Welcome to Playing the Tips!
Each week this will be the one-stop resource to soak in all the picks from our group of fantasy staffers from Rotoworld.com. We’ll have all of our selections from the GolfChannel.com, Yahoo! Fantasy Golf plus my new expanded feature on my weekly selection for One-and-Done players.
GolfChannel.com Fantasy Golf
Wells Fargo Championship
Glass ($9,240,428; Rank: 4,579)
Well, at least I didn’t get beat by a chip-in for the second week in a row! #Alwayslookonthebrightsideoflife. Anyhow, Delaet only made FOUR bogeys but finished in T29. Palmer didn’t make the cut as he was too busy hanging with his boy Sean Payton. J.B. Holmes flew the flag this week as his T11 was my biggest earner. This result will be thrown out of the spring segment so I moved up a bit this week.
Group 1: Rory McIlroy
Group 2: Lee Westwood
Group 3: J.B. Holmes
Group 4: Jonathan Byrd
ANALYSIS: Plenty from the premium pile to select from this week but I’m going with young McIlroy to rack up another big finish at Quail Hollow. I’m excited to get two of my three top players this week as Lee Westwood, by virtue of world ranking, is in Group 2 this week. J.B. Holmes is on a fantastic run so he takes up Group 3 again this week and I’ll try another Clemson Tiger in Group 4 this week with 2011 runner up Jon Byrd. Lucas Glover was tempting again this week but enough is enough.
Rob Bolton ($9,383,378; Rank: 4,117)
Group 1: Rory McIlroy
Group 2: Lee Westwood
Group 3: Robert Karlsson
Group 4: Jason Gore
ANALYSIS: Rob was hit by the MC bug with Fowler and Palmer in Groups 1 and 2 but Holmes and Loupe cashed for him Groups 3 and 4 last week. This result, like mine, will be thrown out and he’ll try and rebound this week with homeslice Robert Karlsson as the zig after zagging with McIlroy and Westwood in Groups 1 and 2.
Ryan O’Sullivan ($11,137,802; Rank: 770)
Group 1: Rory McIlroy
Group 2: Lee Westwood
Group 3: J.B. Holmes
Group 4: Jonathan Byrd
ANALYSIS: After back-to-back winners, O came crashing back to earth with Fowler, Stadler and Byrd all MC. Lucas Glover’s T62 ensured that this score will be thrown on the dumpster fire as last week shaped up to be a tough one in fantasy land. O tries for three wins from four with the EXACT SAME four I have! Should he be pissed or should I be elated? Check back Sunday!!!
Ned Brown ($12,020,119; Rank: 270)
Group 1: Rory McIlroy
Group 2: Lee Westwood
Group 3: J.B. Holmes
Group 4: Jonathan Byrd
ANALYSIS: Ned went with the highest ranked player in the field and he finished T8 to take away the pain from MCs from Knox and McNeill. There’s a lesson in that last sentence as to why he’s ranked in the top 200 of this game, gamers. This week, Ned joins the party and matches Glass and O 1-4! We’re going to be GREAT or absolutely awful! #hangon!
Yahoo! Fantasy Golf
Ned Brown is a long-time contributor for Rotoworld Golf. He’s had documented success in Yahoo!’s game for years. Even if you’re confident in your selections for that game, give his insight a read. He’ll lead us off each week in the Yahoo! game.
“Pure Spin”
Zurich Points: 60
Spring Segment Points: 553
Spring Ranking: 13,762
Season Points: 2,481
Season Ranking: 5,560
Group A
Lee Westwood: He played well at the Masters in a seventh place finish and then hopped on a plane to the Maybank Malaysian Open, where he cruised to a seven-stroke victory. His recent history at the Wells Fargo is very strong with a T5 in '12 and a T4 last year.
Phil Mickelson: After his miss cut at the Masters, I've tried to avoid tipping him this week, but his record of seven top 10s in ten career starts is so strong that I'm going to use him this week. Those looking to avoid Phil might want to look at Rickie Fowler, who has won here, or to Jonas Blixt, who tied for second place at The Masters.
