Watch live: Day 3 of Presidents Cup

Whew. And ouch. Sort of. What transpired – or didn’t – at last week’s U.S. Open would have crushed a few gamers in PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO if not for the fact that only actual scoring and bonus points were measured. As noted last week and many times before, we can absorb a bad week when ShotLink is turned off so much better than when everything applies. It also didn’t hurt that so many notables failed to survive the cut at Erin Hills. Note that eight of the top 10 in my Power Rankings (see the Recap below) fell short. Plainly, and crudely, the majority of gamers were stung by the mass exodus, but likely experienced little impact in the overall standings and in private leagues. Segment 3 concludes at this week’s Travelers Championship. However, while starts for anyone available to you won’t be an issue, the full array of fantasy scoring is back, so it’s once again critical to get at least four to the weekend and avoid costly goose eggs. PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO My roster for the U.S. Open (in alphabetical order): Paul Casey Jason Day Rory McIlroy Brandt Snedeker Brendan Steele Justin Thomas You’ll find my starters in Expert Picks. Others to consider for each category (in alphabetical order): Scoring: Daniel Berger; Tony Finau; Brian Harman; Charley Hoffman; Marc Leishman; David Lingmerth; Patrick Reed; Jordan Spieth Driving: Daniel Berger; Keegan Bradley; Graham DeLaet; Tony Finau; Zach Johnson; Marc Leishman; Kyle Stanley; Kevin Streelman; Bubba Watson Approach: Keegan Bradley; Chad Campbell; Graham DeLaet; Jim Furyk; Zach Johnson; David Lingmerth; Chez Reavie; Webb Simpson; Jordan Spieth; Kyle Stanley Short: Daniel Berger; Graham DeLaet; Harris English; Brian Harman; Marc Leishman; David Lingmerth; Seung-Yul Noh; Chez Reavie; Patrick Reed; Jordan Spieth Power Ranking Wild Card Webb Simpson … TPC River Highlands is in that next tier of reliable sites for us to consider plugging him in, regardless of concerns with his putting. He opened his record with six straight paydays before sitting out the 2014 and 2015 editions. Last year’s return resulted in a T34. Of his 28 trots around the place in competition, he’s signed for only three over-par scores. Twenty-two were in the red. His scoring average is 68.11. Launched his current streak of four consecutive cuts made with a T16 at TPC Sawgrass and a solo fifth at Colonial. Draws Zach Johnson … In ZJ we trust. His numbers on approach have declined since he turned 40 years of age 16 months ago, but TPC River Highlands is still the kind of joint where he’s expected to make the cut at worst. He’s done that in nine of his 11 trips and finished sixth just two years ago, but he’s likely overpriced in DFS because of the slower rollback that usually occurs with talents of his cachet. Now, what is concerning is how he’ll be performing when he shows up at the John Deere Classic in three weeks. If that tournament was this week, he wouldn’t be an automatic in as many fantasy formats as usual in that event. Jim Furyk … If we’re having fun with the common narrative, it’s fair to wonder how he chases a low round, albeit 10-and-a-half months later. His 58 in the finale of last year’s Travelers is a PGA TOUR record, of course, but he might settle for quad-68s this week. As noted too often in this column, it’s been a tough 2017 for the Ryder Cup captain, but TPC River Highlands sets the stage for a continuation of form found at Erin Hills of all places. The stats are irrelevant. Instead, approach him as a potential complement in any format where you can surround him with reliability. Given his penchant to contend, not to mention his feel for the track, it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s in the mix. Kevin Streelman … The 2014 champ hasn’t skipped out on a trip since he was first eligible in 2008. While he’s missed the cut the last two years, he presents well on the strength of top 20s in his last two starts upon arrival. Chez Reavie … Loyal readers know that he’s been on my radar all season, even during the rough four-month patch earlier this year, so it’s rewarding (and reassuring) to see him put it all together in his last two starts. He chased a T4 in Memphis with a T16 at the U.S. Open, easily his best finish in 11 career starts in the majors. Co-leads the PGA TOUR in proximity to the hole and ranks T33 in scrambling. He’s the definition of how keeping his ball in play at TPC River Highlands yields success, so look no further in his price range in DFS. The 35-year-old is perfect in five tries here since 2009 with a pair of top 25s. David Lingmerth … When he’s going good, he’s one of my favorites. It’s just that it occurs so infrequently, but that’s the nature of the beast for the rank and file. Quite simply, gamers