Tony Finau on U.S. Open setups, that Masters final pairing with Tiger Woods, and his signature dish in the kitchen

Click here to read the full article…

SOUTHPORT, England – Rory McIlroy is the reigning FedExCup champ and owner of four major titles, but even he needs to be reminded of what he is capable of, especially after missing consecutive cuts. At his best, he can intimidate others by hitting tee shots where few can. His confidence was low, however, as he started the 146th Open Championship on Thursday. “I was nervous going out. I was a little anxious, timid,â€� he admitted. A tough start at Royal Birkdale didn’t help matters. He made bogey on four of his first five holes, which led caddie J.P. Fitzgerald to intervene. “You’re Rory McIlroy. What are you doing?â€� Fitzgerald implored his boss, according to McIlroy. McIlroy made another bogey at the sixth hole to fall to 5 over, but that was his last one of the day. Four back-nine birdies allowed McIlroy to salvage a 1-over 71. This has been a scattered season for McIlroy. Some distractions have been good, like his recent wedding. But there’s also been two injury-induced hiatuses, and equipment uncertainty that was finally resolved by his signing with TaylorMade in May. McIlroy missed the cut at the last major, the U.S. Open, before finishing T13 at the Travelers Championship, where he played putter roulette as his struggles on the greens reached a tipping point. He then missed the cut at the Irish Open, which he hosts, and last week’s Scottish Open. McIlroy’s turnaround was spurred by Fitzgerald’s pep talk and a decision to trust the swing he’d been practicing on the range. “I sort of felt I was caught in between (swings) on the first six holes,â€� he said. “I found a little swing thought or a little trigger that I think is going to help.â€� McIlroy, No. 75 in the FedExCup, can also draw inspiration from a victory that led to last season’s FedExCup triumph. “I was 4 over through three holes last year in Boston and won that tournament, so I’ve done it before,â€� he said, referring to his victory in last season’s Dell Technologies Championship. He shot a final-round 65 to win at TPC Boston on Labor Day, then won the TOUR Championship later that month to add the FedExCup to his major-laden resume. His hopes for a rally this week began with his first birdie of the day at the par-4 11th. He also birdied three of his final four holes, punctuating his comeback with a 20-foot birdie putt on the last hole. He’s six shots behind co-leaders Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka and Matt Kuchar. McIlroy wasn’t the only big name to shoot 71. FedExCup leader Dustin Johnson, Olympic gold medalist Justin Rose and FedExCup No. 6 Rickie Fowler also were 1 over par. McIlroy sits in 58th place after the first round, one shot inside the cut line. He’s trying to avoid a third missed cut in his past four majors, and missing consecutive major cuts for just the second time in his career (2010 Masters, U.S. Open). He isn’t thinking about the cut line, though. With tomorrow’s difficult afternoon forecast as an aid to his efforts, McIlroy is hoping he can begin his move up the leaderboard at 9:47 a.m. local time Friday. “With the weather we’re expecting tomorrow, I still feel I’m in the golf tournament,â€� he said. “If I can go out and play a good quality round of golf in the morning and try to get in the clubhouse somewhere around even par, under par, I’ll still be around for the weekend.â€�

