This article is part of our Golf Draft Kit series.
* = Foreign & Non-Members
# = Rookies
1. Phil Mickelson
2011 Proj. Earnings: $5,500,000
Events: 20
Draft Round: 1
2011 Outlook: It's rare when a $4 million season can be considered a letdown, but that's exactly what it was for Mickelson last year. Sure, he won a major and came close to another, but without Tiger Woods in the picture for most of the season's first four months, many expected Mickelson to take over as the unquestioned No. 1 player in the world. After a rough start to his season, though, it was obvious that Mickelson was not ready to ascend to the throne. Mickelson's issues off and on the course - both his wife and mother battling cancer and his own battle with arthritis for most of the season - undoubtedly impacted his game in 2010. With both of those situations looking better now, however, Mickelson should get back to the top of the PGA TOUR in 2011. Sure, he'll have to deal with Tiger for an entire season, but he's no stranger to that competition, and his best seasons over the years have been with Tiger around. Mickelson's stats left of a lot to be desired last year. He putted well and will always be a leader in birdies and eagles, but his driving was poor, and
* = Foreign & Non-Members
# = Rookies
1. Phil Mickelson
2011 Proj. Earnings: $5,500,000
Events: 20
Draft Round: 1
2011 Outlook: It's rare when a $4 million season can be considered a letdown, but that's exactly what it was for Mickelson last year. Sure, he won a major and came close to another, but without Tiger Woods in the picture for most of the season's first four months, many expected Mickelson to take over as the unquestioned No. 1 player in the world. After a rough start to his season, though, it was obvious that Mickelson was not ready to ascend to the throne. Mickelson's issues off and on the course - both his wife and mother battling cancer and his own battle with arthritis for most of the season - undoubtedly impacted his game in 2010. With both of those situations looking better now, however, Mickelson should get back to the top of the PGA TOUR in 2011. Sure, he'll have to deal with Tiger for an entire season, but he's no stranger to that competition, and his best seasons over the years have been with Tiger around. Mickelson's stats left of a lot to be desired last year. He putted well and will always be a leader in birdies and eagles, but his driving was poor, and his GIR was way off last season.
2. Dustin Johnson
2011 Proj. Earnings: $5,500,000
Events: 23
Draft Round: 1
2011 Outlook: Johnson grabbed everyone's attention at the U.S. Open last year, but the momentum he built from the first three rounds at Pebble Beach quickly faded after a horrendous start to his final round. That setback could have sent him packing for self-pity hills, but instead he came back stronger than ever. The drama surrounding Johnson was just getting started, though, as his infamous "bunker" shot on the 72nd hole at the PGA Championship added to what was a troubling, yet productive season. Johnson's best days are still ahead, and 2011 should prove to be his best yet. Some would say 2010 was his breakout year, and that would be hard to argue, but he missed out on every close call last season, and until he seals the deal, he's yet to truly break through to the next level. Expect that breakthrough this year and for Johnson to capture a major. Johnson is a monster off the tee, ranking third in driving distance last season, but he pays for the distance in accuracy, ranking 172nd last year. He did, however, rank first in eagles per hole last season.
3. Tiger Woods
2011 Proj. Earnings: $4,500,000
Events: 12
Draft Round: 1
2011 Outlook: There's little left to be said about the drama that surrounded Tiger Woods throughout the 2010 season, so it's best to look ahead. Fact is, there is no justification for passing on Woods in a salary cap league. The risk of doing so is far too high as everyone else in your league will have him on their rosters. As for his prospects in 2011. Don't expect talk of a grand slam this season, but Tiger should find a bit of his old form this season and win a major and a handful of other events. Other than due to his personal life, which seems to be settling down, why would he not perform at or near his previous level? It was well documented that Woods struggled with accuracy off the tee last year, but that was nothing new. That part of his game has always been an issue. What's not an issue is his performance in the other three core measures where he consistently ranks among the best on the PGA TOUR.
4. Jim Furyk
2011 Proj. Earnings: $4,500,000
Events: 21
Draft Round: 1
2011 Outlook: Furyk will turn 41 in May, and while most players that age are starting the inevitable decline, Furyk appears to be getting better. In fact, his 2010 season was his best since 2006 when he topped $7 million. Players of Furyk's caliber can sometimes thrive in their 40s; Vijay Singh had some of his best years at 40-plus. That said, it's hard to fight against father time. Furyk set the bar pretty high last season when he earned nearly $5 milio, and though he's finished well above that number before, it's doubtful he can do it again this year. He's still a top-10 player, but in salary cap leagues, he's a risky proposition with little upside. Furyk continued to hit fairways at a high rate in 2010, but his distance off the tee leaves a lot to be desired.
5. Matt Kuchar
2011 Proj. Earnings: $4,500,000
Events: 26
Draft Round: 1
2011 Outlook: Kuchar had a breakout 2010 season and the future looks bright, but for those in salary cap leagues, his number is awfully high. Don't expect much of an improvement on his 2010 numbers - if Kuchar can match them, it would be quite the feat. The $5 million club is reserved for the best of the best, and even though he topped the money list in 2010, don't expect a repeat performance in 2011. On the bright side, Kuchar does tee it up often. He played more than any other player in the top 10 last season, so he'll have his opportunities to bolster his numbers in 2011. Kuchar is not long off the tee, but he's solid in every other aspect of his game, including putting where he finished sixth on the PGA TOUR last season.
6. Luke Donald
2011 Proj. Earnings: $4,250,000
Events: 20
Draft Round: 1
2011 Outlook: Was 2010 the breakout year everyone expected from Donald? The numbers would say so as a he earned a career-high $3.6 million. Noticeably absent from his 2010 resume, however, is a notch in the win column. In fact, it was Donald's fourth consecutive season on the PGA TOUR without a victory. This is a case where the earnings do not tell the entire story. Sure, his numbers in 2010 look solid, but Donald is too talented to go through an entire season without a win. On the bright side, he earned five top-3s last season, which shows that he was close to winning multiple times in 2010. Donald will eventually close one out, and it will likely happen early in the season. Expect Donald to get back into the winner's circle in 2011, possibly more than once. Donald is a master around and on the greens, but getting to those greens often proves troublesome for him.
7. Justin Rose
2011 Proj. Earnings: $4,000,000
Events: 22
Draft Round: 1
2011 Outlook: Here's a classic case on why it's so hard to give up on a player who shows any kind of talent on the PGA TOUR. Rose appeared to be heading to the next level in 2007 when he earned nearly $3 million, but the two years that followed were unquestionably disappointments. Injuries played a role in the disappointing seasons of 2008 and 2009, but that didn't explain the entire reason behind his drop in play those two years. Whether it was a return to full health or a change in his game, 2010 was a complete reversal of the previous two seasons, and Rose again looks to be the player many expected just a few years ago. Rose's two wins came at upper-tier events last season, which should boost his confidence even further. Expect continued improvement in 2011. Rose is middle of the pack in most statistical measures, but he can sometimes light it up on the greens.
8. Steve Stricker
2011 Proj. Earnings: $4,000,000
Events: 19
Draft Round: 1
2011 Outlook: Few players on the PGA TOUR are as consistent as Steve Stricker. Sure, he's never won a major and is not exactly the most outspoken player on the PGA TOUR, but when you need a player to produce nearly every week, he's your man. That said, Stricker turns 44 in February, and though he's shown no signs of decline, it's best to be aware that he could start going the wrong way at any moment. Best guess, he has at least a few good years left, but it's unlikely he plays much better in 2011 than he did in 2010. Stricker should hang onto a top-10 spot this season, but unlike previous years, he'll probably be near the back the top-10 as opposed to the front. Stricker is quite the statistical stud, performing well in many of the core categories. The only spot where he's lacking is driving distance.
9. Bo Van Pelt
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,750,000
Events: 28
Draft Round: 1
2011 Outlook: Van Pelt's story is common on the PGA TOUR. It's about a player who plays well enough to contend several times throughout the year, but for one reason or another, can't seem to seal the deal. Once that player does finally win, though, he takes off to new heights. In Van Pelt's case, the long-awaited win came after years of nearly breaking through. He finally got that first victory in 2009 and carried that confidence and momentum into 2010 where he had his best season as a professional golfer. Although he didn't win last season, he finished in the top 3 four times and in the top 10 eight times. Van Pelt should continue to improve this season and $4 million is not out of the question. Van Pelt is pretty consistent statistically across the board. He doesn't do anything great, but he does everything well.
10. Jeff Overton
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,750,000
Events: 26
Draft Round: 1
2011 Outlook: Overton's fine 2010 season was capped by a strong performance at the Ryder Cup. It was a performance that surprised many as Overton was not playing well heading into the matches. His performance at the Ryder Cup could lead to better results in 2011, as he's sure to have added confidence. Overton is quickly becoming known as one of the more emotional players on the PGA TOUR, which seemed to help his cause during the Ryder Cup matches. But a more toned-down approach likely will serve him well as he continues on his journey, and that will likely come with age. There's no reason to expect a decline in Overton's production this season, and he'll likely find the winner's circle at some point. Like many young players on the PGA TOUR, Overton is long off the tee and fairly consistent with the putter, but he struggles with accuracy off the tee.
11. Hunter Mahan
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,750,000
Events: 25
Draft Round: 2
2011 Outlook: Anyone who follows the PGA TOUR is aware that Mahan is one of the best up-and-coming players in the game. His two victories in 2010 proved that point, and his top-10 finish on the money list furthered that opinion. However, when we last saw Mahan, he flubbed a crucial chip shot during one of the final matches of the Ryder Cup. Something like than could potentially have a drastic affect on the psyche. He didn't exactly set the world ablaze after that moment either, as his only two starts the remainder of the season were disappointments. It will be interesting early in the season to see how Mahan responds. Considering he won a big event last season (the WGC Bridgestone), it would seem that he's mentally tough enough to get past his blunder, but you never know. Mahan is usually solid from tee to green, but his putter is inconsistent.
12. Paul Casey
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,750,000
Events: 17
Draft Round: 2
2011 Outlook: A top-10 finish on the PGA TOUR money list was not enough to earn a spot on the European Ryder Cup team for Casey last year. That goes to show how difficult it is to crack that squad, but more important for Casey, it means he still must improve. That mindset could be very dangerous for the rest of the PGA TOUR in 2011, as Casey has as much talent as anyone outside of Tiger Woods. The one drawback on Casey is his schedule. He only played 17 events last season, but that could have been due to playing more events on the European Tour in an effort to gain membership on the European Ryder Cup team. With that out of the equation this season perhaps Casey will play more in the States in 2011. If so, he should improve his 2010 numbers. If not, he should, at minimum, match his 2010 numbers. Outside of driving accuracy, Casey was among the top 50 in almost every statistical measure on the PGA TOUR last season. He is to stats as Steve Stricker is to earnings.
13. Anthony Kim
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,500,000
Events: 14
Draft Round: 2
2011 Outlook: Kim was on his way to a fabulous 2010 season when a thumb injury derailed him in early May. After a quick surgery to repair the damage, he spent the rest of the year trying to get back into form, which he never fully did. With all that happened to Kim last season, it's amazing that he finished in the top 30 on the money list. He missed a huge chunk of the season due to injury, which just goes to show how well he was playing prior to that injury. If healthy, and that's a big if because he only made two cuts post-surgery, then Kim should easily outperform his 2010 numbers. It's hard to judge Kim's stats from last year because the pre- and post-injury numbers are bunched together. What we do know is that when healthy, Kim is an excellent putter.
