PGA Power Rankings: WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational
PGA Power Rankings: WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational
10. Bryson DeChambeau – (7)
Even off of a missed cut at Royal Portrush in which he shot 5-over par in his two days at the Open Championship, DeChambeau remains in the top-ten in this weeks PGA Power Rankings. It wasn’t that long ago that the mad scientist of the PGA Tour missed three cuts in a row and looked like he was in a funk that would take some time to get out of.
However, he went on a solid run prior to this missed cut, which was highlighted by his T-2 at the inaugural 3M Open just three weeks ago, and also included a T-8 at the Travelers Championship. He did get a head start back to the states off of the missed cut, and I think he rights the ship this week and gets right back to that top-ten form.
9. Patrick Cantlay – (10)
Expectations were sort of high for the 27-year-old coming in, as his stretch of golf in limited action is really second-to-none. In seven total events going back to and including the Masters, Cantlay has four top-tens, highlighted by his win at the Memorial Tournament.
However, he failed to shoot a round in the 60’s at Royal Portrush going 70,71,71 and 74, and ended up T-41, for his worst finish since his missed cut at the Players Championship. Cantlay is another first timer here at TPC Southland, but obviously has the game to contend this week.
8. Justin Thomas – (9)
Another first timer here at TPC Southland, Thomas has been able to put it together for consecutive tournaments now, as he was able to withstand the Sunday elements and shoot a one-over par 72 to finish 3-under par for the tournament, and tie for 11th place at the 148th Open Championship.
After being forced to miss the PGA Championship with the wrist injury, and missing the cut at the U.S. Open with questions still being hurled at him about that wrist, I think JT was satisfied nearly cracking the top-ten in the final major championship of 2019, as he just continues to work his way back into form in time for a run at the FedEx Cup. In his warm-up for Royal Portrush, Thomas T-9 at the Scottish Open the week prior.
7. Xander Schauffele – (11)
Schauffele had himself an interesting Open Championship to say the least, as he showed flashes of brilliance at times, and played some great rounds, but ultimately fell victim to the high winds on Sunday. Xander stumbled in the opening round, shooting a 74, but was able to bounce back with authority on Friday, carding a 65, good for the lowest score in the field on the day, shared with a small handful of others including Rory McIlroy.
A 69 on moving day put him right in that top-20 range with guys like Kuchar and Cantlay. but a final round 78 moved Schauffele down to a T-41 finish. He had not played since he T-3 at the U.S. Open, but when you look at how the wind affected everyone on Sunday at Royal Portrus, it is hard not to just throw that day out of your research for this week, and expect the 25-year-old along with at least a couple of others before him to bounce right back here at TPC Southland.
6. Justin Rose – (4)
In the same mold as Schauffele, Rose had also not teed it up since he also T-3 at the U.S. Open. However, he was among those that also struggled dramatically at the Open Championship on Sunday, shooting an eight-over 79, and nearly falling out of the top-20 with a T-20 finish at 1-under par for the tournament.
Rose had shot his previous three rounds in the 60’s at Royal Portrush heading into Sunday, so it will be interesting if he will be among the many I expect to bounce back a bit this week after pretty much just one bad day. I think a top-ten here for Rose here is almost a lock.