Kaymer to miss PGA Championship with injury

We’re only two weeks into 2017-18 but we may already have our runaway candidate for the season’s most shocking group decision. How Justin Thomas isn’t populating 100 percent of the rosters submitted for the CIMB Classic defies explanation. Sure, there’s the contrarian angle, but then there’s just flat-out foolishness. With no cut, only 78 golfers in the field, the imbalanced benefit of bonus points due to the absence of ShotLink and virtually zero chance of needing more than three starts in Segment 1 for any golfer, there isn’t a reason to at least stash the two-time defending champion on your bench. Elsewhere, you’ve tiptoed into scuffling Thomas Pieters, who slots 16th overall at 11.5 percent. That aversion is unlikely to last long, but he’ll be more valuable when all shots are measured, anyway. Remember, only the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open remains as a full-fantasy scoring event in Segment 1. PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO NOTE: Rob’s Rating refers to where our Fantasy Insider slotted a golfer in his Power Rankings (“PR”) and other preview material. Golfers in the Power Rankings and outside the top 10 in most owned Other notables PGA TOUR Fantasy One & Done presented by SERVPRO It would have been understandable if Justin Thomas didn’t pace the field of 78, but why mess with a sure thing? In fact, as loyal readers of this space have come to learn, chalk almost always leads ownership percentages regardless of common sense or strategic influence. Saying nothing of JT at the CIMB Classic (because he’s my selection), I’ve come to accept the phenomenon as circumstantial piece of evidence that not all gamers play in every event. Naturally, when you’re a sometimer, the most notable and potent options will get the love. However, take note of that devotion to Anirban Lahiri in second with 9.4 percent! That speaks to the crafty gamers who know that they’re guaranteed FedExCup points at TPC Kuala Lumpur where Lahiri placed T3 last year. He also finished T9 in his last individual competition (BMW Championship) and you’re not going to miss him in this format. Bravo.

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A little over a week ago, WiIlie Mack III managed to squeeze in 27 holes of practice at iconic Riviera Country Club. Turns out, comedian Adam Sandler just happened to be playing in the group behind him that Sunday, too. "He wasn’t doing any Happy Gilmores," Mack recalls with a chuckle. "But it was fun to meet him." It will be all business this week, though, when Mack returns to the historic club which has counted among its members old-school Hollywood movie stars like Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn to Sandler and many other current celebrities like Mark Wahlberg and Larry David and Carson Daly. He's playing in the Genesis Invitational after receiving the Charlie Sifford Exemption given to a deserving minority golfer as chosen by the Tiger Woods Foundation. It will be Mack's second career start on the PGA TOUR — and second in four weeks. Yes, life is moving fast for the unassuming 32-year-old these days. But make no mistake - this is the byproduct of years of hard work for Mack who once slept in his Ford Mustang in hotel parking lots while playing the mini-tours in Florida and pursuing his pro dream. Mack and his father, a mental health counselor with the state of Michigan, actually started playing golf because of Woods, who is on the mend from a fifth microdiscectomy and won't be able to compete in the tournament he has hosted since 2016. Woods will be onsite, however. "I just remember watching on TV and he was just different than everybody else," Mack says. "I just kind of like gravitated to watching him." To earn the Sifford exemption, well, that was almost beyond belief. "I thanked them probably more than most times for a lifetime," Mack recalls. "But I was just excited and kind of got off the phone and called my dad and he started crying. "So, it was … it was a good day." Mack says he was probably 6 years old when the two first went to the golf course. He reports that he was "horrible" at first but treasured the "good bonding time" with his dad. They'd watch TV and try to imitate what the pros did when they teed it up on courses like Pierce Park and Swartz Creek in their hometown of Flint, Michigan. "We kind of just kept with it," Mack says. "And by the third year I got a lot better. I think after that it kind of just stuck with me, and I fell in love with the game." By the time Mack was 12, he started taking