Get to know: Wyndham Clark

If Segment 1 of PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf has felt like more of a grind than the usual soft open, that's because that's exactly what it's been. Not only are there a record 12 tournaments contributing but the cut at The RSM Classic was a crude reminder to many of its latest iteration (low 65 and ties) now in its second season. A year ago, I went just 1-for-6 at Sea Island. It was crushing in every sense, but it was a perfect example of why making cuts in this website's fantasy game is the top priority, and especially in a field with the maximum 156 in play. I managed to get four into the weekend at the RSM this year, but based on the experiences of many who have shared publicly, I was fortunate. A closer look at the cut and those cut helped explain. Exactly 65 golfers survived the 36-hole cut two weeks ago. Among the 13 who missed it on the number was Justin Rose. He was the sixth-most owned at 34.15 percent. Sungjae Im (second-most), Dylan Frittelli (fifth-most), Sebastián Muñoz (seventh-most) and Louis Oosthuizen (eighth-most) also failed to cash. RELATED: Power Rankings | Expert Picks | Sleeper Picks This week's 132-man Mayakoba Golf Classic presented by UNIFIN concludes Segment 1, so play ‘em if you got ‘em. ShotLink is not used, so your only targets are par breakers, low scores and leaderboard finish. When Brendon Todd prevailed at El Camaleón Golf Club a year ago as a 34-year-old, he brought the average age of the winners down. It was by only 0.07 to 34.85, which slots in the prime of a career, but it's not often that a course rewards the veteran ball-strikers as much. Seven of the first 12 winners were older at the time of their victories. The next stop on the schedule is the Sentry Tournament of Champions on Jan. 7-10. Because of the three-month shutdown due to the pandemic last season, this season's edition of the Sentry TOC will include all 30 golfers who qualified for the TOUR Championship. Of them, 17 didn't win an event since the 2020 edition, so the preliminary field stands at 45. This week's champion will be the last to qualify. Thirteen committed at Mayakoba already are eligible to open 2021 at Kapalua. Because Mayakoba wraps 2020, this is the last Fantasy Insider of the year. It's why the birthdays at the bottom extend all the way through Monday, Jan. 4. I've heard from many full-season gamers who were looking for my annual full-membership fantasy ranking. If you also missed it, the reduction of workable time late in the 2019-20 season and the absence of time in between seasons reduced this year's edition to a this preview, but I'm always available to review your situation privately. The most efficient connection point is via Twitter's Direct Messaging. Thank you as always for your loyalty to our fantasy content and gaming. This gig remains just as much fun and rewarding as it did when I hopped into the seat in 2010. It's entirely because of you. Until we meet again, please continue to respect yourself and others as it concerns the pandemic so as to remain healthy and to eliminate disruption in your daily life. PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf My roster for the Mayakoba Golf Classic presented by UNIFIN (in alphabetical order): Abraham Ancer Daniel Berger Joel Dahmen Harris English Emiliano Grillo Brooks Koepka You'll find my starters in Expert Picks Others to consider for each category (in alphabetical order): Scoring: Brian Gay; Doug Ghim; Patton Kizzire; Peter Malnati; Sebastián Muñoz; Joaquin Niemann; Rory Sabbatini; Justin Thomas Driving: n/a POWER RANKINGS WILD CARD Pat Perez ... The 44-year-old has carved out a reputation as a wizard on paspalum. It's seriously supported by his experience at Mayakoba where he prevailed in 2016 and finished inside the top 10 in the last two years. Overall, he's 7-for-8 with five top 20s. However, a recent slide cannot be ruled out as attributable to foot and ankle soreness that plagued him in August. The play is to go for it in a format in which you can be aggressive in places. DRAWS Brendon Todd ... This is a mild endorsement for the defending champion. He's been erratic of late and he missed the cut in his title defense on Bermuda, but he remains the product of the formula that's proven time and again at Mayakoba. En route to a T37 in his last start at Sea Island, he led the field in fairways hit, but he ranked T53 in greens in regulation despite averaging 12.75 per round. That's enough to retain our confidence, but his sticker price in DFS likely squeezes him out of cost-effective decisions. Russell Henley ... Ten consecutive cuts made upon arrival and one of the best tee to green this season. Quite