The First Look: The Open Championship

Beginning with this week’s RBC Canadian Open, all of the remaining tournaments scored in PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO will have the full benefits of ShotLink technology. When debating when to use who, remember that next week’s World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational and the last two stops in the FedExCup Playoffs do not feature cuts, so you can get away with blending in international non-members and 1a-caliber investments to spell starts for the heavyweights. In any given week, if you’re curious about where you should target usage, refer to Future Possibilities in my One & Done column every Wednesday. Even though that section exists in that space, it has relevance when rationing starts in PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO. PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO My roster for the RBC Canadian Open (in alphabetical order): Chad Campbell Tony Finau Jim Furyk Charley Hoffman Dustin Johnson Matt Kuchar You’ll find my starters in Expert Picks. Others to consider for each category (in alphabetical order): Scoring: Keegan Bradley; Stewart Cink; Adam Hadwin; Sung Kang; Danny Lee; David Lingmerth; Ben Martin; Seamus Power; Ollie Schniederjans; Kevin Tway Driving: Keegan Bradley; Graham DeLaet; Adam Hadwin; James Hahn; Sung Kang; Danny Lee; Ben Martin; William McGirt; Ryan Palmer; Chez Reavie Approach: Keegan Bradley; Alex Cejka; Stewart Cink; Graham DeLaet; David Hearn; David Lingmerth; Ben Martin; Ryan Palmer; Chez Reavie; Ollie Schniederjans; Scott Stallings Short: Ricky Barnes; Stewart Cink; Graham DeLaet; Adam Hadwin; Mackenzie Hughes; Danny Lee; David Lingmerth; Peter Malnati Power Rankings Wild Card Mackenzie Hughes … The third wheel in the current Rookie of the Year conversation fronted by fellow winners of stand-alone events, Xander Schauffele and Wesley Bryan, Hughes really couldn’t ask for a better ramp into his national championship. The native of nearby Ontario is seeking to end the drought since Pat Fletcher was the last Canadian to win this tournament in 1954. The 26-year-old has enjoyed a fairytale foray and got married in the process. Most recently, since a T16 in his debut at THE PLAYERS, he’s 5-for-6 with three top 20s. Currently eighth on TOUR in strokes gained: putting and T20 in par-3 scoring, which matters at Glen Abbey since the quartet of one-shotters tied for the second-toughest set of all courses in 2016. In fact, they’ve averaged over par in each of the last three editions. Draws Chez Reavie … If you like cuts made and course success, he should be on your short list. Captured his only PGA TOUR title here in 2008 and cashed in his last three trips, including a T14 last year. Loyal readers already know how much attention he’s garnered in my preview material throughout 2017, so it would have been surprising only if he didn’t appear here. The 35-year-old isn’t contending necessarily, but he’s in the peak form of his career. Ranks 35th on TOUR in greens hit and first in proximity. Also T8 in par-3 scoring. David Hearn … A mild endorsement as he’s still seeking redemption after failing to convert the 54-hole lead into victory here in 2015. (He finished third.) Squeezing so much out of every opportunity during what has been a statistical regression this season, it makes sense why he’s had my attention time and again. Since the FedEx St. Jude Classic, he’s 5-for-6 with three top 15s. Ollie Schniederjans … Potentially dangerous in all formats, so if that speaks to you, off you go. Made his professional debut at Glen Abbey in 2015, and then made it count. En route to a T22, he led the field with 26 birdies, putts per GIR, one-putt percentage and birdie-or-better percentage while standing over par-breaker opportunities. It was immediate comfort. Meanwhile, toss out a scorecard error at Greenbrier and he hasn’t missed in his other most recent eight starts. The learning curve is real, but it just might be his time to crash the conversation for Rookie of the Year. Keegan Bradley … Making his debut at Glen Abbey where his recent form should carry over. Hung up top 10s at the Travelers and Quicken Loans before a T50 at Greenbrier in his last start. Presumably rested and recharged, he can peg it with the confidence of slotting first on TOUR in total driving, 25th in greens hit and T40 in strokes gained: