WGC-HSBC Champions: Rory Looks to Keep Rolling

I've expounded on the virtues of the fall portion of the PGA Tour for the past couple years, but there remain plenty of hold-outs among the viewing public, but even those steadfast golf after the month of September, have to admit, there is a hidden gem among the fall schedule and that comes this week -- The WGC HSBC Champions. It may not have all the big names in golf, but it has enough to put merry little thoughts of next April in your mind. No, it's not Augusta, it's not either Open, it's not Sawgrass, it's not many things that we get to see during the regular season, but it is pretty cool to have Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Adam Scott, Bubba Watson, Rory McIlroy and so on, playing in an official event in late-October. Lest you think this is just another fall-stop where the best players are there in body only. No, the cream will often rise to the top at this event as proven by Dustin Johnson, who won in 2013 and Bubba Watson, who won the year prior. With a long winter ahead of us, it really is the last chance to see some of the best in the game go at it in once place and as an added bonus, they are playing in China this week, so it won't conflict with the NFL!

This week: WGC HSBC Champions - Sheshan International Golf Club - Shanghai, China

Last Year: Russell Knox shot a final-round 68 on his way to a two-stroke victory over Kevin Kisner.

PLAYERS TO CONSIDER

Rory McIlroy

While I wouldn't advise using McIlroy this early in the season for a one-and-done pool, it's hard to discount him in any other format. McIlroy had played this event two times since it became an official event in 2012 and had finished inside the top-11 both times.

Martin Kaymer

Kaymer is a guy that I would consider in a wrap-around one-and-done pool. His value during the majors isn't as high as it used to be and he doesn't play many events on the PGA Tour. The best reason to take him though, is his track record at this event. Kaymer won here in 2011, when this event was last an unofficial event, and he's finished in the top-10 here in three of the four years since.

Dustin Johnson

Another guy I wouldn't use in a one-and-done format this week because his value is much higher next year is Dustin Johnson. With that said, he should be in all regular line-ups this week as his track record here is strong. DJ won this event in 2013 and finished in the top-5 here last year.

Paul Casey

Casey cooled-off last week when he could manage only a T21-finish, but when looking at his past couple months as a whole, he's still "hot". What makes him a good pick this week though, is his track record here. His results haven't been as good as they were when this was an unofficial event, but he's still managed to stay inside the top-25 in both of his starts since 2012.

Scott Hend

Say who now? Scott Hend, the Aussie, might be that under the radar pick you've been looking for this week. Hend posted a top-10 last week at the CIMB Classic and his track record at this event is surprisingly strong. In three official starts at this event, Hend has finished no worse than T24.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

Hideki Matsuyama

As opposed to previous years, I will no longer put golfers on this list solely because they are poor one-and-done selections. While Matsuyama did play well last week, I still wouldn't use him in a one-and-done format this week, nor would I feel comfortable about using him period. His track record here is brutal, with two WD's and a T41 in three official starts.

Shane Lowry

Though this is a reduced-field event, Lowry has failed to crack the top-30 in any of his three starts here since 2012. His worst start at this event came last year where he finished nearly at the very bottom of the field. There's no reason to look at Lowry this week.

Lee Westwood

Westwood has had a couple moments here, but for the most part, he's just too erratic to use this week. He's finished below 50th in two of his past three starts at this event.

Gary Woodland

Woodland has two official starts at this event and his results have been mixed. The reason he's on this list, is his performance last week at the CIMB Classic. Woodland failed to crack 70 in any round last week and ended-up in 56th-place, out of only 78 golfers.

Patrick Reed

"Captain America" was all over the place last week at the CIMB Classic as he posted two rounds in the 60s, and two rounds at 73 or higher. It's certainly not the consistent golf that you'd like to see from any of your players, let alone, someone of Reed's stature. Best to pass on him right now and wait for the calendar to flip.

ONE AND DONE GOLFER

Last week: Ryan Moore (T17) - $101,500; Season - $163,220

This week: Scott Hend - It's generally not wise to go too far down on the sleeper list during a WGC event, but everything is lined-up for a good showing from Hend this week. He's got the form and the track record, so might as well pull the trigger and hope for the best. Heck, it's not like he can miss the cut.

YAHOO PICKS

Points: N/A
Rank: N/A

This Week:

Group A: N/A

Group B: N/A

Group C: N/A

SURVIVOR PICK

Last week: N/A - (0); Streak - 1

This week: N/A - N/A