The Loop

What about Bubba? Why we're taking the World No. 4 over the "Big 4" at the BMW Championship

September 16, 2015

After a rare off week on the PGA Tour, we're down to the final two events. And since we last discussed fantasy options, Golf's "Big 3" has become -- in the eyes of many -- a "Big 4" with Rickie Fowler throwing his flat brim into the mix with his win in Boston that included a bribe of bubbly to the media. That foursome heads to Chicago and Conway Farms Golf Club. Don't remember the track? Well, it's hosted only one PGA Tour event -- the 2013 BMW Championship -- but a LOT happened. There was Jim Furyk's first-round-59. Tiger Woods' second-round penalty for his ball moving in the woods. And finally, Furyk not getting the job done in the final round despite that opening 59. What will happen this week as 70 players take one step closer to trying to win that $10 million bonus in Atlanta? Here's my weekly PGA Tour Fantasy Golf lineup:

Bubba Watson: The man most upset about all this "Big 4" talk must be the guy who is actually No. 4 (Sorry, Rickie) in the Official World Golf Ranking. And when it comes to the PGA Tour Fantasy Golf format, Watson is actually No. 2 in terms of earning points. We'll show you some love, Bubba, and hey, win this week and we might even push for a "Big 5."

"Hey, guys, what about me?"

Jason Day: His winning streak was snapped in Beantown, but he still finished T-12 and he's still the hottest player in the world right now. I can use him for two more starts and there are two more tournaments, including this one. Do the math.

Hunter Mahan: The only man to play in every FedEx Cup event since its inception barely advanced in Boston with a T-4 finish that bumped him up to No. 52 in the standings. Another T-4 at Conway Farms in 2013 makes us believe he's up to the task of keeping that streak alive for another year.

Jim Furyk: No, he didn't win at Conway Farms two years ago, but he still shot 59 in the first round and he still finished third behind champ Zach Johnson. We'll take another one of those, please.

__ Bench:__ Rory McIlroy and Zach Johnson.

And for those of you playing other fantasy golf formats:

Yahoo! lineup: Bubba Watson, Jason Day, Hunter Mahan, and Justin Thomas.

Bench/backups: Rory McIlroy, Zach Johnson, Jordan Spieth, and Patrick Reed.

Knockout/One-and-done pick: Bubba Watson.

Previously used: Keegan Bradley (Bay Hill), Paul Casey (Honda), Jason Day (Farmers -- WINNER!), Luke Donald (Valspar), Jamie Donaldson (Doral), Jim Furyk (Valero), Sergio Garcia (Players), Bill Haas (Riviera), Billy Horschel (Memphis), Charles Howell III (Sony), Dustin Johnson (Pebble), Zach Johnson (Colonial), Brooks Koepka (Barclays); Matt Kuchar (Heritage), Marc Leishman (Nelson), Hunter Mahan (Canadian), Rory McIlroy (Deutsche Bank), Phil Mickelson (U.S. Open), Geoff Ogilvy (Hyundai), Louis Oosthuizen (Houston), Ryan Palmer (Humana), Justin Rose (PGA), Webb Simpson (Greenbrier), Brandt Snedeker (Travelers), Brendan Steele (Phoenix), Henrik Stenson (British Open); Steve Stricker (John Deere), Justin Thomas (Wyndham), Jimmy Walker (Masters).