14. Jason Day
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,500,000
Events: 24
Draft Round: 2
2011 Outlook: Day had a huge jump in production last season as he went from just over $1 million in earnings in 2009 to nearly $3 million last season. Only 23, Day is nowhere near his prime, but he appears to be one of those special players who has matured very early. Day finished the season with five top-10s last year and they all came in upper-tier events, most notably the PGA Championship where he finished T-10. Day should continue to improve in 2010, and though the bar was set high last year, he's capable of reaching new heights in 2011. Day is long off the tee, but he misses a lot of fairways. He's middle of the pack in both GIR and putting.
15. Camilo Villegas
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,500,000
Events: 20
Draft Round: 2
2011 Outlook: Villegas was expected to take off after winning twice in 2008, but he fell back to earth in 2009. He recovered well in 2010, but he's still not quite to the level that most expect. Although Villegas is always a threat to earn plenty of money, his stats last season where brutal, which doesn't make him a good pick for rotisserie leagues. It's a wonder how he finished as well as he did on the 2010 money list. Villegas ranked no higher than 77th in any major statistic, finishing lower than 125th in driving accuracy, GIR and putting last season. That tells us there's room for improvement, and any improvement should result greater earnings in 2011.
16. Bubba Watson
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,500,000
Events: 22
Draft Round: 2
2011 Outlook: Lost in the sand trap debacle at Whistling Straits last year was Bubba Watson's performance at the PGA Championship. Lest anyone forget, he finished runner-up to Martin Kaymer. But much like Kaymer's win, Watson's runner-up finish was overshadowed by Dustin Johnson's misfortune. In addition to his runner-up finish at the PGA Championship, Watson earned a win, another runner-up and a third-place finish. The only drawback to his game is consistency. He's not going to produce every time out, but about once a month he's good for a solid performance. Expect Watson to improve this season, both in high-end finishes and consistency. He's a statistical stud. What he lacks in accuracy off the tee, he makes up for in every other aspect of his game.
17. Retief Goosen
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,500,000
Events: 19
Draft Round: 2
2011 Outlook: Goosen earned more than $3 million last season without benefit of a win or a runner-up finish. How did he do it? Goosen finished 14th on the 2010 money list by being extremely consistent throughout the season. He played only 19 events but finished in the top 10 in more than half of those starts - 10 top-10s and 13 top-25s. What's more, he had only one missed cut the entire season. Goosen's performance in the majors left something to be desired, though. Any improvement at the majors in 2011 would result in a nice jump in earnings, and that's what it comes down to. If Goosen can find some magic at the U.S. Open again, he could jump back up to $4 million. Goosen was statistically sound last season with the exception of GIR where he ranked 133rd.
18. Tim Clark
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,500,000
Events: 24
Draft Round: 2
2011 Outlook: Clark finally removed the monkey from his back when he won The Players Championship last season. Clark had long been regarded as the best player without a PGA TOUR victory, but he no longer carries that burden. Clark didn't exactly take off after his May victory but played well enough to nearly crack the top 10 in earnings, though, of course, a $1.7 million payday from The Players helped the cause. Clark likely will continue to improve as there's nothing holding him back anymore, and he has the confidence of a PGA TOUR winner now. The problem when considering Clark in a salary cap league is the win at The Players. It was a hefty payday, one that will be hard to match. In fact, it's almost worth two wins as far as earnings are concerned. While his play will likely improve, his earnings might not. Clark ranks among the best on the PGA TOUR in driving accuracy as well as putting, but he lacks distance off the tee.
19. Ernie Els
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,500,000
Events: 20
Draft Round: 2
2011 Outlook: Perhaps the biggest surprise on the golf course last season was the resurgence of Ernie Els. It had been several years since his most recent knee surgery, and the results just weren't there, until last season. The thought entering the season was that Els would remain a productive player, but his best days were long gone. After an early season surge, though, thoughts of a full comeback crept in. Alas, by season's end Els had lost some of the spark he displayed early in the season. Els should again be productive in 2011, but much like other players his age on this list, he'll struggle to significantly improve his 2010 numbers. Els likely will remain in the top 20 on the money list this season, but don't expect a return to the top 10. Els is not exactly a statistical superstar, though, as his highest rank on the core categories, (driving distance, driving accuracy, GIR and putting) was 59th in putting last season.
20. Ryan Moore
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,250,000
Events: 24
Draft Round: 2
2011 Outlook: Moore picked up his first PGA TOUR victory in 2009, and though he didn't back that up with another win in 2010, he did improve his earnings. He also improved his World Golf Ranking and enters this season in the top 50 for the first time. Moore has loads of talent, and it seems only a matter of time before he, to use a horse racing term, takes a huge step up in class. Moore's progress from college phenom to PGA TOUR star hasn't been as swift as others before him, but he is getting there and one of these years is going to break out big time. This could be that year. If not, he'll at least perform to his 2009 and 2010 levels, so the there's really no risk involved. It's hard to peg exactly what Moore does well statistically. One year he hits greens, the next he doesn't; it's this way for all the core categories. He's about average on all measures, some years improving in certain categories and in others regressing.
21. Geoff Ogilvy
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,250,000
Events: 19
Draft Round: 3
2011 Outlook: To give you an idea of how far Ogilvy has come, his $2.3 million in earnings last season is his lowest total since 2005. The reason for the lower earnings was a peculiar mid-season swoon in which Ogilvy carded only two top-25s in 14 events. Ogilvy has always been known as a quick starter, and he lived up to that reputation last year as he won the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in January. His slump thereafter was troubling - even though he's never been a mid-season monster, he always found a way to be productive. Those fears were laid to rest, however, when he found new life during the Fed-Ex Cup. Ogilvy should return to his old form this season. He is long off the tee and normally a strong putter. GIR and driving accuracy are not strong points, though.
22. Adam Scott
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,250,000
Events: 20
Draft Round: 3
2011 Outlook: After two rough seasons, we were beginning to wonder who the real Adam Scott was. Was it the golfer who looked like the second best player in the world at one point? Or the golfer who couldn't make a cut for two years? OK, well that's a bit of a stretch. Although he struggled by his own standards in 2008 and 2009, he was still making cuts. The question remained, though, would we ever see the kid from 2006 again? Scott answered that question with a resounding "yes" at the Valero Texas Open in mid-May last year. He followed that up with a nice run through the Fed-Ex Cup and appears back on track for 2011. When Scott is on, like we expect him to be this season, he does everything well with the exception of hitting the fairways.
23. Nick Watney
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,250,000
Events: 24
Draft Round: 3
2011 Outlook: Perhaps no one benefitted more from the Whistling Straits debacle than Nick Watney. Lost in all the controversy surrounding Dustin Johnson was the fact that Watney fell apart in the final round by shooting an 81. Watney held the 54-hole lead, but that lead quickly evaporated on Sunday. That final-round blow up was quite out of character for Watney as he's shown a remarkable consistency in his game the last few years. Even with that setback, Watney had a big year with 15 of his 24 starts resulting in top-25 finishes. He didn't have the high-end finishes that he had the year prior, but those should return this season. Watney is a bomber off the tee and is usually one of the best at GIR.
24. Zach Johnson
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,250,000
Events: 25
Draft Round: 3
2011 Outlook: Johnson has at least one victory in each of his last four seasons, and there's no reason to think that streak will end this year. Johnson is among the most consistent players on the PGA TOUR and has proven he can handle big spots. He is almost certain to earn at least $2 million each season, and his ceiling is high, as he proved in 2009 when he almost cracked $5 million. Johnson relies heavily on accuracy off the tee and putting, two areas where he shined in 2010 when he finished in the top 10 in both categories.
25. Robert Allenby
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,250,000
Events: 22
Draft Round: 3
2011 Outlook: Allenby's quest for that elusive fifth PGA TOUR victory again fell short in 2010, but that doesn't mean the season was a disappointment. Allenby carded two runner-up finishes with three other top-10s. He also finished in the top 25 in half of his 22 starts last season. Allenby is approaching that magical number of 40, as he'll turn 39 this year, but he doesn't appear to be slowing down. Allenby's stats are solid, but not spectacular. Last year, he ranked no higher than 67th in the core categories, but no lower than 87th. Allenby appears to be primed for another strong season that just might include another trip to the winner's circle.
26. Sean O'Hair
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,000,000
Events: 25
Draft Round: 3
2011 Outlook: A top-50 finish on the money list is certainly a nice achievement, but for O'Hair, anything outside the top 30 had to be a disappointment, especially considering the season he had in 2009. The reason for the drop in earnings was due to a drop in high-end finishes. No wins, no runner-up finishes, not even a single third-place finish. What that does show, however, is that O'Hair played consistently decent the majority of the season. The high-end finishes should come back in 2011, and O'Hair is one of the few players in the $2 million range who could very well double his earnings this season. O'Hair is a strong ball-striker who hits a large percentage of greens, but his putting is lacking.
27. J.B. Holmes
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,000,000
Events: 26
Draft Round: 3
2011 Outlook: Holmes' career took off in 2006 when he won his fourth event as a rookie at the FBR Open, but successes thereafter was less frequent. Last season was a different story, however, as Holmes started to find some consistency in his game. The fact that he nearly cracked the top 30 at season's end without the benefit of a victory speaks volumes. His turn around has been quite staggering. In 2009, he made only 11 cuts in 25 events, but last year he made the cut in 24 of 26 events. This new-found consistency should bring about better results. Prior to last season, Holmes was all show and no dough, that is, he drove the ball well, but couldn't hit greens or putt to save his life. That turned around a bit last season, and he improved his putting stats immensely.
28. Rory McIlroy
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,000,000
Events: 16
Draft Round: 3
2011 Outlook: It didn't take long for McIlroy to adjust to life on the PGA TOUR. In his first full season on the PGA TOUR last year, McIlroy earned one victory and five top-10s in only 16 starts. McIlroy is a special player, and his youth should not be an issue. The only problem is his limited schedule. Just like his elders, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, he'll likely play the minimum required to retain his PGA TOUR privileges. In other words, he needs to make every event count. His 2010 number is pretty hefty, but one good outing at a major or the Players Championship can make up a big chunk, so McIlroy is still a good selection in salary cap leagues. It's a wonder how McIlroy succeeds on the course considering he's ranked lower than 100 on three of the four core measures, but he finds a way somehow.
29. Charley Hoffman
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,000,000
Events: 24
Draft Round: 3
2011 Outlook: Hoffman has plenty of potential, but until last season he hadn't really reached it. Now the question is whether this is his best or just the best yet. Hoffman has a lethal combination of distance off the tee and solid putting, which means he'll have plenty of opportunities throughout the season. Considering that combination, expect to see continued improvement from Hoffman in 2011.
30. Ben Crane
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,000,000
Events: 24
Draft Round: 3
2011 Outlook: Crane has battled injuries much of the last five years, and up until last year many wondered if he'd ever return to his previous form. An early season victory at the Farmer's Insurance Open laid those fears to rest last year, and Crane went on to have an outstanding 2010. Crane finished in the top 25 in half his starts and also captured a late-season non-official event in October, which means he's likely to hit the ground running in 2011. Crane likely will play at or slightly above his 2010 level this season. Crane is one of the best putters on the PGA TOUR, and last year he also ranked in the top 10 in driving accuracy.
31. Rickie Fowler
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,000,000
Events: 28
Draft Round: 4
2011 Outlook: Fowler did about everything except win during his rookie season last year. Fowler finished in the top 10 in 25 percent of his starts last season, including two runner-up finishes. In both those runner-up finishes, Fowler came very close to winning, something that should come with time and experience on the PGA TOUR. Fowler is the youngest of the young guns on the PGA TOUR, and as such a small setback might be on the horizon. It's no coincidence that young players have a hard time sustaining success - it's a tough game and no price can be put on maturity and experience. Fowler's game will continue to grow this season, but to expect anything more than last season's results might be asking too much. Fowler ranked in the top 25 in GIR last season and finished no lower than 91st in the other core categories.
