This article is part of our Golf Draft Kit series.
• Top 125 on PGA Tour Money List (M = made money list only)
• Top 125 on FedEx Cup Points List (P = made points list only)
• Non-Rookie PGA Tour Card Winners from Web.com Tour (W)
• Notable Exempt Players not in Top 125, i.e. Tiger Woods (E)
• Conditional Status Players who Finished 126-150 on Points List (C)
• Rookies (R)
• International Players (I)
1. Dustin Johnson
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $9,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $9,365,185
Johnson single-handedly reshaped the landscape of the PGA Tour last season. Entering the season, the talk surrounded the "Big-Three," but after Johnson won the U.S. Open and dominated the second-half of the season, the "Big-Three" had to make room for one more golfer. Johnson always had the talent, but his mental game lagged behind -- no longer as DJ has it all figured out now. It's easy to get too excited at the end of the season, just look back to last year and how everyone thought Jordan Spieth and Jason Day would dominate this season, but there's something about DJ getting the mental side of the game down that makes him very scary moving forward. His number is too high to justify a salary-cap selection this year, but he's in the mix for the overall No. 1 pick in a draft league.
2. Jason Day
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $8,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $8,045,112
Three wins
• Top 125 on PGA Tour Money List (M = made money list only)
• Top 125 on FedEx Cup Points List (P = made points list only)
• Non-Rookie PGA Tour Card Winners from Web.com Tour (W)
• Notable Exempt Players not in Top 125, i.e. Tiger Woods (E)
• Conditional Status Players who Finished 126-150 on Points List (C)
• Rookies (R)
• International Players (I)
1. Dustin Johnson
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $9,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $9,365,185
Johnson single-handedly reshaped the landscape of the PGA Tour last season. Entering the season, the talk surrounded the "Big-Three," but after Johnson won the U.S. Open and dominated the second-half of the season, the "Big-Three" had to make room for one more golfer. Johnson always had the talent, but his mental game lagged behind -- no longer as DJ has it all figured out now. It's easy to get too excited at the end of the season, just look back to last year and how everyone thought Jordan Spieth and Jason Day would dominate this season, but there's something about DJ getting the mental side of the game down that makes him very scary moving forward. His number is too high to justify a salary-cap selection this year, but he's in the mix for the overall No. 1 pick in a draft league.
2. Jason Day
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $8,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $8,045,112
Three wins and over $8 million in earnings and yet, Jason Day's 2015-16 season was a bit of a disappointment. That however, is a statement of how far he's come in the past couple years. The wins and the money are great, but for Day, the failure to capture another major had to be a letdown. Day's talent is unquestioned as is his mind, he might have the best mental game of anyone on the PGA Tour. The only question concerning Day is his body. Once again Day was besieged by injuries last season and it's getting to be a little worrisome. Regardless of his physical state, his number is too high to take in a salary cap league next season. Factoring-in the injury concerns, he may not be the top pick in a draft league this year, but he's certainly still among the top-four.
3. Rory McIlroy
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $8,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $5,790,585
The lone member of the "big-three" that underperformed most of the year, McIlroy was the only one who ended the season in-style, capturing the TOUR Championship and the FedEx Cup. Leave it up for McIlroy to perform his best as everyone is about to give up on him. Well, "give up on him" is a bit of a stretch, but as Spieth and Day continued to trend upward early last season McIlroy spun his wheels. That ended as the playoffs started though as McIlroy looked like his old self and once again boosted his stock heading into the off-season. Last summer the question was, "does Rory belong in the "big-three," now it's, "is Rory back on top of the golf world?" That question can't be answered right now, but he is the lone member of the top-5 on the money list that can be considered a decent pick in a salary cap format. In draft leagues he should go anywhere from first to fourth.
4. Jordan Spieth
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $7,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $5,538,470
What might have been for Spieth last year if he'd just managed a par or a bogey on the 12th at Augusta on Sunday. Maybe he takes the momentum of another Masters victory and goes on another fantastic run. Maybe he pulls-in his fourth career major. Who knows? As it is, Spieth still had a very productive season, just not up to his standards though. Spieth was one of only six golfers to surpass the $5 million mark last season, yet like many in front of him, without a major, it was a disappointment. With that in mind, Spieth looks like a decent salary cap option this year. In draft leagues, he'll go between the first and fourth picks.
5. Adam Scott
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $6,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $6,473,090
When a golfer does most of his damage early in the season, it's easy to forget just how well he played after the season ends. This is certainly the case for Scott as he somehow topped $6 million in earnings last season, though he failed to win or capture a top-3 after the calendar turned to April. That shouldn't take away from his season though as his run in late-February through early March was amazing. In the span of three events, two earned two wins and a runner-up showing. As good as he looked at times last season, it's going to be difficult to replicate the numbers he put up. As such, he's not a good salary cap option this year. In drafts, he should go in the middle of the first round.
6. Patrick Reed
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $5,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $5,679,575
Remember when Reed proclaimed he was a top-5 player in the world? Well he finished fifth on the money list last year, so he's certainly moving in the right direction. Reed is unquestionably a solid golfer, but his upside is still in question. A $5+ million year is nothing to shake a stick at, but does he have the potential to reach say, $8 million? He might, but quite simply, his number is too much of a risk in salary cap formats for the upcoming season. Reed should be a first-round pick in draft leagues, but he's not the most popular guy, so he might go late in the first round.
7. Hideki Matsuyama
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $5,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $4,193,954
Matsuyama made the cut in 13 of 16 starts, recorded seven top-10s, scored one victory and earned over $4 million, all the while ranking 125th in stokes gained from putting. Imagine what he could have accomplished if he'd putted with any kind of competence last season? With that in mind, Matsuyama makes for an interesting salary cap option this year because his ceiling should be in the range of someone like Adam Scott, who happened to make nearly $6.5 million last year. In draft leagues, Matsuyama is a first-round selection.
