Is Fowler's game finally growing up?
After a golf tournament, when someone says this was the “most satisfying win of my career”, “the greatest week of my life” and even “the only place I’m interested in finishing is first”, they would seem to be somewhat arrogant but probably had won a big tournament for the first time. Surprise! The quote came from a guy with “145 wins”, and Bigger Surprise! he doesn’t have to swing a golf club once to get those “wins”. That’s right, I’m talking about Steve Williams, the man who caddied for Tiger Woods for 12 years and was hold Tiger’s bag when he won 72 tournaments world wide including 13 major tournaments. This past week he was holding the bag for Adam Scott after having been fired by Woods a few weeks earlier. Really? You’ve been present at some of the most remarkable golf victories at far bigger tournaments, and the Bridgestone Invitational is the one you’ll never forget? That’s like Michael Jordan claiming that a walk off hit in the minor leagues is the highlight of his sports career. Except you’re night Michael Jordan, you’re Michael Jordan’s ball boy. You didn’t win anything. How about you just focus on thanking the golfers who made you the riches bell hop ever? Enough about a caddie, let’s take a look at this weeks Fantasy Golf picks.
Tournament: PGA Championship
Date: August 11th to the 14th
Location: Atlanta Athletic Club (AAC), Johns Creek, Georgia
Defending Champion: Martin Kaymer (-11)
About the course: Last time the PGA Championship was played at the AAC was in 2001, when perfect conditions allowed David Toms to shoot a 15 under par. Since then, the course has been renovated, adding 270 yards and narrowing the fairways. Yet the biggest difference will likely be the greens, where they’ve switched from bent grass to Champion Bermuda grass. What’s the difference? “You can dry out Bermuda grass in the heat without stressing it,” according to the AAC superintendent Ken Mangum. “This year our greens will be faster and considerably firmer. Players won’t have as much control when the ball lands, which should make play tougher.” How will that play out? Likely, players who get more distance off the green will limit the amount of bounce once the ball hits the grass, thus minimizing the effects of the fast greens.
Golfers to watch: In an effort to observe my own advice, I’m recommending Dustin Johnson. He’s fourth in driving distance and seems primed for his first victory of the year. Jason Day has held up well under pressure, with two 2nd place finishes out of the three Majors this year, both ending on rounds of 68. He has a good chance at victory given his confident play. Lee Westwood has looked good on the PGA tour as long as the course is on American soil. I checked, and Atlanta has not yet seceded, so he should play well. Is Rickie Fowler finally growing up? His outfits would suggest no, but with six top 22 finishes in his last seven, and two top five finishes in the past month, maybe his play is finally maturing. Andres Romero has finished in the top four at his last two tournaments, so why can’t he make it three? If you’re thinking about a fantasy golf sleeper, check out Cameron Tringale who has five top 25 finishes in his last six tournaments, including a fourth place finish two weeks ago at Greenbrier.