32. Lee Westwood*
2011 Proj. Earnings: $3,000,000
Events: 11
Draft Round: 4
2011 Outlook: Westwood had a great 2010 season, but non-members rarely earn more than $2 million, let alone $3 million. While he's got the potential to match that number this season, odds are, he falls short. Even if he happens to win his first major this season, he's still got his work cut out to crack $3 million again.
33. Bill Haas
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,750,000
Events: 25
Draft Round: 4
2011 Outlook: Haas broke through in a major way last season as he not only captured his first PGA TOUR victory but his second as well. Haas' top-10 percentage was relatively low, only 16 percent, but he made up for that by capitalizing when he was playing well. In addition to his two victories last season, he also finished runner-up at the McGladrey Classic late in the year. Only 28, the future appears bright for Haas, but he may have set the bar a little too high last season. Expect another solid year for Haas, but it's doubtful he'll improve on his 2010 numbers. Haas does everything well statistically, but his best area in 2010 was GIR where he ranked 21st.
34. Ryan Palmer
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,750,000
Events: 27
Draft Round: 4
2011 Outlook: Palmer was the highest ranked "sandwich" golfer last season. Sandwich golfers play well early and late in the season, but don't produce during the meat of the season. Palmer won the Sony Open in early January last season and then didn't accomplish much of anything until late August when he finished second at the WGC Bridgestone. The problem with "sandwich" golfers is that most of their earnings fall outside the fantasy golf season. In Palmer's case, though, most of his earnings came just inside the standard fantasy golf season, so he's still a viable option. That said, he'll have a tough time matching last season's numbers. Palmer's success in 2010 was based largely on his putting, where he ranked 10th on the PGA TOUR last season.
35. Steve Marino
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,500,000
Events: 25
Draft Round: 4
2011 Outlook: Marino disappointed many fantasy players last season as he was trending upward heading into 2010. His game, however, regressed to its lowest levels since his rookie season in 2007. Marino still appears to have a load of talent, and 2010 could be chalked up as a small setback. Marino finished 15th in the FedExCup standings in 2009, which shows he can play when the pressure is on. Expect a nice bounce-back from Marino this year. Marino is pretty solid in the core categories, but his specialty is GIR where he ranked 15th and 21st, respectively, in 2008 and 2009.
36. Brian Gay
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,500,000
Events: 30
Draft Round: 4
2011 Outlook: Gay settled down last year after a breakout 2009 season when he won twice. He wasn't able to earn another victory last season, but he did get a runner-up finish at the Byron Nelson Championship. Gay showed a lot of game in 2009, and it's hard to tell if that was a trend or a mirage, but considering he earned more than $2 million in 2008, he seems to be a safe bet to at least hit his 2010 number. Gay is extremely accurate off the tee as well as on the green, ranking in the top 20 for both categories in each of the last three seasons.
37. Stewart Cink
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,500,000
Events: 23
Draft Round: 4
2011 Outlook: Amazingly, Cink failed to record a single top-4 finish last season, yet he still managed to nearly crack the top 50 on the money list. Cink's drop in production was certainly bizarre, and while it's a little disturbing that it came out of nowhere, expect him to get back to the level he reached in previous years. Perhaps Cink fell victim to a major hangover, but whatever the reason he'll be back this year. Cink is generally long off the tee, but not very accurate. When he's playing well, he hits plenty of greens.
38. Ricky Barnes
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,250,000
Events: 28
Draft Round: 4
2011 Outlook: Barnes spent the last five years struggling to stay afloat on the Nationwide Tour and success on the PGA TOUR seemed a far-fetched dream. That all changed last season, however, as Barnes finally tapped into his potential, carding six top-10s and nine top-25 finishes. More impressive was his play at the majors where he finished with a top-10 and a top-30. Barnes could go one of two ways this season, but it appears more likely he'll continue on the path he set last year. Barnes is a solid ball striker and showed a significant improvement in his putting last season.
39. Kevin Na
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,250,000
Events: 26
Draft Round: 4
2011 Outlook: With Tim Clark's win last season, Kevin Na is now one of a small group of players who could be considered the best on the PGA TOUR without a victory. Na definitely had his chances last season to get that elusive win, but the best he could muster was a lone runner-up finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The win will eventually come and when it does, Na should take off, but until then he should remain a productive player who's going to end up in the top 50 come season's end. Na is one of the best putters on the PGA TOUR; he ranked near the top 20 in putting the last four seasons.
40. Ian Poulter
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,250,000
Events: 15
Draft Round: 4
2011 Outlook: To those who follow the PGA TOUR, Ian Poulter's win at the WGC Accenture Match-Play event came as no surprise. The subsequent fall in play was, however. After his enormous victory in February, Poulter struggled to find his top form. A top-10 at the Masters in April was his only such finish for the rest of 2010. Still, there's little to worry about concerning Poulter, his drop in play was most likely a hangover from his February win, and though that was unexpected, it's not going to carry over to this season. As expected, with only a couple quality starts under his belt last year, his stats did not look so hot. When he's playing well, though, it's usually a solid putter leading the way.
41. Heath Slocum
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,250,000
Events: 25
Draft Round: 4
2011 Outlook: Slocum gained a victory for the second consecutive season in 2010 and set a career high in earnings. The only troubling thing about his wins is the timing. In 2009, he barely crept into the FedExCup and ended up winning the first event; last year he waited until October to earn a victory. That win likely did nothing for anyone playing fantasy golf as the regular season had long been over. Slocum appears to have enough talent to be at or near the top 30 on a yearly basis, but until he can produce more often in the first seven months of the season, don't expect a bump in his numbers. Slocum is among the PGA TOUR's best at accuracy off the tee. He's also among the best at GIR.
42. John Rollins
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,000,000
Events: 26
Draft Round: 5
2011 Outlook: Rollins appears destined to be an enigma. He's shown a baffling on-again/off-again pattern the last five years, frustrating many fantasy owners. The good news for Rollins is he's due to be on again this season because he barely cracked $1 million last year. When he's on, he's in the $2 million range, so the potential is there. At a decent price, it's probably wise to take a shot on Rollins in 2011. Rollins goes as his putter goes. When he's in the top 100, he makes more than $2 million; when he's sub-100, he makes little more than $1 million. He's consistently long off the tee, however, and his GIR is usually pretty solid.
43. Padraig Harrington
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,000,000
Events: 18
Draft Round: 5
2011 Outlook: Last season was undoubtedly a setback for Harrington after three consecutive years of $2.5 million in earnings. More troubling than last season's earnings (less than $1.4 million) was his play during the majors. Harrington missed the cut in three of four majors last season, including the British Open where he's a two-time champion. The reason behind the setback is unclear, but it's hard to imagine Harrington's struggles will continue this season. One solid finish at a major would almost deliver a break-even return. Harrington ranked 21st or better in putts per green three of the last four seasons.
44. Kevin Streelman
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,000,000
Events: 28
Draft Round: 5
2011 Outlook: Streelman has yet to find that extra gear to send him to the next level on the PGA TOUR, but it seems only a matter of time before he discovers it. Streelman showed some positive signs toward the end of his rookie season in 2008, but his play fell in 2009. He rebounded well in 2010, but there's likely more than what we have seen. Streelman could be one of the breakout players this season. If nothing else, he plays a ton of events, so he'll have plenty of opportunities. Before last season, Streelman was a strong ball-striker, but struggled on the green. A complete reversal occurred last season as his putting improved while his ball striking suffered. Of course, the two are measures are related in that better ball striking can lead to more putts per green.
45. Rory Sabbatini
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,000,000
Events: 26
Draft Round: 5
2011 Outlook: The last few seasons, Sabbatini has morphed from a consistent golfer into a hit-or-miss player. Last season, he had a runner-up finish at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions and a fifth-place finish at the Barclays, but little before or after those events. Sabbatini earned more than $4 million in 2007, so we know the potential is there. And at a good price, he's certainly worth a serious look as one who is long off the tee and generally a strong putter.
46. David Toms
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,000,000
Events: 25
Draft Round: 5
2011 Outlook: Toms' better days appear to be behind him, but that doesn't mean he's washed up. Just two years ago, Toms topped $3 million, and though he made just about half that last year, he's certainly capable of getting near that mark again this year. To do so, he'll have to improve his GIR percentage, which dropped from 20th in 2009 to 87th in 2010. Two areas that have remained consistent are his driving accuracy and his putting, which are usually above average.
47. Brandt Snedeker
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,000,000
Events: 26
Draft Round: 5
2011 Outlook: Snedeker continued to frustrate many fantasy owners last season as he sometimes showed signs of his potential, but more often than not fell short in the end. Snedeker appeared to be on his way up the PGA TOUR ladder in 2007 when he earned nearly $3 million. Since, however, he's been stuck in the $1- and $2-million range. It seems a safe bet that Snedeker will at minimum match his production from last season, so there's little risk in selecting him at this number. His upside remains high also, which makes him a solid pick in this spot. Snedeker ranked first in putting last season, and while he may struggle to match that feat again this year, he should once again be among the PGA TOUR leaders.
48. D.J. Trahan
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,000,000
Events: 27
Draft Round: 5
2011 Outlook: Although Trahan failed to earn a victory last season, he did have perhaps his most consistent year as he finished with seven top-25s. Trahan's new found consistency should lead to an improvement in the bottom line this season. Trahan's fine play the last two seasons can be directly attributed to his ball striking, the result of which is reflected in his No. 7 ranking in GIR the last two seasons. He also added about 10 yards to his distance off the tee last year, which shot him up the driving-distance rankings from 79th in 2009 to 10th last season.
49. Vaughn Taylor
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,000,000
Events: 26
Draft Round: 5
2011 Outlook: Taylor continues to be one of the PGA TOUR's bigger mysteries. He appears to have everything it takes to be a top-30 player, yet he hasn't made it happen. It looked like he had it figured out a few years ago when he won in consecutive seasons, but since his last victory in 2005, his play has been frustrating. The reason he's well regarded is his ability to putt. He's one of the top on the PGA TOUR, perhaps the best -- when he's on, that is. The problem for Vaughn is that his putter has been erratic at best the last five years. He showed signs of a comeback last season, however, and if that trend continues, he could find his way back to the winner's circle again. Outside of putting, Taylor usually is accurate off the tee, but he doesn't have much distance and doesn't hit many greens in regulation.
50. Jason Bohn
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,000,000
Events: 25
Draft Round: 5
2011 Outlook: Finally healthy, Bohn showed what he's capable of in 2010 when he earned nearly $2 million, including a victory at the Zurich Classic. However, outside his win at the Zurich Classic, Bohn failed to accomplish much of anything. Perhaps it was a hangover from his first win in five years, but whatever the case, don't be too worried about his erratic play last season. Although his results were all over the board, his stats certainly weren't. He ranked in the top 50 on the PGA TOUR in both putting and driving accuracy. The previous season he ranked in the top 10 in GIR.
51. Carl Pettersson
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,000,000
Events: 29
Draft Round: 5
2011 Outlook: Like Stuart Appleby, Pettersson's play dropped off the cliff in 2009 only to return in 2010. Pettersson's drop was slightly more of a surprise, though, as before 2009 he earned at least $2 million in three consecutive seasons. Although 2010 wasn't a complete return to form, it was enough to lead us to believe that Pettersson still has plenty left in the tank. Pettersson usually ranks as one of the best putters on the PGA TOUR, but his rankings in the other core categories leave plenty to be desired.
