Usually, the PGA Championship is the second-to-last tournament of any significance on tour -- except if you're battling to keep your card that is.
However, this year, with the advent of the FedEx Cup playoffs, we still have three big tournaments remaining after this week. As far as I'm concerned, the jury is still out on the Barclays, because I don't think all of the big names, including Tiger Woods, will play in that. If they do happen to show up at Westchester, then we'll make it a nice, even four.
For many of you head-to-head Fantasy folk, including me, the playoffs have really already begun as, with three weeks remaining in the regular season, you can't afford to lose a game if you want to be a part of the four-team playoffs that begins with the Deutsche Bank Championship on August 27-Sept 3.
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| The heat will be on Tiger Woods this week in Tulsa from both the field and the weather. (AP) |
So, playoff contenders -- take a look at your roster today and make sure you're going to have at least six guys with solid chances at being in the top 70 come the BMW. No one wants to go into that final week a player short, and the wires will be weak at best.
OK, so we're off to Oklahoma this week for the year's final major, the PGA Championship. Man, 2007 has flown by.
This week's host course is Southern Hills, where the 2001 U.S. Open was held. Retief Goosen won that week, but the South African has only one top-10 this season on the PGA Tour and hasn't fared particularly well in Europe either after a hot start in which he had five top-five finishes in his first seven starts.
The course is tight, tough and features a lot of doglegs and tricky greens. The big hitters won't have much of an advantage this week, unless they can bend the ball on a consistent basis in both directions.
I think the key this week is just to remain solid in all stat categories. I know that's not exactly an earth-shattering prediction, but some weeks greens in regulation are a lot more important than fairways hit, for example. I think this week's winner will excel across the board -- hitting fairways and greens at a reasonable clip and making just enough putts to enable him to lift the trophy.
Look for the cream of the crop to rise to the top in Oklahoma and for those hot golfers to remain hot in the Sooner heat.
Give 'Em A Tee Time
Justin Rose -- I'm not getting off the Rose train until it stops at a title. This week is definitely his best chance of the year at a major, and you can't ignore his six top-10s in 11 events on tour this season. Apparently, some people still are, though, as he's only owned in 41 percent of leagues.
Steve Flesch -- Phorget Phil, Fleschy is the lefty to keep an eye on this week. He'll be relaxed after securing a third PGA Tour win last week and will just be thrilled to be at Southern Hills. The fact he has five top-25s in nine starts at PGA Championships is a good sign that he likes the way the PGA of America sets their courses up.
Nick O'Hern -- I'm going with another lefty here in the Aussie, as he is due to break out of a mini slump. He's missed the cut in two of three majors this season, but he has the kind of game that could be useful at Southern Hills. He's a bit of a feast or famine kind of guy, but don't be afraid to give him a shot this week.
Grab 'Em Off The Wire
Nathan Green -- A guy who I consider picking almost every week, Green is bit of an enigma. You never know what you're going get from week to week with this guy. I think this week he may shine, though, especially for a guy only owned in 43 percent of leagues.
Henrik Stenson -- This guy can't possibly continue to struggle at majors, can he? After a T-17th at Augusta, he missed the cut at Oakmont and Carnoustie. He's not ranked as high in the world rankings as he is for no reason, and should be owned in more than 33 percent of leagues. He isn't though, so pick him up if you're in need.
Anthony Kim -- Ah, what the hell. It's been a few weeks since I've mentioned him in my column and he hasn't been playing particularly well the last few tournaments, but he went to school at Oklahoma and surely played Southern Hills a couple of times while he was there, as Norman is not far from Tulsa.
My Fab Five
1. Tiger Woods; 2. K.J. Choi; 3. Justin Rose; 4. Padraig Harrington; 5. Stewart Cink.
My Golf Challenge Lineup
Tiger Woods, $300,000; Nick O'Hern, $231,750; Tim Clark, $228,500; Justin Rose, $147,250; Anthony Kim, $75,000.
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