Fantasy Insider: John Deere Classic

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In case you missed it, Jeff Overton withdrew from the John Deere Classic on Tuesday morning. He was the No. 2 player in my Power Rankings. As a result, everyone moved up a notch and Charles Howell III (also Group B in the Yahoo! game) slides in at No. 10.

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Also, David Toms (right shoulder) and Anthony Kim (left thumb) withdrew from the British Open on Tuesday. Alternates Davis Love III and Ricky Barnes have replaced them. Jason Day is now the first alternate. Brian Davis is second. Two openings remain for the major. The highest finisher inside the top five at the Scottish Open and JDC not already eligible for the British will punch a ticket for St. Andrews.

Next week, I'll be writing Power Rankings for the Reno-Tahoe Open as well as the British; however, the Fantasy Insider will cover only the British. As always, e-mail me if you want a sounding board for the opposite event in Nevada.

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

TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for Zach Johnson, Steve Stricker and Bubba Watson.

Charlie Wi -- Continues to be one of the most reliable long-term owns in the game. His solo fourth at the AT&T National solidified his status for 2011, so the only goal that remains for this season is the victory that has always been just out of reach. He's a smart fit for this week's host track, given that his game improves as he approaches the hole. Placed T4 here in 2008.

Jason Day -- He co-led the AT&T National after 18 holes en route to a T9, and shouldn't have any issues with TPC Deere Run, where he's 3-for-3, including a T15 last year.

Kenny Perry -- Without a single top 15 in 13 starts since the season-opening, 28-man SBS Championship where he placed T6, he's having the kind of year many expected, if not worse. Once upon a time, he'd be a lock for fantasy gamers at the John Deere. Given his various challenges this season, it's a net positive that he's cashed in all but one event. His days as a fantasy stud are gone, and the Big 5-0 (August 10) doesn't bode well for his long-term value, either.

Jonathan Byrd -- The 2007 champ here is down nearly six percent of his greens in regulation from a year ago (and 99 places worse in rank, from second to 101st). That can be attributed to any number of understandable variables - new grooves, first full season following his father's death to name a couple - but for all of his inconsistencies, TPC Deere Run is in his wheelhouse. Plus, he's coming off an impressive T16 at the AT&T National. If Steve Stricker scares you this week, consider Byrd.

D.A. Points -- One of a small sample size that calls the JDC a home game. Problem is, he's 0-for-4 here, further proof that home cooking can be overrated. He's 170th in putting and 141st in birdie average, so he'd need a blistering-hot week with his irons to change the course of his, well, course history.

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TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for K.J. Choi and Charles Howell III.

Kevin Sutherland -- Turned 46 on July 4. He's 54th in all-time earnings. Of the guys with just one PGA TOUR victory, only Tim Clark (43rd) ranks higher, but Sutherland has never won a stroke-play event. He's also a couple of years removed from regularly populating the top 10s. In a nutshell, while he leads the TOUR in greens hit, you're simply not investing in the same cat that beefed up your roster in the previous decade. Adjust your expectations accordingly if you already haven't.

Fredrik Jacobson -- The Swede is only about $165K short of a career-high in season earnings. He's cashed 14 of 15 times and makes his John Deere debut this week. He's not in the British field so the motive is clear - finish inside the top five for a chance at the exemption. He's solid across the board - 44th in GIR, 62nd in putting, 56th in birdie average - and always hovers just above the rank and file on TOUR.

Kevin Streelman -- His WD at the AT&T National was due to a family illness. While he shot a 78 before calling it quits, don't automatically fade him this week. In fact, if he doesn't withdraw, he's a sleeper. He placed eighth here a year ago in his only career start, finishing second in greens hit in the process. He's sixth on TOUR in birdie average.

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TOP PICKS: See Power Rankings for Jason Bohn, Tim Clark, Matt Jones, Carl Pettersson and Vaughn Taylor.

Rickie Fowler -- He was inside the top five of my Power Rankings until securing a berth in the British Open. I was going to eschew my short-lived moratorium on including rookies in that feature, but with the combination of how well he sets up for TPC Deere Run and the carrot of the tee time at St. Andrews, I was prepared to make an exception. Now that goal No. 1 has been fulfilled, I wouldn't be shocked by a forgettable finish this week. Fowler is a rare breed for sure, but he's also human. Sorry.

J.P. Hayes -- After his win here in 2002, he went T66-T55-MC. Then he found a groove, with three straight top 15s, only to end the streak by missing the cut last year. I would have been all over him three months ago at this event, but his irons have been putting too much pressure on his putting. Nevertheless, I'm sure that no matter what I wrote to convince you otherwise, some Yahoo! gamers are going to roll the dice anyway. Just do so with your eyes closed and breath held.

Cameron Beckman -- Since missing the cut here in 2005, he's trended upwards every year as follows: T33-T22-T12-T9. He's finished either T10 or T11 in birdies in each of the last three. Occasionally, I'll acquiesce to the feel factor that these guys have (i.e. horses for courses) even when the stats don't support it. And Beckman's most definitely do not. Heck, if you're looking for a jolt to your one-and-done, burn him. Then wait for the double-takes from fellow owners.

George McNeill -- Every now and then, an e-mailer will ask for my "gut" pick; that is, someone off the board about whom I feel good that isn't covered in my features. For just about all intents and purposes, I resist from opening that can of worms. I get gut feelings just like everyone else (although not every week), but anyone can list a bunch of feelers. If I can't support or deny one, you won't read about it, but I don't mind explaining my process. For example, McNeill is giving me good vibes this week. While he's coming off a steady T25 at the AT&T National and finished T15 here a year ago, that's really not enough to convince me. Moreover, he's 141st in greens hit (T49 at Aronimink) and 152nd in proximity. His asset is putting, but I don't dare endorse him this week because of his inconsistent irons. Call me conservative. (Of course, if McNeill goes out and posts a top 10, I'm sure all you're going to want to see from now on is a series of feelers in place of my hard-data research.)

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