8. Kevin Chappell
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $5,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $4,501,050
How exactly does a guy make over $4.5 million without winning once? Easy, just find four runner-ups throughout the season like Chappell did last season. Chappell's high-point came at the TOUR Championship, where he lost in a playoff to Rory McIlroy and that's a great sign for his future. Not only did he make it to the playoff, but he did it against the best players in the world on a very tough track. The future is bright for Chappell, but as is often the case with young guys who make over $4 million in one season, he's simply not a good salary cap option this season. In draft leagues he'll go very late in the first round or early in the 2nd-round.
9. Justin Thomas
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $5,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $4,126,366
Thomas' ascension to the top of the PGA Tour ranks has come fast and furious. As a rookie in 2015, Thomas was unable to find a victory or even a top-3 for that matter, but he was able to parlay seven top-10s in to over $2.2 million in earnings. Last season, Thomas won his second start and never looked back. When it was all done, Thomas added three more top-3s on his way to over $4 million in earnings. Thomas appears to be getting better and even though he set the bar pretty high last season, he should be able to improve upon his number this year. In draft leagues, Thomas should go in the 2nd-round.
10. Brandt Snedeker
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $4,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $3,960,142
Snedeker became a member of the PGA Tour 10 seasons ago and in that time, he's earned just over $30 million. For those that aren't great with math, that's about $3 million per year. There aren't many guys on the PGA Tour that can claim that. Snedeker peaked in 2013 when he won two events and earned over $5.3 million, so the upside is certainly there. While there's no reason to think Snedeker will regress, it's hard to imagine a significant improvement on such a solid number from last season and as such, he's not a great salary cap pick. In drafts, he's a solid 2nd-round pick.
11. Rickie Fowler
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $4,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $2,713,563
Each year that passes, the pressure builds for Fowler in his quest to become a major-winner and one of the best players in the world. As far as the latter, Fowler certainly looked like one of the best golfers in the world from 2014-2015 while he racked-up two wins and multiple runner-ups at majors, but last year he regressed quite a bit. Fowler's loss is the salary cap player's gain however as his price is set in a very opportune spot for the upcoming season. At just under $3 million, he's not a "mist-have," but he's pretty close. Fowler is still in his 20's and there's room to grow, which is scary considering he averaged over $5 million in the two years leading up to last season. In draft leagues he's going to go late in the first or early in the second round.
12. Brooks Koepka
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $4,250,000
2015-16 Earnings: $3,322,393
In his two full years on the PGA Tour, Koepka has over $6.5 million in earnings, 24 top-25s and 15 top-10s -- that's a top-10 for every three starts. The only knock is his lack of wins on the PGA Tour; Koepka has just one of those. That however makes his earnings numbers from the past two seasons even more impressive. Koepka is only going to get better and once he figures out how to close more efficiently, his numbers should go through the roof. Expect a nice increase in his numbers this season, just enough to garner a salary cap selection. In draft he could go as early as the 2nd-round.
13. Jimmy Walker
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $4,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $4,148,546
With his win at the PGA Championship, Jimmy Walker not only won his first major, but he also destroyed the notion that he only plays well early in the year. Walker surprised everyone at the PGA Championship, but anyone who watched him over those four days in July, knows that his win was no fluke. Walker jumped out to the lead and even with all the pressure in the world, managed to stave-off Jason Day and cruise to victory. It was a great moment for Walker, but one that makes his selection in a salary cap league this year almost impossible. In draft leagues, Walker is likely a 2nd-round pick.
14. Phil Mickelson
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $4,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $4,022,628
At the age of 45 and coming off his two worst seasons in over a decade, it was fare to wonder prior to last season, if this was the inevitable decline of the former superstar. A year later and it's clear that Mickelson still has plenty of juice left. Though he hasn't won since 2013, he came close three times this past year and finished inside the top-25 in 12 of 15 starts where he made the cut. To play devil's advocate, this was a Ryder Cup year and Phil loves the Ryder Cup, so it's possible that he simply regained his focus to be on the team, but it seems like Mickelson has larger goals still -- like winning another major. Though he's got plenty of juice left, his price for the upcoming season is just too high. In draft leagues, he'll find his way back into the 2rd-round.
15. Henrik Stenson
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $4,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $3,397,373
Stenson was close to having a great season, but injuries left him with just a very good one. That very good season included a win at the Open Championship, a runner-up at the Shell Houston Open and a Silver medal at the Olympics. Outside of those three evens, Stenson didn't put much on paper, but he was in the hunt at the PGA Championship until late Sunday. His prospects for a solid run through the FedEx Playoffs looked good as well, but a knee injury ended his season. Considering Stenson only played 14 events on the PGA Tour last year, it's reasonable to think he'll improve on his numbers from last season. With that in mind, Stenson makes for a decent salary cap play this season and he should go in the 2nd-round in draft leagues.
16. J.B. Holmes
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $4,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $2,969,608
J.B. Holmes has come a long way from brain surgery just three years ago. In that time, he's posted his three most productive seasons on the PGA Tour. His best season came two seasons ago when he earned over $4 million and while his production dropped last season, there's no reason to worry. The main reason for the drop in production last season was his inability to find the winner's circle, something he did the previous two seasons. With that in mind, Holmes looks like a solid salary cap play this season as he's bound to win at some point. In draft leagues, Holmes should go in the third round.
17. Justin Rose
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $4,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $2,085,365
Rose finished 44th on the PGA Tour money list last season and as such, he becomes the first "must-have" in salary cap leagues for the upcoming season. Rose wasn't derailed so much by injuries last season, but he was definitely side-tracked. As such, once healthy again, he'll get back to the numbers he was posted prior to this season. In drafts, he could go as early as the first round, but more likely will fall to round two.
