The CJ Cup Preview: Ride While He's Hot

As if Pat Perez's 2016-2017 season wasn't surprising enough, he's at it again this season, picking up yet another big win. Perez's story was one of the more interesting tales from last season, as at age 41 in his 16th season on the PGA Tour, Perez had by far his best year as a professional. Perez made 22 of 25 cuts, made more than $4 million, posted three top-3s and finished 12th on the FedEx Cup Points list.

To say that kind of performance was unexpected would be a huge understatement. Golfers on the wrong side of 40 are generally hoping to hang onto their cards for the next season, not post career-best numbers. It's not unprecedented for a golfer in his 40s to produce at a high level, but it is definitely rare. Even rarer is that same golfer backing up a career-best effort with something similar the following year. Perez has a long way to go before he can stake claim to backing up his 2016-17 season, but he's off to a great start with a win under his belt and more than $1.4 million in earnings.

Perez has met the first challenge of this new season, but there's another waiting and it will be more difficult to accomplish, and that's to carry this momentum across the winter break, which is actually much longer the "offseason."

This week: The CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges - The Club at Nine Bridges - Jeju Island, South Korea

Last Year: This is the first year for this event.

PLAYERS TO CONSIDER

Xander Schauffele

Unfortunately, there is no course history to use this week, so we'll have to go on current form alone and perhaps some intangibles. Intangibles like, golfers who play well as first timers. Schauffele was a first timer many times last season and it didn't often have a negative effect. Schauffele has already picked up where he left off last season, with a top-3 at the CIMB Classic last week.

Pay Perez

Is it likely that Perez can win again this week? No, but after last week's effort, I wouldn't put it past him. There's no denying that Perez has been locked in for the better part of the last 12 months, and he's especially hot now. Although he's had a great stretch lately, he still doesn't hold much value in majors, so you might as well use him now.

Keegan Bradley

Bradley was in the three spot on this list last week, and it paid off with a runner-up finish at the CIMB Classic. Bradley has always run hot and cold, and though he's been cold more often than hot the last few years, he seems to be in a good place now. If you didn't burn him last week, he's certainly in play this week.

Cameron Smith

Smith was a surprise up and comer last season, and it looks like he's carried some of that momentum to the new season. Smith posted a top-5 at the CIMB Classic last week and because he's not a gofer you likely will use during big events, he's worth playing this week.

Chez Reavie

Reavie is a sleeper pick this week as there are plenty of big names to choose from, but he's also a golfer not likely to be used in normal events next year, let alone majors. It's not that he's a bad player, but there are so many golfers to choose from during the 2018 portion of the season, that Reavie probably wouldn't come up. He's also playing well, with top-20s in his two fall starts this season.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

Chris Stroud

Stroud teed it up at the CIMB Classic last week, but he might have wished that he hadn't. Stroud could not get anything going on his way to a 75th-place finish. Stroud shot 75-78 on the weekend, and it's highly unlikely that he can get his game turned around in three days.

Adam Scott

Scott didn't play poorly last week, because he didn't play at all. He hasn't played on the PGA Tour since a missed cut at the Dell, and, quite frankly, we have no idea where his game is now. Scott had a down 2016-17 season and will likely get it turned around at some points this season, but that turn around isn't going to happen this week.

Rod Pampling

Pampling was perhaps the biggest surprise of last season as he picked up a win at the Shriners last fall, but as expected, he hasn't accomplished much since. His win not only secured his card for this season, but it opened some doors as well. Pampling is determined to take advantage, but his skills just aren't what they used to be. Pampling finished T69 at the CIMB Classic last week.

Kelly Kraft

Kraft made his 2016-17 by finishing high in a couple spots, but outside of those couple efforts, he didn't get much done. Kraft did not get off to a good start last week at the CIMB Classic, where he posted a T48. Kraft can sneak up on a field at any given time, but he doesn't look to be in top form now.

Wesley Bryan

Bryan had a productive 2016-17 season, but a closer look reveals just one prolonged stretch of success. Outside of that stretch, Bryan didn't get a whole lot accomplished. Bryan should be a factor for a long time on the PGA Tour, but he needs to work on his consistency if he's to take his game to the next level. Bryan didn't fare well in fall last season, and if last week is any indication, he's not going to fare well this fall either.

ONE AND DONE GOLFER

Last week: Keegan Bradley (2) - $756,000; Season - $783,280

This week: Pat Perez - As mentioned, I'd be surprised to see Perez win this week again, but the way he's playing, I'd also be surprised to see him finish outside the top 10. I struck gold last week with a runner-up from Bradley, and maybe lightning can strike twice with another runner-up this week.

SURVIVOR PICK

Last week: N/A - (N/A); Streak - 1

This week: N/A - N/A