Tour News
Fantasy Cheat Sheet: Shriners Hospitals for Children Open
You may now ditch your suit and tie.
Justin Timberlake’s celebrity is no longer attached to this week’s Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, which is perfectly fine with the trophy’s engraver, who got really tired of chip, chip, chipping the tournament’s name into crystal.
Still playing host in Las Vegas is TPC Summerlin, which was designed by Bobby Weed, former understudy to Pete Dye and one-time course superintendent for TPC Sawgrass. And as you might expect, there’s an affinity for water on the par-3 17th. It is one of four final holes that will test the table nerves of the field, and players will need to rely on accuracy off the tee to avoid cacti and rocky soil. Once again, a huge check, FedEx Cup points and a Masters berth are on the line.
Ryan Moore, a Las Vegas resident, took advantage of prime scoring last year, while John Daly took advantage of prime rib and many other Sin City vices. I have no proof of that (“What happens in Vegas…”), but, eh, track record.
As will be the case from week to week during the fantasy season, here’s those golfers who are a crapshoot, those you push “all in” with and those you should fold with abject disgust. It’s Risk, Reward, Ruin.
RISK
Brooks Koepka
Most know about the former Florida State star now, after holding a 54-hole lead at last week’s Frys.com Open. He was a few disciplined holes from winning, but his final round of 1-over shouldn’t cloud your judgment. There’s no pressure on the young nomad without PGA Tour status, as he won three times on the European equivalent of the Web.com Tour in 2013 to earn full playing privileges on the European Tour in 2014.
And if Koepka can manage another good week in Vegas, he might be able earn enough cash to gain status on the PGA Tour this year. I guess you could say he’s playing with house money.
Jimmy Walker
Jackpot! He was a Risk pick last week and panned out, snagging his first career win. Always consistent, I don’t worry about a letdown; if you’re hot, you’re hot. Jonas Blixt won the Frys last year and finished third the week before at TPC Summerlin. Walker finished tied for 10th last year and hardly ever misses a cut. Hold ‘Em.
Tommy Gainey
Which “Two Gloves” will show up? The guy who missed the cut last year, missed the cut at the Frys, and misses a lot in general, or the guy who finished tied for third in 2011? I fear it’s the former. His swing has been characterized as “trying to kill a snake with a garden hose.” He may get a chance with a few desert rattlers this week.
Patrick Reed
There’s not a lot of hesitation here. The kid is pretty much a pocket pair, just maybe a little lower in the suit. He started well at the Frys but finished fairly average. It was a solid tournament, just not spectacular. He’s a top-10 pick this week, and absolutely capable of collecting another win as he continues his upward trend.
The Great Disappearing Act, starring…
I sometimes confuse Cameron Tringale and Camilo Villegas, and not just because their names start with Cam or they look alike. No, because each is equally as likely to shoot 66 in the opening round, then fire an ugly 76 the next day and MC. Seriously.
It’s awfully hard to pull the trigger on guys who just haven’t found ways to be consistent from Thursday through Sunday. If you’re playing for a final result, I’d shy away. But if you’re banking on a low score, your chips are headed for red or black. There’s no other option.
REWARD
Las Vegas homeowners
Moore, a former star at UNLV, still lives in the area and blew away his 2012 competition. Kevin Na, he of the extended pre-shot routine, tortoised his way to victory the year before. Both have had consistent showings at Summerlin.
Over the years, Nick Watney (T10, T2, T6) has also performed well and his mid-season swoon is far over. Finally, streaky and finally well-groomed Charley Hoffman (T6, 2009) can be a birdie machine, which the winner will need to be on a course where enjoying a victory cigar likely means needing a minimum four mid-60s rounds.
Zach Johnson
There are few golfers hotter than Nevada pavement right now and Johnson is one of them. The 2007 Masters champion is blistering courses with his terrific ball striking, and his putting is dealing blackjacks. Not long removed from a win at the BMW Championship during the FedEx Cup playoffs, Johnson has shown a propensity to burn courses that give up birdies.
Webb Simpson
I’d characterize Simpson as more of a grinder— a guy who wins tournaments when the aggregate winning score hovers nearer to even par— however, his scoring average suggests otherwise. He may shoot 70, but he’s also extremely likely to shoot 63 twice, which puts him dead in the mix.
Robert Garrigus
Garrigus seems to switch putter lengths more than casinos switch card decks, but there’s no denying the results. He’s also one of the longest drivers in the field, which should lend itself well to good scoring on the par-5s and short, drivable par-4s. After shooting 11-under last week including a second round 63, he’s sitting on aces pre-flop.
RUIN
Guys named Vegas
Jhonattan Vegas is playing this season on a medical extension after sitting out the vast majority of the 2013 season after shoulder surgery. His one win on the PGA Tour came at the Bob Hope Classic in 2011, meaning it’s make or break in his final year of exemption status.
Stuart Appleby
This Aussie has a win in 2003 at the Las Vegas Invitational, but he’s 42-years old now and the last of his nine Tour wins was more than three years ago. He also hasn’t played an event in over two months.
Troy Matteson
Also a former winner, back in 2006, Matteson has missed his last four cuts and his last three at this event. He’s the guy who captures a big pot then goes on tilt and blows everything in three straight hands, cards be damned.
Rory Sabbatini
I saw power rankings last week that had Sabbatini in the mix, which was confounding. The South African then proceeded to shoot 79-75 and miss the cut. He performs horribly at this event, with MC’s three straight years before making the weekend last year. However, he walked off the course in the final round, presumably (“What happens in Vegas…”) to get an early start on casino buffets’ evening specials.
As always, you can find me on Twitter @bricmiller if you have any fantasy questions or simply want to talk about the tournament. Best of luck!
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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