18. Matt Kuchar
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $3,819,678
From 2010-2014, Kuchar was quite possibly the most consistent golfer on the PGA Tour. During those five years, he earned less than $4 million just once and peaked at $5.6 million in 2013. It appeared at that time as though Kuchar was destined to ascend to the top of the golfing world, but that ascension has yet to come. While he's still one of the better players on the PGA Tour, he's not likely to top $5 million in earnings again anytime soon. Kuchar has failed to find the winner's circle the past two seasons as well. Kuchar will likely play at high-level for the next few years, but the heights of that 5-year-run, appear to be out of his range now. As such, he's not a strong salary cap option this year, but he should go in the 2nd-round in draft leagues.
19. Bubba Watson
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $3,492,842
Watson has never lacked for talent, but his motivation has often come into question. Case in point, he was passed-over for a the Ryder Cup because his recent production wasn't good enough. The Ryder Cup team, for those that aren't aware, consists of eight automatic selections based on points earned and four captain's picks. Watson made neither, but he certainly had the opportunity to play more and earn more points, but he didn't. Watson played in only 19 events last season, well below most of the guys that did end up on the Ryder Cup roster, so there's no one to blame but himself. With that mind, does Bubba come out with a purpose this season? It's an interesting thought, but he's never demonstrated a passion to reach the highest levels, so it's doubtful that's something that starts this year. In draft leagues he's a solid 2nd-round pick,
20. Daniel Berger
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $3,290,764
Berger was one of the fine rookie crop from 2014 that also played well during his second season on the PGA Tour. Berger traded two runner-ups in his rookie season for a win last year at the FedEx St. Jude Classic. Perhaps the most impressive accomplishment from season one to season two was his cuts percentage. In rookie season, Berger hovered in the 55% range. Last season, he upped that to nearly 90%. Berger is certainly trending upward, which makes him in interesting salary cap option this year. In draft leagues, Berger should go in the third round.
21. Russell Knox
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $4,885,906
Knox was a very productive player in the two seasons leading-up to last year, but no one saw his performance from last season coming. Knox earned $1.5 million in 2014 and $1.9 million in 2015, but those numbers came without the benefit of a win. He remedied that last season, by winning not once, but twice. In addition to his two wins, he also earned two runner-ups. A great season for Knox for sure, but he set the bar impossibly high for the upcoming season for salary cap purposes. In draft leagues he'll likely be a 2nd-round selection.
22. Paul Casey
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $3,885,560
Paul Casey got off to a decent start this past season, with top-10s at Bridgestone, The Palmer, and The Masters, but he didn't really find his groove until the FedEx Cup Playoffs and from there, he absolutely took-off. Casey captured a runner-up at Deutsche Bank, which he followed-up with another runner-up at the BMW. Even a week off prior to the TOUR Championship couldn't slow Casey down as he posted a solo-4th in his final start of the season. Unfortunately, the late-season run made it nearly impossible to justify him as a salary cap selection this year. In draft leagues he's probably a second- or third-round pick.
23. Ryan Moore
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $3,701,034
A late-season charge took Moore from a good golfer, largely unknown, to a good golfer and Ryder Cup team member. It's funny what a little run can do for a golfer. Moore has been a solid golfer for years now, but his turn in the spotlight didn't come until he nearly won the TOUR Championship in September. That late run pushed his price pretty high though, a little too high to justify a salary cap selection for the upcoming season. As for his draft prospects, that'll likely depend on how he fares during the Ryder Cup. If he plays well, Moore could go early in the 2nd-round. If he plays poorly, he'll be forgotten and could slip-back to the third round.
24. Kevin Na
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $3,441,291
Na has built quite the career over the past decade and last season was his best on the PGA Tour. Na earned a career-best $3.4 million thanks to a career-best four top-3 finishes. Na hasn't won since 2011, but that hasn't affected him much as his three most productive seasons have come over the past three years. Na is still in his early-30s, so he's right in his prime, which means he should produce on a high-level for years to come, but he set the bar awfully high last year, which makes him a poor choice for salary cap leagues this year. In drafts he's likely a 2nd-round pick.
25. Kevin Kisner
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $3,424,354
Kisner made a huge jump between the 2014 and 2015 seasons; going from just under $1 million in earnings in his rookie season, to just over $3.5 million in his second season. It would have been easy to relax after such a season, but Kisner built upon that momentum and had his best season yet last year. He did earn more money the year prior, but last season, he picked-up that all-important first victory on the PGA Tour. Proving that was no fluke, he also scored another runner-up finish, his fourth in the past two seasons. Kisner appears to be the real deal, but is he capable of taking the next step this season? Possibly, but at his current price, he's probably not worth the risk in salary cap leagues. In draft leagues, he's a second- or third-round pick.
26. Sergio Garcia
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $3,242,156
Believe it or not, come this January, Sergio Garcia will turn 37. For someone that's seemingly been on the professional golf scene for the past 30 years, it seems impossible. It is true though, which means he's nowhere near being done. In fact, he's still years away from an age-induced decline. With that said, he posted a pretty solid number last season and he'd have to play very well to improve significantly on it. In draft, Garcia is a solid third-round selection.
27. Scott Piercy
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $2,905,349
Piercy's been difficult to peg in his time on the PGA Tour. He's had great years, he's had poor years and everything in-between, but it seems like he's finally stabilized. After posting a career-high in earnings during the 2014-2015 season, Piercy topped that number last season. Piercy's route to nearly $3 million in earnings was quite different last year as opposed to the year prior. Two years ago, Piercy picked-up a win, a runner-up and a third-place finish. Last season, he had no wins, but two runner-ups. It's nice to see a golfer that can produce even when he's not winning and that's what Piercy has going for him. With that in mind, he's an intriguing salary cap play this season. In drafts he should go in the fourth round.