52. Martin Laird
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,000,000
Events: 26
Draft Round: 6
2011 Outlook: Laird was a hit-or-miss player in 2010, and for most of the season he missed badly. Laird started the season well with a fourth-place showing in his first event, but it wasn't until late May that he carded his next top-10. It didn't get much better after May, either, as he earned only one top-25 the next three months of the season. His fortunes turned around in late August, however, as he posted a runner-up performance at the Barclays. He backed that up about a month later with another runner-up finish at the JT Shriners Hospital event in October. Laird's track record of performing well mostly in autumn is a little troubling. Laird is consistently among the best on the PGA TOUR in driving distance and eagles-per-hole average, but it would be wise to pass on him until he plays better during the heart of the PGA TOUR season.
53. Brendon de Jonge
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,000,000
Events: 32
Draft Round: 6
2011 Outlook: De Jong took a major step forward last year as he not only broke through the $1-million barrier, but the $2-million barrier, as well. The jump in earnings was due to a career-high three top-3 finishes. In fact, those were the first top-3 finishes of his career. Before last season, De Jong spent each year battling to retain his playing privileges. That shouldn't be an issue anymore, but be weary about such a huge jump up in earnings. Expect a slight correction this season. De Jong isn't particularly long off the tee, but he makes up for that by hitting plenty of greens. And once he's on, he strokes the ball well also.
54. K.J. Choi
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,000,000
Events: 22
Draft Round: 6
2011 Outlook: Choi had a nice 2010 season, but seems to have lost some of that umph that made him a multiple PGA TOUR winner. Choi rebounded well from a disappointing 2009 season but failed to earn a victory. He played well at the beginning of 2010, including a nice run at the Masters, and he closed out the year in style with a couple strong finishes during the FedExCup, but something seems to be a little off. Perhaps his age is catching up. He turned 40 last year, and few golfers improve their game after age 40. Don't expect a huge drop-off in production from Choi this season, but don't expect an increase either. Choi does not shine in any statistical category, but he does fairly well with GIR.
55. Charl Schwartzel*
2011 Proj. Earnings: $2,000,000
Events: 11
Draft Round: 6
2011 Outlook: Among the non-members from 2010, Schwartzel probably has the most potential to signifigantly improve upon his last year's earnings. Schwartzel played very well at the first two WGC events last season and followed that with a T3 at the Shell Houston Open. His play fell off a bit after that, but he played in a number of events in the States last season and had mostly consistent success. Schwartzel will play as a PGA TOUR member in 2011, which should result in an increase in earnings this season.
56. Kenny Perry
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,750,000
Events: 20
Draft Round: 6
2011 Outlook: Perry failed to hit his trademark hot streak last season and as a result had his worst season since 2006. Normally you could just explain his 2010 performance as a fluke, but you have to factor Perry's age into the equation as he turned 50 last season. Perry will play some on the Champions Tour this season, but he remains focused on the PGA TOUR. Although the number of events might drop for Perry this season, his play during those events should improve from a disappointing 2010 season. Perry is usually strong in three of the four core categories with the exception of putting. During years when Perry plays well, his putting is solid; years like last season, his putting is well off.
57. Chad Campbell
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,750,000
Events: 28
Draft Round: 6
2011 Outlook: Campbell failed to crack $1 million for the first time since 2002 last season. His drop in production defies explanation, and as such, we'll just have to chalk it up to an off year. Campbell earned more than $1.7 million in each of his four previous seasons, and he's a four-time winner on the PGA TOUR, so expect him to rebound this season. Campbell plays a lot of events every year, which will give him have plenty of opportunities to get back on track early this season. His specialty is GIR, ranking 13th in 2008 and ninth in 2010.
58. Justin Leonard
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,750,000
Events: 27
Draft Round: 6
2011 Outlook: Leonard's play dropped off dramatically in 2010, but don't panic, we've seen this before. Leonard was cruising along around the turn of the century and then his game mysteriously fell off in 2006. Just a year later, though, he was back to his old self. Expect history to repeat itself this year as Leonard has too much left in the tank to continue this downward trend. For instance, Leonard has really improved his putting the last few seasons. He ranked 31st last season after ranking seventh and eighth, respectively, in the years prior.
59. Matt Jones
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,750,000
Events: 27
Draft Round: 6
2011 Outlook: Jones is a talented golfer but didn't have equivalent results his first two years on the PGA TOUR. Last year was different, however, as he found refuge safely inside the top 125, finishing 72nd on the money list. The future looks bright for Jones, and he'll be hard to pass up at a good price. Jones is fairly long off the tee, but his accuracy is horrible. If he can improve that measure, everything should fall into place. He proved he could putt last year when he ranked 26th in putts per green on the PGA TOUR.
60. Y.E. Yang
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,750,000
Events: 21
Draft Round: 6
2011 Outlook: Yang was among the group of first-time major winners in 2009 that suffered setbacks in 2010. Among the three first-time major winners, Yang struggled the most last year. Yang's drop in production was quite a surprise, as not only did he win the PGA Championship in 2009, but he also won the Honda Classic earlier in the year. It looked as though Yang was the real deal, and he still might be, which means he's probably worth a look at the right price. Yang's stats are nothing to write home about. The last two years he's excelled at putting or GIR, but not during the same season, and his driving is just average in both accuracy and distance.
61. Michael Sim
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,750,000
Events: 20
Draft Round: 6
2011 Outlook: Sim did everything except win last season on the PGA TOUR. By season's end, he had one runner-up finish and two third-place finishes. Sim appears to be one of the better up-and-comers on the PGA TOUR. Only 26, he should be hitting his prime soon. Sim is shaping up to be a great value pick, as he'll likely outperform his price. Although Sim struggled getting to the green last season, once there he was among the best on the PGA TOUR, ranking 11th in putts per green.
62. Arjun Atwal
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,750,000
Events: 13
Draft Round: 6
2011 Outlook: Atwal started the 2010 on a major medical extension in which he had eight events to earn nearly $600K to retain his playing privileges for the 2010 season. He failed to reach that goal, but later in the season turned a Monday qualifier into an unlikely victory at the Wyndham Championship. Atwal can now relax and just golf with the victory securing his card for this season. Injuries have long been a thorn in the side of Atwal, but he remained healthy the final eight months of the season last year, so there's a chance we could see his true potential this year. Last season Atwal was fairly strong in three of the four core categories. The only area in which he struggled was driving accuracy.
63. Lucas Glover
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,750,000
Events: 23
Draft Round: 7
2011 Outlook: Glover failed to capitalize on the momentum from his 2009 U.S. Open victory last year as he fell to 57th on the 2010 money list. Glover had his work cut out for him last season in trying to match his 2009 numbers, because, quite frankly, 2009 was a career year. After such a productive season, we were left wondering how high his ceiling was. Now we are left to wonder who the real Lucas Glover is. He's not an upper-echelon player who will contend at every major, but he's good enough to make a run every couple years. Glover is long off the tee and about average on the other core statistical categories.
64. Charlie Wi
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,750,000
Events: 27
Draft Round: 7
2011 Outlook: Since his rookie season in 2007, Wi has been in the same general earnings range between $1-2 million. While a breakout is possible, it seems more likely he is what he is at this point. He has three runner-up finishes in his career, but none of those three came last season. On the bright side, his scoring average improved to a career best last season. Wi also has been among the best putters on the PGA TOUR the last two seasons.
65. Brian Davis
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,750,000
Events: 32
Draft Round: 7
2011 Outlook: Davis was the unfortunate victim of the rules of the game last season when he called a penalty on himself during a playoff at the Verizon Heritage Classic. While that could have sent him into a tailspin, Davis remained grounded as little more than a month later he earned another runner-up at the Crowne Plaza Invitational. After that finish, however, there wasn't much to show, leaving us to wonder if the weight of not winning on the PGA TOUR yet is starting to catch up with him. The main reason behind his sporadic play last season was his putter. Davis is generally a strong putter, but last season he ranked 101st.
66. Fredrik Jacobson
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,750,000
Events: 24
Draft Round: 7
2011 Outlook: Jacobson seems to have what it takes to make it on the PGA TOUR, but after years of the same thing - no wins, only runner-up finishes - it's hard to imagine a significant improvement in earnings in the near future. The good news is Jacobson has plenty of value in rotisserie leagues, as he's a fantastic putter. He may not have shown that side of his game last year, but for the better part of the last five seasons, he's been among the best on the PGA TOUR with the flat stick.
67. Stuart Appleby
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,750,000
Events: 31
Draft Round: 7
2011 Outlook: After a bizarre 2009 season in which Appleby made less than $600K, things returned to normal as not only did Appleby crack the top 40 in earnings, but he returned to the winner's circle as well. Now for the bad news. Although Appleby clearly recovered from his 2009 season, he didn't do much, outside his win in early August, to distinguishing his 2010 play from his 2009 play. His victory last season will ease the pressure this year, as keeping his privileges for this season and next are no longer a concern, but that win also inflated his cap number for this season. As such, he likely won't be a good value. Appleby is fairly long off the tee, but other than that, there's little that separates him from other PGA TOUR golfers.
68. Stephen Ames
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,500,000
Events: 23
Draft Round: 7
2011 Outlook: Until last season, Ames had been one of the more consistent players on the PGA TOUR. In the four previous seasons, he earned at least $2 million each year. During that span, he won three events, including his rout at the 2006 Players Championship. Amazingly, Ames only carded one top-10 last season. This looks like a great buy-low opportunity on a solid player. Ames should bounce back this season and once again earn near $2 million. Ames' stats are all over the place. Certain years he putts well, while other years his best category is driving accuracy of GIR.
69. Sergio Garcia
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,500,000
Events: 15
Draft Round: 7
2011 Outlook: Last season was supposed to be the rebound year for Garcia, but that obviously did not happen. After a very disappointing 2009, many expected Garcia to turn things around in 2010, but instead, his play worsened. He played the minimum required to retain his PGA TOUR privileges, but that likely was due to his dismay at his game. Garcia is simply too talented to continue down this path. While a repeat of his 2008 season when he won the Players Championship is not likely, he should climb back to relevancy this season. Garcia is long off the tee, but he hasn't done much of anything else well the last two years. When he's on, his GIR is pretty solid.
70. Graham DeLaet
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,500,000
Events: 28
Draft Round: 7
2011 Outlook: DeLeat had a nice rookie season on the PGA TOUR in 2010, finishing in the top 10 three times. His best finish came at the Shell Houston Open where he finished third. Among his other top-10s were a fifth at the Viking Classic and a sixth at the Frys.com Open. DeLeat started the season with two top-25s but soon after ran into a typical rookie rut. He pulled out of his mini-slump in Houston and finished the year strong during the fall season. DeLeat built a solid base for a nice future last season, and he should continue to improve this season. His stats were very impressive last season - he ranked sixth in both driving distance and GIR.
71. Andres Romero
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,500,000
Events: 21
Draft Round: 7
2011 Outlook: Just a few years ago it seemed like Romero was the next big thing. He came very close to winning the British Open in 2007 and followed that with a victory during his first season on the PGA TOUR in 2008. Since the 2008 season, though, Romero hasn't looked like the kid who just missed at the British Open. Perhaps complacency set in after his win in 2008, because the following season was his worst on the PGA TOUR. He played well enough last season to secure his 2011 card, but playing well enough is not what was expected from Romero. The talent is certainly there, but is the drive? We'll find out soon enough as his status on the PGA TOUR is now a year-to-year situation. Romero is long, but wild off the tee, and he doesn't hit many greens. When he's on, like in 2007 and 2008, his putting is dependable.
