This article is part of our Weekly PGA Preview series.
It's not uncommon for strange things to happen during the fall portion of the season, like rookies picking up their first win or previously unknown golfers breaking through for that life-changing victory. But old dudes who haven't played in a while winning in consecutive weeks? Well, this is uncharted territory.
Before the hate mail comes in, I will say, relatively old dudes; even for golf, once past age 40, you are pushing it, and Pat Perez and Rod Pampling are pushing. One is more advanced in age than the other, but both had struggled to win the last six-plus years. Perez's drought didn't stretch 10 years, like Pampling's, but entering this season, he was up to seven full seasons on the PGA Tour without a win.
That's all in the past now, and it's time to again look forward for Perez. The big difference between this win and his previous win, though, is perspective on the future. When Perez won in 2009, at 33, the future was still bright. After all, Perez was a highly touted kid when he first made waves on the PGA Tour in 2002, and expectations were through the roof. He never met those expectations, but his win in 2009 gave fans of Perez hope that he might someday reach the heights many had projected for him.
Fast forward seven years and the expectations are long gone, which makes this win a little bittersweet. While there's no speculation about Perez climbing to the top of the
It's not uncommon for strange things to happen during the fall portion of the season, like rookies picking up their first win or previously unknown golfers breaking through for that life-changing victory. But old dudes who haven't played in a while winning in consecutive weeks? Well, this is uncharted territory.
Before the hate mail comes in, I will say, relatively old dudes; even for golf, once past age 40, you are pushing it, and Pat Perez and Rod Pampling are pushing. One is more advanced in age than the other, but both had struggled to win the last six-plus years. Perez's drought didn't stretch 10 years, like Pampling's, but entering this season, he was up to seven full seasons on the PGA Tour without a win.
That's all in the past now, and it's time to again look forward for Perez. The big difference between this win and his previous win, though, is perspective on the future. When Perez won in 2009, at 33, the future was still bright. After all, Perez was a highly touted kid when he first made waves on the PGA Tour in 2002, and expectations were through the roof. He never met those expectations, but his win in 2009 gave fans of Perez hope that he might someday reach the heights many had projected for him.
Fast forward seven years and the expectations are long gone, which makes this win a little bittersweet. While there's no speculation about Perez climbing to the top of the PGA Tour after this win, it does provide him with some security, and isn't that what we all strive for in our old age?
This week: The RSM Classic - Seaside Course - Sea Island, Ga.
Last Year: Kevin Kisner shot a final-round 64 on his way to a six-stroke victory over Kevin Chappell.
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER
Kevin Kisner
It's rare to the see the defending champ on this list, let alone atop the list, but Kisner looks to be in a good spot this week. His form is not quite where I'd like to see it, but he hasn't missed a cut since the beginning of June, so a tweak here or there and he could be back in the winner's circle. His two most recent starts here resulted in a win and a T4.
Luke List
List was on this list last week because of his recent form and didn't disappoint, with another top-10 at the Mayakoba Classic. He's only played this event once, with less than desirable results, but I dare say that his form was nowhere near what it is now, when he last played here.
Cody Gribble
From the "avoid" list to the "consider" list in the span of seven days, obviously Gribble is doing something right. That "something," is simply keeping his head in the game after picking up his first PGA Tour win a couple weeks ago. I speculated that he might coast into the break, but he came back strong with a top-15 last week, so he might have more fortitude than anticipated.
Lucas Glover
Glover is one of the hotter players on the PGA Tour with top-5s in his two most recent starts. Glover also posted a top-10 at this event last season, so it looks like everything is lined up for another top-5 this week.
Chris Kirk
Kirk is one of the few players in the field this week with both a strong and consistent track record here. He won this event in 2014 and backed that up with a top-5 the following year. He even managed a top-20 here last year for good measure. He's coming off a top-10 in his most recent start, as well.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Zach Johnson
Johnson isn't a name that comes to mind during the fall portion of the schedule, and his track record at this event is one indication why. His record here isn't horrible, but there's little to point to with any excitement. Last season he tied for 75th and the previous year he missed the cut.
Jason Bohn
Bohn parlayed great course history the last two weeks in a T35 and a T48. In other words, he's not at the top of his game. This week he returns to a course where he hasn't had much success, so it seems unlikely that he'll play better this week than he has in the previous two weeks.
Wesley Bryan
Bryan is one of few guys in the last 20 years to receive a "battle-field" promotion from the Web.com Tour to the PGA Tour. This promotion occurs when a player wins three times on the Web.com Tour in one season. Not only did Bryan accomplish this last season, but he also held the 36-hole lead in his first PGA Tour event following his promotion. After that, though, things haven't gone as planned. Bryan likely will need the offseason to get his mind straight.
Bryson DeChambeau
Much like Wesley Bryan, a lot of hype accompanied DeChambeau when he started his PGA Tour journey last season. Unlike Bryan, DeChambeau thrived early, but like many in his spot, he failed to keep up the pace. His three starts this fall look a lot like his starts at the end of last season. He simply doesn't have his best, and it's better to wait on a guy like this until he's locked in.
Jim Furyk
There were many questions surrounding Furyk last week, too many to consider his use, but this week we have some answers. The most important answer was to the question of how he was playing, and that was answered with a missed cut at the Mayakoba Classic. His track record at this event is pretty solid, but I'm not sure it's enough to overcome his current form.
ONE AND DONE GOLFER
Last week: Keegan Bradley (T15) - $98,466; Season - $327,524
This week: Luke List - There are a couple good options this week, but List looks like the best. List is on a roll with three consecutive top-15s, including a runner-up three weeks ago. Chris Kirk is option B this week is something happens to List.
SURVIVOR PICK
Last week: Keegan Bradley - (T15); Streak - 3
This week: Kevin Kisner - Did I mention that he hasn't missed a cut since June? It's not for lack of trying either as he's started 13 events since then. With a good track record here and decent form coming in, Kisner looks like a lock for the weekend.
