Birdies! Eagles! And Albatrosses – oh my! If you’re a bird lover this is likely your favorite tournament of the year. There are some clear favorites as usual (ZJ, Stricks, Spieth), but either way the winner will need to go low for 4 days and everyone else better be a few under par by Friday afternoon if they plan to play the weekend.

Feel free to contact us with suggestions on fantasy content and enjoy the weekend!

How it works:

• My Guy: If I’m picking in a one-golfer league, and had to just pick one…he’s the guy.
• Stripes: “Man, I was striping it today” as the big guy (TW) likes to say. Call these guys my “favorites” each week.
• Wildcard: All in the name. Enough said.
• Shank: I hate to even say this word, especially on a golf course, so as you can imagine these are guys to avoid.

My Guy:

Jordan Spieth

• If it were anyone else making a run at a third straight major next week I’d probably have them further down on my list – assuming they’d be taking it easy this week and prepping for St. Andrews – but I don’t think that’s how Jordan’s brain is wired.
• He’ll keep his foot on the gas this week at the site of his debut win and if he’s operating at anywhere near 100% he’ll be mowing over the field (tractor pun fully intended)
• And for the numbers guys:
  • Scoring Average (1^st), Putting Average (1^st), Rough Proximity (1^st), Strokes Gained: Total (2^nd), Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green (3^rd), Scrambling (7^th) – any more questions?

Stripes:

Zach Johnson

• Past Performance (2014 – 2009): 2^nd, P2, Win, T3, T21, T2
• Last 3 starts: 5, T72 (US Open), 6
• Stats: Driving Accuracy (9^th), Scoring Average (16^th), Putting Average (19^th)
• Needless to say, he’s a must play this week

Steve Stricker

• A bit rusty this year and hasn’t played in many events, but absolutely loves this event
• Three-time champion at TPC Deere Run
• Hasn’t finished outside top 11 in his last 6 events here
• T5 at the CVS Health Charity Classic just a few weeks ago

Tony Finau

• The rook has some serious length off the tee, which isn’t a must this week, but certainly won’t hurt
• Last 6 starts: T13, T25, T14, T8, T10, T19 – he’s knocking at the door
• Stats: Driving Distance (7^th), Birdie Average (14^th), Club Head Speed (1^st) – for what it’s worth, Total Birdies (1^st) – he’ll need plenty of them this weekend

Wildcard:

Robert Streb

• Gained fame and much respect for his absurd putting performance with his lob wedge last week at the Greenbrier
• Managed to finished P2 last week with no putter on the back 9
• Four top 20s his last five tournaments

Shank:

Vijay Singh

• So far, another disappointing season towards the end of his remarkable career only one T10 in 17 events this season
• Missed the cut at his last two starts (Travelers and Greenbrier)
• 108^th in driving accuracy and 138^th in greens in regulation this season