe Bryant’s death.

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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)

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Winner – The Masters Bubba Watson Winner – The Open Zach Johnson Winners of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard. & the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide (Last 3 Years) Matt Every William McGirt Tournament Winner in Past Two Seasons Daniel Berger Steven Bowditch Wesley Bryan Alex Cejka  Greg Chalmers  Fabian Gomez Cody Gribble Brian Harman  J.J. Henry  Charley Hoffman  Billy Hurley III  Smylie Kaufman Chris Kirk  Kevin Kisner  Danny Lee Davis Love III  Hunter Mahan  Peter Malnati  Ben Martin  Troy Merritt  Ryan Moore  D.A. Points  Kyle Stanley Robert Streb  Steve Stricker  Brian Stuard  Vaughn Taylor Nick Taylor Career Money Exemption Geoff Ogilvy Carl Pettersson Sponsors Exemptions – Web.com Tour Finals Curtis Luck Sponsors Exemptions – Members not otherwise exempt Troy Matteson Sponsors Exemptions – Unrestricted Wyndham Clark Nick Hardy Maverick McNealy  Dylan Meyer PGA Section Champion\Player of the Year Darin Fisher Top 125 on Prior Season’s FedExCup Points List Roberto Castro Sean O’Hair Kevin Na Ryan Palmer Harris English  Jamie Lovemark Charles Howell III David Hearn  Kevin Streelman  Kyle Reifers  Daniel Summerhays  Ricky Barnes Chad Campbell  Patrick Rodgers  Harold Varner III  Johnson Wagner  Scott Brown Chez Reavie  Patton Kizzire Bryce Molder  K.J. Choi  Spencer Levin  John Huh  Jason Bohn  Tyrone Van Aswegen Derek Fathauer  Lucas Glover Brett Stegmaier  Robert Garrigus  Zac Blair  Cameron Tringale Andrew Loupe Boo Weekley  Mark Hubbard  Ben Crane  Michael Kim Luke List Shawn Stefani Seung-Yul Noh Top 125 on Prior Season’s Official Money List thru Wyndham Ken Duke Bud Cauley Chad Collins Morgan Hoffmann Major Medical Extension Nick Watney Brian Gay Bob Estes Ryo Ishikawa  Charlie Beljan Leading Money Winner from Web.com Tour & Web.com Tour Finals Grayson Murray Top Finishers from Web.com Tour Prior Season (reordered) Ollie Schniederjans  Kelly Kraft Kevin Tway  J.J. Spaun  Dominic Bozzelli J.T. Poston  Ryan Blaum  Scott Stallings  Brandon Hagy Cameron Percy Seamus Power  Trey Mullinax  Bryson DeChambeau Martin Flores  Julian Etulain Tim Wilkinson  Richy Werenski Andres Gonzales  Jonathan Randolph  Ryan Brehm  Joel Dahmen  Tag Ridings Gonzalo Fdez-Castano  Rory Sabbatini Steven Alker  Nicholas Lindheim  Will MacKenzie  Mark Anderson  Ryan Armour Brett Drewitt Brian Campbell Miguel Angel Carballo Sebastian Munoz Brad Fritsch Zack Sucher  Rick Lamb Bobby Wyatt  Bobby Gates Max Homa  Shane Bertsch 126 – 150 Prior Season’s FEC Points List (Reordered) Matt Jones Sam Saunders Greg Owen Chris Stroud Steve Wheatcroft Willy Wilcox Hiroshi Iwata Tom Hoge Michael Putnam Tyler Aldridge Stuart Appleby  Nicholas Thompson Reorder Category – Cat. 34 thru 38 Camilo Villegas Bill Lunde Angel Cabrera Andres Romero Jonathan Byrd Mark Wilson  Brendon de Jonge Y.E. Yang

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