lessons from Jack Seltzer, a member of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame. There was a golf dome about 20 minutes from Mack's house so he could practice during the cold, snowy winter months. Although Mack played football, basketball and baseball, too, he knew his 5-foot-7 frame wasn't exactly built for long-term success in those sports. Golf was different, though, and Mack had several scholarship offers, eventually deciding to play at Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach, Florida. "I wanted to get out of Michigan, for sure," Mack says, weighing sunshine versus snow. "I didn’t even go to any of the other schools. I just went there and fell in love with it." While at Bethune-Cookman, Mack won 11 tournaments and his career goals came into sharper focus. "I always dreamed to be on the PGA TOUR when I started golf," Mack says. "But probably when I was in college and I won my ninth tournament, I kind of was talking to my parents and I was telling them I wanted to try and maybe make a career out of it. "It might not have worked out, but I wanted to at least give it a shot. And then here we are today.” It hasn't been easy. And he's not where he wants to be — yet. But Mack has come a long way from those days when he'd curl up in his car in hotel parking lots when he couldn't find a buddy's couch to crash on early in his golf career. He'd park between two cars in hopes of keeping a low profile so the nighttime security guards wouldn't chase him off. "I got caught a couple of times, but I would just go to another parking lot and try to get some sleep," Mack says. If he had a good payday and could cover his entry fee for his next event, Mack might splurge on a motel room or treat himself to something better than fast food. He did most of his practicing at Orange County National in Winter Garden, Florida, just outside Orlando, where as an added bonus, he could use the shower in the locker room. "The good thing about sleeping in the car was I got up early and practiced as long as I could because I knew I was going back to that car," Mack says. "So, I stayed out there as long as possible." His vagabond lifestyle lasted about 18 months. While there were times it almost seemed oddly normal, Mack says, there were others when he wondered what in the world he was doing with his life. "But I would talk to my dad and just think about what he said about not giving up and how hard times don’t usually last," Mack says. "So, I'm glad I got through those hard times and I think it made me a better person and a better golfer today." Eight years down the road from those lean times, Mack is playing at Riviera in his second TOUR event. He feels more prepared than he was at the Farmers Insurance Open, where he was a last-minute addition to the field after his good friend Kamaui Johnson had to withdraw when he tested positive for COVID-19. Mack also has straightened out an equipment issue that plagued him as he shot 74-75 at Torrey Pines. On Friday afternoon after he missed the cut, the TaylorMade folks discovered his driver had a crack in it. "I hit four fairways in those two days and usually the best part of my game is driving and putting," Mack says. "So, I was kind of confused why it was going so far right every hole, but I got that figured out." Mack's practice at Riviera was a confidence-builder, too. "(It) was just more of a tree-lined course and kind of an up-North feel which I’m used to," he says. "So, it just kind of fits my eye a little bit better." His goal this week is obviously to win, while a top-10 finish would get Mack into the next TOUR event. But if that doesn't happen, he hopes to take some momentum with him back home to Orlando. "Hopefully this won’t be my last time playing in a PGA TOUR event," says Mack, who has also played in one Korn Ferry Tour event and another three on PGA TOUR Latinoamerica. "But if I don’t win or come in top-10, I definitely will take everything I can out of the experience and work harder than I am now." Mack now has a two-year sponsorship agreement with Farmers Insurance that helps cover his expenses on the Florida Professional Golf Tour, where he leads the money list, and the Advocates Pro Golf Association Tour, a non-profit that seeks to bring more diversity to the game. And Mack understands how important it is to carry on the legacy of Sifford, who was the first African-American to play on the PGA TOUR. "It’s kind of like the Jackie Robinson of golf," Mack says. "And who knows if Tiger would be who Tiger is today if it wasn’t for him." Or whether Mack would be the man he is, either.

