With just one PGA Tour event before the U.S. Open, the FedEx St. Jude Classic is host to the precursor tournament to the year’s second major. Harrison Frazar won here a year ago for his first PGA Tour title, defeating Robert Karlsson in a playoff at TPC Southwind.
Take a look at our fantasy rankings for this week, then tweet out your picks using the hashtag #GCFantasy and send them to me @RyanBallengeeGC. Also be sure to join the Golf Channel Fantasy Challenge to test yourself against our panel of experts, including defending champion Win McMurry.
1. Zach Johnson: Johnson didn’t play at the Memorial, but won in his last start at Colonial. He was T-2 at The Players and second alone at Harbour Town. He’s one of the hottest golfers on Tour.
2. Robert Garrigus: In his last five PGA Tour starts, Garrigus has posted three top-15 finishes. He lost in a playoff here two years ago. He’s 147th on Tour in driving accuracy, but his length can overpower TPC Southwind.
3. Robert Karlsson: For whatever reason, Karlsson loves walking in Memphis; he’s been a playoff runner-up here the last two years. He has struggled this season, but may be inspired by his past here.
4. David Toms: Toms is a two-time champion in Memphis, was T-10 at Sawgrass and T-15 in Charlotte. He returns after a missed cut at Colonial to a TPC Southwind course that suits his game.
5. Bob Estes: Estes went wire-to-wire here in 2001 and has missed just three cuts here since 1995. He was T-8 here in 2010 and is riding high, having just made the field at the U.S. Open on Monday.
6. Rory McIlroy: McIlroy was T-29 here in 2010 in his only prior appearance, but the bigger concern is the three missed cuts in his last three starts. His ball-striking should help him here if he can sort it out.
7. Ryan Palmer: It’s hard to argue with three top-nine finishes in his last four PGA Tour starts. He’s playing his best golf of the year.
8. Graeme McDowell: Making his second Memphis start, McDowell was T-7 here in 2009. He was runner-up in the Volvo World Match Play, but has missed cuts in his last two worldwide stroke-play starts at The Players and the BMW PGA Championship.
9. Kyle Reifers: He might not be making a lot of money, but Kyle Reifers is making money. He’s missed three cuts all season and has been in the top 25 in his last two starts.
10. Spencer Levin: Absolutely exhausted after 108 grueling holes in Ohio this week, Levin may be spent. He showed some resolve, however, to finish T-4 at Memorial. He was T-15 here a year ago.
**Remember to join GC Fantasy expert Rob Bolton for a live chat 12:00p ET Wednesday at www.rotoworld.com**
Tune in for live coverage of the FedEx St. Jude Classic from 3-6PM ET Thursday-Friday on Golf Channel.
