Watch live: Moving day at The Players

LA QUINTA, Calif. – After a few difficult months, everything went right for Will Zalatoris in Friday’s second round of The American Express. Even after losing his footing on the last tee, and fearing that his ball was headed for some bushes, he was able to walk off with one more birdie. It was his seventh in a row to end his round, good for a 61 that was 10 shots better than a frustrating first round at this tournament where low scores are a necessity. The player who turned heads last season by going straight from the Korn Ferry Tour to contending in majors is back in contention after a quiet stretch. “I think today I just gave myself chances, I hit a lot close and made a couple 20, 30 footers to keep the round going and obviously … making birdie on 9 from the wrong fairway is kind of the icing on the cake,” Zalatoris said. His drive on that final hole sailed into the rough on the adjacent first hole at PGA West’s Nicklaus Tournament Course. He capitalized on the good break by hitting a 6-iron from 212 yards to 15 feet and lipping in the birdie putt. That final birdie put him on the first page of the leaderboard. He started Friday in 96th place after hitting just 10 greens in his opening round at the 7,060 La Quinta Country Club. That was unacceptable for a player who finished in the top 10 of Strokes Gained: Approach-the-Green last season. He blamed the poor performance with his irons on being overly cautious in his first PGA TOUR round since November. Josh Gregory, Zalatoris’ short-game coach, encouraged his student to take more chances, telling him, “If you want to shoot 64, you have to be willing to shoot 74.” “I clipped it today,” Zalatoris said. He entered this week ranked 83rd in the FedExCup. He started the season with a pair of top-15 finishes, but has just one top-10 on TOUR since finishing T8 at the PGA Championship in May. That strong showing at Kiawah Island followed his runner-up finish to Hideki Matsuyama at the Masters and T6 in the U.S. Open in the fall of 2020. Zalatoris admitted Friday that he put too much pressure on himself after contending in those majors. After starting last season without TOUR status, he felt he was playing with “house money” when he parlayed his strong play into special temporary membership and a spot in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking. That gratitude lessened the pressure he felt while appearing on the leaderboard at Winged Foot, Augusta National and Kiawah Island. After the Masters, he was discussed as a candidate for the Ryder Cup team and looked to be following a path forged by Jordan Spieth, with whom he’d been competing since they were kids in Dallas. Spieth started his first TOUR season without status, but was able to pick up a win, make it to East Lake and earn a spot on the Presidents Cup team. Zalatoris fell off that pace in the second half of 2021, though. Then he got hurt at The Open Championship and had to withdraw with a back injury. “After Augusta, I thought my expectations and my mindset changed a little bit,” he said. “I was trying to win tournaments, I was working honestly too hard, worked myself all the way into an injury and I knew that that was kind of where I needed to take a step back. “The first six months (of 2021) were incredible. I learned a lot from it, playing that well and being in contention, but the last six months I really gained a lot more out of it, of just not forcing it. … I just need to keep this attitude going in the future.” A return to that free-wheeling mindset could lead to that first win that Zalatoris has been waiting for.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. – Tradition and progress comingled on Augusta National’s first tee Thursday. The first shots struck at each Masters represent an opportunity to look back before the quest for the Green Jacket becomes the focus. This year, that ceremony included Lee Elder, the first Black man to compete in the Masters. He joined Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, who combined to win nine Masters, in hitting the honorary opening tee shots. As the nation reckons with issues of race, Elder’s inclusion celebrated his groundbreaking appearance at this tournament in 1975. Elder’s name was listed atop the board on the first tee that announces the starters, He was the first to arrive, raising his left arm triumphantly in the air as he received a standing ovation. Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson, wearing their Green Jackets, stood at the back of the tee, along with Cameron Champ. Champ’s grandfather, Mack, picked up golf as a caddie in segregated Texas and is the one who introduced Cameron to the game. Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley introduced Elder by celebrating his groundbreaking appearance at Augusta National. “Lee Elder is the first Black man to compete in the Masters and in doing so, blazed a trail that will inspire the game of golf and future generations of players,” Ridley said. “Today, Lee Elder will inspire us and make history once more. Not with a drive, but with his presence, strength and character. Lee, it is my privilege to say, ‘You have the honors.’” Black PGA professionals and representatives from Paine College, a historically Black college and university in Augusta, sat along the ropes lining the first tee. The announcement that Elder would participate in Thursday’s ceremony was accompanied by the news that Augusta National would endow a Lee Elder Scholarship for one man and one woman on Paine College’s golf teams (Augusta National also paid to start a women’s golf team at Paine). Many of Elder’s friends and family were there Thursday, as well, wearing green hats celebrating Elder’s first Masters appearance. The words “Stay the Course” were written on the side, a tribute to Elder’s pioneering journey from the all-Black United Golfers Association tour to Augusta National. The standing ovation Elder received Thursday reminded him of his first Masters, when he received a warm reception at the greens and tees. “It was one of the most emotional experiences I have ever been involved in,” Elder said about Thursday’s tee shot. “It was something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

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As golfers all over the world continue their pursuit of exemptions into THE PLAYERS and the last three majors, those with shreds of PGA TOUR status are just happy that the second half of the season is here. Beginning with this week’s Valero Texas Open, all of the remaining opens through the Wyndham Championship will host the maximum 156 golfers. Both the Barbasol Championship and Barracuda Championship are additional events that reserve space for 132, but both fields always dip deep into the overall pecking order. So, most of the guys with as little as conditional status (Category 31 in the Priority Ranking) can expect upwards of 11 starts over the next four months. J.T. Poston (107th in the FedExCup standings) and Trey Mullinax (125th) headline this category, so they’ll remain motivated to play as often as possible. However, because none in their category is fully exempt, any can play as much as he wants on the Web.com Tour and chase a 2018-19 PGA TOUR card through that circuit. It’s a critical decision because golfers cannot combine FedExCup points or PGA TOUR earnings with Web.com Tour earnings to qualify even for the Web.com Tour Finals. Without a head start on either tour, it makes sense picking one path from here on out. The timing of that decision also is important right now since the North Mississippi Classic launches the months-long sprint to the Finals. The Web.com Tour has only two dark weeks until then. For those committed to the Valero, long hitters who hits greens in regulation should emerge as the common thread among contenders. This plays right into our hands as PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO gamers. Since distance off the tee is most valuable among the variety of attributes for fantasy scoring, go ahead and lean heavily on this skill set. Course history also carries weight at TPC San Antonio, so you shouldn’t have any issue in compiling a short list of candidates who check both boxes and for whom you won’t be worried about reserving starts in Segment 3. PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO My roster for the Valero Texas Open (in alphabetical order): Kevin Chappell Charley Hoffman Billy Horschel Matt Kuchar Luke List Brendan Steele You’ll find my starters in Expert Picks. Others to consider for each category (in alphabetical order): Scoring: Chesson Hadley; Zach Johnson; Luke List; Ryan Palmer; Pat Perez; Xander Schauffele Driving: Keegan Bradley; Martin Laird; Ryan Palmer; Pat Perez; Kevin Streelman Approach: Keegan Bradley; Chesson Hadley; Zach Johnson; Chris Kirk; Martin Lair; Nate Lashley; Ryan Palmer; Scott Piercy; Kevin Streelman Short: Chesson Hadley; Beau Hossler; Martin Laird; Pat Perez; Shawn Stefani; Daniel Summerhays Power Rankings Wild Card Jimmy Walker … The 2015 winner also has another three top 15s in the tournament, including a T13 last year, so he’s managed just fine amid any distractions of it being a home game. More impressively, he continues to work his way back from his health concerns with a 6-for-8 slate in 2018 that included a pair of top 20s. Put it all together and he’ll blend well in any roster. Draws Adam Scott … The winner of the inaugural edition at TPC San Antonio hasn’t appeared since finishing T23 in his title defense in 2011, but the higher value in ball-striking projects to present him as if he never left. Currently 21st on TOUR in greens hit and fifth in strokes gained: tee-to-green. Also recently connected top 20s at PGA National and Copperhead. Xander Schauffele … Going back to his win at the TOUR Championship, he’s gone 12 consecutive (stroke-play) starts with a score or par or better in an opening round. Slots eighth in first-round scoring average, so he’s unlocked the combination to merge patience with aggression. To wit, since missing the cut in his debut at TPC San Antonio last year, he’s missed only three cuts. Probably best known for his putting, he ranks a seriously impressive eighth in distance of all drives, so there are numerous angles from which the 2016-17 Rookie of the Year can attack and excel. Zach Johnson … Strides in having survived 13 consecutive cuts thanks to a balanced skill set that’s avoided his known pitfall of sketchy putting. Ranks third in proximity to the hole and inside the top 30 in par-3, par-4 and par-5 scoring averages. The winner of the last two editions of the tournament at LaCantera (2008, 2009) is 3-for-5 at TPC San Antonio with top 20s in 2014 and 2015. Kevin Streelman … Easily could have boxed out for a spot in the Power Rankings, so