SUPER SUBS
Rickie Fowler, Jonas Blixt, Ryan Moore
Group B
Rory McIlroy: He has been playing well over the last couple of months with a T2 at The Honda, a T7 at the SHO and a T8 at the Masters. His history at the Wells Fargo is very good with a championship in '10, a T2 in '12 and a T10 last year.
Jim Furyk: He’s notched top 20 finishes in his last four starts on the TOUR including top 10s at VTO (T6) and the RBC Heritage (T7). His overall record at Quail Hollow is good with four top 10s in nine starts including a championship back in '07.
Justin Rose: He has been mostly playing well in his last four starts on the TOUR with a T6 at the Valspar, a T14 at the Masters and a T8 last week at the Zurich Classic. I was especially impress with his final round last week of 4-under-par 68 is some very windy conditions. His record at Quail Hollow isn't that impressive, so he all about playing the hot hand.
Brian Harman: There are a lot of ways to go with this pick, but I'm confident enough in the first three picks to take a little shot with this pick. Brian Harman has been playing well in here with a T16 at the VTO and a T7 at the Heritage and he played well last year at the Wells Fargo when he tied for tenth place.
SUPER SUBS
Matt Jones, Webb Simpson, Bill Haas, Zach Johnson
Group C
Jimmy Walker: He doesn't have the strongest history at Quail Hollow, but he has won three times on this season's TOUR and he looked very good at the Masters where he tied for eighth place.
Jamie Donaldson: Walker is such a safe pick that I feel I can take a bit of risk with this pick. Jamie Donaldson has never played in this tournament, but he has been playing well in here at big tournaments with a T2 at the WGC-Cadillac and a T14 at the Masters.
SUPER SUBS
Seung-Yul Noh, Kevin Na, Nick Watney
Ryan O’Sullivan (O)
“The Golf Aficionado”
Zurich Points: 78
Spring Segment Points: 649
Spring Ranking: 221
Season Points: 2,683
Season Ranking: 85
Group A
Group B
Group C
Rob Bolton
“@RobBoltonGolf”
Zurich Points: 50
Spring Segment Points: 515
Spring Ranking: 27,163
Season Points: 2,520
Season Ranking: 3,174
Group A
Group B
Group C
Glass
“@MikeGlasscott”
Zurich Points: 80
Spring Segment Points: 548
Spring Ranking: 15,533
Full Season Points: 2,528
Full Season Ranking: 2,782
To nobody’s surprise it was another week and another dumpster fire for me in Yahoo! I am down to only five starts on Keegan Bradley so I decided to save him last week on a course where he went MC-MC in his last two. Of course he bangs a top 10. Anyhow, my week started as usual with J.B. Holmes holding down the bench with 65 on Friday. If there was a game that scored BENCH POINTS, I would be winning that segment by no less than 100 points.
Whatever.
Graham DeLaet and Justin Rose couldn’t make up for my BLANKO-WHIFF in Group A but Holmes did help on the weekend.
Group A
Lee Westwood: It’s all turned for the better for the Englishman as his recent form has been excellent and his ball-striking has been a force on this course (see what I did there?) the last two years with back-to-back top sixes.
Ryan Moore: It’s tempting to put Fowler back in this spot again this week but he’s in TIME OUT until he gets it together.
Jonas Blixt and Gary Woodland wouldn’t be the worst options if you need to go against the grain this week to make up some ground
Group B
Rory McIlroy: He should be on everyone’s line-up card this week and for good reason.
Justin Rose: I’ll ride another steady, ball-striking hand again this week.
Jim Furyk: Mr. Steady will always get the call on a difficult track. It doesn’t hurt that he’s won and been a runner-up here either.
Jason Kokrak: With the three superstars above, I feel I can stretch a little and take a flier with the big bomber. His putter is quite solid as well and he was in the mix last year before a final round 80 saw him quietly drift away.
I only have FIVE starts remaining on Zach Johnson so I’ll be burning those at Colonial and the JDC for sure. I’m not crazy about Haas, Simpson or Mahan this week either. Please read Range Rover if you need more reasons why. If you’re looking for a sleeper in this group, Brian Harman jumps to the top of my list.
Group C
J.B. Holmes: He earns this spot after his play over the last month and a half. There are plenty of Group C projects but I’m confident with him again this week.