tee-to-green. A strong complement on any roster. Stewart Cink … Despite his current rut, I’m not giving up on him just yet. He’s a superb fit at Glen Abbey where he finished T5 in 2015. It’s also a great time to revisit the fact that he’s 21st on TOUR in greens in regulation, T41 in proximity, 26th in strokes gained: putting and 24th in adjusted scoring. James Hahn … Performing relatively steady and spiking on occasion, a combination all touring pros would covet. Two top 10s and a T20 during his current 5-for-6 run. All of that is more than enough to warrant inclusion in DFS, but he’s also 2-for-2 at Glen Abbey with a T11 in his last trip in 2015. David Lingmerth … Let’s not forget about this guy. Connected nine paydays, six of which going for a top 25, before missing the cut at the Scottish Open, and then took last week off. As one of the PGA TOUR’s best putters, he’ll need the wand to remain warm, but he’s connected on Glen Abbey’s greens before. In his only prior trip, he tied for 12th in 2013, ranking sixth in birdie-or-better percentage and T3 in par-5 scoring. Kevin Tway … Took last week off after a T12 at the John Deere Classic where he flashed his customary 1-2 punch of distance off the tee and putting. Even though he’s making his debut at Glen Abbey, DFSers and PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO gamers can lean on a 10-for-11 run with six top 20s since late March. Ryan Palmer … We know that he goes as his game off the tee goes, so the 40-year-old is a calculated flier with a 5-for-5 slate at Glen Abbey, just with little about which to brag lately. Still, he’s 15th on TOUR in strokes gained: tee-to-green, so you’re matching that proficiency with his experience and comfort on these greens. Patrick Cantlay … I attempted to learn more why he’s been sidelined since a T35 at Memorial, but my email to his agent, Mark Steinberg, went unanswered. The absence of bad news for headliners like Cantlay is almost always good news for gamers. Still, without confirmation that all’s well, he wasn’t going to crack the Power Rankings, but he’s done nothing to discourage us from attaching a high level of confidence to him in most formats, especially in DFS. William McGirt … Continues to meander through the summer portion of the schedule without making any noise, but he’s 3-for-3 at Glen Abbey with a T2 in 2013. Combined with the fact that he’s 34th on TOUR in greens in regulation, there’s enough evidence to consider him in DFS. Fades Jhonattan Vegas … If you find yourself in a conversation about the Nappy Factor, cite the defending champion of the RBC Canadian Open. He has been clicking for a bit before his first child was born in early March of 2016. He then dug in for the remainder of the year and into early 2017. However, since missing the cut at the Masters, he’s just 2-for-10 with no top 30s. Grayson Murray … Gutty breakthrough victory at the Barbasol Championship on Sunday. With his job no longer in danger and the fact that he’s been on the road the last five weeks (to mixed results), I was surprised that he kept his commitment to the RBC Canadian Open. It certainly speaks to his devotion to the tournament, but his life has forever changed and he’s fully exempt through 2018-19. Gamers need to fear the emotional letdown that often trails the culmination of reaching one’s primary goal. Patrick Rodgers … As much as I’d love to endorse a trend, the John Deere Classic runner-up has yet to prove that he can lay in a groove for a while. His serious game still belongs mainly in full-season lineups. Kevin Chappell … Glen Abbey rewards the kind of tee-to-green game that he owns, but it didn’t translate in his first two experiences when four of his six career rounds were 74 or higher, so there’s no reason to rush to his window. Bubba Watson … Still scuffling compared to expectations, which is to say that last week’s T27 at Royal Birkdale exceeded his projection. He was the runner-up in his last trip to Glen Abbey in 2015, but all of his course history has been on notice since his change in the golf ball he’s been using in 2017. If we were to debate usage, I’d concede that the lefty presents adequately as a contrarian investment in PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO where his length can do some damage. Chris Kirk … He’ll snap out of his funk at some point, and it may even occur at Glen Abbey this week where he registered