This article is part of our Weekly PGA Preview series.
For nearly 15 years, professional golf was defined by Tiger Woods. It was, for lack of a better term, the "Tiger" era. In the years that followed, we had several "eras". First there was the "Rory" era, followed by the "Big-Three" era, which gave birth to the "Big-Four" era (which lasted all of two weeks), to be followed by what can only be described as the "Pure Chaos" era. In case you were wondering, we are currently in the "Pure Chaos" era. An era where the best three players in the world fail to win any of the four majors in a given year. An era where guys like Danny Willett and Jimmy Walker can face the best players on the planet and not implode. An era where major pools are won by who you take in the 4th or 5th rounds.
During the Tiger era, there were a few surprises when it came to major winners, but more often than not, those wins came when Tiger was simply off his game, rarely did anyone take on Tiger and defeat the champ. In fact, the one time that a golfer faced Tiger in what was in essence a one-on-one battle and outlasted him, Y.E. Yang effectively put an end to Tiger's era. During the Pure Chaos era, anything goes. Danny Willett had never won on the PGA Tour prior to putting on the Green Jacket. Jimmy Walker had never won east of Texas before lifting the Wanamaker Trophy. Dustin Johnson,
For nearly 15 years, professional golf was defined by Tiger Woods. It was, for lack of a better term, the "Tiger" era. In the years that followed, we had several "eras". First there was the "Rory" era, followed by the "Big-Three" era, which gave birth to the "Big-Four" era (which lasted all of two weeks), to be followed by what can only be described as the "Pure Chaos" era. In case you were wondering, we are currently in the "Pure Chaos" era. An era where the best three players in the world fail to win any of the four majors in a given year. An era where guys like Danny Willett and Jimmy Walker can face the best players on the planet and not implode. An era where major pools are won by who you take in the 4th or 5th rounds.
During the Tiger era, there were a few surprises when it came to major winners, but more often than not, those wins came when Tiger was simply off his game, rarely did anyone take on Tiger and defeat the champ. In fact, the one time that a golfer faced Tiger in what was in essence a one-on-one battle and outlasted him, Y.E. Yang effectively put an end to Tiger's era. During the Pure Chaos era, anything goes. Danny Willett had never won on the PGA Tour prior to putting on the Green Jacket. Jimmy Walker had never won east of Texas before lifting the Wanamaker Trophy. Dustin Johnson, for all of his success, had a habit of cracking at the worst time, before capturing the Open Championship. In other words, all of these major wins were highly unlikely scenarios before they actually happened. That's not to take anything away from these guys, but with the possible exception of DJ, there were at least a dozen more likely outcomes than what transpired during those given weeks.
All of the golfers that have won majors this year are worthy, but this wasn't how it was scripted. Jordan Spieth was supposed to grab a major or two, Jason Day as well, and Rory should have got back on the major train. If anyone was to pick up their first major, it was supposed to be Rickie Fowler. None of those things happened, though, and that's the reason we are now in the midst of chaos, where anything can happen. As undesirable as the current stable of major winners may be to some, there's no reason to panic. These things have a way of evening out. If I were a betting man, ahem, I'd say that next year, the likes of Day, Spieth and McIlroy get those majors that they were expected to this year, and a new era, that looks like an old era, is reborn.
This week: The Travelers Championship - TPC River Highlands - Cromwell, Conn.
Last Year: Bubba Watson shot a final-round 67 on his way to a playoff victory over Paul Casey.
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER
Bubba Watson
Can't argue with his track record here and his form is not nearly as important as his course history. There are a handful of events Watson plays well in almost every year, and this certainly qualifies as one. Watson won this event last year, as well as 2010. He also scored top-5s in 2012 and 2013 and hasn't missed a cut here since 2006.
Jon Rahm
When we last saw Rahm, he was making a charge at the Canadian Open title. Unfortunately, he wasn't qualified for the PGA Championship last week, but given the way he's playing, he probably would have made some noise. With that in mind, he should again be a factor this week, at a course where he actually has some professional experience.
Ken Duke
Duke is the proverbial, "lightning in a bottle" guy, but he's already caught it here once and almost caught it last year here, so perhaps, at this location at least, there's more to his game than just getting hot for a few days. Duke is quite the sleeper pick, but if you need someone off the beaten path this week, he might be your guy.
Martin Laird
Laird has quietly played some really good golf over the past month or so and that should continue this week as his track at this event is pretty solid. Laird came close to winning two weeks ago at the Canadian Open where he posted a runner-up showing and he earned another top-10 two weeks earlier at the Barracuda Championship.
Ryan Moore
Before Spieth, Day and Fowler, Moore was the young guy pegged to do big things and although he hasn't reached the heights of some of his peers, he's had a pretty solid career. One of the tournaments where he's thrived over the years is the Travelers. Moore has five top-10s at this event in nine starts and he's missed only one cut.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Jamie Lovemark
What looked to be a very promising season has turned into just an okay one for Lovemark as his game has severely gone off the rails over the past two months. Lovemark hasn't cracked the top-50 since May and hasn't made a cut since mid-June. Lovemark has made the cut in both of his starts here, but his best showing was a T31 in 2014.
Stephen Bowditch
If Lovemark's game is "off the rails", then Bowditch's game is off the rails at 100ft and plummeting to its death. Bowditch has missed the cut in four of his past five stroke-play events and finished 58th at the WGC Bridgestone event which had just over 60 golfers in the field.
Brooks Koepka
Kopeka is coming off a solid showing at the PGA Championship, but that was his first start in a while because of an ankle injury. The reason that's significant is that he had some discomfort in that area after play on Sunday and may not be 100 percent healthy this week. Whether that's the case, it's never wise to use a guy who might not be 100 percent ... with the exception of Jason Day, of course.
J.B. Holmes
Holmes played well a few weeks ago at the Open Championship, but that momentum was quickly lost as he missed the cut at the PGA Championship last week. His track record here is less than inspiring as well as he's failed to crack the top-30 in any of his four starts here.
Patrick Reed
Reed has proven to be a very streaky player in his short career, so by definition, it's dangerous to go against him as he could turn it on at any moment, but judging by his track record here, the odds of a solid run this week look slim. Reed has missed his past two cuts here and has only one top-20 in four starts at this event.
ONE AND DONE GOLFER
Last week: Jason Day (2) - $1,080,000; Season - $8,786,175
This week: Jon Rahm - With the majority of the big guns already used, it's time to go off the beaten path for a bit. Luckily, not far off that path sits a quality golfer in John Rahm. He's likely to hit a wall at some point soon, so use him while you can.
YAHOO PICKS
Points: 4176
Rank: 17,416
This Week:
Group A: Bubba Watson, Ryan Moore
Group B: Zach Johnson, Charley Hoffman, Jim Furyk, Webb Simpson
Group C: Jon Rahm, Matt Kuchar
SURVIVOR PICK
Last week: Jason Day (2); Streak - 1
This week: Chris Stroud - Stroud has never missed a cut at this event. That's nine starts in all and the only blemish is a WD in his first try at this event in 2007. Stroud should be a lock for the weekend and will likely be in the mix come Sunday.
