One Putt for Par

Last Week: 206 pts

Yahoo Rank: 92%

Overall Pts: 5347 pts

The FedEx playoffs have been the best ever with the best players at the top.  Time to go for broke on the last weekend of the season.

A List

I’m sticking with Adam Scott after two top 10s in a row.  I’ll bench Phil thanks to recent play.

B List

How could anyone not start Rory and Tiger?  Only if you ran out of starts.  If that is the case, Dustin Johnson is your best option followed by Brandt Snedeker.

C List

Again on the C list it is Louis Oosthuzien and Jason Dufner for another week.  Why fix something that isn’t broken?  (same thing I wrote two weeks ago)

Start: Adam Scott, Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Louis Oosthuzien

Bench: Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brandt Snedeker, Jason Dufner

Last Week: 230 pts

Yahoo Rank: 91%

Overall Pts: 5141 pts

Good week last week with 230 points and wins in a couple of my leagues.  Two weeks left for the season. This week the BMW moves from Chicago to Crooked Stick in Indiana.

A List

My picks are nearly the same as last week, except on the A list.  Instead of Simpson and Donald, I’m going with Adam Scott and Steve Stricker.  Scott came in with a T7 last week and I like Stricker playing in the midwest.

B List

I’m sticking with Rory and Dustin as starts on the B list.  Both looked great last weekend and should contend again.  I’ll pick up a hot Ryan Moore for the bench with Brandt Snedeker.

C List

On the C list it is Louis Oosthuzien and Jason Dufner for another week.  Why fix something that isn’t broken?

Start: Adam Scott, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Louis Oosthuzien

Bench: Steve Stricker, Ryan Moore, Brandt Snedeker, Jason Dufner

Last Week: 117 pts

Yahoo Rank: 88%

Overall Pts: 4911 pts

The field shrinks to 100 players for the 2nd FedEx playoff tournament at TPC Boston.   Picking players in the next couple of weeks will be tougher with smaller fields, especially the Tour Championship where there will be only 30 players.  The A list might be 4 guys.  Be aware of the players trying to be captain’s picks for the Ryder Cup.

A List

Last year Luke Donald finished T3 at TPC Boston.  Coming off a top 10 last week, he is an easy start on the A list.  I’d consider Kuchar and Stricker for the bench, but I’ll go with last year’s winner in Webb Simpson.

B List

The B list is stocked with players trying to impress DL3 for the Ryder Cup. Hunter Mahan, Dustin Johnson, Brandt Snedeker and Rickie Fowler are all being considered.  I would start Tiger if I had more than one start.  I’m skipping Hunter Mahan, he has fallen off too much from his form at the beginning of the season.  I will start Brandt Snedeker and Dustin Johnson, who I think could win.  For bench I’ll go with Rickie and Rory McIlroy.

C List

On the C list I am starting Louis Oosthuzien.  He has been riding a hot streak.  I’ll bench Jason Dufner coming off a week away from the tour.

Start: Luke Donald, Brandt Snedeker, Dustin Johnson, Louis Oosthuzien

Bench: Webb Simpson, Rickie Fowler, Rory McIlroy, Jason Dufner

Last Week: 188 pts

Yahoo Rank: 88%

Overall Pts: 4794 pts

First week of the Fed Ex playoffs and a great field.  This week probably won’t have as many points with the better field.

A List

This week has one of the best A lists of the year, almost as good as a major.  There are a lot of names worth considering: Zach Johnson, Steve Stricker, Luke Donald, Adam Scott and Webb Simpson.  I am starting Keegan Bradley. He has played great over the past month or so and should contend.  Matt Kuchar gets the bench.

B List

I would start Tiger on the B list, but I am down to one start and I am saving that for East Lake.  Instead I’ll start Rory and Justin Rose.  Both are playing well and Bethpage fits their game.  I’ll bench Bill Haas and Dustin Johnson.

C List

I could see picking Padraig Harrington on the C list as he isn’t on the Ryder Cup team yet and could win a place with a high finish this weekend.  I’ll start Graeme McDowell who already has a spot and plays well on US Open courses.  For the bench I considered two South Africans, Oosthuizen and Schwartzel.  I’ll take Louis based on his performace at the PGA Championship and Bridgestone.

