By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy columnist
FANTASY PREVIEW:
Travelers Championship
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One-and-doners are creeping into that time of the year where
early-season strategy and luck reveals actual value. The game by
nature exudes an esoteric element as it relates to long-range
planning, particularly for the most patient, but we're far enough
along now that current positioning should influence your
decision-making process. If the 45-event PGA TOUR schedule were an
18-hole golf course, we'd be hitting our second on the 11th hole.
Mistakes at this point are compounded. However, as stated below,
not all games are created equal. The season is often end-weighed.
Loyal reader Mike pings me nearly every week for insight on his
quest for a one-and-done title. Here's this week's submission:
Considering I have already burned [your one-and-done
selection] Bo Van Pelt, I think I have narrowed my choice this week
down to Fredrik Jacobson and Ryan Moore. Seeing that you have Moore
No. 2 in your
Power Rankings
compared to Jacobson at No. 6, is Moore the guy this week
in your opinion? The one thing I worry a little about Moore is the
fact that he has taken the past couple weeks off, while Jacobson
has been on his game in recent weeks.
Looking ahead, I'm trying to plan for some of the bigger
events in my league: British Open/PGA Championship/THE TOUR
Championship (double earnings) and The Barclays, Deutsche Bank
Championship and BMW Championship (multiplying earnings by 1.5). Of
these remaining "studs" that are still available to me going
forward, any guys in particular that you like for the above
tournaments?
Hunter Mahan Bubba Watson Rory McIlroy Phil Mickelson Webb
Simpson Steve Stricker Dustin Johnson Keegan Bradley Graeme
McDowell Adam Scott Or am I thinking too far ahead? I remember you
telling me in a prior email that you were saving Mickelson for East
Lake.
Thanks again for the help each week! -- Mike
First, a golfer's position in my Power Rankings doesn't necessarily
clinch my final decision inasmuch as it affirms that he should be
on a short list. Consider that less than 10 percent of this week's
field (15 of 156) is included in that feature. That alone proves an
endorsement for all that made my cut. Next, and this is a rule for
many one-and-doners, Jacobson could be deemed as ineligible as the
defending champion. I give myself one mulligan (i.e. exception) to
the rule by saving Stricker for the John Deere Classic. If that
restriction isn't an issue, this week is as good as any to burn the
Swede. He put on a clinic last year, suffering just one bogey all
week, and he's feeling great as
relayed
by PGATOUR.COM's Brian Wacker on Wednesday. Of course, Moore is
a fine option as well. Regardless of your decision, it's unlikely
that we'll be turning to either guy in a pick-'em situation again.
In terms of your list of availables, that's a beefy stable. I see
spots for many in most of the tournaments that carry an inflated
value, and we'll attack those matchups in due time. My only
cautionary note concerns the British since it's so dependent on
weather. We'll let that one come to us. In the meantime, sit tight
on those bazookas and you'll eventually check them off. Because THE
TOUR Championship is the culmination of the FedExCup Playoffs and
includes only 30 golfers, you must save one of the elite. Mickelson
is a two-time champ at East Lake and he hasn't missed an edition
since the introduction of the FedExCup in 2007. Those are reasons
enough for me to holster him until then.