This article is part of our Weekly PGA Preview series.
Brian Stuard, Charley Hoffman, Branden Grace, Danny Willett and Jim Herman. What started as a season full of star-studded winners had suddenly turned into a "who's that again?" type season ... but there was hope. Hope in the form of Rickie Fowler, who after living under the radar for much of the season, took the 54-hole lead heading into Sunday's final round of the Wells Fargo Championship. Surely Fowler could outlast the likes of Roberto Castro and Andrew Loupe, to name a couple. We had a backup plan, as well, as Justin Rose was just a couple strokes back. If anyone in this field could pose a threat to Fowler and make a push on Sunday, it was Rose.
As the leaders were getting ready to tee off, there was yet another contender rising to the top, and this was a big one. None other than Rory McIlroy was making a furious charge, but was it too late? After all, McIlroy started the day eight shots back. With so many options that could come out on top, surely this streak of no-name winners would end -- OK, Hoffman isn't a no-name and Willett was actually ranked fairly high before his win, but you get the point. Surely, Fowler, Rose or McIlroy would come through.
But alas, it wasn't meant to be. Rory ran out of holes, his opening nine of 40 was too much to overcome. Fowler inexplicably faltered at the start of the final round and never recovered and
Brian Stuard, Charley Hoffman, Branden Grace, Danny Willett and Jim Herman. What started as a season full of star-studded winners had suddenly turned into a "who's that again?" type season ... but there was hope. Hope in the form of Rickie Fowler, who after living under the radar for much of the season, took the 54-hole lead heading into Sunday's final round of the Wells Fargo Championship. Surely Fowler could outlast the likes of Roberto Castro and Andrew Loupe, to name a couple. We had a backup plan, as well, as Justin Rose was just a couple strokes back. If anyone in this field could pose a threat to Fowler and make a push on Sunday, it was Rose.
As the leaders were getting ready to tee off, there was yet another contender rising to the top, and this was a big one. None other than Rory McIlroy was making a furious charge, but was it too late? After all, McIlroy started the day eight shots back. With so many options that could come out on top, surely this streak of no-name winners would end -- OK, Hoffman isn't a no-name and Willett was actually ranked fairly high before his win, but you get the point. Surely, Fowler, Rose or McIlroy would come through.
But alas, it wasn't meant to be. Rory ran out of holes, his opening nine of 40 was too much to overcome. Fowler inexplicably faltered at the start of the final round and never recovered and Rose, who hung in there the longest, just couldn't find that final gear. In the end, it was James Hahn adding his name to the list of non-big-name winners since Jason Day won in late March.
The good news for those of us that like to see the cream rise to the top is that The Players is up next, and while it's not unheard of to have a no-name win there, it sure is rare.
This week: The Players Championship - TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Last Year: Rickie Fowler shot a final-round 67 on his way to a playoff victory over Kevin Kisner and Sergio Garcia.
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER
Rickie Fowler
Fowler is not off to a great start this season, and his inability to close last week is a little troubling, but with Fowler it always feels like he's just on the verge of something big. That "something" last year came in the form of a win at this event and if he can get past his final-round failure from last week, he could pull off a rare successful defense of a championship here.
Sergio Garcia
Few players in the field this week can claim the type of track record that Garcia can at Sawgrass. He won this event in 2008 and in the seven starts since then, he's finished outside the top-25 twice. He's never going to be the safest pick in the field, but if ever there was a place to use him and feel somewhat comfortable, it's Sawgrass.
Rory McIlroy
McIlroy looked like a great option last week, and while he did post a top 5, he left those who used him, a bit unfulfilled. For those who saved him, this could be a great spot. He's posted three consecutive top-10s here, and if not for a miserable start last week, he probably would have won the Wells Fargo Championship.
Henrik Stenson
Stenson has had his ups and downs here, but for the most part, he's played well at Sawgrass. His peak came in 2009, when he won this event, but he followed that up with consecutive missed cuts. Surrounding those results though, he's been pretty successful. In those seven starts, he's finished outside the top 25 just once.
Chris Kirk
Kirk is not having a great season, by his standards, but he's really starting to turn it on. Outside a missed cut at the Masters, Kirk has finished no worse than T-23 in his last six starts and yes, I feel completely comfortable throwing out his Masters showing when gauging the current state of his game. Add to that, he's finished in the top 15 the last two years here.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Martin Kaymer
Kaymer won this event in 2013, but his track record leads me to believe that win was more a reflection of the state of his game at the time vs. his feel for this course. Kaymer is one of the best in the world when he's on, but there's nothing to indicate that he's at that level now.
Phil Mickelson
Mickelson won this event in 2007, but he's only earned one top 20 since. In addition to that, he's missed the cut here three straight years. That said, he is playing better now than perhaps at any point in the last three years, but three consecutive missed cuts is a lot of mental baggage to get past.
Davis Love III
Love has played this event and astounding 28 times and for the most part, he's played well here. His final-round 64 at the 2003 Players, might be the best round of golf I've ever seen, but that was a long time ago and Love III is simply not a player who can be trusted anymore.
Bubba Watson
Although he seems to be all over the place mentally, Watson is actually predictable concerning his course results. He plays well on certain course and not so well on others. Sawgrass is one of those courses that he's yet to figure out. Eight starts here and not a single top-25.
Justin Rose
It's rare that Rose would show up on this list in consecutive weeks, especially after nearly winning the previous week, but his track record at Sawgrass is tough to overcome. Yes, he did post a top-5 just two years ago at this event, but his lifetime cut percentage is 50 percent here.
ONE AND DONE GOLFER
Last week: Rory McIlroy (T4) - $287,437; Season - $6,435,139
This week: Sergio Garcia - I actually typed Fowler into this spot, went back to check Garcia's record here and changed my mind. Fowler has a win and a runner-up here, but he did falter on Sunday last week, and it's almost impossible to defend here, so I'll go with the steady Garcia.
YAHOO PICKS
Points: 2,489
Rank: 26,389
This Week:
Group A: Sergio Garcia, Rickie Fowler
Group B: Henrik Stenson, Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama, Zach Johnson
Group C: Billy Horschel, Matt Kuchar
SURVIVOR PICK
Last week: Phil Mickelson (T4); Streak - 1
This week: Sergio Garcia - Garcia not only has upside, but he's also reliable. Garcia has missed only two cuts in 16 starts at this event and more times than not, he's made a solid run into the weekend.