top 25s in his last two visits (2013, 2016), but the 32-year-old has been uninspiring for two months during which his best finish in five starts is a T60 at the John Deere Classic. It his second-best result in his last 14. Gary Woodland … He’s survived six consecutive cuts, but we expect more than a T40 (Byron Nelson) amid that kind of consistency. Certainly, it’s better than the alternative, but continue to allow him to come to us as he finds balance as a first-time father outside the ropes. Jared du Toit … The 22-year-old native of Canada broke into the play-for-pay ranks on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada in June. He’s 22nd on its Order of Merit in five starts. It was at Glen Abbey last year where he made headlines as an amateur sitting one stroke off the 54-hole lead. He carded a 1-under 71 in the finale to finish T9 and lay the foundation for our long-range expectations. He even led the field in total distance of putts made. As he makes his first appearance as a pro on the PGA TOUR this week, do not be surprised if his transition is seamless. His pedigree precedes him, but we still need to be conscious not to force the issue. Returning to Competition Kevin Stadler … Committed to this week’s Digital Ally Open on the Web.com Tour. If he doesn’t withdraw before the opening round, it’ll mark his first sanctioned action since the 2015 John Deere Classic. The 37-year-old failed to find any traction amid a broken bone in his left hand suffered late in 2014, but it’s unconfirmed as of this moment that it’s the same reason why he’s sat out two years. Nevertheless, given the timing of his return to competition, he could be busy with as many as five rehab starts before making his way to the Web.com Tour Finals where he might be granted entry due to his injury. Whenever he returns to the PGA TOUR, he’ll have 26 starts on a Major Medical Extension, so full-season salary gamers need to start paying attention. S.J. Park … Scheduled to play the Digital Ally Open. He’s been sidelined with a shoulder injury since withdrawing during the FedEx St. Jude Classic. He’s relevant in our world because he has a Non-exempt Medical Extension on the PGA TOUR, but he doesn’t belong on any full-season rosters. Notable WDs Brandt Snedeker … Tough pill to swallow for gamers eager to hop aboard at Glen Abbey where he’s a former winner (2013) and finished T5 in his other two appearances. Of course, withdrawing on a Monday is always better than deciding against giving it a go last minute on Thursday morning, so let’s not overlook the value in the timing of his decision. The 36-year-old confirmed on Twitter on Tuesday that the rib injury that prompted his decision not to play last week’s Open Championship “flared up” again this week. Derek Fathauer … This is his third early withdrawal of 2017 (WMPO, Byron Nelson), but he can afford the time off. Currently 111th in the FedExCup standings, albeit without a top 20 after opening the season T15-T3. William MacKenzie … This is the fourth straight week during which he’s withdrawn after the commitment deadline. This pattern usually signifies that a golfer is dealing with a nagging injury and considers himself week-to-week, otherwise he’d wipe his slate clean for a while and establish a time frame to return. Unfortunately, the 42-year-old doesn’t have that luxury at 177th in the FedExCup standings. Power Rankings Recap – The Open Championship Power Ranking, Golfer, Result 1 Jordan Spieth Win 2 Dustin Johnson T54 3 Sergio Garcia T37 4 Rickie Fowler T22 5 Justin Rose T54 6 Hideki Matsuyama T14 7 Adam Scott T22 8 Brooks Koepka T6 9 Jon Rahm T44 10 Phil Mickelson MC 11 Francesco Molinari MC 12 Matt Kuchar 2nd 13 Henrik Stenson T11 14 Tommy Fleetwood T27 15 Rafa Cabrera Bello T4 16 Brandt Snedeker WD 17 Paul Casey T11 18 Steve Stricker T37 19 Charl Schwartzel T62 20 Padraig Harrington MC Sleepers Recap – The Open Championship Golfers, Result Ryan Fox MC Anirban Lahiri MC Thorbjørn Olesen T62 Andy Sullivan T70 Peter Uihlein T44 Power Rankings Recap – Barbasol Championship Power Ranking, Golfer, Result 1 Trey Mullinax T55 2 Chad Campbell T18 3 Jim Furyk T35 4 Daniel Summerhays 63rd 5 Ben Martin T6 6 Chesson Hadley T27 7 David Hearn T27 8 Robby Shelton T35 9 Sam Saunders T55 10 Dominic Bozzelli MC Birthdays among active golfers on the PGA TOUR July 25 … none July 26 … Tim Wilkinson (39) July 27 … Jordan Spieth (24) July 28 … Frank Lickliter II (48); Steven Alker (46) July 29 … Harrison Frazar (46) July 30 … Graeme McDowell (38); Justin Rose (37); Sam Saunders (30) July 31 … none

