This article is part of our Weekly PGA Preview series.
When the PGA Tour decided to change to its current "wrap-around" schedule a few years ago, there was an adjustment period for everyone involved, including us in the fantasy golf business. For starters, we needed to figure out when to release the draft preview for the upcoming season. The options were the standard late-December release or the pre-fall schedule release.
We at RotoWire decided to go with the fall release, and with that decision, came a new set of challenges. Prior to the new schedule, the parameters seemed more static in that, the fields at the events from January through September are generally the same. We knew when the big players would show up and we knew where there were opportunities for lesser players to make some money.
The new fall portion of the schedule, however, isn't as clear cut. While many of the big names will pass on most of the events, some will show up from time to time. See Phil Mickelson last week. Yet, even if the top guys show, which versions are we getting? We know when Phil Mickelson plays the West Coast Swing, he's focused on the task at hand - he's in "midseason" form - but what can we expect from him in fall?
Mickelson is just one example. The question is relevant for all "big-name" golfers. The easy answer to the question of what to expect is -- very little. It's not much fun to disregard the best names in the field each
When the PGA Tour decided to change to its current "wrap-around" schedule a few years ago, there was an adjustment period for everyone involved, including us in the fantasy golf business. For starters, we needed to figure out when to release the draft preview for the upcoming season. The options were the standard late-December release or the pre-fall schedule release.
We at RotoWire decided to go with the fall release, and with that decision, came a new set of challenges. Prior to the new schedule, the parameters seemed more static in that, the fields at the events from January through September are generally the same. We knew when the big players would show up and we knew where there were opportunities for lesser players to make some money.
The new fall portion of the schedule, however, isn't as clear cut. While many of the big names will pass on most of the events, some will show up from time to time. See Phil Mickelson last week. Yet, even if the top guys show, which versions are we getting? We know when Phil Mickelson plays the West Coast Swing, he's focused on the task at hand - he's in "midseason" form - but what can we expect from him in fall?
Mickelson is just one example. The question is relevant for all "big-name" golfers. The easy answer to the question of what to expect is -- very little. It's not much fun to disregard the best names in the field each week, but looking at the list of winners during the fall portion of the schedule the last few years, it's more often than not, the wise move.
This week: CIMB Classic - Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Last Year: Justin Thomas shot a final-round 63 on his way to a one-stroke victory over Adam Scott.
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER
Ryan Moore
Moore won this event twice in the last three years, and the one time he didn't win he finished in the top 10. If his form is anything like it was a month ago, Moore is destined for another high-end finish, possibly another win. This event likely will have the best field during the fall season, but that won't hurt Moore's prospects this week.
Kevin Na
Na has a lot going for him this week. He finished in the top 3 at this event the last two years and played well last week at the Safeway Open. Na is generally known for playing well on the West Coast, but he's quickly becoming a force during the fall portion of the season, as well.
Justin Thomas
If Thomas is to take the next step this season, he'll have to improve his consistency. He got off to a good start last week with a top-10 at the Safeway Open. Another good test awaits this week as Thomas is the defending champ and much will be expected of him.
Paul Casey
Casey has been on a roll for what seems like a couple months now. Even the Ryder Cup break couldn't slow his roll as he picked up right where he left off last week at the Safeway Open, finishing T3. His track record at this event isn't great, but it's not bad either. It's just good enough to think his form will carry him this week.
Scott Piercy
Piercy was the talk of the PGA Tour after an opening-round 62 last week, but he faded on the weekend and ended up tying for third. Piercy has proven to be pretty streaky in his short career, so it might be the perfect time to use him. He also posted a top-10 here last year.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Ernie Els
Els is no stranger to playing events all over the world, so an event in Malaysia shouldn't be an issue, but for whatever reason, he hasn't taken to this event. In his two starts here as an official event, Els has finished T47 and T64 and remember, this is a reduced field with no cut.
Marc Leishman
At first glance, it looks like Leishman has a decent track record at this event, but once the reduced field is factored In, it's easy to see that he just doesn't play that well here. In his three official starts, his average finish is in the mid-30s. With a field in the low-70s, that doesn't cut it.
Patrick Rodgers
Rodgers came out of the gate quickly last season with four top-20s in his first four starts. He played so well, that he caught the attention of many fantasy golf players heading into the calendar year and expectations were high. Once the calendar flipped, though, he failed to show his early form. After missing the cut last week, he still might be fighting it, and, as such, he's not a good play this week.
Brendan Steele
Going on a hunch. Steele just picked up his first PGA Tour win in five years, the event ended late and he has to turn around quickly and hop on a plane to go halfway around the world. Would you blame him if he didn't bring his "A" game this week?
Robert Streb
Streb finished T53 in his only start here and Is coming off a tough week at the Safeway Open where he missed the cut by a country mile. No need to get creative, just wait out the cold spell.
ONE AND DONE GOLFER
Last week: Hudson Swafford (T62) - $12,720; Season - $12,720
This week: Ryan Moore - I thought long and hard about this one as Paul Casey is also a great option this week, but Moore looks too good to pass up. He has the track record and the form to succeed this week.
SURVIVOR PICK
Last week: Hudson Swafford - (T62); Streak - 1
This week: no cut
