A man went streaking on the 17th hole Wednesday at TPC Scottsdale, site of this week’s Waste Management Phoenix Open. Of course, there was video.
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During its first decade, Pebble Beach Golf Links underwent a number of design changes. None more visually striking than the period leading up to the 1929 U.S. Amateur when the course looked like a giant dunescape. Special thanks to Pebble Beach Company historian Neal Hotelling for helping curate the images.
CROMWELL, Conn. – Paul Casey woke up Sunday morning with a four-shot lead and a stiff neck. Eventually, both would evaporate during a disappointing final round at the Travelers Championship. Casey, seeking his second PGA TOUR win of the season, carded a 2-over 72 that dropped him into a four-way tie for second behind winner Bubba Watson, who rallied from six back with a 63 to claim his third career Travelers title. Casey’s score tied for the worst score among the top 41 players on the leaderboard. Casey, who also lost to Watson in a playoff at TPC River Highlands in 2015, spent the entire round Sunday fighting his swing. With a chance to still win a tournament late in the day, the swing issues were clearly evident when he pulled an 8-iron at the par-3 16th to set up a crippling bogey, then found the water on the right with his tee shot at the 17th for another bogey. “Just about summed up how I felt about my golf swing,� Casey said. “All credit to Bubba – 63 is a great round of golf, in what I felt were very tricky conditions. “Just frustrating I didn’t have more. Didn’t have a comfortable swing to go out there and do something with.� Casey said his neck was tight after a poor night’s sleep and that it was a “struggle warming up.� But he noted that it didn’t bother him the entire round, eventually loosening up a little. It was evident, though, that his swing on Sunday was not the same as the first three days when he rolled out to a four-shot advantage, tying the tournament record for biggest 54-hole lead. The day before, Casey shot a third-round 62 in which he hit all 18 greens in regulation. But from the very first tee shot Sunday, Casey could tell that he was off. He ultimately birdied the hole, but it was his only birdie of the final round. He hit just 10 of 18 greens Sunday. “It was awful,� Casey said. “First few holes were not good. You know, just wiping across it. Either pulling it or flaring it right. That’s difficult to play with on benign conditions – and extremely difficult to play with when it’s slightly windy like it was today. … “I fought as hard as I could, which I’m proud of. Not many times you put me on a golf course and I only make one birdie.� Casey was asked if the sting of not sealing the deal Sunday was tempered by his win earlier in the season at the Valspar Championship. That victory ended a nine-year drought on the PGA TOUR after his first TOUR win in 2009 at the Houston Open. He said getting into position to win again has only increased his appetite. He has a heavy schedule the rest of the PGA TOUR season, and then hopes to follow that with an appearance at the Ryder Cup. “This is only going to be more fuel,� he said. “It’s annoying and I’m frustrated by it. But I feel very good about it … injury-free and excited for the rest of the season. “Ask me again in November, and if I don’t have another victory, then I will be disappointed. This is merely kind of posturing for what could be a very good climax.�
What do you get after the chalk at Quail Hollow and the eraser that was TPC Sawgrass? It’s a clean slate, of course. That’s precisely how Trinity Forest in Dallas debuts as host of the AT&T Byron Nelson. As for how that translates into fantasy scoring, go into the tournament with an open mind. The most curious element concerns driving accuracy. With no rough between the native buffalo grass that frames most holes, percentages for fairways hit could be insanely high. Since PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO weighs driving over other components, fantasy scoring should follow suit, at least to a degree. Thus, avoiding zeroes on the weekend will be more important than usual. Lean first on reliable choices to make the cut, and then those who might pin the needle off the tee. With zero competitive course history, fantasy front-runners should be holding their breath. PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO My roster for the AT&T Byron Nelson (in alphabetical order): Billy Horschel Beau Hossler Marc Leishman Adam Scott Jordan Spieth Jimmy Walker You’ll find my starters in Expert Picks. Others to consider for each category (in alphabetical order): Scoring: Branden Grace; Martin Laird; Keith Mitchell; Grayson Murray; Ryan Palmer Driving: Charles Howell III; Russell Knox; Martin Laird; Keith Mitchell; Ryan Palmer Approach: Russell Knox; Matt Kuchar; Martin Laird; Ryan Palmer; Scott Piercy; Johnson Wagner Short: Branden Grace; Matt Kuchar; Martin Laird; Daniel Summerhays; Johnson Wagner Power Rankings Wild Card Sergio Garcia … Well, chalk one up for the skeptics of the Nappy Factor. (Understand that it was never advertised as being foolproof.) Certainly, we can’t rule out that the experience of being a first-time father at the age of 38 with a decorated career is greater than, say, a younger up-and-comer in a similar position who is looking to establish himself (e.g. Andrew Landry). So, as the Spaniard makes just his ninth start of the season, he presents as a contrarian piece on a new course that resembles a links-style test. In other words, class is permanent, just not necessarily in the short-term. Draws Joaquin Niemann … The 19-year-old from Chile was the last