simply, he's done nothing in recent memory to suggest that his next slump is looming. Joaquin Niemann ... He's likely over the frustration not to have been able to compete in the Masters due to COVID-19, and he finished T44 at Sea Island the following week, so all systems are go again. This is his third start at Mayakoba where he's hung up three red numbers in six rounds but didn't come close to contending in his debut in 2018 (T60). Chez Reavie ... Now 39 years of age, it'd surprise no one if he's posing for pictures with the chameleon trophy this week. Perfect in seven trips with a T4 (2016), a T14 (2017) and T26s in the last two editions, his combination of accuracy off the tee and precision on approach is repeatable and sustainable. While that's an obvious analysis, he's well-documented as streaky throughout his career, so even though he's been quiet since a T3 at the Safeway Open to launch into 2020-21, Mayakoba is on the short list of tests that can spark his next surge. Adam Long ... In full disclosure, he's among my favorites, both in fantasy and reality. Now in his third season, he's continued to maintain a pace of cracking the top 25 in half of his cuts made. It means that he's unafraid of getting in the mix on the weekend. He's also missed only one cut in his last 12 starts, nine of which had a cut. The 33-year-old is balanced throughout his bag, but he sets up his consistency with an exceptional game off the tee. In last year's debut at Mayakoba when he arrived in similar form to his current, he shared runner-up honors. Camilo Villegas ... Fresh off an emotional and inspiring T6 at Sea Island, he returns to Mayakoba for the first time in three years. He missed just one cut in five consecutive trips. Billy Horschel Charles Howell III John Huh Peter Malnati Denny McCarthy Graeme McDowell Brian Stuard FADES Rickie Fowler ... Aside from his current position as the poster boy of those clinging to a spot inside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking to gain entry into the 2021 Masters, that fact is reason enough to hold your breath. He's finished second (2017) and T15 (2018) at Mayakoba, but 2020 has been an experience in connecting with swing changes that haven't translated into a top 10 post-hiatus and a top 25 in his last seven starts. Trap. Marc Leishman ... If I made space for another Wild Card, he'd have filled it. He's rested since a T13 at the Masters where he ranked T4 in greens hit and led the field in par-5 scoring. Because he's played well there before and due to the insular environment on the whole, it could be an anomaly but it's still representative that his game isn't as far off as it was in every other start since play resumed. Making his first appearance at Mayakoba in four years, so treat it as a bonus if you own him in a full-season format; otherwise, be careful. Charley Hoffman ... In what has been an effective 2020, he's scattered six top-15 finishes, including a pair this season, but the 2014 Mayakoba champ is 0-for-5 and hasn't broken 70 here since. Gary Woodland ... Runner-up here in 2016 and he's 4-for-4 since 2009, so he loves the place, but it's still a curious decision to give it a go given the torn labrum in his hip and subsequent discomfort in his back. Kyle Stanley ... His T6 at Sea Island was a personal best in six appearances, all of which resulting in a payday, but it's time to abstain if you remain in the same lane. Just 2-for-6 at Mayakoba with missed cut in his last three tries. Brian Harman ... It's relative in the context that if you're looking only for a cut made, fine. He's 4-for-4 at Mayakoba since 2015. However, the best of the bunch was a T40 to spark that streak. Prior to missing the cut at Sea Island where he's played much better over time - it's not surprising given that he's a local - he strung together nine top 40s dating back to the Wyndham Championship. Byeong Hun An ... Off to a rough start with four missed cuts sandwiching guaranteed paydays at Shadow Creek (T42) and Sherwood (T35). Missed the cut in only prior trip to Mayakoba in 2017. Andy Ogletree ... This is just a courtesy reminder to keep an eye on him. The 2019 U.S. Amateur champion is making his professional debut at Mayakoba. In his last start, he captured the Silver Cup as the low amateur at the Masters (T34). Rafa Cabrera Bello Will Gordon Adam Hadwin Luke List Brendan Steele Kristoffer Ventura RETURNING TO COMPETITION Henrik Norlander ... Untimely contraction of COVID-19 led to his early withdrawal at Sea Island, but the positive spin is that he missed only one the one tournament since the PGA TOUR was dark for Thanksgiving. While he's no doubt eager to pierce the turf again, and while his profile as a