28. Bill Haas
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,250,000
2015-16 Earnings: $2,390,199
Haas might be the least heralded golfer on the PGA Tour. He's finished inside the top-50 on the FedEx Cup points list in each of the past eight years (six years inside the top-32), he's won six times during that span and he won the FedEx Cup title in 2011. Yet, he's never listed as one of the best players on the PGA Tour. Perhaps it's the lack of a major or the lack of any flair. Whatever the case, Haas keeps producing at a high-level, yet is continually under the radar. Haas' price entering this season is very reasonable when comparing it to his results from the past five years. As such, he's a decent salary cap option this season. In drafts, he's a third- or fourth-round pick.
29. Zach Johnson
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,250,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,718,703
It's hard to explain what happened to Johnson last season. There were no reports of injuries and he had everything to play for with the Ryder Cup waiting at the end of the season, yet he laid a huge egg -- relatively speaking. Johnson's previous four seasons on the PGA Tour were outstanding. He earned no less than $3.3. million in any of those season and he won at least once per year. Johnson is simply not a middle-of-the-pack guy and that's how he played last season. With that in mind, he makes for a great salary cap option this season. In draft leagues he should go in the second- or third-round.
30. Jim Furyk
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,250,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,538,204
Furyk spent most of last season on the sidelines due to an injury, but when he finally got on the course, he looked like his old self. Furyk isn't the golfer he used to be, but he still has plenty left in the tank. At just over $1.5 million from last year, he's a "must-have" in salary cap formats. The tricky part is determining where he belongs in a draft format. In year's past, Furyk was a first-round pick and while he doesn't belongs there anymore, he's certainly in the mix for 2nd-round consideration.
31. Emiliano Grillo
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $3,371,705
Grillo wasted no time in acclimating to the PGA Tour last season. In his first full season on the PGA Tour, Grillo picked-up one win, one runner-up showing and perhaps most impressive for a rookie, he made the cut in 22 of his 25 starts. The future is certainly bright for Grillo, but this is another case where the bar is simply set too high for the upcoming season. Whether it will be a standard regression or a sophomore slump, something will keep Grillo from improving significantly on his number from last season. In draft leagues, he's a risky third-round pick because of the unknown, but a safe fourth-round pick.
32. Charl Schwartzel
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $2,936,027
Schwartzel's had plenty of success on the PGA Tour, most notably, a win at the Masters in 2010, but last season was actually his most productive. In addition to his win at the Valspar Championship, Schwartzel also earned 12 top-25s and five top-10s. Schwartzel is a solid player and he'll be a force on the PGA Tour for years to come, but the odds of topping his number from last season seem unlikely. He is however a strong draft option as he'll play in all the big events this season. With that in mind, he should go in the third round in drafts.
33. Jason Dufner
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $2,879,884
Is Dufner the major-winner who won nearly $5 million in 2012 or the guy who barely cracked the $1 million mark in 2014-15? Last year he looked more like the $5 million man than the $1 million man, but there's still no way to tell which way he goes from here. There is hope that Dufner can get back to the heights of his 2012 season, but at a price nearing $3 million, he's probably not worth the price this season in salary cap leagues. In draft leagues he should go near the fourth round.
34. Branden Grace
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $2,878,868
In his first full year on the PGA Tour, Grace not only doubled his previous high earnings number, but he also picked-up his first win and possibly more impressive, finished in the top-10 in 33% of his starts. Entering last season, Grace was a sneaky-good selection in salary cap leagues because his price was just below $1.5 million. That's not the case this year though as his price is nearly doubled heading into this season. As such, he's no longer a good salary cap option, but does provide value in a draft league -- somewhere in the fourth round.
35. Gary Woodland
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $2,392,044
Woodland had a breakout year in 2011 when he captured his first win on the PGA Tour and topped $3 million in earnings, but the injury bug hit him soon after and it took a little time to get back on track. Fast forward five years and Woodland is cruising along just fine. The past three seasons on tour have been very productive as he's topped the $2 million mark each season. The only troubling fact is that he's yet to reach the heights on his breakout season. With that in mind, Woodland makes for an interesting salary cap selection this year. His number is low enough that the risk isn't that high, yet if he were to match is career-high, he'd only be about $1 million above his number from last year. In draft leagues, he should go near the fourth or fifth round.
36. Harris English
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $2,014,283
English has been on the PGA Tour for five years and in that time, he's never fallen below the $1 million mark in earnings. He's been extremely consistent on the PGA Tour, with two wins, two runner-ups and two third-place finishes. English peaked in 2014, when he nearly topped $3 million in earnings, but he's fallen-off that pace the past two seasons. The question entering this season is, will be continue his recent trajectory and remain near the $2 million mark or will be bounce-back to his 2014 form. It's a bit of a risk at this price, but English looks like a perfect bounce-back candidate this season and as such, he makes a pretty good salary cap option this year. In drafts, he should go in the fourth or fifth round.
37. Billy Horschel
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,744,571
It feels like Horschel has been on the PGA Tour for quite a while, but he last season was just his sixth on tour. In that time, he's had two poor seasons, two amazing season and two average seasons. The strange thing is, the types of seasons he's had have come in pairs. He started poorly, went on a tear for two years, then fell back to Earth the past two seasons. The upside is certainly there for Horschel and as such, he's a decent salary cap selection this season. In drafts he should go well above where he ended-up on last year's money list, somewhere in the fifth or sixth round. fifth or sixth round.
