The PGA Tour heads to famed Congressional Country Club outside the nation's capital this week with a subdued field playing in a tournament that's in a new spot on the calendar.
Moved to just after the U.S. Open with the Olympics shaking up this year's schedule, the Quicken Loans National lacks its normal luster as a top event on tour. Tiger Woods, the tournament's host, is still out as he recovers from back surgery, and some of the top names associated with the event have decided to rest as well.
Patrick Reed and Rickie Fowler headline the field after turning in disappointing performances at Oakmont. Fowler has missed the cut at the Masters, the Players and the U.S. Open this year. Reed has not won since January 2015.
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Congressional (Blue) is one of the longest courses on tour — it has hosted U.S. Opens — as a 7,569-yard par-71. Players will be faced with a test similar to what they encountered last week.
Here are this week's top players:
Patrick Reed (world ranking: 13) — Despite not reaching the winner's circle since the Hyundai Tournament of Champions early last year, Reed has finished in the top 10 seven times this year. Reed has also finished runner-up twice. Putting has been an issue for him this season — he ranks 107th in strokes gained putting — but he does rank first in strokes gained around the green, so his short game is working. Fantasy advice: This is a tough week to commit to players; however, Reed feels like a safe bet for a top 10.
Rickie Fowler (6) — He has missed the cut in his last three starts, and has four missed cuts in his last six starts. Fowler's arrow is quickly spiraling downward after five top-eight finishes in his first six starts worldwide this year. Fowler still ranks fifth in shots gained tee-to-green, but he hasn't been able to get anything going lately. Fantasy advice: Hard to trust right now, but he did finish second in this tournament last year so he likes the course.
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Byeong-hun An (27) — An hasn't really impressed since his T-2 in New Orleans earlier this season. He did finish T-11 at the Memorial and T-23 at the U.S. Open, but it's time for him to contend regularly. This week, with a watered-down field, An is one of the top players to watch. Fantasy advice: A very solid play. The length of the course shouldn't be an issue and he might be lightly played.
Bryson DeChambeau (148) — The rookie seems to have majors figured out (T-21, T-15) but his T-4 at the Heritage is his only top-35 finish in a regular event in five attempts since turning pro after the Masters. DeChambeau is a highly cerebral player, which allows him to play the game a little differently than most pros. Now he just needs to become more consistent with his unorthodox swing. Fantasy advice: He will likely be highly owned and may not be worth the price. Look elsewhere.
Jon Rahm (551) — Call it a hunch, but we like Rahm — a powerful Spaniard recently graduated from Arizona State — to contend in his first PGA Tour event as a pro. As an amateur, he finished T-23 at the U.S. Open last week. He also had two top-10s in four starts last year. Rahm hits the ball hard and putts with a deft touch. He is a star in the making. Fantasy advice: He is a good play while his price is down and people aren't paying attention to him.
Others to watch:
Bill Haas, Jim Furyk, Chris Kirk, Charles Howell III, Justin Thomas.
Sleepers:
Wesley Bryan, Gary Woodland, Tony Finau, Jordan Niebrugge, Marc Leishman.