This article is part of our Golf Barometer series.
UPGRADE
Brandt Jobe: He hasn't won this year, but otherwise it's been a miraculous comeback season: 12-of-17 cuts made, 37th on the money list, a very balanced stat profile. And don't forget, the oft-injured Jobe had to earn his card in Q-school before the season started. Jobe had a chance to steal The Memorial on Sunday before the ill-timed weather delay hit.
Steve Stricker: A trophy grab is a nice shot of confidence before the condensed run of majors begins, and Stricker is quietly having an outstanding year: just one cut missed, six straight Top 20s. He's never going to be an elite driver of the golf ball, but Stricker's strong iron game and angelic putter make up for a lot, especially on the setup we're likely to see at Congressional next week.
Dustin Johnson: He was off the radar for a few months but is slowly rounding into form; a T20 at the Byron Nelson, then a sneaky T4 at the Memorial (capped by a 65 on Sunday). Johnson's game isn't a perfect fit for a U.S. Open in most years, and he has the scars from last summer's Pebble meltdown to deal with, but nonetheless you give him a chance on any big stage. He's one of the 10 or 12 best players in the world, at worst, when everyone shows up.
Sergio Garcia: He didn't have a U.S. Open spot so he earned one the hard way, through qualifying. Props for the gumption,
UPGRADE
Brandt Jobe: He hasn't won this year, but otherwise it's been a miraculous comeback season: 12-of-17 cuts made, 37th on the money list, a very balanced stat profile. And don't forget, the oft-injured Jobe had to earn his card in Q-school before the season started. Jobe had a chance to steal The Memorial on Sunday before the ill-timed weather delay hit.
Steve Stricker: A trophy grab is a nice shot of confidence before the condensed run of majors begins, and Stricker is quietly having an outstanding year: just one cut missed, six straight Top 20s. He's never going to be an elite driver of the golf ball, but Stricker's strong iron game and angelic putter make up for a lot, especially on the setup we're likely to see at Congressional next week.
Dustin Johnson: He was off the radar for a few months but is slowly rounding into form; a T20 at the Byron Nelson, then a sneaky T4 at the Memorial (capped by a 65 on Sunday). Johnson's game isn't a perfect fit for a U.S. Open in most years, and he has the scars from last summer's Pebble meltdown to deal with, but nonetheless you give him a chance on any big stage. He's one of the 10 or 12 best players in the world, at worst, when everyone shows up.
Sergio Garcia: He didn't have a U.S. Open spot so he earned one the hard way, through qualifying. Props for the gumption, Sergio. Now apply some of it to the course.
Fast Players:Golf.com did a fascinating time study at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, timing everyone and giving us data on the quickest players and the slowest players. Props to the speed demons, the guys who make golf more enjoyable to watch: Rickie Fowler, Jhonny Vegas, Brian Davis, Chris Kirk and Cameron Beckman. And a Bronx cheer to the rain delays from the study, the pace-ruiners: Nick O'Hearn, J.B. Holmes (slower than dial-up), John Senden, Kevin Na and Charlie Wi.
DOWNGRADE
Tommy Gainey: Did the Two-Gloves story peak with the T3 in New Orleans? He's made just under $13K in five evens since, and his one check included a 76-80 crash landing on the weekend.
Vijay Singh: He was a no-show for his U.S. Open qualifier, and now he's out of the St. Jude Classic, as well. Singh isn't going to get an exemption to the Open, and, frankly, he doesn't deserve one. Flush his string of 67 straight majors down the drain.
Mike Weir: At this point you just want him to stay off the golf course, regroup, get healthy physically and mentally, just stop thinking about the game for a while. One made cut in 12 events? Don't torture yourself any longer, Mike, just take an extended break and give a lot of thought to your next step. We'll be pulling for you when you return, refreshed.
HOLDING STEADY
Tiger Woods: His last win was in September 2009. That's starting to feel like an awful long time ago. Enjoy your Father's Day off, Tiger. We didn't expect you to last the weekend at the U.S. Open anyway, not with the messy timing you've shown all year.
