Daniel

Berger

Dan Rapaport of Barstool Sports reported on the new timeline, “His reps say he’s returning in the next few weeks, either at Fortinet or Sanderson Farms. Initially slated to return early this summer but needed more time. Has not played since the 2022 U.S. Open.” Murmurs came out in May that Berger was ready for a return by the end of the month but it’s now been three months since then. In other words, fans and gamers should be excited for a potential return but don’t treat it as gospel until you see his name on the tee sheet.

Berger has been hinting at a return in recent months and this tee time continues that narrative. He went through a rehab program over the winter to help with his back troubles and is seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Berger is as competitive as they come so he’s not going to tee it up until he thinks he can truly contend. There is no guarantee that he plays next Monday but this is certainly a positive sign that he’s inching closer and closer to a return to action on the big stage.

Berger played through injury last year but eventually shut it down after a missed cut at the U.S. Open. “I was taking two ice baths a day to get on the course.” He started a new rehab program in the winter, thanks to a tip from Luke Donald, and is seeing some good progress. A return to action is just around the corner, barring any setbacks, but it won’t be easy transition. “When I took time off, I was a top-20 player. I’ll be coming back with nothing. I get it — it’s part of the game. You’ve got to earn everything. When I come back, I’ll come back with fire in my belly.”

Berger dealt with a wrist injury early in his career but sprained a sacroiliac (SI) joint early in 2022. He played 12 events before shutting it down after a missed cut at the U.S. Open. He missed the last major of the season, adding the following comment to his fans, “So upset to miss the 150th Open at St. Andrews. Still working on getting back to 100%. Good luck to all. Hoping to be back soon!” He’s yet to return to action and there is no additional news on his injuries with his time sitting on the sidelines now eclipsing the six-month mark. Berger is a complete wildcard for gamers looking for reasons to draft him in season-long leagues.

Fleetwood shared his intentions over the weekend on social media, “Well done and good luck to everyone that made the Fedex Playoffs. I’m taking time out to be at home with my family but look forward to returning to @PGATOUR @DPWorldTour soon.” The Englishman ended his regular season with back-to-back T4 finishes, both overseas (Scottish Open and The Open). Fleetwood had a good bounce-back season after finishing 137th in the FedExCup race last year. Playing without full status did not prove to be much of an obstacle for him as he still landed 17 events played and surely could have added more if he had needed the points. Others to skip this week were Daniel Berger and Lanto Griffin, both dealing with injuries.

The 29-year-old was a pre-tournament WD last week ahead of the John Deere Classic and he remains sidelined. He’s been battling back injuries all season. He sent out a message to his followers on social media, “So upset to miss the 150th Open at St. Andrews. Still working on getting back to 100%. Good luck to all. Hoping to be back soon!” Despite the injury-plagued season, Berger finds himself at 69th in the FedExCup race.

Other field changes since Friday’s commitment deadline include Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who’ll be replaced Derek Ernst; Kurt Kitayama, replaced by Brian Davis; Sangmoon Bae (who’s playing the Korn Ferry Tour’s The Ascendant), replaced by alternate John Merrick; Davis Riley, replaced by alternate Kevin Stadler; and J.J. Spaun, replaced by Ryuji Imada. Berger last played two weeks ago at the U.S. Open, where he shot 70-75 and missed the cut. On the season, Berger – a four-time Tour winner – has made nine cuts in 12 starts with three top 10s including a solo fourth at the Honda Classic and a T-5 at the Memorial. He revealed in February that he had suffered a sacroiliac joint sprain. In three previous appearances at the John Deere, Berger has made all three cuts and finished fifth in 2017 for his only top 10. For the 38-year-old Every, this week marks his eighth start at TPC Deere Run, where he’s made just two cuts (2010, 2012). On the season, Every has made just four starts and made the cut only once – at the Puerto Rico Open. He withdrew from the Bermuda Championship in October and most recently missed the cut at the RBC Canadian Open.

The FSU product didn’t conduct any post-tourney press (that we’ve seen) but did say after yesterday’s 67 that he was “definitely not 100 percent (lower back) but good enough to play.” This was his fourth Memorial, second cash and first finish inside the top 60 (67th/2016), and improves to 9-for-11 on the season with seven top 25s, two straight, and three top 10s, first since solo 4th at the Honda eight starts ago as the 54-hole leader by five (65-65-69-74). For the festivities, the 29-year-old posted rounds of 70-72-67-73, T24 at halftime, tallied one eagle and 15 birdies versus 11 bogeys, and ranked 25th SG: Tee-to-Green (3.796) and 3rd SG: Putting, eking out a 0.046 SGP in R4, missing three putts from inside of 10 feet. Berger is not in the published field at this coming week’s RBC Canadian Open.

This is the 33rd event of the PGA TOUR season and just the 11th start for the FSU product. After posting rounds of 70-72-67, he had this to say afterwards (link below): “I’ve just had a lower back problem that’s been bothering me for a little while. Definitely not 100 percent but good enough to play...I don’t get to practice so that’s a tough part when you don’t get to practice and then you show up to a tournament.” Thru 54 holes, the 29-year-old has tallied one eagle and 12 birdies against seven bogeys, outpacing one square with six circles today, and currently ranks 37th SG: Tee-to-Green (2.596) and 1st SG: Putting (6.587), highlighted by a 2.461 SGP in R3. His most recent of four TOUR titles in 177 events is last season’s AT&T Pebble Beach (no Pro-Am) 26 starts ago, where he came from two back (T2) with a day-low 7-under 65 to win by two over Maverick McNealy (66).

Berger opened near the top of the odds board this week, behind only Jon Rahm. This WD puts local favorite, Abraham Ancer, into that position as No. 2 on the board. For Berger, he was arriving with four straight cuts made with a T50 at the Masters and T21 at the RBC Heritage as his two latest appearances. The Florida State product has battled back issues this year but has not shown much of a decline in performance when his body is up to the task.