ball-striker fits Mayakoba well, invest fractionally at most in DFS. This is his third appearance, so he knows the property. Michael Kim ... Walked off Seaside during his first round of The RSM Classic with a sore back. Same thing happened during his opener at the Barracuda Championship four months ago. It's been 26 months since he's cashed in a tournament with a cut. NOTABLE WDs Cameron Tringale ... Opted to begin his holiday break follwoing the solo third at Sea Island instead of another week on the road. He's connected for only one top-45 finish at Mayakoba, anyway, that a T25 in 2017. Currently 33rd in the FedExCup. Matt Jones ... Since 2013, the Aussie made the cut in all four trips to Mayakoba but none yielded a top 30. Currently 59th in the FedExCup thanks in part to a T14 at Corales and a T4 on Bermuda. Brandt Snedeker ... He hadn't appeared at El Camaleón since the inaugural edition in 2007, so his commitment was curious in the first place. Sits 121st in the FedExCup with one top 40 (T17, Sanderson Farms) among four cuts made in seven starts. Gamers never have worried about him, but he's not yet fully exempt for next season and he'll turn 40 next Tuesday (see Birthdays below). Danny Lee ... Since his unfortunate experience at the U.S. Open, he's 2-for-4 with a T21 at Shadow Creek, but it's one of only two top 25s since play resumed in June. He figured to log one more at Mayakoba where he's recorded a pair of podium finishes and a T25 since 2014, but it'll have to wait. Led outright here last year with a course record-tying 62 in the first round before fading to finish T26. Martin Trainer ... Also withdrew early from the Bermuda Championship but he missed both cuts since. In fact, he's missed 15 in a row dating back to February and he's cashed only once in an event with a cut in almost 20 months. POWER RANKINGS RECAP - THE RSM CLASSIC Power Ranking Golfer Result 1 Webb Simpson T37 2 Sungjae Im MC 3 Sebastián Muñoz MC 4 Russell Henley T30 5 Corey Conners T10 6 Mackenzie Hughes MC 7 Ian Poulter T50 8 C.T. Pan MC 9 Denny McCarthy MC 10 Brian Harman MC 11 Zach Johnson T6 12 Tyrrell Hatton T23 13 Louis Oosthuizen MC 14 Brian Gay DNP 15 Alex Noren T18 Wild Card Justin Rose MC SLEEPERS RECAP - THE RSM CLASSIC Golfer Result Ryan Armour MC Scott Brown MC Russell Knox MC Hank Lebioda MC Davis Thompson MC BIRTHDAYS AMONG ACTIVE GOLFERS ON THE PGA TOUR December 1 ... D.A. Points (44) December 2 ... Alex Cejka (50); Shawn Stefani (39) December 3 ... none December 4 ... Matt Every (37); Harry Higgs (29) December 5 ... Ryan Moore (38) December 6 ... none December 7 ... Luke Donald (43); Billy Horschel (34) December 8 ... Brandt Snedeker (40) December 9 ... Wyndham Clark (27) December 10 ... Brian Stuard (38); Wes Roach (32) December 11 ... none December 12 ... Nate Lashley (38) December 13 ... Rickie Fowler (32) December 14 ... Brian Gay (49) December 15 ... Sam Ryder (31) December 16 ... Trevor Immelman (41) December 17 ... Tim Clark (45) December 18 ... D.J. Trahan (40) December 19 ... none December 20 ... none December 21 ... none December 22 ... Richy Werenski (29) December 23 ... Daniel Chopra (47) December 24 ... none December 25 ... none December 26 ... none December 27 ... Charley Hoffman (44); Doc Redman (23) December 28 ... Martin Kaymer (36) December 29 ... Martin Laird (38) December 30 ... Tiger Woods (45) December 31 ... none January 1 ... none January 2 ... none January 3 ... Charlie Wi (49) January 4 ... Sebastián Muñoz (28)

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Tiger Woods may be playing the Wells Fargo Championship for the first time in six years, but he wasn’t the only member of his pro-am group who was in the spotlight Wednesday. Shahbaz Hashmi, a high-school senior from Alamo Heights, Texas, got to play with Woods after winning an essay contest conducted by Wells Fargo and The First Tee. Hashmi impressed with his game (he’s a +0.9 handicap) and his composure. Ashami hit a long tee shot down the 18th fairway, then almost made birdie after hitting his approach shot to 20 feet. He shared the podium with Woods in his post-round press conference and even fulfilled an autograph request after finishing his round. “Shahbaz, he did fantastically today,� Woods said. “Some of the shots he hit today, the flight of some of the drives he hit was penetrating and solid, especially after the wind came up. He piped the drive down 18.� Hashmi, a 12-year participant in The First Tee of San Antonio got to pick his playing partner Wednesday. It was an easy decision. “Tiger Woods is unequivocally my hero,� he said. “Watching him dominate in a way no other athlete has in their respective sport has served as such an inspiration for not only me but my entire generation.