72. Chris Riley
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,500,000
Events: 24
Draft Round: 7
2011 Outlook: The reports of Chris Riley's demise have been greatly exaggerated. OK, so they weren't exaggerated at all - Riley flat out stunk for about five years. Fortunately, it looks like he's finally back on track. It didn't take Riley long to figure out how to succeed on the PGA TOUR. By his third season he had broken into the $1 million club. By his fourth season, he made more than $2 million, and then, just as fast as it began, it ended. Riley went from a top-30 player, to off the PGA TOUR in a matter of a couple years. It's been a long road back, but it looks like he should continue to get better. Riley is very accurate off the tee, and when he's at his best, he's one of the PGA TOUR's best putters.
73. Josh Teater
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,500,000
Events: 31
Draft Round: 8
2011 Outlook: All in all, Josh Teater had a fine rookie campaign in 2010. His best showings were a third-place finish at the Turning Stone Resort Championship in August and a fifth-place finish at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February. In addition to those two top-10s, Teater also carded eight top-25s. Not bad for a rookie. His solid performance on the PGA TOUR came a year after he finished seventh on the Nationwide money list in 2009. The future looks bright for Teater, who finished in the top 100 in three of four core stat categories. He excelled in driving distance and GIR, ranking 44th and 45th last season.
74. Ryuji Imada
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,500,000
Events: 28
Draft Round: 8
2011 Outlook: Imada had a breakout season in 2008 when he captured his first PGA TOUR victory, two runner-up finishes and three more top-10s. The following year, however, was the complete opposite as he failed to even crack $1 million. Last year was slightly better, but still far off from his 2008 performance. His 2008 season appears to be the anomaly and every other season in the last five years the norm. That said, we've seen his potential, and he's worth a look at a decent price. Imada is a fantastic putter, but getting to the green in regulation has proved difficult the last two seasons.
75. Jerry Kelly
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,500,000
Events: 29
Draft Round: 8
2011 Outlook: Kelly found the fountain of youth in 2009 when he captured a win at the Zurich Classic and parlayed that into a nice run during the FedExCup. But last year there was no magic to be found, as he posted his lowest earnings since 2000. Signs of his decline? Perhaps, but Kelly probably has a little left in his tank. He's still five years off from the Champions Tour, so his focus is squarely on maintaining his PGA TOUR spot. Look for Kelly to have a slight bounce-back this season and creep a little further up the money list. Kelly is usually among the PGA TOUR's best at accuracy off the tee, and when he's playing well his putter is usually the reason.
76. John Senden
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,500,000
Events: 30
Draft Round: 8
2011 Outlook: Senden is one heck of a steady golfer. He's earned at least $1.2 million in each of the last five seasons, and there's no reason to believe he'll fall below that level this year. His ceiling, however, is another issue. Senden won his first and only PGA TOUR event in 2006, but that wasn't his best overall season. That came three years later when he cracked $2 million for the first time in his career. His game dropped off last season as he earned little more than $1 million. He doesn't offer a lot of bang for the buck, but he's definitely a safe bet to return at least the amount invested in him. Senden is a green-hitting machine. He led the PGA TOUR each of the last two seasons, and his lowest ranking in the last five seasons was 10th in 2008.
77. Vijay Singh
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,500,000
Events: 24
Draft Round: 8
2011 Outlook: Is this the beginning of the end for Singh? It's hard to imagine that only two years removed from earning more than $6.6 million he's now on the downside of his career. But after consecutive years of little more than $1 million, it might be the case. Hey, even the great ones have to decline at some point. Singh turns 48 this season, and his skills will eventually erode. Perhaps his age affected his ability to deal with injury. Whatever the case, Singh is no longer a lock. His putting has taken a dramatic hit the last three seasons with his ranking falling below 100.
78. Bryce Molder
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,500,000
Events: 26
Draft Round: 8
2011 Outlook: Molder's best result in 2010 was a fourth-place finish at the RBC Canadian Open. Although he failed to crack the top 3 during the season, he finished with a career high in earnings. Contributing to his earnings was a career-high six top-10s. It appears as though Molder is beginning to figure it out. At a decent price, he's worth a shot. Molder's stats have been all over the board over the last three years, but one thing is for certain, he's not long off the tee.
79. Charles Howell III
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,500,000
Events: 28
Draft Round: 8
2011 Outlook: It has become apparent that Howell is never going to live up to the hype that he generated when he first turned pro about 10 years ago, but that doesn't mean he's failed on the PGA TOUR. Howell is a two-time champion and has earned nearly $20 million in the last decade. He earned close to $3 million in 2007, but that's the outlier as the seasons surrounding 2007 he fell within the $1- to $2-million range. Howell is generally a reliable player, but his ceiling seems limited. He is long off the tee, and he hits a decent share of greens, but his driving accuracy is well below the PGA TOUR average.
80. Marc Leishman
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,500,000
Events: 26
Draft Round: 8
2011 Outlook: It hasn't taken Leishman long to catch onto playing on the PGA TOUR. In his first two seasons, he's finished 20th and 44th in the FedExCup standings. He's yet to find his first win, but he does have a runner-up finish in each of his first two years on the PGA TOUR. Leishman is long off the tee, but he'll need to work on his putting, which fell from 101st in 2009 to 119th last year, if he plans to improve upon his first two seasons.
81. Robert Garrigus
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,500,000
Events: 22
Draft Round: 8
2011 Outlook: Garrigus won in his final start on the PGA TOUR last season, and that win saved his playing privileges for the upcoming season. Prior to that victory, Garrigus was destined for Q-School. Now he can relax for a while. The question is whether this win will inspire improved play this season. Considering he's just 33, there's reason to think Garrigus, who led the PGA TOUR in driving distance last season, is still improving. However, because he set a career high in earnings last year, it doesn't make much sense to select him at that high of a number this season.
82. Graeme McDowell
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,500,000
Events: 10
Draft Round: 8
2011 Outlook: Nearly all of McDowell's earnings came from his lone win at the U.S. Open last year. While his output post-Open was certainly a disappointment, you certainly can't blame him for losing a bit of focus the final months of the season. McDowell is a fine player, but he might not match last season's production with the limited number of events he'll likely play this this season. It's difficult to judge McDowell's stats from last season with such a small sample size, but he does appear to have the rare combination of length and accuracy off the tee.
83. Scott Verplank
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,500,000
Events: 22
Draft Round: 9
2011 Outlook: Nearing age 47, Verplank's better days might be behind him. Now, he could pull an incredible season out of his hat as he approaches age 50 - it's been done before - but it doesn't seem likely. But even though improvement is not likely, a major decline seems unlikely as well. Verplank is simply too consistent to fall off dramatically. He ranks among the most accurate drivers off the tee, and that shouldn't change for the foreseeable future. He's also an above-average putter.
84. Louis Oosthuizen*
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,500,000
Events: 5
Draft Round: 9
2011 Outlook: Oothuizen was the unlikely British Open Champion last season, which accounted for nearly all of his non-member earnings last season. Oothuizen is still young, so he might be getting better each season, but the fact is, his game as a whole last season was not very strong - at least in the States. He missed the cut at both the U.S. Open and the Masters in 2010. Oothuizen will play as a PGA TOUR member in 2011, which should result in an increase in earnings this season".
85. Aaron Baddeley
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,250,000
Events: 26
Draft Round: 9
2011 Outlook: Baddeley has always been a streaky player, and, unfortunately, he hasn't found a hot streak the last two seasons. He's played well enough to keep his card, but more is expected from the two-time PGA TOUR winner. Baddeley topped out in 2007 when he earned more than $3.4 million, and though that may have been even above his head, he should be earning at least $1 million each season. Baddeley's strength is on the greens, ranking in the top-10 in putting in each of the last three seasons.
86. Jimmy Walker
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,250,000
Events: 27
Draft Round: 9
2011 Outlook: Walker's performance on the PGA TOUR has improved each of the last three seasons, and there's hope that a significant bump in earnings could be right around the corner. Walker spent time the last couple years recovering from a neck injury, but he's appears past that. He finished 125th after the 2009 season before moving up 23 spots in 2010. Another jump up the rankings is likely ahead for Walker as he's fully healthy entering the 2011 season. Walker has been long off the tee and solid on the greens in his three years on the PGA TOUR.
87.Pat Perez
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,250,000
Events: 27
Draft Round: 9
2011 Outlook: After a nice three-year run averaging more than $1.7 million, Perez stumbled a little in 2010. Perez has dealt with assorted injuries since he joined the PGA TOUR, and that's always a concern when looking at his prospects for this season. Health, however, wasn't a factor last season as he played 27 events. He finished in the top 25 a respectable seven times but lacked the top-end performances that he had in the previous three seasons. Expect a slight bounce-back in 2011, but not quite up to his numbers from 2007-2009. Perez is a solid putter and is normally long off the tee, but in a strange twist, he traded distance for accuracy last season. Perhaps he should switch back this season.
88. Blake Adams
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,250,000
Events: 26
Draft Round: 9
2011 Outlook: Fresh off a third-place finish on the Nationwide Tour money list in 2009, Adams hit the PGA TOUR in 2010 and produced a solid rookie season. He only carded two top-10s, but he managed five top-25s and, most important, did enough to earn his 2011 card. Adams performed well off the tee last season, ranking in the top 70 on the PGA TOUR in both accuracy and distance. It's a strange combination that you don't see very often as most players are either long or accurate, but not both. Adams also finished in the top 70 in putting last season. The curious thing is his GIR percentage, which is not very strong. You would think that someone who was long and accurate off the tee would hit a good percentage of greens, but that wasn't the case for Adams last season.
89. Webb Simpson
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,250,000
Events: 31
Draft Round: 9
2011 Outlook: Simpson started his rookie season with a bang in 2009, but since then, we haven't seen that spark. He's played well enough to stay safely within the top 125 the last couple years, but more is expected of Simpson. His best finish last season came at a fall event, which is never a good sign. He also ended the season with only two top-10s. Simpson has a lot of potential, but considering we haven't seen much on the course since early 2009, he's probably not worth last year's number this year. Simpson is a fantastic putter, ranking in the top 25 in each of his first two seasons on the PGA TOUR.
90. J.J. Henry
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,250,000
Events: 27
Draft Round: 9
2011 Outlook: Henry appeared to be on his way to the next level on the PGA TOUR, but after four consecutive years of so-so play, it's become apparent that Henry is simply a golfer who'll play well enough to keep his card each year but not much more beyond that. He earned a runner-up finish last year at the Turning Stone Resort Championship, but that was one of only two top-10s the entire year. Henry should again crack the top 100 on the money list, but his days of top-50 or top-30 look gone. Henry is a solid ball striker, ranking top-30 or better in GIR in four of the last five seasons.
91. Kris Blanks
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,250,000
Events: 30
Draft Round: 9
2011 Outlook: Blanks' rookie season on the PGA TOUR in 2009 was quite a disappointment. He only managed one top-10 but played well enough in Q-School that year to get another shot at the PGA TOUR in 2010. He did not waste the opportunity this time. Blanks started hot last season with a runner-up finish in Puerto Rico and backed that up with a top-5 at the Verizon Heritage about a month later. After that, his play mostly resembled 2009, but perhaps he let up a little knowing that he all but sealed his card after May last year. Whatever the case, Blanks will likely show some improvement again this year, but nothing major. Blanks made his money by hitting greens last season. He ranked eighth on the PGA TOUR in GIR.
92. Paul Goydos
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,250,000
Events: 25
Draft Round: 9
2011 Outlook: There's one thing you can count on each season and that's Paul Goydos making at least one run at a victory at some point during the year. Beyond that one run there might be nothing else, but leave it to Goydos to bring his best game at least once per season. It might not be the optimal strategy to securing his card each season, but judging by his numbers the last five years, it works. Goydos has found himself safely inside the top 125 each of the last five seasons, and there's no reason to think he won't be there again this year. He is very accurate off the tee and also has putted very well the last two seasons.
