This article is part of our Weekly PGA Preview series.
Since the end of the "Tiger" era, a certain phenomenon has occurred several times, and it's happening again. The phenomenon I speak of is the proclamation of the "new - best - player on the planet." Post Tiger, speculation would run rampant about the next Tiger, but in the years since his dominance, we can safely say there is no "next Tiger," at least not on the horizon.
The PGA Tour has extremely talented golfers, who seem to have everything needed to dominate, but therein lies the problem -- there are talented golfers, plural. In fact, there are more golfers than ever on the PGA Tour playing at an elite level. That's a statement that could never be proven, but it's hard to argue with the current crop of elite golfers, every one of them with a major and multiple wins (no, Rickie Fowler is not among them).
This phenomena of getting "geeked up" about the flavor of the month started with Rory McIlroy and shifted to Jordan Spieth, then to Jason Day and now it's squarely focused on Dustin Johnson -- with good reason. DJ is simply the best golfer on the planet now and has been since his breakthrough win at the U.S. Open last year. The problem is, prior to the U.S. Open, he wasn't the best golfer in the world. That designation belonged to Jason Day and exactly a year prior, it was Jordan Spieth. The point is, while DJ looks capable of winning a grand
Since the end of the "Tiger" era, a certain phenomenon has occurred several times, and it's happening again. The phenomenon I speak of is the proclamation of the "new - best - player on the planet." Post Tiger, speculation would run rampant about the next Tiger, but in the years since his dominance, we can safely say there is no "next Tiger," at least not on the horizon.
The PGA Tour has extremely talented golfers, who seem to have everything needed to dominate, but therein lies the problem -- there are talented golfers, plural. In fact, there are more golfers than ever on the PGA Tour playing at an elite level. That's a statement that could never be proven, but it's hard to argue with the current crop of elite golfers, every one of them with a major and multiple wins (no, Rickie Fowler is not among them).
This phenomena of getting "geeked up" about the flavor of the month started with Rory McIlroy and shifted to Jordan Spieth, then to Jason Day and now it's squarely focused on Dustin Johnson -- with good reason. DJ is simply the best golfer on the planet now and has been since his breakthrough win at the U.S. Open last year. The problem is, prior to the U.S. Open, he wasn't the best golfer in the world. That designation belonged to Jason Day and exactly a year prior, it was Jordan Spieth. The point is, while DJ looks capable of winning a grand slam this season, everything in this game is temporary.
The history of golf has had many eras, and while most are defined by a single golfer, Arnie, Jack, Tiger, the current era is defined by a collective greatness, and there's nothing wrong with that.
This week: Valspar Championship - Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) - Palm Harbor, Fla.
Last Year: Charl Schwartzel shot a final-round 67 on his way to a playoff victory over Bill Haas.
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER
Henrik Stenson
The field is light on "elite" golfers this week, so Stenson would deserve attention even if he didn't have a solid track record here. He does, so that puts him at the top of the list. Stenson withdrew last week, which is normally worrisome, but the reason for the WD was a stomach issue, and that shouldn't be an issue this week.
Luke Donald
Why does it feel like every time Donald ends up on this list, he inevitably lets us down? Probably because he does. Well, maybe not every time, but often enough that it leaves a bad taste in my mouth when I put him here. Nonetheless, he has an impressive history at Innisbrook, and if you want to steer clear on the few big names in the field this week, Donald looks like a good option.
Wesley Bryan
It's always risky using a first-timer, but with the lack of firepower in the field this week and his recent play, Bryan looks like a solid option. After a rough stretch at the beginning of the year, Bryan has posted consecutive top-5s on the PGA Tour. My only concern is the week off, while the top 64 were in Mexico.
Graham DeLaet
DeLaet has been off his game for much of the last two years, but a recent hot stretch reminded us of how good he can be. DeLaet enters this week on a streak of three consecutive top-20s on the PGA Tour, two of which were top-10s, and his track record at this event is impressive, as well. DeLaet has three top-20s in four starts here, including two top-10s.
Justin Thomas
Thomas appears to be nearing his top form again and considering he has two top-20s in two starts here, he might find the form that's led to three wins on the PGA Tour this year. Thomas was in contention nearly all week in Mexico, and if he plays that well this week, he could win against a weaker field.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
John Senden
Senden won this event in 2014, but his results here surrounding that win indicate that his win was a fluke. In two starts here since his win, Senden has missed the cut, and his form is way off with five missed cuts in his last six PGA Tour starts.
Kevin Streelman
Streelman won this event in 2013 and, much like Senden, his results prior and since have been less than desirable. Streelman's current form isn't as bad as Senden's, but he's been pretty erratic this season, alternating made cuts with missed cuts since the beginning of the year.
Bubba Watson
How bad has Bubba been this season? How's this -- it's the beginning of March and he has yet to make a cut on the PGA Tour. Of course, he's only played four events and only two had cuts, but you get the point. Things are getting so bad, that Watson is playing this event for the first time since 2011.
Russell Knox
You know things are going bad when you appear on this list two weeks in a row. Knox was on fire early in the season, but recently the wheels have come off. To make matters worse, his track record at this event is nothing to write home about. Knox will get it turned around at some point, but it won't be this week.
Scott Stallings
Stallings' play lately has caught the eye of many folks who follow the PGA Tour. In his last four starts, Stallings has posted three top-25s, which is great, but his track record at this event is hideous. Stallings has made the cut here just once in six tries.
ONE AND DONE GOLFER
Last week: Gary Woodland (T38) - $64,000; Season - $3,171,324
This week: Justin Thomas - My first instinct was to go with Stenson this week, but I'm not sure about his current form. Thomas, on the other hand, looks to be close once again, and his track record at this event leads me to believe another high finish is in store this week.
YAHOO PICKS
Points: 1,302
Rank: 22,969
This Week:
Group A: Luke Donald, Patrick Reed
Group B: Justin Thomas, Steve Stricker, Ryan Moore, Matt Kuchar
Group C: Graham DeLaet, Jason Dufner
SURVIVOR PICK
Last week: N/A - N/A; Streak - 0
This week: Jason Dufner - Dufner hasn't missed the cut here since 2007. While he hasn't had the high-end finishes you might expect from a player of his caliber here, he has made eight consecutive cuts, which is what really matters, right?