� Woods owns 79 PGA TOUR victories. Hashmi has an impressive resume of his own. He is the president of The First Tee of San Antonio’s junior advisory board and mentors younger participants in the program. He speaks three languages (French, Uru/Hindi and English) and wants to study international monetary policy and foreign relations in college. He has a 4.0 grade-point average. Hashmi carried his own bag in Wednesday’s pro-am and made sure to capture plenty of photos and videos of the round. He stood in the middle of the 16th fairway, about 10 yards behind Woods, as Woods hit his approach shot. The amateur tees were some 70 yards ahead of the back tees on the par-3 17th, but Hashmi made the trek bto watch Woods tee off. Like the rest of Woods’ gallery, Ashami held his phone aloft as Woods hit his shot. Ashami said Woods’ advice helped him hit that impressive tee shot on the last hole. “He said his father told him that, with driver in hand, he could swing as hard as he wanted as long as he could hit the center of the clubface and hold his finish until the ball landed,� Ashami said. “Coming in, I was just holding my finish to the best of my ability. On the back nine, I was striping it off the tee and with the irons.� He drew a “Nice shot there� from Woods after hitting his approach shot to 20 feet. He barely missed the birdie putt. It would’ve been the perfect ending to the perfect day. “I can’t say one thing I was impressed by because I was impressed by all of it,� Ashami said. This will be Woods’ seventh start at the Wells Fargo Championship. He finished no worse than 11th in his first four trips here, including a win in 2007, but missed the cut in his past two trips to Charlotte (2010, 12). Woods is scheduled to tee off at 12:50 p.m. Thursday with Brooks Koepka and newly-minted Masters champion Patrick Reed. Woods will see a new course after modifications were made for last year’s PGA Championship. Changes include combining the first two holes to make a long par-4 and a new par-3 fourth hole. “The golf course is much harder than it used to be, that’s for sure,� Woods said. “Some of these holes have become a lot more stout. The bunkers are certainly more in play than they used to be and the greens are new so they’re a little more springy.� This will be Woods’ first start since a disappointing 32nd-place finish at the Masters. Woods arrived at Augusta National after having opportunities to win his preceding two starts, but poor iron play kept him from contending at a course where he has won four times. A final-round 69 was his only under-par round of the week. Woods took 10 days off after Augusta National. He is scheduled to play this week and next week’s THE PLAYERS Championship. It will be just his second appearance at TPC Sawgrass since his win in 2013. He finished T69 at the 2015 PLAYERS. “Hopefully I can have everything peak for this week and next week� Woods said.

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Jordan Spieth has worn one brand since turning pro nearly a decade ago. That relationship will last for at least another six years after the former FedExCup champion signed an extension with Under Armour that will run through 2029. The announcement came on the heels of Spieth’s victory at the RBC Heritage on Sunday. It was the 13th PGA TOUR win for the 28-year-old, who signed with Under Armour upon turning professional in 2013. “Under Armour took a chance on me,” Spieth told Under Armour founder Kevin Plank in 2020. “I was just leaving school, and I guess in other sports I would have been considered a high draft pick but at the same time I didn’t have PGA TOUR status, which in golf means everything.” Accompanying the announcement of the contract extension, Under Armour announced that it would donate $1 million over eight years to the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation, which has provided scholarships, grants and opened youth golf programs with a particular focus on breaking down socioeconomic barriers to the game and furthering education and mentorship opportunities through golf. “I think access is a big thing in golf,” Spieth said in fall of 2021. “It’s a game that I love. I figure maybe there’s some people that don’t know that they love it yet.” Sean Eggert, Under Armour’s Senior Vice President of Global Sports Marketing, said in a statement that Spieth is “an athlete who truly embodies what it means to strive for more.” “We look forward to being with him on this journey as he continues to grow with us, challenge us and make us better at what we do,” Eggert added. “We couldn’t be prouder to have him on our team.”

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