BMW Championship - Power Rankings
The third round of the FedEx Cup playoffs has the top-50 players vying for the 30 remaining spots in the Tour Championship. As you listen to players speak, it is clear that the playoffs are becoming that much more meaningful to players than it first did when the FedEx cup began back in 2007.
This week’s event, the BMW Championship will be held in Carmel, Indiana at Crooked Stick Golf Club. Jeff Shain, of PGATOUR.com describes the host site this way:
Crooked Stick Golf Club, 7,516 yards, par 72. Pete Dye’s first prominent golf course was built in 1965, transforming a cornfield outside Indianapolis that Dye had purchased with the help of 60 “interested, avid and maybe crazy golfers.” As with other notable Dye courses, no two consecutive holes face in the same direction and players must be able to generate drives both left-to-right and right-to-left. Crooked Stick first ascended to the national stage as host of the 1982 U.S. Junior Amateur, later bringing the 1991 PGA Championship where John Daly burst onto the scene. The course also has staged the 2003 U.S. Women’s Open, 2005 Solheim Cup and its first edition of the BMW Championship four years ago, when Rory McIlroy prevailed.
As you take a look at the player rankings for this week, please keep in mind that Henrik Stenson has yet to register due to his injured knee. If he does in fact decide to play, he would certainly be a player to keep an eye on - especially if his knee is in good shape.
Rory McIlroy - Didn’t have a great week at the Barclays, but the Deutsche Banks once again revealed that you can never count him out - he is always a threat to win. Finished T4 at this event last year, and won at this site four years ago.
Jason Day - Big round on Sunday to post a top-15. This week’s defending champion.
Patrick Reed - Sitting atop the playoff standings with another high finish last week. Seems to be “peaking” at the right time.
Adam Scott - Brilliant 65 on Sunday last week to earn a 4th place finish. Scott plays best when the stakes are high, as this year’s playoffs are confirming.
Justin Rose - Had a terrific week going until a final round 79 last week. It’s one round, he’s been playing very good golf.
Hideki Matsuyama - Finished T7 at this event last year, and played some good golf at the Deutsche Bank. Posted two top-5’s in his last four events.
Bubba Watson - Missed the cut last week, but I’m feeling that this week will be a big one for him. His game has been in great shape this year, so I feel he’s due.
Ryan Moore - Recent winner of the John Deere Classic, posted an impressive T7 finish at the Barclays, and another solid week of play at the Deutsche Bank.
Jordan Spieth - I would not be at all surprised to see him play like Rory at the Deutsche Bank - make a run after staying somewhat quiet for a while. He finished T21 last week, and other recent starts have been fairly solid.
Dustin Johnson - Not at all far removed from some big wins this season (U.S Open & Bridgestone World Golf Championship). There is a reason why he has earned over seven million dollars this year. He continues to perform, and has only missed one cut all year.
Sleeper Pick
Scott Piercy - Finished 3rd at this event last year, and needs a solid week to earn a spot in the Tour Championship. Has been a solid summer of golf for the veteran.
And now for this week’s DraftKings lineups.
In making fantasy picks, you are obviously hoping for the best. I must say however, that I really like both of these lineups. Both teams are stacked with players who have been playing well. There really isn’t anyone who is far removed from playing great golf. So as I hope for the best this week, I have good reasons to be optimistic.
Starting Lineup
Adam Scott - $10,200
Patrick Reed - $9,700
Kevin Chappell - $7,700
Tony Finau - $7,600
Scott Piercy - $7,100
Luke Donald - $7,000
Alternate Lineup
Sergio Garcia - $9,500
Hideki Matsuyama - $9,100
Rickie Fowler - $8,900
Bubba Watson - $8,600
Kevin Na - $6,800
Smylie Kaufman - $6,800
This article was written by Jonathan Carr (@jonathanwcarr) as part of our weekly #FantasyGolf series. Each week we preview the upcoming PGA Tour event and highlight some of the players we'll be keeping an eye on. As a scratch golfer himself, Jonathan has a keen eye for what it takes to be successful on and off the golf course. His passion for golf is surpassed only by his passion for his faith and his family.
Read some of Jonathan's other articles here.