93. Jason Dufner
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,250,000
Events: 25
Draft Round: 9
2011 Outlook: It's been quite the roller coaster for Dufner the last three seasons. He went from earning less than $300K in 2008 to breaking $2 million in 2009 to back to just over $1 million last season. Dufner showed his potential in 2009 when he captured six top-10s, including a runner-up and a third-place finish, but we may have seen his ceiling that year as well. While it's possible that he returns to his 2009 level this season, it's more likely that he's found his spot on the money list right here for the next few years. Dufner specializes in accuracy off the tee. When he's playing his best, he's a well-rounded player, performing well in all four core stat categories.
94. Davis Love III
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,250,000
Events: 24
Draft Round: 10
2011 Outlook: Love is only a couple years away from joining his buddy Fred Couples on the Champions Tour, but it doesn't appear as though he's ready to let go of his spot on the PGA TOUR just yet. While the days of earning more than $3 million on the PGA TOUR are long gone, Love is still a productive player. His ceiling is limited but a slight increase on his 2010 number is certainly possible. Although Love is getting up there in age, he can still keep up with the young kids off the tee. He ranked inside the top 20 in driving distance in each of the last three seasons.
95. Angel Cabrera
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,250,000
Events: 19
Draft Round: 10
2011 Outlook: Cabrera's better days are likely a thing of the past. While he's certainly capable of playing at an extremely high level for weeks at a time, don't expect him to repeat his Masters or U.S. Open performances this season. Cabrera has never played much on the PGA TOUR, in fact, his 19 events in 2010 were a career high. Cabrera will turn 42 this year; don't expect much, if any, improvement on his 2009 numbers. Cabrera is long off the tee, ranking in the top 10 the last few seasons, but his performance in the other three core stats categories leaves a lot to be desired.
96. Alex Prugh
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,250,000
Events: 28
Draft Round: 10
2011 Outlook: Prugh had a solid rookie campaign that included four top-10s and a runner-up finish at the Frys.com Open. He came out of the gate on fire last season, capturing three top-10s in his first four events, but his play fell after that stretch. In fact, from March through September, he was virtually non-existent. Fortunately for Prugh, he found his early season magic late in the year when he grabbed that runner-up finish. It's too early to tell if Prugh's mid-season swoon was a fluke; there's simply not enough to go on. That said, it's probably wise to pass on him this season. Prugh was pretty solid in three of the stats categories, with only driving accuracy as a problem.
97. Jonathan Byrd
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,250,000
Events: 26
Draft Round: 10
2011 Outlook: Byrd pulled out a late-season victory last fall, but until that point his 2010 season was a complete bust. The problem with Byrd is we've seen this before. He has four PGA TOUR wins, but more often than not his earnings have come in autumn, which means he's not much good in normal fantasy leagues. Byrd is a true hit-or-miss player. He's won twice in the past five years, but including those wins, he has only four top-three finishes in that span. Byrd is generally a solid ball striker, ranking in the top 20 in GIR in three of the last five seasons.
98. Martin Kaymer*
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,250,000
Events: 10
Draft Round: 10
2011 Outlook: Kaymer's non-member earnings are due almost entirely to his win at the 2010 PGA Championship. While Kaymer is certainly a fine player, his best play is generally reserved for overseas and the chances of a repeat of 2010 in the States is highly unlikely.
99. Jamie Lovemark#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,250,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 10
2011 Outlook: Lovemark will be a rookie in 2011, but he's already left his mark on the PGA TOUR. In 2009 he earned more than $450K as a non-member, but he missed out on his PGA TOUR card for 2010. Undeterred, he set out for the Nationwide Tour where he went on to win the 2010 money title and earn his pass to the PGA TOUR. Considering the success he had last year on the Nationwide Tour and the number of PGA TOUR events he's already played, Lovemark should hit the ground running in 2011. Lovemark is the odds-on favorite for rookie of the year heading into 2011.
100. Ben Curtis
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,000,000
Events: 24
Draft Round: 10
2011 Outlook: Curtis's PGA TOUR career has been quite the roller coaster. He went from an overachiever to an underachiever to an overachiever and once again back to an underachiever. This all started with a win at the British Open as a complete unknown. The years that followed were tough as Curtis struggled to live up to the reputation as a major champion. He finally got it together again in 2006 when he captured two PGA TOUR victories, but the last two years he's reverted to his post-major form. Curtis certainly has plenty of talent, and considering he's only 33, he should have enough time to make yet another comeback. Curtis is consistently accurate off the tee, but beyond that, his stats are pretty weak.
101. Chad Collins
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,000,000
Events: 26
Draft Round: 10
2011 Outlook: Collins' rookie season on the PGA TOUR in 2009 was a disappointment, but after returning to Q-School season's end, he regained his playing privileges. The second time around, Collins took advantage of the opportunity and secured his card within the season. While it appears Collins is getting better, it doesn't look like a big jump in earnings is on the horizon. Collins finished the last two seasons in the top 20 in putting average.
102. Dean Wilson
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,000,000
Events: 18
Draft Round: 10
2011 Outlook: Wilson had quite a year in 2006. He captured his lone PGA TOUR win and earned mor than $2 million. He's never been able to recreate that magic, however, as the four years since have been either hit or miss. In the two years following his win, Wilson played well enough to remain safely inside the top 125, but he fell off the map in 2009 and only made a slight recovery in 2010. He still has enough to retain his card for the foreseeable future, but as we get farther away from 2006, his chances of returning to that form seem more unlikely. Wilson is short off the tee, but he's pretty solid everywhere else. One area, though, where he struggles is eagles per hole. He ranked 186th in that category last season.
103. Garrett Willis
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,000,000
Events: 24
Draft Round: 10
2011 Outlook: It's been a long road back for Willis, but he finally earned his PGA TOUR card again after a solid performance last season. Willis captured a victory in his first start on the PGA TOUR in 2001, but it all went south soon after. Willis spent the better part of the last nine years trying to get his playing privileges back, and he finally earned his card by finishing 12th on the 2009 Nationwide money list. He didn't waste the opportunity this time around as he secured his card for 2011 by finishing in the top 125 on the PGA TOUR money list in 2010. Willis finished in the top 25 in both driving accuracy and GIR last season.
104. Boo Weekley
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,000,000
Events: 27
Draft Round: 10
2011 Outlook: Weekley's rise and fall both happened in the blink of an eye. He came out of nowhere in 2007 to capture his first PGA TOUR victory and followed that with another win in 2008. After that, however, his game began to slip. His earnings have decreased three consecutive seasons. Weekley definitely has the talent to succeed on the PGA TOUR, but his drive is in question. From tee to green, Weekley is strong, but once on the green, he struggles mightily.
105. Chris Couch
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,000,000
Events: 23
Draft Round: 10
2011 Outlook: Couch captured his first PGA TOUR win in 2006, earning a career-high $1.3 million, but he wasn't a sound player. Although he didn't win last season and failed to make even $1 million, he's a better player now. For the first time in his PGA TOUR career, Couch showed some consistency last season. He earned two top-10s and five top-25s in 23 events last year. He already showed he has enough talent to win, but with this new-found consistency, Couch could really make a move up the money list soon. The improvement is due to his putting, where he ranked eighth on the PGA TOUR last season.
106. Kevin Stadler
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,000,000
Events: 28
Draft Round: 11
2011 Outlook: Stadler had a decent rookie season in 2007, but his follow-up campaign left him outside the top 125. After regaining his card for 2009, he improved his play and once again secured his card for 2010. He again played well enough to retain playing privileges last season, but at some point we'll need to see a little more from Stadler if he is to be relevant on the PGA TOUR. With the exception of driving accuracy, Stadler's stats are generally solid. He improved his putting last season, and if that trend continues, he may be able to take a significant jump in earnings this season.
107. Chris Stroud
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,000,000
Events: 27
Draft Round: 11
2011 Outlook: Stroud again found himself safely inside the top 125 at season's end last year, but this time around, he left himself a little breathing room. Stroud finished 2009 right on the cut line. Although he appears to be getting better, his progress has been slow to this point. His earnings have risen about $125K each year since 2007, but in this game, that's not enough. He might get another bump this season, but that won't be enough to make him a viable option for fantasy golfers. Stroud ranked 36th in GIR last season, but his other stats were lacking.
108. D.A. Points
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,000,000
Events: 29
Draft Round: 11
2011 Outlook: Points appears to be getting the hang of playing on the PGA TOUR. He struggled in his rookie season in 2006, and after a brief stint on the Nationwide Tour, Points found his way back to the PGA TOUR in 2009. This time around, he earned his card within the season, matching that feat last year. His earnings, though, were less in 2010 than 2009, not exactly a good sign entering this season. Points could be one of those players who jumps up from a couple mediocre seasons this year, but it's more likely that he's simply a player who's going to max out at about $1.5 million. Points is fairly accurate off the tee but struggled with distance and putting last year.
109. Greg Chalmers
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,000,000
Events: 27
Draft Round: 11
2011 Outlook: Chalmers had some success early in his career only to fall on hard times for a number of years before an eventual comeback. Chalmers played well in spots last year, specifically at the RBC Canadian Open where he finished fourth and the Zurich Classic where he finished fifth. He finished in the top 25 six times in 2010. Chalmers will likely play well enough to maintain his card this year, but his ceiling is limited. Chalmers has plenty of value in rotisserie leagues, however, as he's a great putter. He ranked first on the PGA TOUR in 2008, ninth in 2009 and 13th last year.
110. Shaun Micheel
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,000,000
Events: 21
Draft Round: 11
2011 Outlook: It seems strange that a golfer who won the PGA Championship a few years back would be happy to simply end the season in the top 125, but considering the trouble Micheel has had since that monumentous victory, it's the truth. For this first time since 2007, Micheel earned enough money to retain his playing privileges. He accomplished the feat by making the cut in 67 percent of his starts and finishing the season with three top-10s. The future isn't exactly bright for Micheel, though - we likely will never look at his major victory as anything but a fluke. But he's certainly capable of sticking around on the PGA TOUR the next handful of years. Micheel's stats are pretty poor overall, though he managed to crack the top 50 in putting last season.
111. Tim Petrovic
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,000,000
Events: 32
Draft Round: 11
2011 Outlook: Petrovic has played a whopping 157 events the last five seasons. With that many opportunities, almost any player is bound to strike gold from time to time, and that's the case with Petrovic. He made the cut 19 of 32 times last season but rarely made a move on the weekend. He logged only two top-10s all year, but that and four additional top-25s was enough to secure his card for 2011. At this point, we know what Petrovic will do each season - play a ton and make just enough money to keep his card. Petrovic is accurate off the tee as well as on the greens, but his distance off the tee and his GIR need improvement.
112. Bill Lunde
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,000,000
Events: 28
Draft Round: 11
2011 Outlook: Lunde parlayed a top-5 finish on the 2008 Nationwide money list into a spot on the PGA TOUR in 2009 and once there, he did just enough to keep his card for the following season. Last year, he took it a step further and secured his card for the next two seasons by winning the Turning Stone Resort Championship in early August. However, he did very little before and after that event, so it's hard to tell if his game has really come that far. He could be the next Paul Goydos, though, which wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. Unsurprisingly for a golfer who only played well a few times last season, his stats as a whole are not impressive. His best area is driving distance where he ranked 85th.
113. Tom Gillis
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,000,000
Events: 27
Draft Round: 11
2011 Outlook: Gillis' 2010 season came out of nowhere. The 42-year-old Gillis spent most of the previous five seasons toiling away on the Nationwide Tour, but after a fifth-place finish on the Nationwide in 2009, Gillis was again back up with the big boys. He didn't waste his opportunity this time either by capturing three top-10s on his way to a top-80 finish on the PGA TOUR. Gillis now has full playing privileges this season, but judging by his track record, he'll likely be fighting for that card again come September. Gillis accomplished his career year in 2010 with accuracy off the tee and on the green. He ranked in the top 30 in both categories last season.
