Phil Mickelson in contention at Fortinet Championship

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico - For Joaquin Niemann's 1-month-old cousin, life could hinge on whether $2.1 million is raised within three months. A surreal but true statement. RELATED: Niemann’s generosity helps family facing long odds Niemann has committed his Mayakoba Golf Classic presented by UNIFIN paycheck in support of cousin Rafita Calderon, who has been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy. The disease is treated by "the most expensive medicine ever," said Niemann - a drug called Zolgensma - which must be administered within the first 100 days of a baby's life to be most effective. This week, fellow pros are wearing ivory ribbons in support of Calderon, and Niemann is finding "special" inspiration in playing for a cause greater than himself. The 22-year-old Chilean opened the Mayakoba Golf Classic in 5-under 66, one off the lead in blustery Thursday conditions at El Camaleon GC. For Niemann, a high finish in Mexico would go a long way in bolstering his young cousin's fight. In his last start (The RSM Classic), he donated $152,450 - a combination of $5,000 per birdie, $10,000 per eagle, and his winner's check. Fellow pros, family and friends have also donated to a GoFundMe page organized by Niemann, titled ‘#SalvemosARafita - 100 days for Zolgensma.' The hashtag translates to ‘Let's Save Rafita.' "It's always extra motivation trying to play for him and get some more money for him," said Niemann after completing his final seven holes Thursday in 5-under. (The support) is big for me and for my family in Chile. Having all the support from all the people here on TOUR is really amazing, and also from Mexico. "The tournament, they're helping me a lot to tell a little bit more of the story of Rafita, and I'm happy for all the support of the players. We're fighting for him." Last week, Mexico's Carlos Ortiz played nine holes with Mayakoba Golf Classic organizers, leading to a pro-am fundraiser on the picturesque par-3 fourth at El Camaleon. An island green was created between the tee box and green, and the tournament raised more than $2,500 toward Niemann's fundraising efforts. This will supplement GoFundMe donations ($120,000 and counting) and Niemann's pledges via his play. Opening-round leader Russell Knox sported an ivory ribbon on Thursday, as did Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, Sebastian Munoz, Marc Leishman and many more. Since Niemann joined the TOUR in 2018, he and Ortiz have developed a close friendship. Ortiz describes the youthful Niemann as "like a kid," and was more than happy to play a small role in facilitating support for Niemann's family. ‘He's always loving," Ortiz said. "I love hanging out with him and having a good time. "We're in a position ... if we can help, we should do it. I think (the tournament) is doing a great job, and we're going to try to do the same thing, the best we can to save this kid's life." Donations to #SalvemosARafita can be made here.

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Justin Rose announced Tuesday that his longtime caddie, Mark “Fooch” Fulcher, is taking an indefinite leave of absence to continue his recovery from heart surgery, ending their 11-year partnership for now.

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A year ago, Bubba Watson was languishing at 115th in the FedExCup standings when he teed it up at A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier at The Old White TPC in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Mired in a two-year win drought and fighting an undisclosed illness that saw him lose more than 20 pounds, he was at the lowest point in his career. Today, Bubba Golf is back. Watson is third in the FedExCup, the only three-time winner on the PGA TOUR this season, and one of the most dramatic turnaround stories of this season. “It’s been good,â€� Watson said in his press conference from the Greenbrier on Tuesday. “Looking back, I’m a golfer, so there’s always things I wish was better. It was a slow start to the year, missed a couple cuts. But I knew I was headed in the right direction.â€� Players are almost always trending in one direction or the other, up or down, with the exception of FedExCup No. 1 Dustin Johnson, who was also No. 1 a year ago at this time. With the start of the Playoffs seven weeks out, a snapshot of the current Top 30, who would get into the season-ending TOUR Championship if it started today, shows several dramatic upward trajectories. “If you make it to Atlanta, no matter how you play throughout the year, you’ve done something right,â€� said big mover Webb Simpson, who is 10th in the FedExCup (up from 33rd a year ago) after his big win at THE PLAYERS Championship, and is looking good for East Lake. Chesson Hadley, 19th in the FedExCup, has made the biggest leap; he was 224th a year ago. Ryan Armour, who is in the Greenbrier field and 30th in the FedExCup, has made the second biggest jump, from 185th. “I’m a different player over the last year,â€� Armour, 42, said recently, and as if to offer further proof, he finished second to runaway winner Francesco Molinari at the Quicken Loans National last week. Bryson DeChambeau, who will defend a TOUR title for the first time at next week’s John Deere Classic, is the third biggest mover over the last 12 months, having shot up from 128th position a year ago to 6th today. Whether you measure it with a calculator or a compass, that’s a huge improvement. Their transformations have been stark, as have those of TOUR winners Aaron Wise (FedExCup No. 23) and Austin Cook (No. 28), both of whom are playing the Greenbrier. They’re battling for Rookie of the Year honors, which begs the question: When you talk meteoric rises, do Cook and Wise get the nod over even Hadley? How do you measure the upward trajectory of a guy who wasn’t even on TOUR last year? Phil Mickelson, who is making his first start since a disappointing U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, has gone from 40th in the FedExCup a year ago to eighth today. Patton Kizzire, who also is playing the Greenbrier this week, has gone from 89th to ninth. No player, though, is enjoying as thrilling a run as Tony Finau. At No. 11 in the FedExCup, the soft-spoken, long-hitting Utahan is up 20 spots from a year ago. He has six top-10 finishes, including two at the season’s first two majors, and has proven just as adept at figuring out less brawny courses, like The Old White TPC (7,286 yards, par 70), as he is taming longer ones. “It’s been a great season for me,â€� said Finau, who is coming off a fifth-place U.S. Open finish in which he had a chance to win late Sunday. “Really solid season, and my best season thus far. I’ve played some really nice golf and I’ve learned a lot about myself both mentally and physically. I’ve been working really hard on my game, and I think it’s starting to show this year.â€� Finau is used to making big moves. After switching back to a conventional putting grip before the 2017 BMW Championship, he shot a final-round 64 at Conway Farms to tie for seventh and play his way into the TOUR Championship at East Lake, where he also finished T7 to finish 19th in the season-long race for the FedExCup. He’s kept that good run going in 2018. “I like the position I’m in,â€� Finau said. Being well inside the Top 30, he added, beats being on the outside looking in, as he was last year. But he’s loathe to take his eye off the ball at the Greenbrier and beyond. The same goes for Watson, Mickelson, Kizzire and Simpson. Late-bloomer Armour, in the 30th position, can’t afford much of a letdown if he wants to get to Atlanta for the first time. The biggest movers of 2018 have worked hard to get where they are, but plenty of work remains.

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