Click here to read the full article…

It would probably be easiest to illustrate the next several weeks as a flowchart replete with a series of if-thens, but it really isn’t that complicated. The top 125 in the FedExCup standings at the conclusion of this week’s Wyndham Championship qualify for the Playoffs. They’re also fully exempt on the PGA TOUR in 2017-18. Those who aren’t yet fully exempt and finish 126-200 in FedExCup points qualify for the Web.com Tour Finals. That series begins on Aug. 31-Sept. 3 with the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship. This is the first time that earnings will not be used to determine status, so if you’re a full-season salary gamer, be sure to crosscheck who’s inside the top 125 in the FedExCup standings. Do not assume that a golfer inside the top 125 on the money list after the Wyndham has a TOUR card next season. PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO My roster for the Wyndham Championship (in alphabetical order): Bud Cauley Bill Haas Kevin Kisner (winner) Sam Saunders Webb Simpson Henrik Stenson You’ll find my starters in Expert Picks. Others to consider for each category (in alphabetical order): Scoring: Keegan Bradley; Jason Dufner; Lucas Glover; Brandon Hagy; Ben Martin; Graeme McDowell; Ryan Moore; Grayson Murray; Chris Stroud Driving: Keegan Bradley; Jason Dufner; Lucas Glover; James Hahn; Billy Horschel; Martin Laird; Ryan Moore; Rory Sabbatini; Kevin Streelman Approach: Chad Campbell; Jason Dufner; Lucas Glover; Ben Martin; Chez Reavie; Rory Sabbatini; Chris Stroud Short: Scott Brown; Luke Donald; Brandon Hagy; Billy Horschel; Martin Laird; Graeme McDowell; Chez Reavie Power Rankings Wild Card Keegan Bradley … Tied for 46th in his Sedgefield debut last year and he’s perfect in six starts since the U.S. Open. Three went for top 15s. Leads the PGA TOUR in total driving and ranks 23rd in greens in regulation. That quintessential form has relieved most of the pressure off below-average putting since the anchoring ban and has supported his spot at 48th in adjusted scoring. Draws Grayson Murray … This is all about hopping aboard the bandwagon while it’s in motion. His missed cut in Canada after his breakthrough at the Barbasol Championship wasn’t unexpected, but a T22 (despite a closing 75) at the PGA Championship was a welcome surprise. Now making his Wyndham debut while playing on house FedExCup points. Billy Horschel … He’s been quiet since a T4 at TPC Southwind, one of his haunts for success, but it’s time to make room again in DFS. Sedgefield isn’t quite in the same category in terms of year-to-year brilliance, but he’s missed only one of five cuts. He placed T5 last year. Currently 22nd on TOUR in greens hit. Lucas Glover … With ball-striking as strong as his, he should miss few cuts. That was his M.O. early in his career, and it has been again this season, at least until he endured a 1-for-4 blip in late May and all of June. The 37-year-old has since righted the ship that’s projected to sail nicely at Sedgefield where he finished inside the top 25 in each of the last two years. Graeme McDowell … It’s funny what can happen when a long-time PGA TOUR member makes a tournament debut later in his career and thrives. He returns! DFSers won’t mind taking a flier on the 38-year-old following a T5 on the gettable par 70 last year. He ranked ninth in strokes gained: putting for the week. It occurred during a similar up-and-down record with which he enters this week. Luke Donald … Only if you’re keen on comping his record at Sedgefield to his accomplishments at Harbour Town, site of his only top 15 in 2017. He’s as calculated a flier as it gets since he’s just 2-for-9 worldwide with no top 55s since the runner-up. The Englishman also was the runner-up here last year after finishing T26 in his debut in 2015. All of his scores have been 68 or lower. Chad Campbell … At 12th in greens in regulation and second in scrambling, he’s straight chalk as a DFS complement. Also 7-for-8 with five top 20s since the AT&T Byron Nelson. Fades Kyle Stanley … With no top 40s among two cuts made in four starts since winning the Quicken Loans National, he’s fulfilling the classic letdown after reaching the goal following months of chasing and crashing leaderboards. This is the essence of why he lands in this section. Otherwise, he’d set up wonderfully as the TOUR’s leader in greens in regulation who also slots T2 in proximity. A T14 at last year’s Wyndham doesn’t hurt the perception, either. Russell Knox … If he owned a record better than one cut made (T37, 2012) in two appearances, I wouldn’t talk you out of him. However, he went from putting beautifully on the