Fantasy Insider: Best of the rest, others to avoid in Charlotte

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If you're new to fantasy golf, then I hope you are embracing the learning curve and allowing the game to come to you. If you haven't figured it out already, it is the most difficult of the fantasy sports in the marketplace. Often times, it can feel like trying to juggle water.

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Consider that nine golfers withdrew from last week's stop in New Orleans. While it's not uncommon for one or two guys to pull out of any event, it's also not unusual for a bevy of WDs when the second round is suspended and pushed into Saturday, as was the case last Friday. Some well outside the cut line and those mathematically eliminated short of 36 holes will choose not to return, especially if the weather forecast is iffy for the weekend, but do not automatically dismiss all of them from your short-term considerations. Many cite injuries, but remember that most athletes play hurt. And, as always, beware the injured golfer.

Certainly, there are always concerns -- some of which are included below -- but crossing off names due to withdrawals the previous week is not a shortcut to winning your league.

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TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for Anthony Kim, Phil Mickelson, Heath Slocum and Tiger Woods.

Jason Dufner -- Probably deserved a spot in the bottom half of my Power Rankings this week. Coming off a T7 in New Orleans and finished T5 here a year ago, when he led the field in birdies, finished T3 in fairways hit, T5 in greens and 13th in putting. Super speller for Woods if you want to save a start on the world's No. 1.

Zach Johnson -- He's on my short list every time he pops up in a field, but continues to battle for pars over birdies. Hard to believe that he hit just four greens in regulation in his final round at the Verizon Heritage, his last start. Continue to avoid.

Vijay Singh -- Sigh. Lay off, observe and make notes.

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TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for Stewart Cink, Jim Furyk, Camilo Villegas, Nick Watney and Lee Westwood.

Sean O'Hair -- The defending champ finished T3 in greens hit and T2 in birdies during his one-stroke victory. He had shown glimpses of consistency leading up to last year's edition; not so much this week. He's also 103rd in birdies or better on par 4s in 2010 after finishing 19th in the category a year ago.

Jeff Overton -- Finished second in birdies and T6 in greens hit in his runner-up at the Zurich, but I'm cool this week. He hasn't broken 70 in eight rounds at Quail Hollow. And for a guy that moves it pretty good off the tee, to sit 116th in birdies or better on par 5s is disappointing.

Hunter Mahan -- He was one of my last to get sliced from consideration in the Power Rankings, given that he has a pair of top 25s here the last two years, and enters on the heels of a T8 at the Masters, but he's 161st in birdies or better on par 4s. He ranked fifth in that stat in 2009.

Geoff Ogilvy -- Zero top 25s in his last five starts (best: T26 at the Masters). Guaranteed payday as usual at Quail Hollow, however. His worst showing in six starts was last year's T32. Still a better long-term own, but you've read that before.

Padraig Harrington -- First start since his mildly surprising missed cut at the Masters. En route to his MC here last year, he hit just half of his greens in regulation and carded two double bogeys and a triple. Continue to sidestep.

Fred Couples -- Highly doubtful that the bandwagon has any room to spare. But seriously, what's not to love? He's seventh in birdies or better on par 5s, fourth in GIR and first in proximity from lies off the rough. Also proved at the Masters (solo sixth) that he can still go strong for 72 holes. Must be the shoes. Worth a spot on your Yahoo! bench.

J.B. Holmes -- Hasn't missed a cut all year, but still qualifies as a sleeper this week given the depth of the field. He's 26th in birdies or better on par 4s and while the focus has been on his improved putting, he's an incredible 12th in scrambling, up nearly 14 percentage points over a year ago. Quail Hollow's routing will take the driver out of his hands on occasion, but he's a contender is he manages the course intelligently.

Lucas Glover -- He was trending much better en route to last year's T2 here. Best finish since a T9 at the Farmers is a T25 at the Transitions. A sucker play if all you research is course history.

Robert Allenby -- Hasn't broken par in his last nine rounds dating back to Bay Hill. It's as much a regression in his putting as it has been loose iron play.

Dustin Johnson -- All but a letdown since winning at Pebble Beach six starts back. He's 0-for-1 at Quail Hollow (2008).

Rory McIlroy -- Remember this guy? Maybe his back is more of a concern that he lets on. First-timer at Quail Hollow. Utterly killing fantasy teams right now.

Troy Merritt -- Well, hello again. Nifty solo third in New Orleans, where you closed with a 67, your lowest aggregate in your last 20 rounds. I'm sorry, but in this field, rookies are off-limits. I'm looking forward to a longer-term relationship, however.

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TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for Matt Kuchar.

Jason Bohn -- Although I wouldn't be shocked if he posts a top 25, I make it a rule not to ride the coattails of a rank-and-filer that plays the week after a win. It's business, not personal. I love his story and I hope that he's on the early short list of candidates for the Comeback Player of the Year award if there is one this year.

Boo Weekley -- Officially off the schneid, with a T10 in New Orleans, his fourth top 25 in his last five starts. Has ranked T4 (Zurich) and first (Heritage) in greens hit the last two weeks. Finished T9 in the same category at Quail Hollow last year en route to a T11. Boo is back!

Ricky Barnes -- I don't think any analysis can explain his self-belief this year. It's one thing to think it, quite another to execute. He hasn't played Quail Hollow since 2004, but rolls in after a T10 at the Masters and T5 at the Heritage. Why not?

George McNeill -- Has notched top 25s the last two years at Quail Hollow, but had to walk off TPC Louisiana after 11 holes last week due to an elbow injury. Monitor closely as he's an underrated fantasy value.

Greg Owen -- Brushed off a 73-76 final-36 close at Harbour Town for a steady T16 in New Orleans. However, he hasn't broken par in his last six rounds at Quail Hollow: 0-for-3 since 2006.

Spencer Levin -- Enjoying a quietly solid season, cashing in nine of 10 starts. Worthy of a flier for Yahoo! gamers.

Ryuji Imada -- Despite battling a rib injury, he kept it par or lower every day at TPC Louisiana to finish T43. Still, give him a breather.

Jeff Maggert -- Shot an inward 45 in his opener at the Zurich and withdrew due to a shoulder injury. Beware.

Mathew Goggin -- I've been slicing him from these previews every week, but not this time. Avoid, avoid, avoid. A couple more missed cuts and rotisserie leagues should set him free.

Tim Wilkinson -- Withdrew from the Zurich with an injured right thumb. It's the same finger on which he had surgery last summer. Uh-oh ...

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.