Fantasy Insider: U.S. Open

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If your game is the Yahoo! format, then this week isn't any different than any other, except for the not-so-minor fact that the U.S. Open ends the Spring Segment. Even if you're not in the hunt for the Nike VR driver, you've saved starts on studs for weeks like these. Feel free to burn accordingly. Also remember that guys like Anthony Kim (recovering from thumb surgery), Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler, Bryce Molder and J.B. Holmes aren't in the field at Pebble Beach, so it's a net-save. We aren't forced to consider them this week.

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In advance of Yahoo!'s Summer Segment, which tees off with next week's Travelers Championship, I will be providing a preview in the form of a special feature next week. It will include an up-to-date peek at top performers and disappointments thus far as well as a prep for the remaining events in the game.

This is also a giant week for the rotisseries and other formats that weigh the majors heavier than the rest of the schedule. While we've officially past the midpoint of the FedExCup season (and full season if you include the Fall Series), the U.S. Open is the unofficial capper on your first half. As always, you are in my thoughts as well this week.

Look for my Yahoo! picks in "Approach Shots" on Wednesday afternoon.

MORE: Rookie Watch | Medical Extensions | Reshuffle | Major qualifiers

TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for Luke Donald, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.

Zach Johnson -- While the quartet from this group in my Power Rankings should earn the lion's share of starts in the Yahoo! game, ZJ isn't a terrible option somewhere if you're still not convinced that Tiger Woods is ready to win again. What's most impressive about Johnson lately is that his scrambling numbers are improving rapidly. This part of his game led to a stuttering opening to his season until the Colonial victory. He's still striping his irons and comes off a T12 at the St. Jude Classic.

Steve Stricker -- The Cheesehead is probably wondering why everyone is wearing jackets this week -- high temps in the mid-50s is balmy at any time of year for a Northerner. What's really caught my eye since he's returned from a sore clavicle is that he's been under par in seven of his eight rounds, and shot par in the other. After shaking off the rust in his unsuccessful attempt to defend his 2009 Colonial title, he straightened out his tee ball at the Memorial, and wielded his customary deadly putter. Me likey.

Ryan Moore -- If you missed it, he closed his season-best T5 at the Memorial with a 68, and led the field in fairways hit. He leads the PGA TOUR in total driving and ranks ninth in ball-striking. He's also a stealthy 36th in putting. The Seattle native won't mind the chill in the air either.

Heath Slocum -- Give it up for Group A! This very well could be its deepest event of the year. Slocum enters with five top 20s in his last seven starts, including a solo sixth in Memphis. He sits fourth on TOUR in fairways hits and eighth in greens in regulation. Any Yahoo! gamers looking for a slingshot past your leaders would be wise to sneak him onto your bench.

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TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for K.J. Choi, Jim Furyk, Dustin Johnson, Nick Watney and Lee Westwood.

Lucas Glover -- The defending champion hasn't done anything too far off his career center since his major breakthrough, which supports that his random slot in the late-early draw at Bethpage was more beneficial than the history books will cite. He placed T9 on the Poa annua at Torrey Pines earlier this year, but cannot be expected to retain his crown.

Robert Karlsson -- Coming off the playoff loss at the St. Jude Classic, where he proved that he doesn't care for free reads. Finished T12 in greens hit and T13 in putting. Also swallowed just six bogeys (nothing worse) all week. Good fodder moving forward, but he's getting his first peek at Pebble Beach. Lay off.

Padraig Harrington -- Given his history of rebounding from injury, he surprised no one when he opened with a bogey-free 65 at TPC Southwind 16 days after having minor knee surgery. Then, his irons went cold and he faded to finish T56. He usually likes a little more warm-up for the biggies.

Camilo Villegas -- He should love the set-up, and continues to strengthen his rep as a good hard-course golfer. He's coming off a T8 in Memphis, where he finished T5 in greens hit and suffered just eight bogeys (nothing worse) all week. Zero reason not to plug him in this week.