Jimmy Walker: I’ll ride the guy who just keeps banging top 25s and can get low at the drop of a hat.
Since every other player in the tournament is in this category it will come down to gamer’s preference. Andrew Svoboda or Jeff Overton would be an interesting “catch-up” play if you believe those guys are going to pull a “Ben Martin” this week. There’s also Ben Martin in this group. The sickest counter-culture play would be sticking Robert Karlsson in the mix. That could be a walk-off, grand-slam or and big fat donut. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH! The excitement!
One-and-Done
Frys.com: Gary Woodland, MC. Well, at least I don’t have to worry about when I’m using GARY WOODLAND again!
SHFC Open: Hideki Matsuyama. Time to break through, son. Matsuyama WD with injury so he was replaced with Nick Watney. He finished T48 for $15,264
CIMB Classic: Let’s try this again: Hideki Matsuyama. There’s no cut. This pleases me. His T25 after 74 on Sunday does not please me. Oh well. Here’s $53,433 into the piggy bank.
WGC-HSBC: Martin Kaymer. There’s no other place I would consider using him and he’s the defending champ on this track. #hangsonfordearlife. Kaymer’s third round 62 dared me to dream but his T8 and $161,667 is a nice deposit.
The McGladrey Classic: David Toms. He’s finished T3 in 2010 and second last year. His recent form suggests he’s playing well and I don’t see another chance to burn him down the road. It was him or CH III. Well, BOTH of my selections finished T27. I should have listened to O…T27 was good for $39,050.
OHL Mayakoba: Brian Gay. When form meets course history… Well, that was a nice theory but it resulted in T45 and $18,060. I’m glad 2013 is now over.
HTOC: Martin Laird. Since I’m off to a woeful start I see no reason to burn a premium player. Chris Kirk was my second choice but nobody wins in back-to-back starts plus he’s just had another child. Laird is the horse-for-course. The Scot finished T20 in a 30-man field for $87,000.
Sony: Charles Howell III. He plays great in the early part of the season and his record at Waialae has everything BUT a win. If you notice, I saved most of my heavy hitters for the latter part of 2013 last year and that strategy worked out. Hey, a top 10 and $119,000! Feels like a winner!
Humana: Webb Simpson has been on fire to get 2013-14 started and going low has never been a problem. It’s time to start firing at ‘em. Sigh. Another week brings another disappointing selection as I add a whopping $57,000 to my morbid total.
FIO: Same as last year, Rickie Fowler. He’s working with Butch Harmon to get to the next level and he’s played SoCal courses plenty in his young life. He finished up last week at Humana 67-66 and he’s finished T5, T20, T13 and T6 last year in four career starts. I’ll save Woods and Mickelson for down the road for bigger winner’s checks. Snedeker and Walker were also considered and are solid options for this week. Fowler was just as bad as the other four I had listed, save for Woods’ MDF cash. Tough week in OAD for most I’m guessing. MC $0.
WMPO: Ryan Palmer. He’s on fire, can really putt and was fifth here last year. His excellent 64 saw him make the cut but his 70-72 weekend resulted in T48 at $15,772. I finished strong last year because I had a stable full of studs from The Open Championship through the FedExCup Playoffs. I’m not panicking. Yet.
AT&T PEBBLE: Jimmy Walker is the pick this week. He’s a beast on the West Coast and he’s had time to recover from his illness after MC at Torrey Pines. BANG TRISCUITS. Winner, winner, chicken dinner and $1,188,000.
NTO: Dustin Johnson goes to bat this week for Team Glass. His form is excellent and the fact that he’s banged top 10s in half of his trips here doesn’t hurt either. Tacos for everyone! Johnson’s solo second adds $723,600 to the bank! #heatwave
WGC-Match Play: Ian Poulter will be my hedge this week. His recent starts hardly inspire but there’s no doubting his inner fortitude in Match Play. He is the 2010 champ and was fourth last year. I don’t see myself using him anywhere else this season. Hunter Mahan would be choice No. 2 but I don’t like his draw with the sizzling Zach Johnson. Don’t forget Mahan played in the last group in the U.S. Open and The Open in 2013. Ah, Poults…$48,000.