Start: Keegan Bradley, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Graeme McDowell

Bench: Matt Kuchar, Bill Haas, Dustin Johnson, Louis Oosthuizen

Last Week: 140 pts

Yahoo Rank: 88%

Overall Pts: 4606 pts

There are only 5 weeks left in the fantasy golf season, so no need to save your starts. The Tour stops in Greensboro for the tournament formerly known as GGO.  Webb Simpson is defending champ.

A List

There isn’t much on the A list this week beyond the first two names, Webb Simpson and Nick Watney.  The only name that might be interesting is Sergio Garcia who needs a good tournament to get on the Ryder Cup team.

B List

There are some interesting choices on the B list and no one is a must start. I like Brandt Snedeker and Bill Haas.  Both haven’t performed like expected this season, but they are showing signs of turning it around for a strong finish. I considered former champ Ryan Moore, but I went with Gary Woodland for bench.  He is back from injury and trying to improve his Fed Ex standing. I also like Nicolas Colsaerts but I am going with Tim Clark.  He has been hot lately and could put up a good score here.

C List

The C list is easy, go with the top two names, Carl Pettersson and Jason Dufner.  If you like a gamble, roll the dice with John Daly.

Start: Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, Bill Haas, Carl Pettersson

Bench: Nick Watney, Gary Woodland, Tim Clark, Jason Dufner

Last Week: 132 pts

Yahoo Rank: 89%

Overall Pts: 4466 pts

I’m getting the feeling that if I have the 3rd round leader, it is a good idea to bench him for the 4th round.

A List

The A list was the easiest of the three this week.  I’m taking Matt Kuchar.  I like his chances to be the third first time major winner of the season.  Normally I’d shy away from Luke Donald in a major, but he impressed with his performance at the Open Championship, so he gets the bench.

B List

I really like Tiger’s chances, but I feel like benching him for two reasons.  One, I have 2 starts left.  If he starts cold, I’ll save him on the bench in case he runs away it.  The other reason is you still don’t know with Tiger.  He should have killed it at the Bridgestone, but only had a good round on Sunday.  I’m going to start two guys I think could win, Dustin Johnson and Bo Van Pelt.  I’ll put Bubba Watson on the bench.  This is the kind of course he could beat into submission.

C List

The toughest choices are on the C list.  There are three guys I like but can’t fit on the roster, Oosthuzien, Harrington and Senden.  I’ll start Graeme McDowell.  He has played great in the majors this year and he should contend.  I’ll bench Jason Dufner, last year’s runner up.

Start: Matt Kuchar, Dustin Johnson, Bo Van Pelt, Graeme McDowell

Bench: Luke Donald, Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson, Jason Dufner

Last Week: 160 pts

Yahoo Rank: 90%

Overall Pts: 4334 pts

Another good week for my team last week in spite of not picking the winner. Great field this weekend in Akron.

A List

I’m going to pass on Kuchar and Donald this week.  I like Zach Johnson’s hot play to start and bench Adam Scott.

B List

You have to pick Tiger.  He’s won here seven times.  Note that this is the week before the PGA Championship.  Look at how Tiger did before the other majors this year: Masters, won at Bay Hill, USOpen, won at Memorial, Open Championship, won at ATT.  Notice a pattern?  I’ll start Bo Van Pelt, who is a top 10 machine lately.  Rickie Fowler and Lee Westwood get the bench.

C List

No one jumps out at me on the C list, so I’ll pick two guys I have relied on a lot this season:  Martin Laird to start and Jason Dufner for the bench.

Start: Zach Johnson, Tiger Woods, Bo Van Pelt, Martin Laird

Bench: Adam Scott, Rickie Fowler, Lee Westwood, Jason Dufner

Last Week: 144 pts

Yahoo Rank: 88%

Overall Pts: 4174 pts

It looked like I was going to have a great Open Championship with Scott and McDowell poised to finish 1-2.  Nice that Ernie picked up the win.