bentgrass at Firestone en route to a T5 to missing the cut on Bermuda at Quail Hollow. While the Scot has succeeded on all surfaces, it was a regression toward form that yielded just the singular top 10 in 2017. Kevin Na … It hasn’t been a bad season, but it’s been his worst while healthy in nine years. It also hasn’t been any one thing, so there’s a direct relationship between his stats and his production. It’s been six months since his last top 20 in stroke-play competition on the PGA TOUR. Last year’s T10 at Sedgefield occurred amid a stretch of consistently strong form. William McGirt … Now 0-for-3 since The Open Championship with the withdrawal in Canada sandwiched in there. Has a pair of top 15s at Sedgefield, but he’s also finished outside the top 50 four times. For a veteran who often lines up as a horse for a course, the smart play is to leave him in the stable this week. Kyle Reifers … As often as he emerges as a potential sleeper, it’s surprising that he’s 152nd in the FedExCup standings. However, he’s outside the top 155 in both third- and final-round scoring average. With T18s in the last two additional events, there’s reason to be hopeful yet again, but he’s just 2-for-4 without a top 35 at Sedgefield. Returning to Competition Smylie Kaufman … The recently engaged 25-year-old made the cut at the Barracuda Championship two weeks ago but withdrew before the final round. Now makes his Wyndham debut positioned 135th in the FedExCup standings, but he’s fully exempt through 2017-18 via his victory at the 2015 Shriners. Julian Etulain … Withdrew during his second round of the Barracuda with a wrist injury. The rookie is 160th in the FedExCup standings. Brian Davis … Making his first appearance on the PGA TOUR in 14 months. Sat out nearly a year due to injury. Went 3-for-5 without a top 45 on the Web.co Tour this summer. Has five starts on a medical extension that will extend into 2017-18 PGA TOUR season, if necessary. Notable WDs Brandt Snedeker … He’s now gone five commitments from which a rib injury has forced his early withdrawal. It’s the first time in 11 years that he’s missing the Wyndham Championship. He’s been a faithful participant (and frequent contender) ever since he won in his debut as a PGA TOUR rookie at Forest Oaks in 2007. Currently 57th in the FedExCup standings, he’s fallen just 16 spots since a T14 at the Travelers. Charles Howell III … Once a regular at Sedgefield, he’s now sat out the last two editions. However, at 20th in the FedExCup standings, he’s in position to go deep into the Playoffs. It speaks to the value of the length of the season given he was sidelined for two-and-a-half months with a rib injury. Kelly Kraft … Opting to rest on the eve of his debut in the FedExCup Playoffs. He’s 56th in points. The 2016-17 season marked quite a turnaround for the former U.S. Amateur champion after he placed 165th as a first-time PGA TOUR member last season. It also served as a reminder to gamers that the learning curve doesn’t discriminate based on pedigree. Sung Kang … The 30-year-old is rapidly rising in the ranks among the better talents on TOUR without a victory. Poised for his second Playoffs and a virtual lock to make at least three starts as he’s 42nd in points. Boo Weekley … At 167th in the FedExCup standings, he’s eligible for the Web.com Tour Finals. Turned 44 in July. Once said that when he had enough money in the bank, he’d retire and go fishing. It’s doubtful that he’s considering the former anytime soon, but you can sure bet on the latter as often as possible. Dominic Bozzelli … Withdrew early from the Barracuda Championship as well. No news has surfaced regarding injury or another reason why. Just 1-for-6 since late June but will qualify for next week’s NORTHERN TRUST. That’s a goal achieved for any rookie. Power Rankings Recap – PGA Championship Power Ranking, Golfer, Result 1 Hideki Matsuyama T5 2 Rory McIlroy T22 3 Rickie Fowler T5 4 Zach Johnson T48 5 Jordan Spieth T28 6 Thomas Pieters MC 7 Charley Hoffman T48 8 Paul Casey T13 9 Brooks Koepka T13 10 Dustin Johnson T13 11 Tony Finau T44 12 Adam Scott T61 13 Phil Mickelson MC 14 Jon Rahm T58 15 Henrik Stenson T13 16 Matt Kuchar T9 17 Marc Leishman T13 18 Alex Noren T67 19 Patrick Reed T2 20 Tommy Fleetwood T61 Sleepers Recap – PGA Championship Golfer, Result Bud Cauley T33 Hao Tong Li MC Luke List MC Ian Poulter T22 Brendan Steele MC Birthdays among active golfers on the PGA TOUR August 15 … Ted Purdy (44); Harold Varner III (27) August 16 … none August 17 … none August 18 … Cameron Smith (24) August 19 … Jhonattan Vegas (33) August 20 … Zac Blair (27) August 21 … J.J. Spaun (27)

Click here to read the full article…