38. Rafa Cabrera Bello - I
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,609,350
The Spainiar really became known to American golf fans this past year, cracking the top 30 in the OWGR. He'll be in all the majors and WGCs, and his value will be determined by how many other events he enters. He hasn't indicated his plans as yet.
39. Jon Rahm - I
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $3,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,004,035
Rahm made quite a splash in his first foray onto the PGA Tour and will now have a full year to perform. We expect some good things, but also some speed bumps for the promising player. Don't get too hyped up; he'll be playing with the big boys on a regular basis now. Let's wait and see before we enshrine him in the golf hall of fame.
40. Roberto Castro
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $2,520,574
Entering last season, Castro was an easy salary cap selection as his price was below $200k due to an injury-shortened season in 2015, but no one could have expected the season he produced last year. Though he didn't put a win on his resume last season, he did grab a runner-up and a third-place finish. Castro appears to be trending in the right direction, but with little history to go off of, it's hard to justify him in a salary cap league this year. In draft leagues he's probably a fourth- or fifth-round pick.
41. Louis Oosthuizen
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $2,422,079
Oosthuizen's career trajectory is much like that of Graeme McDowell. Both guys won a major in 2010, both have had major ups and downs since then and neither has quite lived-up to expectations. In Oosthizuen's case, the most surprising fact is that he has just one win on the PGA Tour and that was his Open Championship victory in 2010. Since then, he's had plenty of success, but he hasn't had that breakthrough year. He was solid last season, but not great. Unfortunately, he was just good enough to push his earnings number to a point where it doesn't make much sense to select him in a salary cap format. In draft leagues he holds more value as he'll play in all the big events this season. As such, he's a third- or fourth-round selection in drafts.
42. Jamie Lovemark
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,940,890
Lovemark hit the PGA Tour as a highly-touted rookie, but early-on, everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Entering last season, expectations were not very high, and sometimes, that's where guys find their games. That's exactly what happened to Lovemark last season as he obliterated his previous highs in all categories. If Lovemark had come out of nowhere, the risk would be much higher, but since he was supposed to be this good, then last year's performance makes sense. With that in mind, Lovemark is worth a look in salary cap leagues this season. In drafts he's a fifth-round pick.
43. Tony Finau
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,814,790
Finau has made quite an impression in his first two seasons on the PGA Tour. Though he regressed a little last season, he still played a very-high level. Finau was more consistent during his rookie season, but he never found a win. That changed in his 2nd-season as he lost a bit of consistency, but picked up his first win. He's probably OK with that trade. With a proven record of consistency in year-one and a win under his belt in year-two, Finau seems ready to take the next step. As such, he's definitely worth a look in salary cap formats this year. In drafts, he's a fifth- or sixth-round pick.
44. Chris Kirk
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,762,335
2014 was a banner season for Kirk. He won twice, earned nearly $5 million and ended the season ranked second on the FedEx Cup points list. It's understandable that Kirk couldn't produce at the same level the following season, but heading into this past season, many expected a rebound. That rebound never came and in fact, he actually regressed further. The question now becomes, was 2014 a complete fluke or can he get back to that level? He may not be able to get all the way back to his 2014-level, but he should be able to improve on his numbers from last season. As such, he's worth a look in salary cap formats. In drafts, he's a sixth-round pick.
45. Byeong Hun An - I
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,278,797
The young Korean is a former U.S. Amateur champ and European Tour Rookie of the Year who is only getting better. He is only 25 and will be in all the majors/WGCs, but we just don't know his plans for regular tour events. Keep a close eye. He could be a steal.
46. William McGirt
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $3,614,972
In his five years on the PGA Tour, McGirt had never finished better than 50th on the FedEx Cup list and he'd never earned more than $1.275 million….then last year happened. To say his performance from last season came out of nowhere is an understatement. Not only did McGirt pick-up his first win, but he also earned seven top-10s (he averaged less than two per year coming into the season), and 13 top-25s (he averaged six per season prior to last year). McGirt obviously outplayed expectations last season, which means he can't be considered for a salary cap selection this year. in drafts, he should go in the third or fourth round.
47. Si Woo Kim
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $3,086,369
Kim was perhaps the biggest surprise of the 2015-16 season. He started the season well, like many rookies seem to do, but unlike most rookies, he got hot in the middle of summer. A crushing loss in a playoff at the Barbasol Championship didn't deter Kim at all as he picked-up his first PGA Tour win just a month later at the Wyndham Championship. The jury is still out on Kim, it's way too early to tell if he's for real or just a two-month aberration. As such, he's not a good salary cap option this season. In draft leagues he should go in the fourth or fifth round.
48. Graeme McDowell
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $2,596,170
It's been a strange journey for McDowell over the past decade. He went from an unknown to a household name after winning the U.S. Open in 2010, but the expected ascension to the top of the golf world never materialized. He's played well in the years since his major-win, but he hasn't taken the next step that many expected after that life-changing win. With that said, last season was his best since winning the U.S. Open and it's reasonable to think that he'll take that momentum and continue to improve. However, considering his earning's ceiling is right around $3 million, he's simply not worth the risk in a salary cap format. In draft leagues, he should go in the fourth or fifth round.
49. James Hahn
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $2,367,521
Haan did just enough to retain his card as a rookie and a sophomore on the PGA Tour, but in years three and four, he's really upped his game. Haan has picked-up a victory in each of the past two seasons and he's also topped the $2 million mark in each as well. Haan could level out at this mark, or he could continue his ascent. Even if he continues to improve, it will be hard to pull the trigger on him in a salary cap leagues though because his number is pretty high for a guy who's never sniffed $3 million. As such, he's not a great salary cap pick this year, but he should provide value in draft leagues, in the fourth or fifth round.
