This article is part of our Weekly PGA Preview series.
November 22 will mark the end of another official calendar year on the PGA Tour and while the end of the 2014-2015 season will be remembered as a coming-out party for Jordan Spieth and Jason Day, the beginning of the 2016 season will be remembered for all the new faces that emerged as first-time winners. The trend of first-time winners however came to a screeching halt last week at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba where the seasoned vet Graeme McDowell took home the title. This was McDowell's third win on the PGA Tour, but it was his first since 2013. In fact, McDowell has three wins on the PGA Tour now, each separated by three years. After years of failing to live up to the heightened expectations of a major winner, McDowell may finally have the spring-board needed to take his game to the next level. Before we get ahead of ourselves though, let's remember that although the new fall season is stronger than ever, it's still the fall season and the results we see during the months of October and November don't necessarily translate to the rest of the season. The rest of the season, it seems so far away now, but before you know it, we'll be in Hawaii, thinking about how far away Augusta seems, but for now, it's time to take a break...everyone needs one.
This week: RSM Classic - Seaside Course, Sea Island, Ga.
Last Year: Robert Streb shot a final-round 63 on his way
November 22 will mark the end of another official calendar year on the PGA Tour and while the end of the 2014-2015 season will be remembered as a coming-out party for Jordan Spieth and Jason Day, the beginning of the 2016 season will be remembered for all the new faces that emerged as first-time winners. The trend of first-time winners however came to a screeching halt last week at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba where the seasoned vet Graeme McDowell took home the title. This was McDowell's third win on the PGA Tour, but it was his first since 2013. In fact, McDowell has three wins on the PGA Tour now, each separated by three years. After years of failing to live up to the heightened expectations of a major winner, McDowell may finally have the spring-board needed to take his game to the next level. Before we get ahead of ourselves though, let's remember that although the new fall season is stronger than ever, it's still the fall season and the results we see during the months of October and November don't necessarily translate to the rest of the season. The rest of the season, it seems so far away now, but before you know it, we'll be in Hawaii, thinking about how far away Augusta seems, but for now, it's time to take a break...everyone needs one.
This week: RSM Classic - Seaside Course, Sea Island, Ga.
Last Year: Robert Streb shot a final-round 63 on his way to a playoff victory over Will Mackenzie and Brendon de Jonge.
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER
Brendon de Jonge
De Jonge has never missed a cut at this event and is tied for the most top-10s (2) here, as well. He played pretty well last season, but he's not the type you need to worry about saving for the 2016 portion of the season, so you might as well pull the trigger here.
Chris Kirk
Kirk won this event in 2013 and backed that up with a top-5 last year. It would be nice if Kirk's game was in better form coming into this week, but a trip back to Seaside could be all he needs to get his game back into shape.
Peter Malnati
Malnati had every excuse to relax last week and celebrate his huge win the week prior, but he went well above and beyond and scored a top-10 in Mayakoba. This will be Malnati's first trip to Seaside, but unfamiliarity hasn't stopped him yet this fall.
Patrick Rodgers
Rodgers is a similar play to Malnati this week. Although Rodgers hasn't won this fall, he has played well with top-20s in his four most recent starts. He's also a first-timer, but again, that hasn't mattered much over the last five weeks.
Scott Brown
Brown has a decent track record at this event with two top-20s in three starts here. He's also coming off a nice showing at the Mayakoba last week where he scored a top-5. Brown is not much of a consideration during the regular season, so if you aren't in the mood to use another big name, then Brown could be your man.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Graeme McDowell
McDowell is coming off a nice win last week, but now that he's flashed some of his old form, it might be wise to hang onto him for the regular season. McDowell is generally pretty reliable in the majors and if he's truly rediscovered his form, then he'll be a good guy to have in the holster next year.
Zach Johnson
Johnson has been hit or miss at this event the last five years and with that in mind, it's certainly not the spot to use a guy of his caliber this week. Johnson is a guy you want to save for 2016, so even though he's played well here in spots, it's best to just pass on him this week.
Tommy Gainey
Gainey won this event in 2012, which might lead some to believe he's a good pick this week, but as we know now, Gainey is extremely streaky and we haven't seen the good "two gloves" for a while now. Don't expect Gainey to regain his winning form this week.
Jonas Blixt
While many new faces are striking gold this fall, Blixt is really struggling. In four starts this fall, Blixt has made just one cut and even that week was a failure as he could do no better than T48. Blixt will likely need the offseason to get his game back together.
Will MacKenzie
MacKenzie was runner-up here last year, but MacKenzie has proven to be extremely streaky and his showing here last year was likely the result of a good run as opposed to a good feel for this course.
ONE AND DONE GOLFER
Last week: Patton Kizzare (T58) - $13,764; Season - $843,497
This week: Patrick Rodgers - Last week's sleeper pick of Patton Kizzare didn't exactly pay off, but I'm hoping for better results this week as Rodgers has proven to be very reliable this fall. Another top-20 would certainly make this pick worth it.
SURVIVOR PICK
Last week: N/A; Streak - 1
This week: Brendon de Jonge - While I like Rodgers in the one-and-done format, I'm going to go with someone who's got some history at this event for my survivor pick. De Jonge has never missed a cut here in five starts and most often he's finished well inside the cut line.
