This article is part of our Weekly PGA Preview series.
It's not easy -- being the guy everyone is looking at as the "next big thing" and meeting expectations, yet Brooks Koepka is, to this point at least, living up to the billing. The funny thing is, Koepka wasn't always considered the next big thing, he was, for a bit, an also ran. While Koepka and Jordan Spieth earned their PGA Tour cards in similar fashion, the route to get there was in no way similar.
Although Koepka has yet to turn 25, he's been around the block a few times already. Koepka earned his stripes overseas before he ever set foot on the PGA Tour last season and perhaps it was that experience that helped him hit the ground running last season. In some ways, coming in under the radar likely helped Koepka last season, but after taking the tour by storm and earnings his card, his anonymity was about to become ancient history. Koepka entered the 2015 season as one of the hottest commodities, and he's proving the pressure is not too much. Can Koepka build off this early season win and take his game to the next level this season? Jordan Spieth thrived as the "next big thing," so why not Koepka?
This week: Farmers Insurance Open - Torrey Pines, La Jolla, Calif.
Last Year: Scott Stallings shot a final-round 68 on his way to a one-stroke victory over five players including Jason Day.
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER
Bill Haas
Haas is playing well and has a strong
It's not easy -- being the guy everyone is looking at as the "next big thing" and meeting expectations, yet Brooks Koepka is, to this point at least, living up to the billing. The funny thing is, Koepka wasn't always considered the next big thing, he was, for a bit, an also ran. While Koepka and Jordan Spieth earned their PGA Tour cards in similar fashion, the route to get there was in no way similar.
Although Koepka has yet to turn 25, he's been around the block a few times already. Koepka earned his stripes overseas before he ever set foot on the PGA Tour last season and perhaps it was that experience that helped him hit the ground running last season. In some ways, coming in under the radar likely helped Koepka last season, but after taking the tour by storm and earnings his card, his anonymity was about to become ancient history. Koepka entered the 2015 season as one of the hottest commodities, and he's proving the pressure is not too much. Can Koepka build off this early season win and take his game to the next level this season? Jordan Spieth thrived as the "next big thing," so why not Koepka?
This week: Farmers Insurance Open - Torrey Pines, La Jolla, Calif.
Last Year: Scott Stallings shot a final-round 68 on his way to a one-stroke victory over five players including Jason Day.
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER
Bill Haas
Haas is playing well and has a strong track record at this event. The Torrey Pines field is usually tough, but that hasn't stopped Haas from finishing in the top 10 in three of his last four starts here.
Brandt Snedeker
Snedeker is starting to resemble the player who won multiple times in 2013, but he's not quite there yet. That said, he usually plays his best golf early in the year, and this could be the week he gets back into the winner's circle.
Nick Watney
Watney has been one of the least reliable players over the last couple seasons, but if you are to use him, it should be early in the year. Watney's history here is all over the place, but when he's on, he's good. Four top-10s in his last six starts here, including a win in 2009.
Jason Day
Day just missed a win at last year's event, and that was no fluke as he finished in the top 10 at Torrey Pines the year prior. Day is one of the better players on the PGA Tour when healthy and should be considered each time he tees it up.
Rickie Fowler
Fowler has quickly risen to the status of "maybe he should be saved for the majors," but there are a lot of people in that group. So if you are thinking of using Fowler outside the majors, then this week looks like a decent spot. Fowler has earned four top-20s in his last five starts here.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Dustin Johnson
This week is going to be tough for DJ. He'll be back in the spotlight for the first time in a while, and it's going to be difficult to focus on golf. His track record here is scattered as well, so it could be a short week.
Phil Mickelson
Just like another name further down the list, something doesn't seem right with Mickelson. His history at Torrey Pines is pretty solid, but the same was true about Scottsdale last week and we all saw how that ended up.
Martin Laird
Laird might have a difficult time rebounding from a tough defeat last week in Scottsdale. In addition to his mental state, his track record here is spotty at best with only one top-30 finish in six tries.
Scott Stallings
Great win for Stallings last year, but going back-to-back here is something reserved for the best of the best. The field is simply too tough for Stallings to pull off another victory at Torrey Pines.
Tiger Woods
There was a time when fading Tiger at Torrey Pines was insane, but that was then and this is now. There's something wrong with Tiger between the ears, and until he gets that part straight there's no reason to even think about using him.
ONE AND DONE GOLFER
Last week: Brendan Steele (T26) - $50,242; Season - $797,054
This week: Bill Haas - Playing well heading into this event -- check. Good track record here -- check. What's not to like about Haas this week? Seriously, Haas is not a guy you want to save for the majors or the WGC events, so you might as well use him here.
YAHOO PICKS
Points: 566
Rank: 35,900
This Week:
Group A: Bill Haas, Brooks Koepka
Group B: Jason Day, Brandt Snedeker, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler
Group C: Justin Thomas, Keegan Bradley
SURVIVOR PICK
Last week: Brendan Steele (T26); Streak - 4
This week: Bill Haas - 10 tries here for Haas and only one missed cut, which came all the way back in 2006. Might as well double-up on Haas this week.
