Congratulations to anyone who followed me in backing Matthew Fitzpatrick last week in what was one of the best major Sundays in recent memory full of drama and thankfully the correct result. Unfortunately, due to complete and utter overindulgence over the weekend I’ve decided to keep this week nice and concise in my analysis and predictions and my brain needs a rest.
I had my second victory here last year as Harris English won an exciting eight-hole playoff against Kramer Hickock, and I'll be hoping one of the four names on my list can repeat that feat, hopefully with a little more ease this time around.
I’ve based my selections on the same criteria as last year, picking golfers who have had a good US Open and who I feel could have enough class about them to compete again this week.
A familiar pick for me this year, but Davis continues to impress as he’s well on his way to rookie of the year. Up to 75th in the recent world rankings and now 22nd in the FedEx Cup standings, he’s already secured his playing rights for next season. A tie for 31st last week at Brookline was his worst result in his previous seven events, the other six have all resulted in top13 finishes. He has been reliably solid off the tee and on the greens all season. If he can continue to improve on his iron play again this week I don’t see why he can’t continue his ascent to becoming a household name on the PGA Tour by picking up his first win on Tour this week.
T7 at the US Open was his best major performance to date and Denny is always a golfer I feel needs to be watched closely when he starts playing well. Arrives here this week on the back of five straight-made cuts and appears to be riding the crest of a wave in terms of confidence with back-to-back top 10 finishes on tour, at the tricky Memorial and last week's US Open. Consistently one of the best putters on tour, and this season is no different as he ranks 6th in strokes gained. Though his past performances at this tournament haven't inspired confidence, I believe McCarthy is in much better shape this year and at 42nd in the FedEx cup rankings, he has some breathing room to stay in the top 125 and secure his card.
I find it surprising to see Joel has fallen out of the world's top 100 as over the past few years he has always been one of the more consistent performers. His short game this year has been less than impressive despite being as reliable from the tee as ever. The fact that Joel is 171st around the greens and 117th on the greens is cause for concern, but he has begun to improve over the past two months.
Three top 10 on the season to date, with the most recent being last week at Brookline. My hope is he can continue to improve on his season this week and use his stellar performance at the US Open as a springboard to rejoin the winner's enclosure after his maiden win last season.
I was torn between giving Nick the nod this week or giving a chance to Hank Lebioda after my love affair with him last year but I’ve decided on the former this week as his US Open performance was enough to convince me.
Although Nick hasn’t been enjoying the same fruitful year on tour Riley has been, since a tie for 21st at the Zurich Classic alongside Curtis Thompson he has begun to look a bit more like the competitor he was on the Korn Ferry Tour last season. At 160 in the FedEx Cup standing he needs a couple of strong weeks ahead of the Tour Championships if he wishes to remain on the main tour for next year. Perhaps that strong finish begins here at the Travelers where Hardy made the weekend as a 22-year-old in his debut year as a professional.