114. Spencer Levin
2011 Proj. Earnings: $1,000,000
Events: 31
Draft Round: 11
2011 Outlook: Levin is a young player on the rise, making a huge jump up in earnings last year from about $500K in 2009 to more than $1 million in 2010. As is often the case with young players, his best finishes came during the fall season when he earned a third-place finish at the Children's Miracle Network Classic and a fourth-place finish at the JT Shriners event. He did next to nothing during the heart of the fantasy season last year, and as such, he's a risky pick, even at a low price. Unlike most of the younger players on the PGA TOUR, Levin is actually short off the tee, but last year he showed an improve accuracy. He'll need to be even more accurate this year to make up for his short comings off the tee.
115. Robert Karlsson*
2011 Proj. Earnings: $850,000
Events: 11
Draft Round: 11
2011 Outlook: Who would have thought that two non-American's would win majors last season and Karlsson would not be one of them? Karlsson has been a solid player in the States, but mostly abroad the last five years, and his breakthrough is probably just around the corner. That said, it's hard to predict a major win six months out, and as such, we'll place him right were he came in last year.
116. Michael Thompson#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $800,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 11
2011 Outlook: Thompson spent his entire 2010 season on the Hooters Tour, which is a notch below the Nationwide Tour. He dominated there, however, and winning has a way of carrying over. Sure, it's a huge step up for Thompson this year, but he's still playing the same game, so expect some success this season.
117. Troy Merritt
2011 Proj. Earnings: $750,000
Events: 29
Draft Round: 11
2011 Outlook: In his rookie season on the PGA TOUR, Troy Merritt grabbed the final spot inside the top 125. Merritt used a strong fall finish to earn those last few dollars, but his season was made by a third-place finish at the Zurich Classic. In his first year on the PGA TOUR, Merritt ranked 36th in putting average. He also ranked 32nd in birdies per hole. Merritt has some potential, but after such an erratic opening season, it's probably better to wait on him.
118. Mark Wilson
2011 Proj. Earnings: $750,000
Events: 28
Draft Round: 12
2011 Outlook: Wilson has won twice in the last four seasons, but he simply could not find that form last year. Wilson finished with only two top-10s last season, though he earned seven top-25s. His problem seems to be just a lack of quality play on the weekend. Wilson's earnings range should be a bit higher than where he ended up last year, so he's got some value, but his upside is limited. Wilson holds more value in rotisserie leagues as he's very accurate off the tee and his GIR is solid.
119. Jeff Maggert
2011 Proj. Earnings: $750,000
Events: 28
Draft Round: 12
2011 Outlook: At 46, Maggert isn't quite ready to start looking ahead to the Champions Tour. After a couple of disappointing years, Maggert found a little magic last year as he finished in the top 125 for the first time since 2007. Maggert's prospects don't look great, however, as his upside is definitely limited. Maggert is fairly proficient at hitting fairways and greens, but, predictably, he doesn't have much distance off the tee.
120. Kevin Sutherland
2011 Proj. Earnings: $750,000
Events: 25
Draft Round: 12
2011 Outlook: Sutherland earned two runner-up finishes in 2008 on his way past $2 million in earnings, but as we get farther away from that season, it appears as though that season was a bit of a fluke. Sutherland is still a good player who's likely to be reach $1 million every year, but the chances of a $2 million season are minimal at best. Sutherland ranked second in GIR on the PGA TOUR last season.
121. Michael Connell
2011 Proj. Earnings: $750,000
Events: 25
Draft Round: 12
2011 Outlook: Perhaps no player on the PGA TOUR better exemplifies the term "grinder" as much as Connell. Connell played 25 events last season, and though he only finished with two top-10s, he made the cut 19 times. Those smaller checks can really add up when you get 19 of them. Now for the bad news. Most of Connell's best finishes came during fall, but on the bright side, his best finish was a T6 at the Honda Classic. Connell wasn't exactly a statistical star last season as his best rank was 75th in putting average.
122. Matt Bettencourt
2011 Proj. Earnings: $750,000
Events: 32
Draft Round: 12
2011 Outlook: Bettencourt played a whopping 32 events last season yet only finished in the top 10 once. So how did he end up earning more than $850K? Well, that lone top-10 just happened to be a win. Bettencourt won the Reno-Tahoe Open last season in only his second full season on the PGA TOUR, but the Reno-Tahoe Open, of course, is held opposite another event, which means the field is watered down. His win last year could be a sign of things to come, but considering how many events he played, and his lack of success at the majority of them, he doesn't look like a good pick. Bettencourt ranked 15th in putting average last season, but that stat is a little misleading as he ranked 189th in GIR.
123. J.P. Hayes
2011 Proj. Earnings: $750,000
Events: 25
Draft Round: 12
2011 Outlook: Hayes is on the tail-end of his PGA TOUR career, and even though he had a bit of a resurgence last season, it's not likely that the momentum from carries over to this year. Hayes earned three top-10s last season, but he made the cut in little more than half of his entries. Hayes putted extremely well last season, ranking fifth on the PGA TOUR. His performance off the tee, however, wasn't impressive.
124. Alex Cejka
2011 Proj. Earnings: $750,000
Events: 28
Draft Round: 12
2011 Outlook: Cejka has maintained his PGA TOUR card the last four seasons, but he's yet to break $1 million in that span. It seems as though Cejka is destined to finish between 100 and 125 on the money list each year, which is fine for him, but it doesn't help fantasy golfers. Cejka can provide some value to rotisserie owners, though, as he often ranks among the best on the PGA TOUR at accuracy off the tee.
125. David Duval
2011 Proj. Earnings: $750,000
Events: 24
Draft Round: 12
2011 Outlook:David Duval passed a significant hurdle on his long road back last season - he earned his PGA TOUR card again. Duval has spent much of his comeback relying on exemptions that he earned long ago. Last year, he earned his card on the course. Now, before getting too excited, realize that his earnings from 2010 are base almost solely on two outings. One was a runner-up finish at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the other was T6 at the Frys.com Open. In between those outings, Duval was a complete non-factor. It's hard to gauge where Duval's game is now because he'll show flashes of his previous self from time to time, but too often he's this new player we don't recognize. Not surprisingly, Duval's stats just aren't very good anymore. When he's on, though, he's one of the better putters on the PGA TOUR.
126. Derek Lamely
2011 Proj. Earnings: $750,000
Events: 28
Draft Round: 12
2011 Outlook: Somehow Lamely won an event last year, but still couldn't crack $1 million. Not exactly how you want to see a player respond after winning his first event on the PGA TOUR. In 28 events last season, Lamely made the cut only 13 times. It's possible that complacency set in after his early-season win in Puerto Rico, but he should have pulled out of his funk at some point. Considering the way he finished last year, his prospects for 2011 don't look very good. Lamely was long off the tee last season, but he wasn't sharp in any of the other three core stats categories last season.
127. Rocco Mediate
2011 Proj. Earnings: $750,000
Events: 25
Draft Round: 12
2011 Outlook: Mediate is only two years away from the Champions Tour, and while he's shown some brilliant flashes of his youth the last few years, namely the Frys.com Open last year and the 2008 U.S. Open, his game is likely to decline the next two seasons. Mediate has battled health issues for the better part of the last 10 years, and, though he's been relatively healthy the last few years, you never know when those issues will creep back into the picture. As such, Mediate is a very risky pick. Mediate has excelled at driving accuracy and GIR the last two seasons, but he's short off the tee and his putting is not sharp.
128. Peter Hanson*
2011 Proj. Earnings: $750,000
Events: 7
Draft Round: 12
2011 Outlook:Peter Hanson had a pretty strong 2010 season, which included a top-10 at the WGC Bridgestone event, a top-20 at the U.S. Open and a T26 at the WGC-CA Championship event. Hansen should find his way into the upper echelon of the European Tour players soon - maybe this year.
129. Nate Smith#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $750,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 12
2011 Outlook: Smith struggled to adjust to the Nationwide Tour last season, but after a slow start, he found his game and eventually won in late September. Unfortunately, his slow start resulted in earnings just outside the top 25. Undeterred, Smith headed to Q-School where he earned his card for 2011. Unlike many other Q-School qualifiers from the Nationwide Tour, Smith posted a victory last season, which should help him this year.
130. Justin Hicks#
Events: NA
Draft Round: 12
2011 Proj. Earnings: $750,000
2011 Outlook: Hicks earned his card through the Nationwide Tour last season, but he went ahead and tried Q-School to improve his standing. He accomplished the feat and appears to be in good shape heading into the 2011.
131. Chris Kirk#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $750,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 12
2011 Outlook: Kirk joins the PGA TOUR via his second-place finish on the Nationwide Tour last season. Kirk used two victories and two runner-up finishes to earn the second spot on the Nationwide Tour last season. At only 25, the future looks bright for Kirk.
132. Martin Pillar#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $750,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 12
2011 Outlook: Piller won twice on the Nationwide Tour last season on his way to an eighth-place finish on the Nationwide Tour money list last season. Pillar started the season well, but faded a little down the stretch. Perhaps he knew his card was wrapped up for the following year. Whatever the case, Pillar should be one of the few in the hunt for rookie of the year at season's end.
133. Kevin Chappell#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $650,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 13
2011 Outlook: Chappell was one of the more consistent players on the Nationwide Tour last season. In addition to one victory, he also earned a runner-up, a third-place finish and seven top-10s in 24 starts. In all, 10 top-25s in 24 starts. That kind of consistency will serve him well on the PGA TOUR this year.
134. Fabian Gomez#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $650,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 13
2011 Outlook: Gomez has steadily moved up the ranks of the Nationwide Tour the last three seasons and has finally earned his PGA TOUR card for 2011. Gomez has improved his scoring average about one stroke per year over the last couple seasons. The best could be in front of Gomez.
135. Edoardo Molinari*
2011 Proj. Earnings: $600,000
Events: 8
Draft Round: 13
2011 Outlook: Molinari finished runner-up at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last season, but outside of that week, his results left a lot to be desired. He had three top-50s out of the four majors, but his best finish of the three was 27th at the British Open. He'll have to find a top-10 in there somewhere to improve upon his number from last season.
136. Joe Durant
2011 Proj. Earnings: $500,000
Events: 19
Draft Round: 14
2011 Outlook: Durant's glory days are long gone. His game has faded the last four years, and considering his age, it's doubtful a resurgence is on the horizon. Durant's best finish last year was a runner-up finish at the Mayakoba Classic. He might be in the twilight of his career, but has a lot of value in statistical leagues. Durant finished in the top 10 in both driving accuracy and GIR for the past five years.
137. Roland Thatcher
2011 Proj. Earnings: $500,000
Events: 26
Draft Round: 14
2011 Outlook: There's nothing like waiting until the last minute to secure your card for the following season. Thatcher was headed for Q-School as late as Nov. 13, but a runner-up finish at the season's final event saved him the trip. Obviously, a player who earns nearly all of his money during the final event of the year is a poor selection for fantasy purposes. Thatcher is still young enough to find a better game, but he's simply not worth the risk. Thatcher's stats were very poor last season. Of the four core stats categories, he ranked in the top 100 in only driving distance.
138. Corey Pavin
2011 Proj. Earnings: $500,000
Events: 8
Draft Round: 14
2011 Outlook: Pavin finished in the top 10 in a whopping 25 percent of the events he entered last season. Problem is, he only teed it up eight times. Those two top-10s, however, were enough to place him within the top 125. Most of his earnings came from a runner-up finish at the Travelers Championship. Pavin's time is now split between the PGA TOUR and the Champions Tour, so his value to fantasy golfers is limited. Since Pavin doesn't play much, he doesn't have much use in rotisserie leagues, either.
