This article is part of our Weekly PGA Preview series.
With his win at the Northern Trust Open last week, Bryson DeChambeau joined the esteemed group of golfers known as, "the best not to have won a major." Entrance to this exclusive group is gained by any number of means, but the most common is winning on the PGA Tour, which DeChambeau has now done three times. It's a group that most golfers on the PGA Tour wouldn't mind being a part of, but there comes a certain point where membership in said group can wear on a guy.
Take Rickie Fowler, for instance. Fowler has four PGA Tour wins and a number of close calls at major championships, but he's nearing a point where the pressure might become a hurdle too large to overcome. Others in the group, such as Paul Casey, had pressure at one point, but the pressure has since alleviated as no one expects a major win anymore. Perhaps the most famous alum, Phil Mickelson, dealt with the questions for years before breaking through, yet once he won his first major it seemed like he had plenty of time to win many more – which he did.
As for DeChambeau, he's in a great spot. He's only recently joined this troop and he's young, which means he has plenty of time to win majors. And as of now, no one has expectations on him, like Fowler or Jon Rahm.
DeChambeau is certainly on the way up, but how many times have we said that about someone
With his win at the Northern Trust Open last week, Bryson DeChambeau joined the esteemed group of golfers known as, "the best not to have won a major." Entrance to this exclusive group is gained by any number of means, but the most common is winning on the PGA Tour, which DeChambeau has now done three times. It's a group that most golfers on the PGA Tour wouldn't mind being a part of, but there comes a certain point where membership in said group can wear on a guy.
Take Rickie Fowler, for instance. Fowler has four PGA Tour wins and a number of close calls at major championships, but he's nearing a point where the pressure might become a hurdle too large to overcome. Others in the group, such as Paul Casey, had pressure at one point, but the pressure has since alleviated as no one expects a major win anymore. Perhaps the most famous alum, Phil Mickelson, dealt with the questions for years before breaking through, yet once he won his first major it seemed like he had plenty of time to win many more – which he did.
As for DeChambeau, he's in a great spot. He's only recently joined this troop and he's young, which means he has plenty of time to win majors. And as of now, no one has expectations on him, like Fowler or Jon Rahm.
DeChambeau is certainly on the way up, but how many times have we said that about someone in the last few years? What about Rahm? What happened to his game? Sure, he's super young and uber talented, but in this day and age, success is supposed to happen almost instantly if you want to be taken seriously – see Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. Here's the thing, though. As Mickelson proved oh so many years ago, while it might feel like time is running out, once you get that first one, there's plenty of time to get more. It's getting that first one that's the problem.
DeChambeau could follow in Spieth's footsteps or he could follow in Fowler's footsteps. But if he fails to ever join he former's group, he won't be considered a failure. He and his fellow club members will be considered the "best" at something, which ain't bad.
This week: Dell Technologies Championship - TPC Boston, Norton, Mass.
Last Year: Justin Thomas shot a final-round 66 on his way to a three-stroke victory over Jordan Spieth.
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER
Justin Thomas
He's the defending champion and is very close to his top form entering this week. Thomas was under the radar last week but finished in the top 10 at the Northern Trust Open. That effort was just another in a long string of strong performances the last couple months. Thomas' overall track record outside of his win last year is lacking, but let's be real, Thomas didn't become the player he is now until last season.
Tiger Woods
He's going to make a serious run at a title before the year is out, and this looks like an ideal spot to make that run. If Tiger wants to tee it up at the Tour Championship, he has some work to do. And considering his strong track record at this event, he might as well get it done here. Woods didn't fare well in his most recent start here in 2013, but overall he has five top-10s in nine starts, which includes a win and two runner-up's.
Tony Finau
There's nothing in his track record here that would indicate that Finau is going to fare well this week, but judging by his play last week at the NTO, it feels like Finau is going to make a run. If the gigantic FedExCup purse wasn't enough, Finau also has the impending Ryder Cup selections as motivation. He's probably in after last week's runner-up, but another strong showing would seal the deal.
Tommy Fleetwood
Fleetwood has yet to pick up that elusive first win on the PGA Tour, but he's seemingly a factor every single week. Fleetwood has teed it up 16 times on the PGA Tour this season and has finished outside the top 20 just four times. Fleetwood is close, but he needs to avoid the mental lapse that seems to befall him once per week. Every week, it's one round that does him in. If he can avoid that round this week, he could win.
Adam Scott
Scott has found his putting stroke and apparently, that was the only thing missing. His form is about as good as anyone on the PGA Tour and his track record at this event is strong as well. Scott has four top-10s at this event in his last seven starts, two of which were top-5s.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Satoshi Kodaira
Any season you win on the PGA Tour is a good one, but the fact that even with his win at the RBC Heritage in April, Kodaira enters this week at 85th in the FedEx standings, speaks volumes to his struggles outside that win. Kodaira has only one top-25 in 11 starts since his win and has missed the cut in his last two starts.
Alex Noren
Noren is one of those guys that all the pundits seem to love, and although he' come close to winning in the states, he's yet to break through. If his form were better, there is no way I'd have a guy like this on the "avoid" list, but he's been off his game lately and I don't see a quick turn-around this week. Noren has missed the cut in his two most recent starts on the PGA Tour.
Brian Harman
Harman had quite the breakout season last year and picked up this season, where he left off last season, but he hasn't shown that form often since April. Harman has failed to crack the top 50 in his last five starts and has finished outside the top 50 in four of six starts here.
Russell Knox
It came as a surprise to see Knox still alive in the FedExCup playoffs as it feels like he hasn't done much this season. Upon closer review, that initial thought is about right as Knox carded two top-10s in his first five starts but has only one top-10 in his last 21 starts. He makes cuts, but he's not getting anything done on the weekend this year.
Bubba Watson
It's no secret, Watson plays well in certain spot and in others ... well, Bubba has a way of disappearing. This is one of those sports where Watson just doesn't show up. Watson has played this event 12 times and has yet to crack the top 10. Although fantasy golf in general is pretty tough, Watson is the one guy who is fairly easy to predict.
ONE AND DONE GOLFER
Last week: Adam Scott (T5) - $328,500; Season - $9,384,482
This week: Patrick Cantlay - For those who follow the comments section, you know that in real life, I switched to Cantlay for the PGA Championship, but for continuity, I kept Molinari as my official pick. That move works in my favor this week as I'm running low on good options, but Cantlay looks like a solid play. Cantlay enters this week in the 11th spot on the FedEx points list and posted a top-10 at the NTO last week.
PGATOUR.COM PICKS
Starters: Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods, Tony Finau, Tommy Fleetwood
Bench: Adam Scott, Patrick Cantlay
SURVIVOR PICK
Last week: Adam Scott - (T5); Streak - 8
This week: Patrick Cantlay - It would be terrible luck to pick a guy who misses the cut this week as there are only 100 golfers in the field, but you still have to do your homework. Cantlay finished T13 here last year, so we know he can get around this course and has missed only two cuts all season, so we know he's reliable.
