Robert Streb takes three-shot lead into Sunday at The RSM Classic

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Adam Hadwin ... As understandable as it is to accept that he went six months post-shutdown without a top 25 because his first child was born very early in 2020, it's also reason to elevate the expectations again now. After taking time to celebrate his daughter's first birthday a few weeks ago, he returned to competition with a T32 at PGA WEST and a T18 at Torrey Pines. Not only did the latter end the top-25 drought, it also was a personal-best finish of six appearances. The 33-year-old Canuck carries that momentum into TPC Scottsdale where he's been a fixture since his rookie season of 2014-15. Dating back to a T17 in his second start in 2016, he's 5-for-5 with a pair of top 20s. Patton Kizzire ... With his 35th birthday a month away (on March 3), his recent performances align with being in his prime. He's strung together eight consecutive paydays, four of which for a top 25. The latest was a T7 at Waialae where he prevailed three years ago. He's also 4-for-5 at TPC Scottsdale but he's still in pursuit of his first top 30. If his play upon arrival isn't enough to convince that he'll record a personal best this week, consider that he's currently T18 on TOUR in total driving, 43rd in greens hit, 22nd in Strokes Gained: Putting and 20th in adjusted scoring. Keith Mitchell ... The 29-year-old has been enduring the learning curve since a successful rookie season of 2017-18 and breakthrough victory at The Honda Classic in 2019. Only a chosen few are immune from its gravitational pull. For those who survive it, it should be referred to instead as the rite of passage. He had been mostly quiet since a T5 at Bay Hill in the week before the pandemic wiped away three months of competition in 2020. Then, as unpredictable as golf can be, he went off for respective middle rounds of 62 and 63 at Waialae three weeks ago and finish T14. If that indicates that he's "close" - and why shouldn't it? - perhaps he can find some of the same magic at TPC Scottsdale where he led the field in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and total driving en route to a T16 last year. Nate Lashley ... Among the throng of Scottsdale residents sleeping in their own beds this week. While it can be a distraction seemingly as often as it's beneficial, he proved the latter in his debut last year. After withdrawing from his previous start at PGA WEST with an injured wrist two weeks prior, he went on to connect four sub-70s for a three-way tie for third place with consistently strong approach play taking the pressure off his putter and allowing it to do work. It's the kind of formula that defines local knowledge even in a tournament debut. Furthermore, there wasn't much in advance to suggest that a reversal of form was on tap. It's a narrative that could be repeated in his return. Since the podium finish at TPC Scottsdale, he's recorded only one top-35 finish, that a solo fourth at Corales in September. Bo Hoag ... The PGA TOUR sophomore isn't taking his card for granted after squeaking into the 2020 FedExCup Playoffs as the last man inside the top-125 bubble. He's 5-for-11 this season with three top 25s and sits 97th in points. After stumbling out of the gate in the fall, he's signed for 16 red numbers following 18 rounds, including both on the South Course at Torrey Pines on the weekend where he finished T18 for his second top 20 in as many weeks. Now he descends on TPC Scottsdale for the first time with a solid blend of precision on approach and confidence with the putter. He ranks 12th in conversation percentage inside 10 feet. NOTE: Sleeper is a relative term, so Rob uses unofficial criteria to determine who qualifies. Each of the following usually is determined to be ineligible for this weekly staple: Winners of the tournament on the current host course; winners in the same season; recent major champions; top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking; recent participants of team competitions.

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The Monday qualifier for the RBC Canadian Open had a distinct local flavor with all four spots going to Canadian players – but not before some playoff excitement. Michael Gligic and Russell Budd, who grew up close to Glen Abbey, took medalist honors with solid 4-under 67s at Heron Point Golf Links. But Justin Yong Woo Kim and Mitchell Sutton had to come through a 5-for-2 spot playoff against American’s Tyler McCumber and Blake Austin and Korean Seung-su Han to book their place in Canada’s national Open. Kim birdied the first playoff hole to advance, Sutton made birdie on the second. “Wow, that was pretty exciting coming down the last few holes and into the playoff,� said Sutton, who won back-to-back Canadian Junior Boy Championships in 2008 and 2009. “I’m pretty pumped up right now and looking forward to playing in my first RBC Canadian Open. I’ve played Glen Abbey a couple of times, but not in a while. I’m excited to go back.� Gligic has been in nice form of late on the MacKenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada but even he must have been worried after falling 3 over through three holes. Seven birdies in his last 13 holes, including three in the last four holes, helped him surge into his third national Open. But this is his first one at Glen Abbey – the venue he dreamed of playing at as a youngster. “I’ve been looking forward to playing one there, so it’s nice to finally punch my ticket,� Gligic said. “I definitely feel the best I ever have going into a RBC Canadian Open. My nerves got to me in my first one and in the second one my game wasn’t that great. But now I feel like my game is in a really good spot, so hopefully I’ll play well.� Two of this season’s most successful qualifiers missed out on earning a spot. Chase Seiffert, who finished T9 at the Travelers Championship, missed the playoff by two shots, while T.J. Vogel was not at his best as he chased an eighth successful qualification this season. There will now be 21 Canadians in the field. Here’s a closer look at this week’s qualifiers: RUSSELL BUDD (67) Age: 26 Hometown: Toronto, Ontario Alma mater: DePaul University PGA TOUR starts: Debut Notes: He has made eight starts on PGA TOUR Latinoamerica in 2018, missing the cut in five with a best finish of T39. MICHAEL GLIGIC (67) Age: 28 Hometown: Burlington, Ontario  PGA TOUR starts: 2 Cuts made: 0 Best PGA TOUR finish: MC, 2012 & 2014 RBC Canadian Open’s. Notes: Grew up just 10 minutes from Glen Abbey. Two top-6 results on Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada in last three starts. Won the ATB Financial Classic Presented by TELUS on MacKenzie Tour in 2012. JUSTIN YONG WOO KIM (68) Hometown: Hamilton, Ontario PGA TOUR starts: Debut Notes: Has had handful of starts on Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada and also tried to find his way in the PGA TOUR China Series over the last five years with limited success. A former winner in Canada’s Golden Horseshoe Area Tour. MITCHELL SUTTON Hometown: London, Ontario PGA TOUR starts: Debut Notes: Played MacKenzie TOUR – PGATOUR Canada in 2015 and 2016 with limited success. Played one event this year on same tour for a missed cut. Previous winner of multiple Canadian junior titles. BARBASOL CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS T34. John Oda, 69-69-69-68 MC. Kevin Foley, 72-69 MC. Domenico Geminiani, 74-67 MC. Ryan Wenzler, 70-76 THIS SEASON’S QUALIFIERS Qualifiers: 83 Made cut: 26 Top-10s: 4 (Scott Strohmeyer, T4 at Sanderson Farms; Trey Mullinax, T8 at Valspar; Julian Suri, T8 at Houston; Chase Seiffert, T9 at Travelers) Top-25s: 6 Most times qualified: T.J. Vogel (7)

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