139. Steve Elkington
2011 Proj. Earnings: $500,000
Events: 22
Draft Round: 14
2011 Outlook: Elkington's year-end number is primarily based on his performance at the PGA Championship. If he plays well there, like he did last season when he earned a top-5, then his number season's end looks pretty good. If not, like in 2009 when he missed the cut, then his earnings number is poor. Put simply, don't gamble on a player who has only one decent opportunity to make money all year. Elkington's performance in the four core stats categories was surprisingly strong last season, but a closer look revealed his problem. He ranked 124th on the PGA TOUR in birdies per hole average. Basically, Elkington does exactly what you need to do to get pars, which leads to solid stats in categories such as GIR and putts per green, but it doesn't necessarily mean he's scoring well under par.
140. Cameron Beckman
2011 Proj. Earnings: $500,000
Events: 25
Draft Round: 14
2011 Outlook: It's hard to imagine that a PGA TOUR golfer in the year 2010 can win an event and still barely break $1 million, but three players earned that distinction last year, including Beckman who won the Mayakoba classic early in the season. The Mayakoba classic is an opposite event, held opposite a WGC event, which means the field is extremely watered-down. And the Mayakoba field makes the John Deere Classic look like the PGA Championship. Outside of his win at the Mayakoba, Beckman accomplished little. He earned only three top-25s aside from the line victory. Don't expect his performance to improve this season. It's no wonder he missed 16 of 25 cuts last season. Of the four core stats categories, Beckman ranked in the top 100 in only driving accuracy.
141. Ryo Ishikawa*
2011 Proj. Earnings: $500,000
Events: 10
Draft Round: 15
2011 Outlook: Ishikawa has yet to take off like most expected, but don't forget, he's only 19-years-old and his No. 36 world ranking will gain him entry to all the big events this season. At only $150K, Ishikawa is a steal for the 2011 season. He's also a solid pick in draft leagues.
142. Alvaro Quiros*
2011 Proj. Earnings: $500,000
Events: 9
Draft Round: 15
2011 Outlook: The long-hitting Spainiard is the most likely breakout candidate among the non-members from 2010. Quiros played consistently well on the PGA TOUR last season, but he lacked that one really strong finish. One of these times, he's going to finish strong and boost his earnings number.
143. Gregory Havret*
2011 Proj. Earnings: $500,000
Events: 2
Draft Round: 15
2011 Outlook: Havret has played well in spots the last few years on the PGA TOUR, but his earnings were abnormally boosted by a runner-up finish at the U.S. Open last season, and we can't count on that happening again this year. Havret simply doesn't play enough on the PGA TOUR to make him a viable selection.
144. Billy Horschel#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $500,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 15
2011 Outlook: Horschel began the 2010 as a PGA TOUR rookie, but four starts into his rookie season, he had to call it quits due to a wrist injury. As the 2011 season approached, Horschel had two options, the first would be to use his major medical extension to play on the PGA TOUR in 2011 or give Q-School a try and improve his positioning. He chose the later, and because of that he won't have quite as much pressure at the start of the season. That said, he is coming off a significant injury and his limited experience last season on the PGA TOUR probably won't help him much.
145. Ben Martin#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $500,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 15
2011 Outlook: At just 23, Martin has a lot to learn about the life on the PGA TOUR, but he looks to have enough ability to succeed early on. Expect a nice rookie campaign from Martin in 2011.
146. Scott Stallings#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $500,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 15
2011 Outlook: Stallings finished strong at Q-School when the pressure was on as he birdied the final two holes. You have to like that type of play in the clutch - it should serve him well on the PGA TOUR this season.
147. Matt McQuillan#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $500,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 15
2011 Outlook: McMullan played the Canadian Tour last season, and while that's not exactly the highest level of golf, he won in Canada. McQuillan should play fairly well in his rookie season, but it might take a while to adjust.
148. Jim Renner#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $500,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 15
2011 Outlook: Renner has won each of the last two seasons on the Hooters Tour, which gives him a leg up on some of his Q-School colleagues. Renner is 27, so he's probably coming into his peak playing ability. He'll have to start quickly, though, as premium exemptions are limited.
149. Brendan Steele#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $500,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 15
2011 Outlook: Steele finished sixth on the Nationwide Tour last season, and he'll join the PGA TOUR in 2011 as a rookie. Steele did not have sustained success last season, however, as he carded only four top-10s all season. His spot on the money list was due to a victory at the Nationwide Tour championship.
150. Jhonattan Vegas#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $500,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 15
2011 Outlook: Vegas had a very nice season on the Nationwide Tour last year as he captured one victory, two runner-ups and one third-place finish. In all, he carded nine top-25s in 23 starts. Vegas also made the cut in his lone PGA TOUR start last season.
151. Kevin Kisner#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $500,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 15
2011 Outlook: Kisner didn't have a great season last year on the Nationwide Tour, but he ended very well. His two best start, a win and a runner-up, both came in the second half of the season. He'll need to start this season better, though, if he's to earn his card in 2012.
152. Francesco Molinari*
2011 Proj. Earnings: $450,000
Events: 8
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: The other Molinari brother fared about the same as his brother, Edoardo, last season, but without the top-3 finish. Francesco Molinari's top finish on the PGA TOUR last season was a T9 at the Players Championship. Much like his brother, though, Francesco had little success at the four majors.
153. Keegan Bradley#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $400,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Bradley finished inside the top-25 on the Nationwide Tour last season in what was his rookie season on that tour. It's unlikely, though, that he can pull another rabbit out of his hat this season on the PGA TOUR. A case of too much too soon.
154. Miguel A. Jimenez*
2011 Proj. Earnings: $350,000
Events: 7
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Jimenez isn't getting any younger, but he still has plenty of game and, therefore, should remain a factor during the big events this season. While a top-three finish at a major or WGC event is unlikely, the fact that he'll be entered in those events means he'll have plenty of chances to top his 2010 number.
155. Kyle Stanley#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $350,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Stanley was fairly consistent on the Nationwide Tour last season, but in the end, he only managed a 35th-place finish on the money list. Stanley likely will take his lumps this season and end up back at Q-School next year.
156. Robert Gates#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $350,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Gates finished in the top 25 in his rookie season on the Nationwide Tour. Gates likely will have success at some point on the PGA TOUR, but to expect anything out of him this early in his career is a bit unrealistic.
157. Jim Herman
2011 Proj. Earnings: $350,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Herman has improved his scoring average in each of his three seasons on the Nationwide Tour, and for the first time, he cracked the top-25 on the money list. While Herman is improving each year, his progress is a little slow, and he needs to really step up his game this season to crack the top 125.
158. Zack Miller#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $250,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Miller played on the Nationwide Tour last season, but he did not earn his card through that means as his best finish all season was a T3. Miller earned his card through Q-School, and like many Q-School grads each season, he'll likely struggle in his first year on the PGA TOUR.
159. Bi-o Kim#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $250,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Kim fared well in his short stint on the OneAsia Tour last season, but we really don't have much to gauge him on just yet. He's only 20, so it's unlikely that he'll have a lot of success on the PGA TOUR this season.
160. Joseph Bramlett#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $250,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Bramlett enters the PGA TOUR fresh from college, which worked out fine for fellow Stanford grad Tiger Woods. Bramlett, though, likely will find his first venture into professional golf a little more difficult.
161. Sung-hoon Kang#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $250,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Kang played overseas last season, and to date he hasn't had a whole lot off success over there. Kang likely will struggle in his first year on the PGA TOUR.
162. Andres Gonzales#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $250,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Gonzales has played a bit on the Canadian Tour the last two seasons, and he's had some success. He enters the season with a fairly low status, however, as he finished near the bottom of the Q-School qualifiers. He'll have to make hay during the opposite-field events to better his status and get into some larger events.
163. Alexandre Rocha#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $250,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Rocha must deal with a lesser status entering the 2011 season because he finished near the bottom of the Q-School qualifiers. He'll need to play well at some of the opposite-field events to better his status. Rocha has some PGA TOUR experience as he played the Honda Classic last year and made the cut.
164. Scott Gordon#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $250,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Gordon struggled near the end of Q-School and doesn't have much professional experience. Don't expect much from this kid in 2011.
165. Will Strickler#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $250,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Strickler grabbed the final Q-School spot this year, and as such, he'll likely have trouble finding enough quality starts to accomplish much in the way of earnings this season.
166. Soren Kjeldsen*
2011 Proj. Earnings: $200,000
Events: 7
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Kjeldson was consistent at the majors last season, he finished in the top-40 in three of four majors, but his best finished was a T30 at the Masters. His entry into the big events this season is up in that air, though, as his world ranking is 81st.
167. Simon Dyson*
2011 Proj. Earnings: $200,000
Events: 8
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Dyson didn't accomplish much outside a T12 at the PGA Championship last season. While Dyson is an accomplished player outside the States, his play on the PGA TOUR is lacking, which doesn't make him a good option this season.
168. Ken Duke*
2011 Proj. Earnings: $200,000
Events: 5
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Duke spent the majority of the last five years as a PGA TOUR member, but since losing his card he's struggled to regain his privileges. Unless Duke makes a splash with a sponsor's exemption this season, he's likely to fall right about where he did last season.
169. David Hearn#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $200,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Hearn has spent a lot of time on the Nationwide Tour over the past decade, but until recently, he did not have a lot of success. In fact, his best result in the last five years on the Nationwide Tour was a runner-up finish, which is the primary reason he finished in the top-25 last season. Don't expect a whole lot from Hearn this season.
170. Joe Affrunti#
2011 Proj. Earnings: $200,000
Events: NA
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Affrunti did enough to earn his PGA TOUR card last season on the Nationwide Tour, but judging on how he made it into the top-25, his prospects this season don't look very good. Affrunti only earned four top-10s in 26 starts last season.
171. Stephen Gallacher*
2011 Proj. Earnings: $150,000
Events: 2
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Gallacher preformed well in his only two starts on the PGA TOUR last season, but therein lies the problem. He only had two starts, and unless he improves his World Ranking the first couple months of the year, he'll likely be on the sideline come major season.
172. Tim Wilkinson*
2011 Proj. Earnings: $150,000
Events: 15
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Wilkinson is an interesting prospect for the 2011 season. He earned only $160K in 15 events last season, but just two years ago, as a full member of the PGA TOUR, he earned more than $1.1 million. He played 15 events last season on a medical extension from the previous year, and though he failed to earn his card for this season, the potential is still there. If Wilkinson can find a few exemptions this season, he may be able to make some progress back to a full-time member.
173. WC Liang*
2011 Proj. Earnings: $100,000
Events: 4
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Liang maxed out at six events on the PGA TOUR in 2008, and that season he only earned $145K. Last season, he topped that with the help of a top-10 at the PGA Championship. Considering Liang will play only a handful of times on the PGA TOUR this season, his prospects don't look very good.
174. Bob Heintz*
2011 Proj. Earnings: $100,000
Events: 3
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Henitz managed to do in three events last season, what he couldn't do in 20 and 17 events, respectively, in the previous two seasons - earn $350K. Heintz's earnings figure from last season was due to a runner-up finish at the Reno-Tahoe Open, but considering he'll likely only have a handful of events to make hay this season, his odds of coming anywhere near his 2010 are slim.
175. Robert Rock*
2011 Proj. Earnings: $50,000
Events: 1
Draft Round: 16
2011 Outlook: Rock's non-member earnings came from a top-10 at the British Open. Considering he played just the one event on the PGA TOUR last season, his prospects for 2011 don't look very good.
