The Loop
Why a goat has us picking Patrick Reed to win the Shell Houston Open
Making fantasy golf predictions has always been difficult, but I have new inspiration to draw from. Last week, a goat nearly picked the winner of the WGC-Dell Match Play. An actual goat. A goat whose name is "Divot" and who inhales grass like I eat M&Ms. With 64 options to choose from, Divot picked Rory McIlroy, and if Jason Day weren't playing like he's from another planet, Divot would have been right. So, thanks, Divot, for showing how easy this gig can be. And thanks for not applying for my job. . . In any matter, with a new emphasis on not over-thinking these picks, here's who I'm taking on my PGA Tour Fantasy Golf team at the Shell Houston Open:
Louis Oosthuizen: Coming off a runner-up finish at the Match Play, Oosthuizen's recent play has made him a trendy pick for next week Masters. A solo third in Houston in 2012 makes him a smart pick for this week.
Jordan Spieth: Between what Bubba Watson, Adam Scott and Jason Day have done the past two months -- and yes, what Spieth hasn't done the past two months -- the reigning Masters has been a bit forgotten about. Kind of like his playoff loss in this event last year, one of the only times Spieth didn't win when he was in contention down the stretch. We're banking on another strong performance in his home state leading into the year's first major.
J.B. Holmes: Another guy looking to get back on track is the person who beat Spieth in that playoff last year. In addition to that win, Holmes also has a runner-up and a T-8 in his last five trips to Houston.
UPDATE: Holmes withdrew on Wednesday night with a shoulder injury. We'll move Charles Howell III from our bench into the starting lineup, in part because he's been on our mind thanks to that crazy story he told involving Tiger Woods and great white sharks. . .
Patrick Reed: Quick, who has the most top 10s on the PGA Tour this season? That's right, it's Reed. He also happens to live in Houston and have the most badass belt buckle on tour. I think Divot would approve of such simple logic.
__ Bench:__ Charles Howell III Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson.
And for those of you playing other fantasy golf formats:
Yahoo! lineup: Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed, J.B. Holmes, Louis Oosthuizen (starters); Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Charles Howell III, Brendan Steele (bench).
Knockout/One-and-done pick: Patrick Reed.
Previously used: Luke Donald (Valspar), Matt Every (Bay Hill), Tony Finau (Frys.com), Sergio Garcia (Riviera), Bill Haas (Farmers), Dustin Johnson (Doral), Kevin Kisner (RSM - winner!), Russell Knox (Honda), Anirban Lahiri (CIMB), Graeme McDowell (Hyundai), Kevin Na (Phoenix), Ryan Palmer (CareerBuilders), Patrick Reed (HSBC), Patrick Rodgers (Shriners), Brandt Snedeker (Pebble), Brendan Steele (OHL), Justin Thomas (Sony).