The Memorial
Fantasy Fix
We discuss the world rankings, this week's PGA Tour stop and pay homage to a fallen member of a fast-food chain
Better hydrate up, Matt. Summer is upon us and we want you playing at your best this week.
The Memorial
Where: Dublin, Ohio.
Course: Muirfield Village GC
Defending champion: Justin Rose shot a final-round 66 to beat Rickie Fowler and claim his first PGA Tour title.
Purse: $6,200,000
This Week's Fix Six
2. K.J. Choi
3. Luke Donald
4. Jim Furyk
5. Ryan Moore
6. Justin Rose
Welcome to another edition of Fantasy Fix, where we don't need any official world ranking to tell us where we stand among fantasy columns on GolfDigest.com. Good for Luke Donald for taking over the game's top spot and good for American fans and fantasy owners that he'll tee it up on the PGA Tour this week. What should we expect to see? Let's get to it.
ON TAP
The PGA Tour heads to Dublin, Ohio -- home of the headquarters of Wendy's -- for the Memorial. Tournament host Jack Nicklaus will be on hand to watch many of today's best players and to remind them that he has more major wins than all of them. Combined.
Random tournament fact: The Memorial is played the week after Memorial Day weekend. That makes as much sense as the work cafeteria serving vanilla and French vanilla as it's only two flavors of frozen yogurt. If that's not blatant flavorism against chocolate lovers, I don't know what is.
THE DEFENDER
Justin Rose. A flawless final-round 66 brought him his first PGA Tour title last year. We'll put on Rose-colored glasses and look past a brutal missed cut in 2009 (75-80) to focus on his victory at Muirfield Village and the runner-up and solo fourth place finishes he's also recorded there.
STUD OF THE WEEK
Matt Kuchar. Since returning from golf's oblivion, Kuchar has been very solid at Muirfield. He finished T-13 in 2007 and has been in the top 10 in each of the past three years. I'm a little down on him for not coming through for me in a couple recent events and then nearly winning at the Nelson when I finally didn't pick him to do well. But I'm back on the bandwagon this week.
FORMER CHAMPS TO RIDE
Jim Furyk. He's only been out of the top 25 at this event once this millennium. He had a disappointing weekend here last year, but still finished T-10. The 2002 champion, he finished runner-up to Tiger Woods in 2009.
K. J. Choi. Before the South Korean won the Players, a victory at this tournament was the top accomplishment on his resume. In fact, he has three top 10s in the last seven years at Muirfield.
FORMER CHAMP TO AVOID
Ernie Els. The recent World Golf Hall of Fame inductee has missed the cut here two of the last three years. He's also missed more than his fair share of putts of late. Until he gets straightened out on the greens, he's too risky a play.
FAN MAIL BREAK
"Hey, Alex. I just wanted to extend a personal invitation to my tournament this week. That David Toms pick gave me a commanding lead over Arnie in my fantasy league. Keep the winning predictions coming, Jack Nicklaus."
Glad to help, Jack, and that's very kind of you, but I'm afraid I can't make it. No, the Golden Bear didn't actually write, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. Please feel free to e-mail me with comments, questions or just to make fun of my picks. And of course, you can follow me on Twitter.
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