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WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. – Notes and observations from Sunday’s final round of The Greenbrier Classic where rookie Xander Schauffele produced a clutch shot into the 72nd hole to set up a birdie and his maiden win on the PGA TOUR. Schauffele’s 3-under 67 on Sunday set the mark at 14-under and no one could match the 23-year-old who kept the youth movement on TOUR trending upward and onward. Robert Streb (69) claimed his second straight Greenbrier Classic runner up finish a stroke behind with Jamie Lovemark (69) and Sebastian Munoz (72) tied third at 12-under. For more from The Old White TPC, check out the Daily Wrap. X MARKS THE WIN Xander Schauffele stood on the 72nd hole at The Old White TPC with a share of the lead staring down the barrel of a 162-yard shot that could change his life. He figured Robert Streb and Sebastian Munoz behind him would birdie the par-5 17th, even though he hadn’t managed to, so it was birdie or bust. At just 23, you might think the moment would get the better of the PGA TOUR rookie.  But this was the same guy who had made a name for himself at the recent U.S. Open with a T5 finish. The guy groomed for the moment by his athletic father, who doubles as his swing coach. For more on the PGA TOUR rookie, click here. “There was a little bit of altitude up here, so my caddie and I, we looked at a pitching wedge and 9-iron and, under the gun, you never want to swing something soft, so we grabbed the pitching wedge real quick,â€� Schauffele said. He then stiffed it to three feet, calmly made the birdie, and watched as neither Streb nor Munoz could match him. “It’s slowly sinking in. I had a couple minutes to myself in the locker room, but it’s just been an incredible feeling and it’s honestly just a dream come true,â€� he said. “In the third round you can always see the pin location (for the next day). I looked at it and looked at my caddie and I said, man, that is kind of brutal. “That birdie on 18 is not one that’s going to come along very often, so I’m just very fortunate to do it.â€� Having moved through Web.com Q-School and then the Web.com Finals in his first attempts those close to his team are not surprised by his rapid rise. His victory comes in just his 24th start on the PGA TOUR. “My dad kind of put me on some plan of his and I would say we’re trending, that’s what he would say at least. I’m just happy to play the role,â€� the former All-American from San Diego State added. Starting the event in 94th spot in the FedExCup Schauffele looked good for a spot in the Playoffs but was not confirmed. Now at 27th his looking at the TOUR Championship as the goal. “The U.S. Open was one of the biggest stages and for me to kind of be calm and collected throughout the week and just kind of hang on and come in tied fifth was huge for me mentally, so it kind of gave me the confidence and allowed me to play and win this week,â€� he said. “Besides winning, obviously East Lake, and the FedExCup playoffs are the main goal for most of the guys out here. “Everyone that knows me knows I’m a late bloomer, so to jump in the Top-30 in this fashion is something special for me.â€� CALL OF THE DAY PUTTER GOES MISSING FOR MUNOZ Sebastian Munoz led through the opening three rounds at The Greenbrier Classic thanks heavily to a red-hot putter so when it went ice-cold on Sunday, a win was always going to be hard to find. The PGA TOUR rookie had gained over three shots a round on the field in putting through 54 holes put on Sunday he lost 4.867 shots to the field on the greens, leading to a 2-over 72. It left him in a tie for third at 12-under, two back of Xander Schauffele’s winning total. Munoz had made 143’9â€� of putts Thursday, 126’5â€� on Friday and 125’11â€� on Saturday but on Sunday he made just 32’. His longest made putt was from 3’10â€�. “That was totally the difference,â€� the Colombian admitted. “I just never found a rhythm with it. I was taking it back too quick and I realized that on the final few holes. I wasn’t swinging good enough to make a difference.â€� Munoz moved from 198th to 140th in the FedExCup standings, solidifying at very least a spot in the Web.com Tour Finals. He also earned a berth in The Open Championship and with the John Deere Classic next week has his sights set on the top 125. “That’s what it’s all about, it’s about getting better, about keeping building, getting experiences. It is my first year, first time being in a tournament on the back nine, so just take it as an experience, positive, and move on for the next one,â€� he said. “I needed to make a move (in the FedExCup) so this is going to definitely help. I just have to bring it home in the last four or five events.