By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy Columnist A few more
angles for gamers before the FedExCup Playoffs tees off on Thursday
...
Hey Rob. First week of the Playoffs, I snuck in as the five
seed. I have four of my five slots set (Webb Simpson, Jim Furyk,
Vijay Singh, Ian Poulter), but need help with the fifth. I have to
choose between Kevin Na, who would usually be a must-start but for
his shoulder; Harris English, who may or may not have found his
game again at the Wyndham; and Greg Owen, who has struggled a bit
lately but was great in July. -- Ross If you’re
eyeing Na, English or Owen for The Barclays only, it’s
English all the way. He’s a nice fit for Bethpage State Park
Black Course, and all rookies take their lumps. Owen’s
ball-striking might shine but the 40-year-old Englishman
doesn’t possess the same kind of firepower as English. You
are right to avoid Na for the very reason you stated.
Should I dump Jason Day? I am hanging on to first place by
less than $300,000. Watney has been a disappointment all year for
his value. I have two moves and thinking of moving Day and Watney
out for Bubba Watson and Jason Dufner. What are your thoughts? I am
the only one in top five of the league with Hunter Mahan and Matt
Kuchar. -- Todd Depending on when you can pull your
triggers, dump Day for Watson now, and then reserve your second
move for when Dufner returns next week.
Hey Rob, in the home stretch. I have Bubba Watson and
Justin Rose locked in this week. Need two more from the following:
Nick Watney, Robert Garrigus, Charl Schwartzel, John Huh and Ernie
Els. They are all playing steady right now, so I suppose it's
anyone's guess. Any opinions? -- Erik First, Garrigus is
an automatic. For more on why, please look for expanded insight in
"Horses for Courses" in my
fantasy
preview. Next, I'll dismiss both Schwartzel (based on form) and
Huh (based on inexperience, although that's an admittedly weak
stance given how he's shattered rookie stereotypes this year). Els
has faded since his victory at the British Open, but I like for him
to make a nice run at East Lake. That leaves Watney, who might have
a bit of a chip on his shoulder having posted just two top 10s in
20 stroke-play starts this year. He's missed only three cuts, so
he's a safer investment on a short list, and his overall game
blends well with Bethpage Black.
Rob, I have the following four left for my one-and-done:
Keegan Bradley, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, and Phil Mickelson. I
also have Ernie Els, but probably will not use him unless he gets
hot. I am thinking Phil for the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola. How
would you use the other three over the next three events,
especially this week? In order, how would you rank those three guys
this week in a one-and-done knowing you will be using the other two
in the next two or three tournaments? -- Craig First, I
completely agree with your usage for Mickelson. I'm doing the same,
and remain hopeful that he'll turn his game around in the first
three events. As far as The Barclays, Johnson is my pick. (I would
have burned Rory McIlroy if he were available.) While DJ is the
defending champion, Bethpage is this year's host course, not
Plainfield, so I don't feel like I'm cheating. Bradley would be my
second choice this week, but he could be my first pick at TPC
Boston. Watson makes the most sense this week, but he could be a
good fit for Crooked Stick in two weeks as well. Frankly, you could
shuffle this trio any way you want and enter every event with a
high level of confidence.