This article is part of our Weekly PGA Preview series.
August 2013, Jason Dufner captures his first major. Like many other golfers of his generation, a lot was expected of Dufner after winning a major. In the two years since, Dufner had not only failed to capture another major, but he failed to even find a win anywhere along the way. In fact, last season, he never found the top 3 and managed only two top-10s in 21 starts. Fast forward to this season and Dufner not only has a win, but three top-10s already in just six starts. It's safe to say that Dufner is indeed back. Back to what, is the question, though.
After a breakthrough season in 2012, when he picked up two wins and nearly $5 million in earnings, Dufner had a period where he struggled to live up to expectations. So much so, that by the time the 2013 PGA Championship rolled around, not many had Dufner at the top of their lists as serious contenders, but we all know what happened. Dufner captured his lone major and later went on to become a Twitter sensation by, as we now know it, "Dufnering". The years that followed for Dufner have not been good, not only on the course, but off as well, as he went through a highly publicized divorce last year. Looking back it's easy to see why perhaps Dufner has struggled for two years. Going through a divorce can take a lot out of anyone, let alone someone in the public
August 2013, Jason Dufner captures his first major. Like many other golfers of his generation, a lot was expected of Dufner after winning a major. In the two years since, Dufner had not only failed to capture another major, but he failed to even find a win anywhere along the way. In fact, last season, he never found the top 3 and managed only two top-10s in 21 starts. Fast forward to this season and Dufner not only has a win, but three top-10s already in just six starts. It's safe to say that Dufner is indeed back. Back to what, is the question, though.
After a breakthrough season in 2012, when he picked up two wins and nearly $5 million in earnings, Dufner had a period where he struggled to live up to expectations. So much so, that by the time the 2013 PGA Championship rolled around, not many had Dufner at the top of their lists as serious contenders, but we all know what happened. Dufner captured his lone major and later went on to become a Twitter sensation by, as we now know it, "Dufnering". The years that followed for Dufner have not been good, not only on the course, but off as well, as he went through a highly publicized divorce last year. Looking back it's easy to see why perhaps Dufner has struggled for two years. Going through a divorce can take a lot out of anyone, let alone someone in the public eye. It's not easy to keep the focus one needs to stay on top of the PGA Tour while going through such a situation.
As for the future, it's certainly bright, but just how bright? That remains to be seen, but rest assured the Dufner we witnessed over the last two years is gone.
This week: Farmers Insurance Open - Torrey Pines, La Jolla, Calif.
Last Year: Jason Day shot a final-round 70 on his way to a playoff victory over three players including Harris English and J.B. Holmes.
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER
Brandt Snedeker
Much like Dufner, Snedeker struggled for briefly after a solid 2013 season, but Snedeker is also finding his previous form as evidence by his two finishes this season. Snedeker finished runner-up at the Sony two weeks ago and third the week prior at the Hyundai. His track record here is solid, including a win in 2012.
Bill Haas
Although Haas failed to live up to expectations last week, he played well enough to earn a top-10 at the Career Builder Challenge. He finds himself a similar scenario this week as his track record at this event is also solid. Although not quite as strong as his track record at last week's event, his form is good enough to take a chance on him this week.
Phil Mickelson
Did we collectively give up on Mickelson too early? While it's too early to say that the old Mickelson is back, he sure looked pretty good last week while picking up a T3 at the Career Builder Challenge. We all know Mickelson has always played well on the West Coast, so it might be the perfect time to use him while he's playing well.
Charles Howell III
Like Mickelson, Howell III plays his best golf early in the year, but unlike Mickelson, he rarely plays well outside the west coast. With that in mind, the window to use Howell III is closing fast, and if you are going to use him, this week looks like a prime opportunity as his history at this event is strong. Howell III has finished inside the top 15 in seven of his past 11 starts here.
Nick Watney
Just like everyone else on this list, Watney generally plays better early in the season vs. late in the season, so it should come as no surprise that he also has a strong track record at this event. Unfortunately, his form isn't great heading into this week, which is why he's at the bottom of the list this week. That said, if you want to avoid the big names this week, Watney could be your guy.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Rickie Fowler
He's coming off a huge win overseas, so why is he on this list? A couple reasons; first, he's struggled here the last two years, and, second, Fowler is approaching the level where you are better off saving him for larger events. He'll probably play well this week, but in the one-and-done format, I wouldn't take the risk.
Dustin Johnson
Avoid Johnson this week for all the reasons listed above for Fowler. Unlike Fowler, though, we have no idea how Johnson's form is now. I think DJ is in for a big year, but he's never quite figured out Torrey Pines, so there's just no reason to burn him this early in the season.
Justin Rose
Rose has missed the cut here in two of his six starts and has never managed to crack the top 20. Still, that's not enough to fade Rose, but not knowing his form seals the deal. Just like Fowler and DJ, Rose's is more valuable down the road.
Kevin Streelman
Streelman comes into this week off a good showing at the Career Builder Challenge, but PGA West is no Torrey Pines. Streelman has struggled mightily at this event over the years, making the cut just once in five tries. Streelman will play well this season, but not this week.
Fabian Gomez
Gomes heads into this week fresh off a win at the Sony Open two weeks ago, but he didn't exactly handle winning well his first go-round, and there's no way to tell how he'll do this time around. Add to that, his track record is awful with three missed cuts in four starts.
ONE AND DONE GOLFER
Last week: Bill Haas (T9) - $162,400; Season - $1,209,641
This week: Brandt Snedeker - Everything appears to be lining up for Snedeker this week. He generally plays his best golf early in the year, he has a solid track record here, and his form is solid entering this week.
YAHOO PICKS
Points: 378
Rank: 35,794
This Week:
Group A: Phil Mickelson, Jason Day
Group B: Brandt Snedeker, Charles Howell III, Harris English, Jimmy Walker
Group C: Bill Haas, Nick Watney
SURVIVOR PICK
Last week: Bill Haas (T9); Streak - 4
This week: Brandt Snedeker - Snedeker has missed two cuts here in seven tries, but in his other seven starts, he been very impressive. Perhaps if his form was in question, I wouldn't make this pick, but it's not, so it's a fairly easy call.
