This article is part of our Weekly PGA Preview series.
What is the measure of the superstar? Is it when your face becomes recognizable to the masses? Is it when you become known by a single name only? Or is it when nearly everyone pulling for you? Jordan Spieth came up short in his bid for his third consecutive major last weekend at the Open Championship, but what he brought to the game of golf, can't yet be measured. Not since the early 2000s has majority of the golfing public rooted for just one player above all, and even though Tiger has always had his detractors, there's no denying the effect he had on the casual fan.
It's a phenomenon that might be occurring again in the present, but it's a bit too early to call this one. There's little doubt most who tuned into the Open Championship rooted for Spieth -- the only thing in question was their motivation. Was it simply to see Spieth's quest for history continue or was it because Spieth has a growing legion of fans who want to follow his every move on the course? The former seems more likely at this point, as Spieth has only had a couple years on the PGA Tour to grow his fan base, and though he seems to have captured the attention of even the casual golf fan, there's still a lot of work left before he becomes "must-see-TV."
Pulling in casual golf fans and becoming the next wonder of the world, like Tiger in the late-90s,
What is the measure of the superstar? Is it when your face becomes recognizable to the masses? Is it when you become known by a single name only? Or is it when nearly everyone pulling for you? Jordan Spieth came up short in his bid for his third consecutive major last weekend at the Open Championship, but what he brought to the game of golf, can't yet be measured. Not since the early 2000s has majority of the golfing public rooted for just one player above all, and even though Tiger has always had his detractors, there's no denying the effect he had on the casual fan.
It's a phenomenon that might be occurring again in the present, but it's a bit too early to call this one. There's little doubt most who tuned into the Open Championship rooted for Spieth -- the only thing in question was their motivation. Was it simply to see Spieth's quest for history continue or was it because Spieth has a growing legion of fans who want to follow his every move on the course? The former seems more likely at this point, as Spieth has only had a couple years on the PGA Tour to grow his fan base, and though he seems to have captured the attention of even the casual golf fan, there's still a lot of work left before he becomes "must-see-TV."
Pulling in casual golf fans and becoming the next wonder of the world, like Tiger in the late-90s, are different things, though. In addition to being possibly the best player ever, Tiger was also a product of his time. Tiger hit the scene at a time when the PGA Tour needed a superstar, and he filled those shoes with little problem. Spieth is also coming along at a time when the PGA Tour needs something -- someone to fill Tiger's shoes. Tiger's shoes are too big for one man to fill, however, which is why Spieth is rarely mentioned on his own, he's almost always mentioned alongside Rory McIlroy, but with McIlroy out of site and Spieth chasing history, Spieth was able to test the waters as a solo attraction. Judging by the reaction to the Open Championship, Spieth seems capable of pulling in more fans than anyone since Tiger, but that will depend on his ability to keep this insane pace. Jordan Spieth is already a star, on the verge of becoming a superstar, but he's not alongside Arnie, Jack and Tiger just yet.
This week: Canadian Open - Glen Abbey Golf Club - Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Last Year: Tim Clark shot a final-round 65 on his way to a one-stroke victory over Jim Furyk.
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER
Matt Kuchar
Kuchar finished runner-up at Glen Abbey in 2013 and is undoubtedly one of the best players in the field this week. Kuchar had a mini-run at St. Andrews last week, but was unable to sustain momentum through the finish. That shouldn't be an issue this week.
Jason Day
Day's track record at the Canadian Open leaves a lot to be desired. In two starts here, Day has fared no better than T48. However, as we learned last week, you can safely throw out the record book when it comes to Day. When healthy, he's simply a force to be reckoned with.
Jim Furyk
Although it's considered the championship of a country, the Canadian Open has never been a premier event on the PGA Tour. That said, Furyk has always played this event like it's important to him. Furyk has yet to win at Glen Abbey, but he has won this event twice.
Luke Donald
Donald doesn't have a strong track record at this event, but he's starting to look like the Donald of old lately, so it might be time to strike while the iron is hot. Donald finished T12 at the Open last week and T7 the week prior at the Travelers Championship.
Brooks Koepka
Koepka is teeing it up for the first time at this event, but if he continues his recent play, it won't matter. Koepka has been on a roll for a couple months now, a roll that includes four top-20s in his last five events. Another top-20 should be in store this week.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
David Hearn
One of the best Canadian players on the planet at the Canadian Open -- what's not to like? Well, for one reason or the other, most likely pressure, Hearn can't seem to get it going at this event -- no matter the venue. He's bound to figure it out at some point, but I'd rather stick with a trend than go against one.
Johnson Wagner
Wagner plays very well at certain events on the PGA Tour schedule, but outside of those events, he's generally a non-factor. In two starts at Glen Abbey, Johnson has failed to make it to the weekend.
Hunter Mahan
Mahan's track record here is spotty at best, but his place on this list has more to do with the fact that it's the Canadian Open. It's impossible to get into the mind of any golfer, but with 10 appearances at the Canadian Open and only two top-10s, it seems likely that Mahan just doesn't get up for this event.
Bubba Watson
I'm not questioning Watson's motivation this week, but he's still probably not a good pick in a one-and-done format. With one more major on the schedule and the FedEx Cup Playoffs on the horizon, this doesn't seem like the best spot to use Watson.
Tony Finau
Finau was on a bit of a hot streak last fall, but he fell off the earth when the calendar flipped. I bring it up because his recent hot streak ended two weeks back at the John Deere where he missed the cut. This could be the start of another cold streak for Finau.
ONE AND DONE GOLFER
Last week: Adam Scott (T10) - $216,143; Season - $4,805,429
This week: Jim Furyk - Surprisingly I've yet to use Furyk this year, so this comes as a nice surprise late in the season. Furyk got the huge monkey off his back earlier in the year and is now free to win anywhere he plays. He should be in the mix come late Sunday.
YAHOO PICKS
Points: 4,368
Rank: 7,047
This Week:
Group A: Jim Furyk, Luke Donald
Group B: Jason Day, Matt Kuchar, Graham DeLaet, Patrick Rodgers
Group C: Sean O'Hair, Greg Owen
SURVIVOR PICK
Last week: Henrik Stenson (T40); Streak - 2
This week: Mark Wilson - Going way off the map here with Wilson, but if you are getting desperate for a sleeper pick, then he's your man. Wilson has made the cut with ease in his three starts at Glen Abbey.