can’t get enough of his confidence. The 29-year-old’s best weapon is his putter. It’s the reason why he’s been simmering of late. Strolls in for his third crack at TPC River Highlands with top 25s in four of his last five starts (preceded by a T14 at the two-man event in New Orleans). Seung-Yul Noh … We still don’t know why he called it quits after one round at Colonial, but he returned at TPC Southwind and placed T37. That relieves any doubt entering his sixth appearance at TPC River Highlands where he’s never missed a cut and has averaged 68.90 with a pair of top 20s. Beau Hossler … It was just a matter of time, and sooner than later at that, before he was going to make noise again in PGA TOUR-sanctioned competition. Last week’s runner-up finish on the Web.com Tour in Wichita, Kansas, secured status on that circuit for the remainder of 2017. That opens all kinds of doors, including the competitive freedom to parlay it into something special in his first look of TPC River Highlands. Ranked fourth at the Air Capital Classic in greens in regulation and ninth in scrambling. Both are keys to success this week. Fades Russell Knox … It’s been just under 11 months since he answered the winning putt with a cap throw for the record books. Alas, my confidence was greater two weeks ago in Memphis where he settled for a T37. Yet, it’s his second-best finish in the last five months. So, let the course history buffs among your competition nibble while you look elsewhere for a bite. Daniel Summerhays … Hasn’t recovered from fading to T10 at Muirfield Village to start the month, but that’s also nothing out of the ordinary for the occasional threat. He owns the same reputation at TPC River Highlands where he debuted with a solo 74th in 2011, followed with three missed cuts, and then hung up four red numbers for a T11 last year. Kevin Na … It’s too bad that his humor on social media wasn’t more obvious before I faded him outright for the U.S. Open. When watching him hack away in the fescue, it seemed like a joke, but it would have been irresponsible not to take him seriously in the absence of an obvious cue to express otherwise. Nevertheless, he’s manufactured only one top-30 finish in seven attempts at TPC River Highlands and it’s been 10 years since that. Without a strong run of form entering the week, there’s simply no reason to force him. Ryan Palmer … Given the value of confidence off the tee at Erin Hills last week, it’s an upset that he didn’t factor. Case in point, Tommy Fleetwood finished fourth with essentially the same profile of a guy who does work tee to green. Palmer can sustain form due to the confidence borne from lacing tee ball after tee ball. We’re reminded of this as he grinds through his current trough. He also hasn’t seen TPC River Highlands since 2009 and his only cut made in three starts was way back in his rookie season of 2004. Lucas Glover … Same goes for this guy. In retrospect, his proficiency tee to green should have played at Erin Hills, but he also missed the cut. It was the latest of three substandard efforts since a T6 at THE PLAYERS. With a 1-for-4 slate at TPC River Highlands since 2012, we can leave him alone this week. Byeong Hun An … Really liked his fit at Erin Hills but he missed the cut. Now that he has to throttle back in his debut at TPC River Highlands, it’s time to abstain. Returning to Competition Padraig Harrington … As promised, he’s returning from an injury suffered when an amateur clocked him in the left elbow during a corporate outing two weeks ago. The three-time major champion required stitches. He alerted followers on Twitter on June 16 that he’s “on track to play” the Travelers. TPC River Highlands has been good to him, so there’s an element of bewaring the injured golfer in play. However, even with just one missed cut in seven appearances, gamers don’t need to roll the dice given his recent brush with bad luck. Nicholas Lindheim … Back in action after an illness knocked him out of the FedEx St. Jude Classic after an opening 76. The PGA TOUR rookie is just 7-for-14 with one top 25. He’s 175th in the FedExCup standings. Notable WDs Si Woo Kim … Proven big-stage performer placed T13 at Erin Hills. His early exit from the Travelers is his third such decision of the season (Sony, Byron Nelson) to go with five mid-tournament withdrawals. If only he could stay healthy, he just might be eclipsing the crazy numbers he put up as a rookie in 2015-16. Power Rankings Recap – U.S. Open Sleepers Recap – U.S. Open Birthdays among active golfers on the PGA TOUR June 20 … Charles Howell III (38) June 21 … Matt Kuchar (39); William McGirt (38); Russell Knox (32); Sangmoon Bae (31); Julian Etulain (29) June 22 … Dustin Johnson (33) June 23 … Roberto Castro (32) June 24 … none June 25 … John Rollins (42) June 26 … Colt Knost (32)