50. Luke Donald
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,634,515
It seems like a lifetime ago that Luke Donald was on top of the golf world, but it was in-fact, just five years ago. During that magnificent year, Donald picked-up two wins on his way to over $6.6 million in earnings and of course, a #1 WGR. The season that followed was also strong, but it was the beginning of a slow downward trend, one that he only started to pull out of last season. Donald is one of the more interesting cases on the PGA Tour this year. He has an incredible upside, but his production over the past four years has been underwhelming. With that said, he's probably worth a look in salary cap leagues this year as he showed a little more life last season than he had in the previous three seasons. In draft leagues he's a fifth- or sixth-rounder.
51. Webb Simpson
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,450,355
It's hard to imagine that just five years ago, Simpson had a season for the ages. He won two events and finished runner-up three times on his way to over $6 million in earnings. Simpson raised the bar that season and he's yet to get back to that spot, but that's not to say that he's been a failure either. In the five seasons since, Simpson has topped $2 million in earnings four times. The only time he failed to hit that mark was last season, which makes him a solid bounce-back candidate this year. In draft leagues he should go in the fourth or fifth round.
52. Charley Hoffman
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,250,000
2015-16 Earnings: $2,350,239
Coming off an amazing season where he earned over $4 million in 2015, it would have been easy for a guy like Hoffman, who's lived between $1-$2 million most of his career, to mail it in, but he didn't and he again was highly-productive in 2016. Not only was he productive, but he picked-up another win, at the Valero Texas Open and topped $2 million in earnings for just the third time in his career. Hoffman seems to have settled-in at a higher level than he was playing at for most of his career, but he's still too much of a risk at this price in salary cap leagues. As mentioned, he's only been above $2 million three times and while he did make it above $4 million once, it's unlikely that he'll do that again. In drafts, Hoffman is a solid fifth-round pick.
53. Daniel Summerhays
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,250,000
2015-16 Earnings: $2,045,968
Summerhays has six years in on the PGA Tour and he's improved his earnings every season. Considering he came in at just over $2 million last year, that's both good and bad. Good because, well, it's always good to improve, but bad because the increments have been pretty small -- relatively. All of which means he's a poor salary cap selection this year, but a solid and reliable draft pick. Summerhays should land somewhere between the fifth and sixth rounds.
54. Russell Henley
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,200,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,228,347
Henley started his PGA Tour career in-style with a win in his first year and an earnings total over $2 million. He followed that with another nearly identical season in year-two. Year -three was missing the win, but he still managed to climb above the $2 million mark. As for what happened in year-four -- that's hard to say as Henley had his worst season as a pro on the PGA Tour. With three seasons above the $2 million plateau on his resume already, he's primed for a bounce-back this year. As such, he's a great salary cap candidate this season. In drafts, he should go near the sixth or seventh round.
55. Smylie Kaufman
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $2,508,174
Winning early in a career can be both a cursing and a blessing. A blessing for obvious reasons, the money, the acclaim, the status, but the down side is that some guys get too comfortable and lose their edge. It's too early to say that's what happened to Kaufman as he didn't fare that well after his win during the fall portion of the 2015-16 season, but on paper, it looks like he let-down. That, or the competition picked-up and he just wasn't quite up for it. Whatever the reason, he should be good to start this season as guys who rest on their laurels out here, don't last long. With that said, he's too much of a risk in salary cap leagues this season, but in drafts, he can safely be taken in the fifth or sixth round.
56. Fabian Gomez
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $2,227,040
It took a while for Gomez to get going on the PGA Tour as poor play and injuries slowed him for much of his first three years on tour, but he seems to have figured it out and he's looking for a third consecutive solid season this year. The negative aspect of Gomez' game is his cut percentage. He's missed 19 cuts in 52 starts over the past two season and will need to improve that number if he's to continue his ascent up the rankings. Gomez relies too heavily on wins to boost his numbers and it's impossible to project wins for a guy like Gomez. With that in mind, Gomez is not a smart salary cap option this year. In drafts, Gomez should be taken in the fifth or sixth round.
57. Jason Kokrak
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,934,250
Kokrak started on the PGA Tour in 2012 and although things didn't go as planned that first year, he's managed to play well enough to retain his card every year since. Last season was his best to date as he posted a career-high earnings number. He also made 17 cuts, also a career-best and nine top-25s, tied for a career-best. Kokrak is on the way up, but he made such a large jump last season, that it's hard to imagine he can duplicate the performance. As such, he's not a good salary cap option this year. In drafts, he's a sixth-round selection.
58. Jon Curran
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,902,481
Curran posted solid numbers during his rookie season, but his 2nd-season was even better. Curran's cuts-made percentage was 50% during his rookie season, but he upped that to nearly 67% in his second season. Oddly enough, he regressed in the top-10 and top-25 categories, yet he pocketed almost $1 million more in season two. The difference in earnings can be attributed to where he picked-up his lone runner-up finish. During his rookie season, his runner-up came at the Puerto Rico Open, while last year it came at the Memorial. Needless to say, the purse is significantly different between those two events. Curran is trending upward and may be able to keep this trajectory, but it feels a little risky at this point to take him in a salary cap format. In drafts he should go in the sixth or seventh round.
59. Shane Lowry
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,585,436
Lowry's first full-season on the PGA Tour was mostly a success, but it could have been so much better if not for a disastrous final-round at the U.S. Open. Lowry, a season European Tour veteran, dipped his toes in the PGA Tour pond for the first time last season and at $1.5 million in earnings, it had to be classified as a success, but a major-win would have catapulted him into an entirely different stratosphere. With that said, his loss is the salary cap player's gain as his price is very reasonable heading into this season. It would be nice to see some added consistency this season, but that can be expected after getting acclimated last year. In draft leagues, he should be taken in the sixth or seventh round.
