Fantasy Insider: RBC Canadian Open

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Before I hit the RBC Canadian Open, just a reminder that Graeme McDowell is now a member of the PGA TOUR, so he is now eligible for the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. After his T23 at the British, he's 216th in points. The U.S. Open champ will compete in the no-cut World Golf Championships-Bridgestone and PGA Championship, where he can tack on to his total. Remember, the top 125 after the Wyndham Championship (August 19-22) will qualify for The Barclays.

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Meanwhile, for the moment, British Open winner, Louis Oosthuizen, will add only the WGC-Bridgestone event to his schedule. (He wasn't officially qualified for the PGA Championship yet, but he would have eventually gained entry into the major via his world ranking even without the win at St. Andrews.) I don't suspect Oosthuizen's fantasy value to change until we prep for 2011.

Now, I know, I know. It's pure sacrilege that Mike Weir didn't crack my Power Rankings on Monday, but that feature stops at 10. Weirsy hasn't posted a top 10 since the Bob Hope Classic. His only other top 25 was as a result of a 1-1 record at the WGC-Match Play. See more on him in Group C below.

As I tweeted Tuesday, go ahead and throw out history in this event. It's a new track to the current stable of touring pros. See my Power Rankings for requisite skills at St. George's.

Lastly, with just five weeks (six events) remaining before the Playoffs, expect to see all of the bubble guys in as many fields as they can enter. If you're in a monthly salary game, consider making room for those that have proven that they can turn on the jets when up against the wall. Here's a short list of fellas that are probably going cheap: Chris Stroud (129th in FedExCup Points), Lee Janzen (130th), Troy Matteson (131st), Woody Austin (141st), Bob Estes (145th) and Scott Piercy (151st). If Mark Hensby (180th) had fully-exempt status, he'd also be a guy I'd watch.

MORE: Rookie Watch | Medical Extensions | Reshuffle | Major qualifiers
FEDEXCUP: Biggest movers | Latest standings | More coverage

TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for Luke Donald and Charlie Wi.

Stephen Ames -- The transplanted Canadian has had an admittedly sketchy season. He likes St. George's and thinks that his fellow countrymen should fare well since they've assumingly played it more than guys that live elsewhere. Now it's just a matter of execution. Ames is 35th in greens hit and 33rd in birdies or better on par 4s, but sits outside the top 100 in sand saves and scrambling. But if you're torn in the Yahoo! game, there's a case to be made for a comfort level.

Scott Verplank -- After a red-hot stretch that culminated in his playoff loss to Bubba Watson at the Travelers Championship, he's posted a pair of finishes outside the top 60, including the British Open, although I generally overlook poor play in majors. His game fits St. George quite well, but I'm a tad concerned about his putting, which ranked 62nd at the AT&T National.

Bryce Molder -- Like Colonial, this is the kind of host course at which you can see Molder faring well. His ball-striking is suspect, but he's 30th in sand saves and 16th in scrambling. He was unfamiliar with Colonial, still shot a 62 in the second round and finished T5. He's coming off a T25 at the AT&T National and a two-week break. Bona fide sleeper this week.

TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for Sean O'Hair.

Retief Goosen -- The 2009 runner-up here finished sixth at the British Open, putting to rest any doubt that he wouldn't be in tip-top shape after missing the cut in the Scottish Open. My only concern this week is his scoring ability on par 3s. He's 181st out of 190. Then again, Sean O'Hair, who led my Power Rankings this week, is 180th. Clearly, I don't mind. Goosen leads the PGA TOUR in top 10s this year, with seven.

Hunter Mahan -- If you've been under a rock for the last several weeks, here's a newsflash for ya: the recently betrothed Mahan is in a slump. And he's his customary 169th in sand saves and 139th in scrambling. Once again, he'll need to hit greens to contend, but his game just isn't in synch at the moment. I wonder if you can buy touch around the greens as a wedding gift.

Camilo Villegas -- He's 141st in sand saves, 146th in scrambling and 170th in birdies or better on par 3s. He looks the part every time out, but resist that Colombian smile, those bulging biceps, the Spiderman ... (Snap out of it, Rob.). Um, no thanks, none for me.

Fred Couples-- Given his success on classic tracks, and that it's a new and relatively short course for everyone, he's a smart look this week.