A List

There are only two names to consider on the A list, Jim Furyk and Matt Kuchar.  I’m starting Furyk as Kuchar has fewer starts for me.

B List

Two names stand out as must starts:  Bo Van Pelt and Brandt Snedeker.  Bo is my pick to win this weekend and Snedeker certainly showed he is healthy and ready to contend again.  I usually stay away from the previous week’s winner, but I think Els won’t be to distracted after winning his 4th major.  Hunter Mahan would be a start for me, but I am down to 3 starts, so he rides the bench and will only get the if he is in the top 10.  I’d like to save him for the FedEx playoffs if I can.  Ryan Palmer is a good pick too.

C List

There is a lot of interesting choices on the C list this week.  I’m starting Vijay Singh.  He looked good at Lytham last weekend and isn’t playing like a 49 year old.  I’m taking a flyer on Bud Cauley for the bench.  He played well here last year and had a top 10 at the True South.  Seung-yul Noh and Graham DaLaet are good choices too.

Start: Jim Furyk, Bo Van Pelt, Brandt Snedeker, Vijay Singh

Bench: Matt Kuchar, Ernie Els, Hunter Mahan, Bud Cauley

Last Week: 154 pts

Yahoo Rank: 87%

Overall Pts: 4030 pts

The folks at Yahoo Fantasy Golf decided to make it difficult for us this week.  The distribution of golfers across the A, B and C lists is cruel. The A list has nothing, the B list is mediocre and the C list has all the juice.

My strategy for the Open Championship is similar to the USOpen picks. The last 15 majors have been won by different golfers. And the Open has a history of unexpected winners (Cink, Oosthuizen & Clarke are the last 3 winners). Looking at the world top 5, I can’t see Luke Donald making the cut, Tiger Woods, who knows, Rory McIlroy, I’m not taking the chance, and Webb Simpson is changing diapers. That leaves Lee Westwood, who had a great window a couple of years ago but didn’t take advantage of it.

I am leaning on players who have never won a major before. Only two of my picks are previous major winners and I expect they will contend.

A List

The A list is terrible, mostly guys who never do well at the Open.  I am starting my preseason pick for the Open, Sergio Garcia.  He always plays well at the Open and might finally make it this year.  I’ll bench Adam Scott.  He isn’t much of a factor playing in Britain, but better than the rest of the choices.

B List

I’m passing on the four biggest names on the B list: Woods, Bubba, Rory and Mahan.  Tiger might play like his old self, but I’d rather save his starts for later in the season. I’m starting two players I think will contend: Justin Rose and Dustin Johnson.  On the bench I’m going with Rickie Fowler.  He has some good results from the past two Opens, so I expect he can contend.  And in case Lee Westwood finally wins his major, he gets the bench.

C List

I’m playing two previous major winners, Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell.  Both have played well this season and impressed in the USOpen.  There are several more interesting options: Martin Laird, Peter Hansen, Francesco Molinari and Anders Hansen.  My sleeper pick is Jbe Kruger, but I can’t take the chance on playing him with Harrington and McDowell available.

Start: Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Dustin Johnson, Padraig Harrington

Bench: Adam Scott, Rickie Fowler, Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell

Last Week: 122 pts

Yahoo Rank: 86%

Overall Pts: 3876 pts

The Deere Classic never attracts a big name field, but it is a favorite of mine as I have played the course several times.  The fairways look much wider on TV than they do in person.

A List

Steve Stricker is the 3 time defending champ, so you’d be insane to not start him.  I’m tempted to bench Kyle Stanley, but he has cooled so much from his start of the season, I’m looking to Zach Johnson.

B List

The B list is sparse this week, but a few guys stand out. Ryan Palmer and Blake Adams have played great recently and should contend.  The say could be said for Bryce Molder and Brendon de Jonge and they get the bench.

C List

I’m going to with two previous winners at Deere for the C list, Jonathan Byrd and John Senden.

Start: Steve Stricker, Ryan Palmer, Blake Adams, Jonathan Byrd

Bench: Zach Johnson, Bryce Molder, Brendon de Jonge, John Senden