â€� STREB SEES SILVER LINING IN FEDEXCUP MOVE Robert Streb was somewhat frustrated with his second consecutive runner up finish at The Greenbrier Classic but could find some solace in securing his PGA TOUR card and a place in the FedExCup Playoffs. Streb, who lost in a playoff to Danny Lee in the 2015 event, had the lead on the back nine only to be derailed by a double bogey on the par-4 13th hole. His drive sailed left into a hazard and he failed to get up and down from the back of the green to limit the damage. The 30-year-old bounced back with a birdie bomb on the 14th but then failed to make any further inroads and settled for a 1-under 69 and 13-under total, one back. “I’m a little disappointed there with obviously my drive on 13 and not a very good effort on 16 and 17, trying to make birdies there. So a little frustrating,â€� he said. “Didn’t hit my best wedge on 16 and obviously left a putt short, a really good look at it. And kind of squandered the up-and-down there on 17. I was trying to hit it close on 18 and just didn’t do it.â€� What the solo second did do was rocket Streb up the FedExCup standings. Starting the week in 137th on the points list Streb was in danger of losing his status earned from his 2014-15 win at The McGladrey Classic. But the 300 points earned catapulted him to 68th and ensures a spot in the post-season. “That is really helpful. Obviously I was on the wrong side of the number coming here, but it’s funny, one week can change it. “This place has been very good to me. Finally got some results out of the good play. Kind of got the putter going a little bit again and everything seems to be turning the right way.â€� BIRKDALE BABY! As the second PGA TOUR event of The Open Qualifying Series, The Greenbrier Classic determined Open Championship berths for the top four players finishing in the top 12 who weren’t otherwise exempt. Winner Xander Schauffele will tee it up in his first Open Championship at Royal Birkdale hot off the heels of his T5 finish at the U.S. Open. Robert Streb returns for his third successive Open Championship after being T18 in 2015 and missing the cut last year. Jamie Lovemark made his Open Championship last season but missed the cut while Sebastian Munoz will play his very first major on July 20-23. “I might have played one or two links courses ever, so it should be quite a different experience,â€� Munoz said. “I just hope it’s not as breezy as it always is, because I’m more of a high ball player, but it will be a great experience, so we’ll see.â€� Next week’s John Deere Classic holds open one spot for the highest finisher in the top 5 not already exempt. PHIL FIRES LATE Phil Mickelson saved his best for last with a 6-under 64 on Sunday, sending him towards The Open Championship with some momentum. Mickelson finished at 6-under to be tied 20th, the first time in four tries he’s made the cut at the Greenbrier Classic where he is an ambassador. The 2013 Open represents the last time Mickelson found the winners circle, a now four-year drought. “It’s nice to get a little bit of momentum and to finally shoot a number that I feel like I’ve been playing well enough to shoot,â€� Mickelson said. “I’m going to head over there later this week and get a few extra days in at Birkdale. My first Open Championship I ever played in 1991 was at Birkdale, so I have a real affinity for the golf course. I just have a special place in my heart for it, and I’m looking forward to playing there this year.â€� SHOT OF THE DAY ODDS AND ENDS Davis Love III was gunning to be the oldest winner in PGA TOUR history starting Sunday just four back but the 53-year-old soon to be Hall-Of-Fame inductee struggled to a final round 5-over 75 to drop into a tie for 29th. Defending champion Danny Lee carded a final round 69 to finish at 9-under in a tie for 9th as he looks to make his late push towards a Presidents Cup berth for the International Team. The New Zealander was in Nick Price’s team in Korea and needs further big results to force his way in or earn one of two captain’s picks. It was an impressive final-round showing by amateur Joaquin Niemann, who fired a final-round 6-under-par 64. His effort helped him jump from T67 to T29 in the final standings. Niemann, the world’s top-ranked amateur, is set to enter the University of South Florida. Smylie Kaufman (T36) extended his streak of consecutive holes without a three-putt to 276. Ryan Blaum’s final round 64 gave him a handful of personal milestones. The TOUR rookie notched up his lowest round and his best finish at T7 and now appears a relatively safe bet for a FedExCup Playoff berth after moving to 99th on the points list with just five weeks to go. BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

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