Chad Campbell -- I've had a love-hate fantasy relationship with this guy ever since he jumped off my page at Oakland Hills for the 2008 PGA Championship. I pegged him to win and he missed the cut after consecutive 76s. Just as he entered that week on a roll, he comes into the RBC in fine form. However, he's one of a handful of guys that continues to elude my analysis. You're flying solo if you're all in, but CC remains primarily solid roster filler for the long-term formats out there.

Alex Cejka -- With three top 10s worldwide since the U.S. Open, he's getting a lot of your attention. He worked over Montreux for a T5 despite finishing T41 in greens hit and 44th in putting. That's a strong indication that his confidence level is high around the greens. Deserves a look in what is a weak Group B for the RBC.

Kevin Sutherland -- He leads the TOUR in greens in regulation, ranks 16th in sand saves and 11th in scrambling. You attach those splits to just about anyone else and you're a buyer. But this is Sutherland, and you know better. At the same time, given the dearth of depth in Group B this week, perhaps you squeeze onto his bandwagon for the Canadian.

Brian Davis -- The Brit has been playing awful since his runner-up at Colonial, but he's seventh on TOUR in birdies or better on par 3s, 23rd in scrambling and 28th in sand saves. Therefore, this is a great venue if he's going to snap out of it. Yet, while Group B is thin, it ain't this thin.

Jeev Milkha Singh -- If you're not aware, I write the weekly "Rookie Watch" for PGATOUR.com, which can be found here. Recently, Singh updated his schedule on his website, and is committed to the PGA TOUR through the Playoffs. That's good news for long-term formats, but continue to bypass him in the Yahoo! game.

TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for Ricky Barnes, Paul Casey, Tim Clark, Brendon de Jonge, Mark Hensby, Matt Jones and Matt Kuchar.

Mike Weir -- Well, here he is. Now 40 years of age, the little lefty has killed fantasy teams this year. (I should know. I invested the second round of my rotisserie league. I gotta find a new resource!) Weir is 187th in greens in regulation. For a guy that doesn't kill it off the tee, that's career suicide. (He's 189th of 190 in ball-striking.) Meanwhile, if there's one guy whose record I'll peek at in this event, it's his. He carries the weight of a nation and knows every year that he's the focal point. Since losing in the playoff to Vijay Singh at Glen Abbey in 2004, he's finished no better than T5. And there's just no way I can endorse him this week. Sorry.

Graham DeLaet -- Had the round of his life on Saturday in Reno, carding a bogey-free, 10-under 62 to tie the course record. Upchucked a good portion of it back on Sunday, but it's is a veritable home game this week for the Canadian. He's 145th in sand saves, but 37th in greens and 31st in birdies or better on par 3s. Even though he's a rookie, he should make a run at low Canuck.

Matt Bettencourt -- So much was made of Bob Heintz missing his birdie putt on the 72nd hole that it was largely overlooked that Bettencourt failed to get up and down for par and secure the victory. The second-year player swallowed a messy 75 on Saturday and still managed to lead the field in putting, as well as eagles (three). Expect a major swoon this week.

Nathan Green -- Officially, he's the defending champion after his playoff win over Retief Goosen but the touring pros won't be at Glen Abbey this week. Green is eighth in birdies or better on par 3s, but he's 174th in greens hit. Something's gotta give, and lately, it's been his score (130th on TOUR). Pass.

Brandt Snedeker -- The fallout from the four-putt at Cog Hill last year has run its course. Snedeker lost bids into the first three majors this season as a result, so it's time to turn the page if he already hasn't. He currently leads the PGA TOUR in putting (see this complementary feature), but sits 176th in greens hit. Remember that there is an inverse relationship between greens hit and putting, but you'd rather have a high GIR clip and low putting rank since it infers a strong short game. Sneds is sixth in sand saves and 35th in scrambling, but I'm not biting this week given the unfamiliarity and elevated bunkering.

John Mallinger -- Confidence is on the rise with four straight paydays, including three top 25s. Has finally adjusted to the grooves. Finished T6 in greens hit on the small greens in Reno. Group C is too deep for me, but he continues to trend upwards.

Arjun Atwal and John Huston -- Both are making their final starts via medical extensions. For details on what each needs to retain playing privileges, see my weekly update on all medicals here.

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