60. Patton Kizzire
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,468,624
Every season there are a handful of rookies that look really impressive and every off-season after that, the speculation begins on whether they are legit or not. Kizzire looks legit as he showed a high-level of consistency for a rookie, as evidence by his five top-10s last season. He hit the wall towards the end of the season, but that's not uncommon. Kizzire should improve this season, but how much is the question. He shouldn't regress, so the risk is limited, and the upside should be high as well, which makes him a pretty solid salary cap option this year. In draft leagues, he should be a 7th-round pick.
61. Danny Lee
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,405,722
Lee saw a large improvement from year-one to year-two, but he lost all of that momentum last season as he fell back to Earth. After a rookie season where he earned just under $800k, not much was expected of Lee in his second year, which is why it was so surprising to see him nearly crack the $4 million mark. Nearly as surprising was his performance last year, which saw him fall back to just under $1.5 million. With only three seasons to go off of, it's tough to tell who the real Danny Lee is. With that said, at his current price, he might be worth a look in salary cap leagues. In draft leagues, he should go near the 7th-round.
62. Patrick Rodgers
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,290,336
Any time a golfer earns his card via an in-season method, he's going to get noticed and that's what happened with Patrick Rodgers two seasons ago when he earned a spot on the PGA Tour in only 17 starts as a non-member. With that attention come expectations though and unfortunately, Rodgers did not live up to the hype in year-one. The good news is, he played well enough to retain his status for the upcoming season and give it another go. Rodgers has a ton of upside and his price is in a great spot for the upcoming season. He's not a "must-have" in salary cap leagues, but he's close to that status. In drafts he should go near the seventh round.
63. Robert Streb
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,003,363
Four years on the PGA Tour and Streb has yet to figure out who he is. Two years ago, he posted fantastic numbers -- one win, one runner-up and nine top-10s on his way to nearly $4 million in earnings. However, the season prior he was just over $1.3 million and last year he barely topped $1 million. So which guy is he going to be this season? One possible explanation for last season is that after having so much success the year prior, he may have let-up a bit. If that's the case, then he's a great salary cap pick this year and even if that's not the case, there's not much risk as his price is very fair. In drafts he could go as high as the sixth or seventh round.
64. Soren Kjeldsen - I
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $2,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $921,468
The Dane climbed into the top-50 in the OWGR in 2016, and he'll likely be in all the big events -- majors/WGCs -- this season. His worth will be predicated by how many other tournaments he decides to play stateside.
65. David Lingmerth
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,900,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,863,783
Lingmerth came out like gang-busters during his rookie season on his way to over $1.7 million in earnings, but he struggled during his sophomore season. He rebounded nicely during his third season, to the tune of over $2.7 million in earnings, but he again regressed last season to just over $1.8 million. If this is indeed a pattern, then he's due to bounce upward again, but that's awful speculative at this point. What's more like is that his normal number is in the high-$1 million range and though he may stray from that number from time to time, he'll most often be near it. As such, he's not a great salary cap selection this year. In draft leagues, he's a sixth- or seventh-round pick.
66. Ryan Palmer
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,800,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,794,141
Early in Palmer's career, he was known for the big splash. He's show up a few times a year, make a run and that would pretty much be it for the season. In his first seven seasons on the PGA Tour, he earned seven combined wins and runner-ups. Since 2010 though, he's been a much different player. He's turned-in the big splash for more consistent play and his overall numbers have improved. Palmer hasn't won since 2010, but he also hasn't fallen below $1.5 million in earnings either. Needless to say, another year above $1.5 million is in the cards this season, but how far above that number can he climb? Probably not enough to justify a salary cap selection. In drafts, Palmer should go in the sixth round.
67. Ben Martin
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,800,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,205,730
Will the real Ben Martin please stand up? Martin played well in his rookie season three years ago, but his second season on the PGA Tour blew everyone away. Martin earned five top-10s in 27 starts and picked-up his first win on the way to over $2.7 million in earnings. Expectations were sky-high heading into last season and then...a big thud. He played well enough to retain his card for the current season, but that's about it. Martin is in a good spot for a bounce-back this season though, which makes him a good option in salary cap leagues this year. In draft leagues, he should go near the 7th-round.
68. Jhonattan Vegas
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $2,478,980
Vegas experienced immediate success as a rookie on the PGA Tour in 2011 when he picked-up a win, a third-place finish and one other top-10 on his way to nearly $2 million in earnings. His success was short-lived however as over the following four years, Vegas failed to break the $1 million mark in any season. Entering last season, it was debatable as to whether he had already burnt-out or he was just going through a lull. Vegas answered that question with authority last season however as he picked-up another victory and earned nearly $2.5 million. While it was a great year for Vegas, the fact remains that he's had two good years on tour and three poor years. That's not a great ratio when considering anyone for a salary cap spot. In draft leagues, Vegas looks like a fifth- or sixth-round pick.
69. Charles Howell III
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,974,962
Charles Howell III is like a left-handed specialty reliever in the MLB. He's good at what he does, really good, but not good enough to be a starter. He's never going to be a superstar, but he's going to be around a long time and make a lot of money along the way. To that point, last season was Howell III's 15th consecutive season above the $1 million mark, yet he's never cracked the $3 million mark. He's lived in that $2 million space for 15 years! It goes without saying that it's highly unlikely anything changes this year, which obviously makes him a poor salary cap selection. In draft leagues he should go in the fifth or sixth round.
70. Danny Willett
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,938,132
Willett's season was basically one outstanding performance at the Masters and a whole lot of nothing after that. It's certainly understandable if Willett lost focus after his life-changing win at Augusta, but the true test will come this season as expectations are raised and excuses are thrown-out the door. Willett's win at Augusta was a surprise, but it's not like he was a complete unknown at the time. He was a good player before that win and he's still a quality golfer, but it's not unprecedented for a golfer to win a major and never look the same after that. Will that be the fate of Willett? With so many questions entering this season, he's not worth the risk in salary cap formats. In drafts he should go in the fifth or sixth round.
