This article is part of our Weekly PGA Preview series.
The PGA Tour heads to Jackson, Miss., this week, site of the Cameron Champ coming out party last season. Well, it was his first PGA Tour win, but it wasn't exactly a springboard to better play throughout the season, so perhaps not a coming out party as much as a "hello world" party?
Whatever the case, the fall portion of the season is the time when players who are new to the tour or have grinded for a while can pick up a win that might come easier than it will a few months down the road during the "regular" season. Case in point, Joaquin Niemann, who grinded for all of about 15 months before earning his first PGA Tour win last week.
Who will be that guy this week? There's no way to know, but of course, we'll scour the field to give you some possibilities. Fortunately, we have some course history in play this week as this event has used the same course since 2014.
This Week: Sanderson Farms Championship – Country Club of Jackson, Jackson, Miss.
Last Year: Cameron Champ shot a final-round 67 on his way to a four-stroke victory over Corey Conners.
FAVORITES
Joaquin Niemann (14-1)
Fresh off of his first PGA Tour win, Niemann is the favorite entering this week. Although his win was no fluke, as he'd been tracking that win for a few months, it's hard to imagine he'll put another strong effort just a few
The PGA Tour heads to Jackson, Miss., this week, site of the Cameron Champ coming out party last season. Well, it was his first PGA Tour win, but it wasn't exactly a springboard to better play throughout the season, so perhaps not a coming out party as much as a "hello world" party?
Whatever the case, the fall portion of the season is the time when players who are new to the tour or have grinded for a while can pick up a win that might come easier than it will a few months down the road during the "regular" season. Case in point, Joaquin Niemann, who grinded for all of about 15 months before earning his first PGA Tour win last week.
Who will be that guy this week? There's no way to know, but of course, we'll scour the field to give you some possibilities. Fortunately, we have some course history in play this week as this event has used the same course since 2014.
This Week: Sanderson Farms Championship – Country Club of Jackson, Jackson, Miss.
Last Year: Cameron Champ shot a final-round 67 on his way to a four-stroke victory over Corey Conners.
FAVORITES
Joaquin Niemann (14-1)
Fresh off of his first PGA Tour win, Niemann is the favorite entering this week. Although his win was no fluke, as he'd been tracking that win for a few months, it's hard to imagine he'll put another strong effort just a few days after such a big victory. Niemann will win many more times on the PGA Tour, but this won't be one of those weeks.
Brandt Snedeker (20-1)
This will be Snedeker's first start at this event, but if he carries over his FedEx Cup Playoffs form to this week, it shouldn't matter. Snedeker did not fare well at the Tour Championship, but he posted a T5 and T6 in the run-up to the final event of the season. It's impossible to know if solid play a few weeks ago will matter this week, but up against a pretty weak field, Snedeker should be able to make some noise.
Sungjae Im (20-1)
Im played an amazing 35 times last season and is 1-for-1 this season already. At this pace, he'll crack 40 events sometime next August. Seriously, though, Im has developed a reputation as a guy who'll play anytime, anywhere. But he doesn't just play a lot, he plays well. Im posted a top-20 in his first start of the season last week, and another top-20 is in store this week ... if not better.
MID-TIER GOLFERS
Scottie Scheffler (25-1)
Entering round three last week, I was sure Scheffler would be the first "new" player to break through on the PGA Tour this season, but he stumbled Saturday on his way to a T7. Not a bad way to start your PGA Tour career, but he'll have to be a little more consistent. As he plays more, the consistency will come and Scheffler will start to accrue a bunch of top-5s.
Brian Harman (25-1)
Harman has spent the better part of the last two seasons trying to recreate his 2017 season, and although he's had his moments, he's been unable to reach those heights. Some of those moments came near the end of last season and he's already posted a T3 this season. Harman appears to be nearing his top form and might leave quite a mark this fall.
Corey Conners (30-1)
Conners had quite the sophomore season last year and is looking to build upon that this year. He's off to a decent start, just missing the top 25 last week at the Greenbrier. His track record here, though limited, is impressive. Conners finished runner-up to Champ at this event last season.
LONGSHOTS
Nick Taylor (60-1)
Taylor is one of the few players in the field this week who has a long and proven track record at this event. Taylor won this event in 2015 and has finished in the top 26 in each of his four starts here. His form looks to be good as well as he finished in the top 25 last week at the Greenbrier.
Harris English (80-1)
English has had a rough go of it the last few seasons, but he's proven that he knows how to win on the PGA Tour and if last week is any indication, he might be on the way back. English finished T3 at the Greenbrier last week, posting four rounds of 68 or lower. His track record at this event isn't great, but both of his starts here have come during his struggles on the course.
ONE AND DONE GOLFER
Highly Owned Pick: Sungjae Im - My initial thought was that Niemann would be the most highly owned player this week, but there's a hesitation to take guys off a win, and while there will be some ownership, I don't think he'll be at the top. Im, on the other hand, should be highly owned as he's coming in with good form. There will be a number of spots to use Im this season, but since he's just in his second year and hasn't established himself anywhere quite yet, he will be hard to predict. Why not take him against a weak field?
Moderately Owned Pick: Brian Harman - Although fall season is generally dominated by guys without long track records of success, OAD players generally like to stick with what they know. What they know about Harman is that he's pretty good when in form and is facing a light field this week.
Lightly Owned Pick: Harris English - Although the field is lacking firepower this week, there are still plenty of enticing choices. English will not be high on many OAD lists, but he deserves some consideration. This is the time of the season to take chances as there is a lot of uncertainty, and English has a pretty high upside.
Buyer Beware: Joaquin Niemann - I think I made this case already, but if it's not crystal clear, I don't think Niemann is a good pick this week. Seasoned vets have a tough time playing well the week after a win, let alone guys who just picked up their first win. Perhaps Niemann will be immune to this trend, but I doubt it.
Last Week: Austin Cook - (T14) $129,375; Season - $129,375
This Week: Scottie Scheffler - I'm torn between Scheffler and Harman this week, but considering the time of the season — fall — when weird things happen, I'm going with the youngster. Although Scheffler struggled in round three last week at the Greenbrier, he still managed a top-10. This week I expect four good rounds and hopefully a top-5.
FANDUEL PICKS
High/Mid/Low: Scottie Scheffler ($11,000)/Corey Conners ($10,200)/Harris English ($9,100)
SURVIVOR PICK
Last week: Russell Henley (T57); Streak - 1
This week: Brian Harman - Although I'm going with Scheffler in the OAD, Harman is definitely the safer play in this format. Harman has just one start here, which resulted in a T40, but he's on his game and I can't see him missing the cut this week. Anything less than a top-20 would be a surprise.
