Fantasy Insider: St. Jude Classic

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This past Monday had to be the busiest Monday of the year in golf.

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You had 13 U.S. Open sectional qualifiers nationwide. You had Europe's International Final Qualifying for the British Open. The traditional Monday qualifier for the St. Jude Classic presented by Smith & Nephew was held on Sunday to accommodate those in that field that competed in a U.S. Open sectional. Then there was the plethora of field changes for the SJC itself.

I clear my schedule weeks in advance to stay on top of everything. That includes updating the list of major qualifiers, which can be found here. If you're in a long-term fantasy format or majors pool, that is an essential tool to gauge value. Just remember to scroll to the bottom and review the remaining qualifying criteria. That provides an understanding of how each field is filled, and you can crosscheck progress on the most likely to earn exemptions.

MORE: Rookie Watch | Medical Extensions | Reshuffle | Major qualifiers

TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for Zach Johnson and Heath Slocum.

Justin Leonard -- The two-time winner here missed the cut in his title defense a year ago. He's yet to record a top 15 in 13 events this season, primarily because his iron game remains below average. Despite his pedigree at TPC Southwind, continue to save his starts in the Yahoo! game.

Stephen Ames -- Since rattling off four consecutive top 30s, including a T6 at the Transitions Championship, Ames has gone MC-T58-T59, but that's what he gives you. Even in the shallow Group A of the Yahoo! game this week, he's not worth a flier.

Jason Dufner -- Despite his success here the last two years, he scares me this week. First, en route to a T13 in 2008, he hit fewer than half of his greens in regulation (35 of 72); his putter bailed him out. Last year, he hit a mildly respectable 47 GIR and finished T7, which included a bogey-free 67 to close. He comes in having missed his last three cuts and his putting numbers are notably worse than a year ago.

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TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for Robert Allenby, Fredrik Jacobson, David Toms, Camilo Villegas and Lee Westwood.

Brian Gay -- Skeptics that disagreed with me leaving him off the Power Rankings will point to that sublime 63 he carded to top off a T2 at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. Indeed, I say. It was one round. He chased that mammoth payday with a forgettable T33 at Colonial that included a Sunday 66. Gay is hardly yesterday's news, and his ball-striking clip is skewed by his lack of distance off the tee. He leads the TOUR in fairways hits and ranks fifth in putting. And he's actually hitting more greens than a year ago. The defending champ has all the tools and stats to support a strong run again this week, but there are many others who deserve higher billing.

Retief Goosen -- Making his first start since the Masters due to a broken toe, and then a hand injury. When he's been healthy at this event, you'd think that he'd stand out as a perennial contender, but the South African has failed to crack the top 25 in three starts. Do the math.

Charles Howell III -- Back after four weeks off, presumably to attend to the needs of his wife, who delivered the couple's first child two weeks ago. CH3 is 0-for-2 here since 2008 and didn't break 71 in any of the four rounds. There are always two schools of thought with first-time daddies. On one hand, priorities shift and focus improves to a personal high, especially in the short-term. On the other, it's unlikely that he's getting much sleep, which will lead to fatigue. Now, since touring pros return to a normal schedule while on the road, and because Howell's life is much simpler this week, I wouldn't be shocked if he showcases some of his early-season, solid form.

Padraig Harrington -- Back in action after having minor knee surgery on May 25. You'll recall how he fared at the 2008 British Open with a strained right wrist, so don't automatically dismiss the Irishman in Memphis. He's shown his customary flashes this year, but has failed to retain any consistency. I expect his putting to be a hair rusty, but he'll be able to get away with that this week. He's 1-for-3 at the SJC, but it was a T4 in 2008. Mild sleeper.

Webb Simpson -- He's now missed six consecutive cuts. Just can't blend recent solid iron play with good putting, which has deserted him.

Matt Every -- Returning to competition for the first time since suffering a broken pinkie on his left hand the Tuesday prior to the Verizon Heritage. The first-timer in Memphis is outstanding duffer league material this week.

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TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for Ben Crane, Paul Goydos and Tim Petrovic.

Ian Poulter -- For all intents and purposes, he's overrated in non-majors. The Match Play victory enhanced his cachet, but it also inflated his already maximized fantasy value. He's a first-timer this week, and I advise that you let him go it alone.

Woody Austin -- Perhaps no one should be more interested in giving it a go this week than this guy. Before the course renovation following the '04 edition, he had a dreadful record at the event. Since, he's won once, placed ninth last year and hasn't missed a cut. While he's lost most rounds on the greens this year, Austin should feel some positive vibes this week.

Spencer Levin -- Buzzed to Sacramento following his final-round 79 at the Memorial so that he could give the U.S. Open sectional qualifier a whirl in his hometown. He didn't succeed, and now it's back across the country to tee it up in Memphis. He continues to start tournaments with a tease, er, flourish, evidenced by his rank of eighth in scoring average before the cut. Just cut bait on Sunday, when he's 137th and averages over two and a half strokes more. Until he proves otherwise...

Bob Estes -- The 2001 St. Jude champ is the answer to the trivia question of who medalled at the U.S. Open sectional qualifier where Dallas Cowboys' quarterback, Tony Romo, withdrew. Estes travels to Memphis with some mojo as a result. He has five top 25s in his last seven starts here, so he's a cheap flier if you're interested. However, invest with the knowledge that he's currently 184th of 189 in the all-around ranking.

Tim Herron -- There is an argument here that Lumpy deserves a long look in Memphis. He hasn't missed a cut in 12 starts at the event, with 10 top 25s, including a T2 in 1999 and T3 in 2004. (He placed T69 last year.) On paper, as they relate to the formula required this week, his numbers are mismatched. Basically, if you own him in a trade league, shame on you, but if you want to deal, now's the time.

John Senden -- Given his track record at TPC Southwind - four top 20s in seven starts, including a personal-best T4 last year - he rises as a natural. However, his irons haven't been as crisp, and he hasn't posted a top 30 in his last seven starts. Sucker play here.

Tim Wilkinson -- Pressed to produce on the final start of his Major Medical Extension of which you can see what he needs here. Although motivated like never before, he's 0-for-2 in Memphis, where he hasn't broken par in those four rounds, and he's 179th in ball-striking this year.

Rob Bolton is PGATOUR.COM's new fantasy columnist. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the PGA TOUR. To contact Rob, please e-mail him at FantasyInsider@charter.net.