Bo Van Pelt -- One of the more colorful characters on Twitter (@bovanpelt) is making just his 12th career start in a major, and fourth in the U.S. Open. He has been dynamite lately, with five top 10s (four of which are top fives) in his last six starts. Currently fourth on TOUR in total driving and first in ball-striking and total birdies.

Retief Goosen -- The two-time U.S. Open champ can never be discounted at this event. Not surprisingly, he's first on the PGA TOUR in putting from 5-10 feet and second from 5-15 feet. Also coming off a solid T15 at the St. Jude, where he closed 68-68-68. If my Power Rankings dipped into another five guys, you would have seen him included.

Adam Scott -- Chased his Valero Texas Open victory with a T33 at the Memorial, but finished T2 in greens hit at Muirfield Village. Ranks third on the PGA TOUR in ball-striking. Although he's never had a top 20 in eight U.S. Open starts, and has a reputation for not showing up for the big events, he's a sleeper fit for the small greens of Pebble Beach.

Hunter Mahan -- Precisely zero of his 26 career top 10s have been recorded in the state of California, which speaks to his perennial slow start and Poa annua greens. He's also struggled lately, riding a T50-MC-MC stretch from Texas through Ohio. He was undone by an untimely clang against the flagstick at the 16th hole in last year's final round at Bethpage, but he just doesn't fit the profile to avenge it this year.

Rory McIlroy -- Making his first professional start in California. He's the exception to most rules, and he already has two top 10s in six career majors, but there is too much "new" this week for me to hop aboard.

Geoff Ogilvy -- Either you've always had him scheduled him for a start this week or you haven't. Due to inconsistent ball-striking, he hasn't done anything lately to warrant an endorsement.
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TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for Graeme McDowell.

Ben Crane -- Seems to be zero let-up in his game right now, with four straight top-12 paydays coming in. Sits third on TOUR in the all-around ranking, first in birdies or better on par 4s and 20th in ball-striking. Oh, and he won on Poa annua at the Farmers in January.

Matt Kuchar -- In the midst of a magical season, with five top 10s in 15 starts, including a T8 at the Memorial. The current state of his game (second in the all-around ranking) supersedes his brutal history in this major, and with 10 career starts at Pebble Beach, he has underrated experience at the track. Consider him a finalist for your Yahoo! lineup.

Tim Clark -- It's way too soon to wonder if his breakthrough at TPC Sawgrass has chipped away at his desire to contend weekly, but I have an eye on it. In two starts since, he's gone T56-T68. Finished T10 at Pebble Beach in February though. Gotta think that the bulldog will show his teeth again sooner than later.

Angel Cabrera -- Close your eyes, floor it and hang on for dear life. In other words, same old, same old.

Ian Poulter -- In four starts since the Masters: MC-MC-76th-MC. Better options here.

David Duval -- Keeping my fingers crossed. I picked him up earlier this year and have remained committed. And he loves this event. He's also finished runner-up three times at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, including this past February. Long-term value only, and minimal at that, as if you didn't already know.

Trevor Immelman -- Has rested his wrist since missing the cut at Colonial. My duffer pick of the week.

Francesco Molinari -- After posting a solo ninth at THE PLAYERS, he finished T17 at Wentworth, third in Madrid and T56 in Wales. He ranks 20th in fairways hit and 28th in greens on the European Tour. Placed T27 at Bethpage a year ago. I'd prefer more experience but he has bona fide fantasy value in the short- and long-term.

Rhys Davies -- Enters off consecutive runner-up finishes in Madrid and Wales, so it's time to bring it to the main stage. His game improves as he approaches the hole, relying primarily on steady irons superb putting to get it done.

Rob Bolton is PGATOUR.COM's new fantasy columnist. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the PGA TOUR. To contact Rob, please e-mail him at FantasyInsider@charter.net.