Click here to read the full article…

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – Charles Howell III knew what you were thinking when that drive went into the water right of Sea Island’s second fairway. He was thinking the same thing. He thought he’d blown it again. His chances of winning were over. Another Sunday would end in frustration, not elation. “I just honestly thought I had shot myself in the foot again,â€� Howell said. He started The RSM Classic’s final round with a one-shot lead. It was the sixth 54-hole lead of his career. He’d lost the previous five, another frustrating statistic in a career defined by what he hasn’t achieved. Howell trailed by three shots when he arrived at the third tee. “Sometimes you wonder, well, maybe you just don’t have it in you,â€� he said. “Maybe today is just not the day. More than likely I won’t be winning the golf tournament.â€� Howell has heard all of the criticisms levied against his long and consistent career. He’s brought the same charges against himself. Sunday was different, though. He proved his harshest critic – himself – wrong. The 39-year-old won his third PGA TOUR title with an unprecedented performance. He summoned his best golf at the most important moment. Now he will take the FedExCup lead into the New Year. “I thought I had it in me, but I had never seen me do it,â€� Howell said. “It’s kind of like the guy who thinks he can dunk, but if you can’t dunk, you just can’t do it.â€� The comeback began quietly, with birdies at Nos. 5 and 6. Then he started the back nine with another birdie. But with a jammed leaderboard on a low-scoring day, he would need more than the occasional birdie. He two-putted the par-5 15th for birdie. Then he holed an 18-footer birdie on 16. He hit his tee shot to 5 feet on the par-3 17th. Two groups ahead, Patrick Rodgers birdied the 18th hole to go a shot ahead. Howell knew he needed to make his putt if he wanted to win. He did. His work wasn’t over, though. His birdie putt on 18 missed by the smallest of margins. He fell to his knees and dropped his putter in despair. “I thought, man, I’ve seen this movie before and I know how it ends,â€� he said. Last year, he barely missed a birdie putt on the final hole of the Quicken Loans National, then lost a playoff to Kyle Stanley. After watching Rodgers miss a birdie putt on The RSM’s first playoff hole, Howell barely missed a 15-footer from the fringe for the win. Rodgers putted first on the second playoff hole. He missed again. This time, Howell poured in his 15-footer. Overwhelmed with relief, he sank to the ground and grabbed his face with his hands. “Quite honestly, I didn’t know if I would ever win one again,â€� Howell said. “I had come up short so many times.â€� Howell has been a pro for nearly two decades. He’s won more than $35 million. He’s never lost his card and he’s qualified for every edition of the FedExCup Playoffs. He is known more for what he hasn’t accomplished, though. He has played 529 PGA TOUR events. Only two men needed more starts before winning for the third time. He has 16 runner-up finishes on TOUR. He’s finished third nine times. “Playing with a lead isn’t one thing I’ve really done a whole lot of. I could talk to you about finishing second or third a lot,â€� he said Friday after shooting consecutive 64s. His first win came at an event that no longer exists. His second win was more than a decade ago. The standards were high when he turned pro after a dominant win at the NCAA Championship. He finished third in his third PGA TOUR start as a pro. Few players can match Howell’s fascination with the game, though. He recently was investigating the discrepancy between his two launch monitors, calling the two manufacturers for answers. His college roommate, Web.com Tour player Edward Loar, remembers Howell leaving the house on Saturday to practice while his teammates watched college football. He could be found at Bodyworks, the Stillwater gym where the Oklahoma State team trained, on Friday nights. The Cowboys’ coach, Mike Holder, gave the team 100 practice balls for the year. Players had to run for every lost ball. “The only thing that would interrupt Charles is that we had to shag our own balls,â€� Loar said. “He was just getting warmed up and he had to go shag. Most guys would just hit wedges because they didn’t want to walk that far or were afraid to lose them.â€� Howell said he’d work in finance if he wasn’t a golfer. He’s enthralled with data. His analytical nature can be his biggest downfall – “I’ve often thought one of my flaws is I enjoy practicing and preparing more than playing,â€� he said – but also the source of solace in the long years between wins. “I always go back to, okay, how do I improve, how do I get better, what do I need to work on,â€� Howell said. “That’s the part I really, really enjoy.â€� And that’s what means the most to Howell after his long-awaited win. “The things that I’ve been working on and practicing held up. In the playoff, I was able to hit nice drives off that tee in a left-to-right crosswind,â€� he said. “I was able to hit a nice 8-iron on 17 in regulation to make birdie. “That bit means more to me than beating somebody.â€� Howell did that Sunday. More importantly, he learned something about himself. Winning was worth the wait.

Click here to read the full article…

Round 4 of the Safeway Open begins Sunday from Napa, California with a massive 35 players within six shots of the lead at the start of the day. Here’s how to follow the action. Tee times | Leaderboard HOW TO FOLLOW Television: Thursday-Friday, 4 p.m.-7 p.m. ET (Golf Channel). Saturday-Sunday, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. (Golf Channel) PGA TOUR LIVE: Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (Featured Groups), Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (Featured Groups) Radio: Thursday-Friday, 1 p.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 4 p.m.-9 p.m. (PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and PGATOUR.com/liveaudio). FEATURED GROUPS (All times ET) Harold Varner III, Jamie Lovemark 12:50 p.m. ET Phil Mickelson, Andy Zhang 1:30 p.m. ET Russell Knox, Sahith Theegala 4:20 p.m. ET Harry Higgs, Sam Burns 4:50 p.m. ET MUST READS Race to the finish is on for young and old at Safeway Open Three share Safeway Open lead Higgs’ walk-off albatross sets up title push Mickelson helps 18-year-old Bhatia stay loose Champ reflects on year since Napa win CALL OF THE DAY

Click here to read the full article…