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SCOTTSDALE. Ariz. — Tony Finau and Webb Simpson crashed golf’s biggest party with some back-nine fireworks. Finau shot a 9-under 62 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over Simpson in the Waste Management Phoenix Open, making an eagle on the par-5 13th and then, switching to a Kobe Bryant jersey for one hole, a birdie on TPC Scottsdale’s stadium par-3 16th. Related: Leaderboard | Amy paying it forward | Spieth misses cut, continues search for his best “I had a perfect number for a sand wedge and go ahead and fire right at the pin,” Finau said. “Damn near made it. That would have been pretty sweet with the Kobe jersey on. But I like that shot. That was pretty nice.” Simpson had a hole-in-one on the par-3 12th in a 64. Second-round leader J.B. Holmes and Hudson Swafford were two strokes back. Holmes shot 70 and Swafford had a 66. Holmes won at TPC Scottsdale in 2006 and 2008 for the first of his five PGA TOUR titles. Xander Schauffele (66), Adam Long (66) and Scott Piercy (68) were another shot back. Finau began his back-nine charge with a birdie on 12, ran in a 20-footer for the eagle on 13, then settled for birdie on the par-5 15th after missing a 6 1/2-foot eagle try. After the birdie on the rowdy 16th, he three-putted for par from the fringe on the short par-4 17th — missing a 4-foot birdie attempt — and saved par on the par-4 18th after driving left into the first section of the church pew bunkers. “I missed the one on 15 where I stuffed it in there and another one on 17,” Finau said. “It would be nice to have those back, I would have had the low round of my career. But it was a beautiful round of golf.” The 30-year-old from Utah won the 2016 Puerto Rico Open for his lone PGA TOUR title. “I look forward to tomorrow, my game’s in a good place and I always tell myself, `Whatever happens, you’re going to learn from it and get better and stronger as long as it doesn’t kill you,'” Finau said. “I’m still standing here punching and I’m going to do that for the rest of my career. So, I got 18 holes to try and win this golf tournament and my expectation is exactly that.” Simpson used a 7-iron on the 196-yard 12th. The ball bounced and rolled, turning slightly to right as it lost speed. “We figured with all the adjustments and everything, playing 180 yards, which is a perfect 7-iron for me and as soon as I hit it I knew I hit a good shot,” Simpson said. “I quit watching it because I can’t see the green. I can’t really see that well, to gauge how far it was from the hole. I was looking at the crowd and they got more excited and then their hands went up. And at first my first thought was, `That couldn’t have gone in.’ And then it dawned on me they were really excited, so it was fun.” He birdied 14 and 15, then saved bogey on 17 with a 20-foot putt after driving short and right into a bunker and taking three more shots to get on the green. He also scrambled on 18, making a 10-footer for par after driving into the right rough. The 2012 U.S. Open champion has five PGA TOUR victories, the last in 2018 at THE PLAYERS Championship. He lost a playoff to Hideki Matsuyama at TPC Scottsdale in 2017. “The golf course has gotten more firm every day, so it’s going to be challenging tomorrow,” Simpson said. “But guys, I think, are still looking at it as plenty of birdie opportunities. This course is playing shorter, so we’re having shorter clubs in, even though the greens are more firm.” Jon Rahm was tied for 11th at 10 under after a 68, playing alongside Finau. “Can’t make a putt. If I could make a putt, I would be happier,” Rahm said. “But six back, hitting it good, I just can’t seem to roll it in and at this point it just seems like it’s a little bit too far to be able to make it up. This course, it isn’t as easy to make up distance.” Billy Horschel, a shot behind Holmes entering the round, had a 73 to drop seven strokes back. Wyndham Clark, the first-round leader after a 61, also was 9 under after a 74 in the final group with Holmes and Horschel. FedExCup points leader Justin Thomas shot 69 to get to 8 under. Defending champion Rickie Fowler was 5 under after a 69.

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