Fantasy Insider: Analysis for Wells Fargo Championship

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The PGA TOUR unveiled a new putting statistic this week -- "Strokes Gained-Putting." PGATOUR.com's Alex Turnbull offered a great definition in this comprehensive feature: "The TOUR has calculated the average number of putts taken to get the ball in the hole for every putt distance in one-inch increments. This calculation has been termed baseline or 'expected putts.' For every putt a player takes in a round, his actual number of putts is subtracted from the expected putts. With 'expected putts' as the foundation, the TOUR can now calculate the probability of a one, two or three-putt from any distance."

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While I'll be taking some time to dive into the new stat, a few basic elements jump out as I consider the fantasy impact:

• The stat has replaced putting average (or putts per greens in regulation). The old stat is the putting split on which I've leaned for years.

• The all-around ranking now includes strokes gained-putting instead of putting average.

• At first blush, there seems to be natural synergies with Scrambling Average Distance to Hole and Bogey Avoidance, at least as it relates to long-term consistency and success.

The staff at PGATOUR.com has assembled a plethora of information to introduce you to the new perspective. All of the links can be found near the top of Turnbull's feature. Check it out.

Power Rankings Plus

11. Webb Simpson ... Victim of the unfortunate ruling at the 15th hole at TPC Louisiana on Sunday, you can't ignore the season he's had, with a pair of runners-up and seven top 25s overall in 10 starts. He's 0-for-2 at Quail Hollow, but he's playing at a different level this year. Currently second on TOUR in the all-around, 18th in scrambling and eighth in bogey avoidance.

12. Paul Casey ... Hasn't logged enough rounds in 2011 to qualify officially for stat rankings, but would sit fourth in greens and 10th in scrambling otherwise. In his last 17 starts worldwide, he's posted 14 top 25s. Always a threat every time he sticks his peg into the turf.

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13. Gary Woodland ... First start since finishing T24 at his first Masters. Truly impressive splits 10 starts into his season: 23rd in total driving, ninth in greens hit, eighth in adjusted scoring average, sixth in the all-around, T49 in bogey avoidance. If there's a weakness, it's his relative inexperience at Quail Hollow, where he finished 73rd in his only appearance in 2009.

14. Mark Wilson ... The former Tar Heel resumed his solid play following a missed cut in his first Masters, finishing T21 in New Orleans, where he opened with a 66 that included an eagle and six birdies. He's 10th on TOUR in greens hit and sits fifth in both scrambling and bogey avoidance. Finished tied for seventh here last year, and swallowed just two bogeys on his final 36 holes, which he played in 7-under-par.

15. Ricky Barnes ... A natural on a track that rewards pars and where scrambling matters. He finished T22 here last year, ranking in the middle of the field tee to cup. Currently 28th on TOUR in scrambling and 66th in bogey avoidance.

Power Rankings Distribution for Yahoo! (rank)

Group A ... Phil Mickelson (1); Jim Furyk (4); Martin Laird (5); Dustin Johnson (6); Nick Watney (9); Ricky Barnes (15)

Group B ... Bubba Watson (2); Hunter Mahan (7); Webb Simpson (11); Paul Casey (12)

Group C ... Rory McIlroy (3); Martin Kaymer (8); Tommy Gainey (10); Gary Woodland (13); Mark Wilson (14)

Dark Horse (Yahoo! Group)

John Senden (B) ... Continues to motor, with five consecutive top 25s, including a season-best T13 in New Orleans. Ranks eighth on TOUR in both total driving and greens hit. Also 34th in bogey avoidance. Three top 25s in his last five starts at Quail Hollow.

Lucas Glover (A) ... Has missed three consecutive cuts entering this week, but he's cashed in six of seven appearances here, including his last five. Shared second place in 2009 and posted a T22 last year.

Brandt Jobe (C) ... First appearance since 2006, but he rolls in with three consecutive top 20s. Ranks 26th in greens in regulation, 44th in the all-around and T63 in bogey avoidance.

J.J. Henry (B) ... Not too concerned about his missed cut in New Orleans even though it was his first MC in 12 starts this year. He had failed to cash in his previous two visits at TPC Louisiana, and finished T57 there in 2008. Last year's share of seventh place here was one of his two top 10s all year. Currently 23rd in bogey avoidance.

Mathew Goggin (C) ... In on a sponsor exemption, the Tasmanian sits atop the Nationwide Tour money list with over $192K thanks to a victory and two other top fives in five starts. Should he hit $220K, then keeper leagues should start thinking of making room for him for 2012, given that he's only 36 years old and has cashed in 130 PGA TOUR events. Finished T17 here in 2008.

Danger (Yahoo! Group)

Anthony Kim (C) ... Given his 4-for-4 record, including a win (2008) and two other top 10s at Quail Hollow, he's going to be difficult to sidestep in fantasy games, but he's missed the cut in his last two starts (Masters, San Antonio), and hasn't broken 73 in his last five rounds. If you're looking for a reason to side with me, he had cashed in his most recent two starts before each of his appearances here.

Ryan Moore (C) ... A good week to rest him. He's missed the cut in each of his last three appearances at Quail Hollow; otherwise, nothing stands out in his splits to take a pass.

Camilo Villegas (B) ... Since his sparkling opening 36 at The Heritage, he's struggled escaping big numbers. He's cashed in his last four trips to Quail Hollow (with one top 40), but he's without a top 30 in 11 starts this year.

Stuart Appleby (B) ... In a bit of a tailspin after missing each of his last four cuts and hasn't broken par in his last six rounds. Hasn't cracked a top 50 at Quail Hollow in his last six starts, only two of which have resulted in paychecks.

Derek Lamely (B) ... Has missed eight consecutive cuts and hasn't broken par in his last 15 rounds. Missed the cut here in his only appearance a year ago.

Medic! (Yahoo! Group)

Alex Cejka (C) ... Withdrew after one round in New Orleans after breaking a toe in his right foot. According to the Golf Channel, Cejka hit the outside portion of his shoe while slamming his club down in frustration. He's missed the cut in his last three appearances at Quail Hollow.

Shaun Micheel (B) ... Withdrew during his second round in New Orleans, but did not furnish an explanation. A week before, GolfDigest.com reported that Micheel is suffering from endolymphatic hydrops (inner ear disorder), which is causing headaches, dizziness and other side effects.

Rocco Mediate (C) ... Returns after withdrawing after one round at The Heritage, his third WD in 10 starts. Mediate dealt with an arm injury earlier this year.

Craig Bowden (C) ... In the field at the Stadion Classic at UGA on the Nationwide Tour. Withdrew prior to his second round in New Orleans due to illness. It was his first start on the PGA TOUR this year. He has status via a Minor Medical Extension, affording him three more starts.

Notable WDs (Yahoo! Group)

Tim Clark (B) ... Perhaps a surprising entry in the first place given that he acknowledged during Masters week that he was prepping for his title defense at next week's PLAYERS. He's also a verbal commitment at the Colonial the following week.

Sean O'Hair (B) ... This is his first withdrawal after the commitment deadline and before a tournament started since the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in 2009. He's missed five consecutive cuts dating back to the Transitions Championship in mid-March.

Geoff Ogilvy (A) ... Withdrew on Tuesday afternoon.

Nick O'Hern (C) ... His share of 20th place in New Orleans fulfilled the terms of his Major Medical Extension (with four starts to spare). He will sit in the first position of Priority Ranking No. 21 for the remainder of this season, and makes for a nifty fantasy grab if he's still a free agent in long-term formats.

Rob Bolton is the freelance fantasy columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His views do not necessarily reflect the views of the PGA TOUR.