cut from the Power Rankings, which says something given his nascence. We should never forget his 67-67 finish to place sixth in his play-for-pay debut at the Valero Texas Open. His DFS value will rise incrementally, so invest freely and watch what happens. Kevin Tway … He’s cashed in 13 of 19 starts this season but hasn’t connected for a top 25. That’s hard to do and the drought won’t last. He has the makeup to execute admirably in the wind – a T28 at Corales in March is a season-best-tying finish – he’s T16 on TOUR in par-5 scoring and his DFS value should be reasonable. Grayson Murray (all) Scott Piercy (all) Rory Sabbatini (DFS) Fades Hideki Matsuyama … When a talent of his ilk scuffles, the leash is long. He’s earned that benefit of the doubt. However, since returning from the injury to his wrist, a solo 19th at the Masters is his only notable result. The rub is that that’s hardly “notable” for him. Now coming off a missed cut at THE PLAYERS, just his second MC in 15 months. Brandt Snedeker … Unfortunately, he’s rapidly drifted into the bin populated only by long-term values. The positive spin is that he could be on sale for full-season salary gamers in 2018-19 because he’s fully exempt through next season, but that this narrative has emerged at all is the overlying concern. Aaron Wise … This isn’t a knock inasmuch as it’s a “let’s see that again.” His co-runner-up finish at Quail Hollow two weeks ago cemented his card for next season, but it’s his only top 10 as a rookie in 17 starts. It also was his first top 30 in eight starts. There are larger question marks on the board at Trinity Forest, including the course itself, but the 21-year-old presents as a complementary option at best and not universally by format. Harris English Bill Haas J.B. Holmes Anirban Lahiri Kevin Na Returning to Competition Steve Marino … Walked off Quail Hollow during his second round of the Wells Fargo Championship. An explanation wasn’t released. He’s 1-for-3 with a T68 at the Valero Texas Open in his return to the PGA TOUR. Still has seven starts remaining on his Major Medical Extension, but hasn’t sustained the same form with which he resumed competition on the Web.com Tour earlier this year. David Berganio, Jr. … Due to ongoing issues with his back, the 49-year-old hasn’t pegged it on the PGA TOUR since 2009, but he still has seven starts to burn via a medical extension in the reshuffle category. He’s 0-for-2 on the Web.com Tour in 2018. Arguably best known among long-time observers as the playoff victim to Phil Mickelson in the 2002 CareerBuilder Challenge. Bob Estes … Withdrew after just one round of the Wells Fargo Championship due to allergies, which is nothing new to the 52-year-old. He’s scheduled to compete in this week’s Regions Tradition on the PGA TOUR Champions. Thanks to a new provision affecting the 50-and-older crowd, he won’t be losing a start on his Major Medical Extension on the PGA TOUR even though he’d have cracked the field at the AT&T Byron Nelson on merit because the Regions Tradition is a major. So, he’ll still have three starts on the medical when he reappears on the main circuit. Notable WDs Chesson Hadley … Collected his eighth six-figure paycheck of the season with a T11 at THE PLAYERS and sits 17th in the FedExCup standings. He’s a gold mine, not to mention a terrific example of grit and self-belief. Brice Garnett … He was due for rest. His breakthrough victory at Corales yielded an exemption into THE PLAYERS, which was his fifth consecutive start. Everything henceforth is gravy for full-season investors. Congratulations. Chez Reavie … It’s been over three months now since he recorded a top 25 on his own ball, but an electric start to the season has him positioned at 23rd in FedExCup points, so he can afford to be choosy. Steve Stricker … Acknowledged on the weekend at THE PLAYERS (where he finished T23) that he’d be a last-minute decision to stick with this commitment or return to the PGA TOUR Champions for the Regions Tradition – the first of five majors on that circuit. At second in Schwab Cup earnings, you can understand his motivation, but his tug of war between tours is going to be an ongoing “nice problem to have.” Trey Mullinax … You know we’re in the heart of the season when a golfer with conditional status opts out of any tournament. That means that playing time is no longer a concern. At 71st in the FedExCup standings, regaining fully exempt status for next season isn’t, either. Whee Kim … After a strong fall to secure his job for 2018-19, he’s banked only 25 FedExCup points in his last 14 starts, making it all but impossible to endorse in any format when he does lace it up. Power Rankings Recap – THE PLAYERS Championship Power Ranking Golfer Result 1 Jason Day T5 2 Justin Thomas T11 3 Rickie Fowler MC 4 Rory McIlroy MC 5 Henrik Stenson T23 6 Zach Johnson T75/MDF 7 Patrick Reed T41 8 Webb Simpson Win 9 Justin Rose T23 10 Ian Poulter T11 11 Francesco Molinari MC 12 Dustin Johnson T17 13 Kyle Stanley MC 14 Jordan Spieth T41 15 Louis Oosthuizen MC 16 Sergio Garcia 70th 17 Chesson Hadley T11 18 Adam Hadwin T57 19 Jon Rahm T63 20 Hideki Matsuyama MC Wild Card Phil Mickelson MC Sleepers Recap – THE PLAYERS Championship Golfer Result Branden Grace T46 Russell Henley MC Chris Kirk T46 Russell Knox MC Luke List MC Grayson Murray T30 Rory Sabbatini T30 Cameron Smith MC Steve Stricker T23 Birthdays among active golfers on the PGA TOUR May 15 … none May 16 … Bo Van Pelt (43); Derek Ernst (28) May 17 … Jason Gore (44); Søren Kjeldsen (43); Hunter Mahan (36); Andrew Yun (27) May 18 … none May 19 … K.J. Choi (48) May 20 … Branden Grace (30) May 21 … Stewart Cink (45); Gary Woodland (34); John Huh (28)
