This article is part of our Weekly PGA Preview series.
Compared to the previous two winners on the PGA Tour, Justin Thomas' resume looks like that of a Hall of Famer. The pattern of unknown players winning on the PGA Tour was broken last week, but it was another new player on the PGA Tour who broke it.
Thomas was a rookie last season, but he didn't play like one for much of the year. Although he didn't win last season, he came close on several occasions, finishing with seven top-10s. It wasn't until last week that he found his first victory on the PGA Tour, just one start after he placed third at the Frys.com Open. Unlike the previous two winners on the PGA Tour, Thomas actually had some expectations coming into this season and, to be honest, if he put away his bag for the rest of the 2015-2016 season, he would have already met them.
He won't be putting away his clubs anytime soon, though, which means when all is said and done, Thomas could produce some incredible numbers before this season is out. Thomas wasn't the only story from last week, though. There was another guy chasing him down who had quite a resume heading into last week. Yes, an Adam Scott sighting. Perhaps the fall season is heating up.
This week: WGC-HSBC Champions - Sheshen International Golf Club, Shanghai, China
Last Year: Bubba Watson shot a final-round 70 on his way to a one-stroke victory over Hiroshi Iwata and Rickie Fowler.
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER
Martin
Compared to the previous two winners on the PGA Tour, Justin Thomas' resume looks like that of a Hall of Famer. The pattern of unknown players winning on the PGA Tour was broken last week, but it was another new player on the PGA Tour who broke it.
Thomas was a rookie last season, but he didn't play like one for much of the year. Although he didn't win last season, he came close on several occasions, finishing with seven top-10s. It wasn't until last week that he found his first victory on the PGA Tour, just one start after he placed third at the Frys.com Open. Unlike the previous two winners on the PGA Tour, Thomas actually had some expectations coming into this season and, to be honest, if he put away his bag for the rest of the 2015-2016 season, he would have already met them.
He won't be putting away his clubs anytime soon, though, which means when all is said and done, Thomas could produce some incredible numbers before this season is out. Thomas wasn't the only story from last week, though. There was another guy chasing him down who had quite a resume heading into last week. Yes, an Adam Scott sighting. Perhaps the fall season is heating up.
This week: WGC-HSBC Champions - Sheshen International Golf Club, Shanghai, China
Last Year: Bubba Watson shot a final-round 70 on his way to a one-stroke victory over Hiroshi Iwata and Rickie Fowler.
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER
Martin Kaymer
Good enough to win this event, not so good that you'd miss having him during the regular season in 2016. Kaymer has already won this event, and his overall track record here is impressive. Kaymer has three consecutive top-10s at this event, on this course. Make that four after this week.
Ian Poulter
Poulter's win at this event in 2012 came on a different course, but even with that result thrown out, he still had an impressive track record here. Poulter's worst showings in his last four starts at this event, on this course were a T13s in 2009 and 2010. The days of saving Poulter for big events are long gone.
Adam Scott
Scott is about as high as I would go up the list during fall and only because of his struggles last season. In previous years, I would not have even considered a player of Scott's caliber, but he slipped a bit last year, and it might be smart to strike while the iron is hot. Scott finished T12 here last year and T11 in 2011.
Hiroshi Iwata
Likely the only time all season you'll even consider Iwata, but considering how he played here last year and the fact that he's not even on most radars this week, why not?
Thorbjorn Olesen
Another you probably won't think much about taking during the 2016 portion of the season. Olesen finished in the top 10 here last year, and while he doesn't have a long track record here, he remains one of the better options for those wanting to avoid using a big name this week.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Jordan Spieth
Spieth has struggled here, relatively, in his two starts with a T17 and T35. That matters not, though, as there is no way to justify using Spieth in fall in one-and-done leagues. In other leagues, he's a go, but you simply must save Spieth for a major in 2016.
Rory McIlroy
Same applies to McIlroy as Spieth this week, but McIlroy actually does have a good track record at this event. Again, though, just ignore the track record and keep McIlroy in your pocket until one of the four majors next year.
Thongchai Jaidee
Jaidee has played this event as much as anyone, but he's also struggled as much, if not more than anyone. Jaidee has finished outside the top-40 here the last two years and has only one top-20 in his last five tries here.
Miguel Angel Jimenez
The world traveler seems to have a difficult time in China as Jimenez has finished 71st and 72nd here the last two years. He didn't fare much better in his two prior starts, finishing T38 in 2010 and 2011.
Hideki Matsuyama
Matsuyama is another guy you want to save for the 2016 portion of the season, but he's also on this list because of his play here the last two years. He withdrew in 2013 and finished T41 here last year.
ONE AND DONE GOLFER
Last week: Kevin Na (T3) - $406,000; Season - $761,733
This week: Martin Kaymer - Kaymer has played very well at this event the last five years, and I expect that continue this year. He's also a bit too uneven during the regular season to take at a large event.
SURVIVOR PICK
Last week: N/A; Streak - 1
This week: no cut