do not hesitate to employ. He’s perfect in four trips to TPC San Antonio and fresh off a T7 at Harbour Town where no one went lower than his 7-under 135 on the weekend. Sits second in ball-striking, fourth in scrambling and first in bogey avoidance. Aaron Baddeley … Perfect in his last six starts and 6-for-6 at TPC San Antonio with two top fives and another two top 20s. His touch around and on greens is so strong that his inefficiency tee-to-green hasn’t been an obstacle here. A DFSer’s delight. Keegan Bradley (SERVPRO) Bill Haas (SERVPRO) Martin Laird (all) Jamie Lovemark (DFS) Trey Mullinax (all) Grayson Murray (DFS) Chris Paisley (DFS) Scott Piercy (all) Jhonattan Vegas (DFS) Fades Kevin Tway … Tied for third here last year, but he’s gone 21 consecutive starts without a top 25 upon in advance of his return. Perhaps TPC San Antonio is what he needs to turn it around, but use him sparingly if you can’t resist. William McGirt … This is relative. He’s a known horse for courses, and even though he’s 5-for-6 at TPC San Antonio, he still hasn’t hung up a top-30 finish and has yet to break 70 in 22 rounds. He tends to play harder courses better, too, but his below-average distance off the tee is a disadvantage. Danny Lee … For the savvy who believe that the third time is the charm, he’s a contrarian investment, but in the vacuum, he belongs here. Sat a respective T23 and T9 after 54 holes of the Houston Open and RBC Heritage, but finished T64 and T55 with big numbers in the finales. Just 1-for-4 at TPC San Antonio with a T63 in 2012. So, consider this a tip to keep an eye on him if you’re not already. Julian Suri … Authored a T8 at the Houston Open with a balanced approach, so he’s getting comfortable at this level. Still, as a shiny, new toy for DFSers, the gloss can suggest that he’s more valuable than stalwarts with teeth on which you should rely. Dylan Frittelli … The University of Texas product performed below expectations in Houston where he projected to contribute across the board. With no better than a T32 at the RBC Heritage in his last five starts, the end-loaded solo 11th at The Honda Classic appears as an anomaly as he endures the learning curve as a non-member of PGA TOUR competition. Jim Furyk J.B. Holmes Martin Kaymer Russell Knox Jason Kokrak Graeme McDowell Sean O’Hair Shubhankar Sharma Returning to Competition John Peterson … Wisely rationing his last five starts on a Major Medical Extension, he withdrew early from The Honda Classic due to an issue in his neck. So, this marks his first competition since the Waste Management Phoenix Open two-and-a-half months ago. Finished T11 at TPC San Antonio in 2015, but hasn’t cracked a top 35 on the PGA TOUR in over a year. Will Claxton … If you’re new to fantasy in the last few years, the likelihood is high that you’ve never heard of him. The 36-year-old is an Auburn product. After finishing inside the top 125 in the FedExCup standings as a rookie in 2012, he stumbled as a sophomore in 2013. He was then one of the first graduates of the Web.com Tour Finals in 2013. After going 4-for-8 to open 2013-14, he shut it down and had surgery on his left hip and hasn’t competed anywhere since. He’s been armed with 12 starts on a medical extension in the Web.com graduate reshuffle and now takes a step at returning. His commitment to the North Mississippi Classic will count as his first rehab start. Notable WDs Francesco Molinari … Didn’t hesitate to inform his followers on Twitter that he’s resting a sore shoulder and hopes to return to competition at the Wells Fargo Championship on May 3-6. He’s 106th in the FedExCup standings. Luke Donald … One of the inspirations to lifting him to No. 3 in the Power Rankings for the RBC Heritage, despite poor form, was that he’s remained busy. Alas, when he later held his press conference, he admitted that discomfort in his lower back has prevented him from competing more often. The issue, which he estimated to have been ongoing for a “couple of months,” thwarted an appearance at the Houston Open two weeks prior. He missed the cut at Harbour Town by only one stroke, and it stung that he whiffed on a birdie from inside five feet on his 36th hole, but the experience shouldn’t discourage us from considering the Englishman again in that tournament that he’s all but owned in the last decade. Camilo Villegas … Withdrew early from last week’s RBC Heritage as well. The 36-year-old from Colombia is 162nd in the FedExCup standings. The good news is that he and his wife revealed on April 1 that the couple is expecting its first child in several months. Power Rankings Recap – RBC Heritage Power Ranking  Golfer  Result 1  Brian Harman  T23 2  Kevin Kisner  T7 3  Luke Donald  MC 4  Dustin Johnson  T16 5  Matt Kuchar  T23 6  Webb Simpson  T5 7  Paul Casey  MC 8  Cameron Smith  T32 9  Charley Hoffman  T23 10  Russell Knox  T40 11  Marc Leishman  MC 12  Adam Hadwin  WD 13  Zach Johnson  T42 14  Ian Poulter  T7 15  William McGirt  T70 Wild Card  Xander Schauffele  T32 Sleepers Recap – RBC Heritage Power Ranking  Golfer  Result Harris English  T32 Chesson Hadley  T7 Andrew Landry  T42 Steve Marino  MC Nick Watney  T32 Birthdays among active golfers on the PGA TOUR April 17 … Nick Taylor (30) April 18 … John Peterson (29) April 19 … Matt Jones (38) April 20 … John Senden (47) April 21 … none April 22 … Eric Axley (44) April 23 … none

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