Honda Classic: Graeme McDowell is the choice this week. There has been no rust after his time off this winter and I’m encouraged after his result at Pebble and WGC-Match Play. I’m using Mickelson at Pinehurst so this is an easy play. He was three-under heading into the weekend. He was even when the weekend was over. Add $15,600 to the bank. That couldn’t cover Bolton’s Lear jet for the weekend…
WGC-CC: With a massive prize pool, I have no problem pulling the trigger on, as for reasons mentioned above, on an ultra-premium player. GO MCILROY GO! After making a birdie on No. 1 on Sunday, He was just four back. That was his last birdie of the day, sigh, T25, $76,000.
Puerto Rico: My heart says Brooks Koepka but my wallet says Chris Stroud. I’m glad I went with my wallet as Stroud hit the top 10 (T9) with $94,500.
Valspar: It was down to Furyk or Donald, but Donald had only ONE bad round last week! Go Luke Go! Donald finished T4, good for $235,600. Another cash and another top five works for me.
API: It came down to Bubba Watson and Kevin Na last week and T14 from Na never sounded so good! I added $102,300 to the kitty and another top 25 to the ledger.
VTO: It came down to Charley Hoffman and Freddie Jacobson last week and the American with the impeccable track record at Valero won the starting spot. He didn’t disappoint as he ground-out a T11 to rack up $136,400. #verynice
Shell Houston Open: The big Swede I should have went with was Freddie Jacobson but instead it was Henrik Stenson. I have now been severely toasted on two premium players in 2014 as McIlroy (T25, WGC-CC) and Stenson (T54) have given me absolutely nothing. Yes, $14,456 is nothing in this game.
Masters: The Westwood for a two-and-done was more solid advice than going with (again) injured Jason Day. He rallied nicely for T20 but that’s not what I need in big events. I’ll add $101,600 to the kitty.
Here are my results in the three big payday events
Poulter WGC-Match Play T33
McIlroy WGC-CC T25
Jason Day Masters T20
HEY HO! TRENDING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BABY!
Good Grief.
RBC Heritage: Donald would obviously be the selection this week but I’ve burned him at Tampa. I’m going with Jim Furyk this week as he returns to a track where he’s had plenty of successes and his game has been in fine form the past month. I also considered Spieth and Kuchar for this spot but after a trying weekend at the Masters, I’ll save them both for down the road. As I mentioned above, I #fantasyfailed in so many ways on Kuchar this week I’ve lost count. Jim Furyk did exactly what gamers would expect, a top 10 (T7) and $187,050.
Zurich Classic: The safe pick this week would be Justin Rose but as I’ve demonstrated above, I DON’T PLAY SAFE. Or smart, sadly, for that matter. Whatever. That was the FIRST SENTENCE I wrote last week. Top 10s are GREAT people! Sadly, T29s are not and that’s what Graham DeLaet racked up for me last week. Sure it’s $44,200 but that’s not what I was looking for from a guy who made only FOUR bogeys on the week!!!
Wells Fargo: Since I’ve burned McIlroy, Furyk, Fowler and Walker, that leaves me Westwood, Moore, Rose and Holmes from my top eight. As I’ve mentioned, I’m leaving Rose for larger fish fryings and I would suggest that Holmes makes a nice choice for TADs this week. That leaves last week’s champion in Malaysia, Lee Westwood and Ryan Moore. Moore’s current form is the biggest concern and that’s the least of my worries with the Englishman. Westwood will fly the flag this week for the S.S. Tirefire.
Results
SEASON TOTAL: $3,523,752; 24 events
Wins: 1; Jimmy Walker (AT&T Pebble)
Seconds: 1; Dustin Johnson (NTO)
Thirds: None
Top 5s: 3
Top 10s: 6
Top 25s: 14
MC: One
Thermometer: So much for riding the young guy with no wins last week. Oh wait, that was S.Y. Noh, not Delaet. Time to renovate and build another one. I go to work.
Coming Wednesday
And the analysis doesn't end here. Rotoworld's Rob Bolton and I will be co-hosting a live chat Wednesday at NOON p.m. ET. We will be breaking down the field at the Wells Fargo Championship and answering your questions. Simply return to the golf home page to join in on the chatter.