71. Billy Hurley III
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,770,400
Hurley III was a rare example of a golfer that was fairly well known, even though he hadn't accomplished much on the golf course. He first hit the radar with a solid showing at the AT&T National in 2012, which has strong ties with the military and Hurley III being a former member of the Navy, it all made for a good story. A few years later, he made headlines when his father went missing and Hurley III made a plea for help. Last season however, Hurley III finally made headlines for his play on the course when he picked-up a win at the Quicken Loans National. With that win, Hurley III finally has some security and no longer has to worry about his card for next season. Will that improve his play? Probably, but at his current price, he's not worth the risk in salary cap formats. In drafts, he's a 7th-round pick.
72. Sean O'Hair
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,702,713
O'Hair inexplicably hit the skids during the 2013 season and didn't pull out of it until the 2015 season. He backed that up with another strong season last year, which bodes well for his prospects heading forward. The question regarding O'Hair is, can he get back to his peak level in 2009 when he topped $4 million in earnings, or will he continue in his current range for the foreseeable future? Considering that he hasn't topped $2 million in earnings since 2009, it's likely that his level of play over the past two seasons is more indicative of what's to come. As such, he's not a good salary cap option this season. In drafts, he's a seventh- or eighth-round pick.
73. Brian Stuard
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,666,014
Stuard picked-up his first win on the PGA Tour last season at the Zurich Classic in May and subsequently went in the tank for quite a while. He pulled himself out of that rut, but didn't get a whole lot accomplished the rest of the way. Stuard's results have been a bit scattered since joining the PGA Tour in 2013. He's played well in that time, but he hasn't shown a very-high ceiling as of yet. With that in mind, he's not a great salary cap selection this season. In drafts, he should go near the 7th-round.
74. Kevin Streelman
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,601,177
In nine years on the PGA Tour, Streelman has never lost his playing privileges. In-fact, he's never really come close. His worst finish on the FedEx list came in 2012 when he was 112th. He's been a reliable and consistent player, but rarely has he been an outstanding player. He did have a run in 2013 and 2014 where he won two events and collected over $5 million in earnings, but since then, his play has been just OK. The upside is certainly still there, but he hasn't cracked the $3 million mark since 2013, so the risk is too great at this price. In draft leagues, he should go in the 7th-round.
75. Brian Harman
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,299,801
With the exception of one season, Harman has spent the entirety of his five-year career inside the top-60 on the FedEx points list. His lone finish outside the top-60 still resulted in a decent season as he nearly earned $1 million that year. Harman's best season came in 2014 where he picked-up his first and only win on the PGA Tour and amassed nearly $2.5 million in earnings. Harman has regressed in the two seasons that followed, but that puts him in a good spot for a rebound this season. While his upside to this point isn't all that high, he comes at a fairly inexpensive price this year, so he's worth a look in salary cap leagues. In draft leagues, he's a seventh- or eighth-round pick.
76. Marc Leishman
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,700,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,566,824
Leishman picked-up his first PGA Tour victory in 2012 and he posted a career-high in earnings in 2014, but the years in-between and after those events have been just so-so. He's not regressing, which is a good sign, but he's not showing any signs that a jump to the next level is imminent either. He post a career-best made cuts percentage of 80% last season and that is encouraging, but not encouraging enough to warrant a salary cap selection this season. In draft leagues he's a 7th-round pick.
77. Colt Knost
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,600,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,594,587
Knost has spent the better part of his seven-year career just trying to keep his status, but last year he finally showed some consistency and posted a career-best in earnings, top-3s and cuts-made. His performance last year is certainly promising, his cuts-made percentage is a good sign moving forward, but he simply doesn't have the track-record to justify a salary cap selection this season. In draft leagues, he's a seventh- or eighth-rounder
78. Brendan Steele
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,600,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,589,266
Steele won as a rookie in 2011 and although he hasn't won since, he's still been pretty productive on the PGA Tour. His production fell-off a bit in year-two, but since then he's righted the ship and now he's a consistent top-80 player. The only question regarding Steele is his ceiling. To this point, it appears to be around $2 million, which just isn't enough to justify a salary cap selection based on last year's number. In draft leagues, Steele should go in the seventh or eighth round.
79. Kyle Reifers
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,600,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,539,578
Reifers' first two attempts on the PGA Tour resulted in trips back to the drawing board as both times he failed to earn his card for the following season. His third attempt was much more productive as he earned over $1 million and ended-up easily inside the top-125. He followed that up with another solid effort last season, posting a career-high in earnings, top-10s, top-25s and cuts made. Reifers is trending in the right direction, but his upside appears to be limited. As such, he's not a good salary cap option this season. In draft leagues, he's a eighth or ninth-round pick.
80. Jonas Blixt
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,600,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,115,322
Blixt wasted little time in acclimating to the PGA Tour in 2012 as he posted wins in each of his first two seasons and surpassed the $2 million mark each year as well. At that point, Blixt appeared to be one of the up-and-coming stars on the PGA Tour, but he regressed a bit in his third season and nearly fell off the map in his 4th-season. He bounced-back a bit last season, which is certainly a good sign for the upcoming season. Though he bounced-back last year, Blixt's number is still low enough that he could bounce further this season. With that in mind, he deserves some consideration in salary cap leagues this year. In draft leagues, he should go near the ninth or 10th round.
81. Graham DeLaet
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,600,000
2015-16 Earnings: $908,557
Not too long ago, DeLaet was the clear-cut, best Canadian golfer on the PGA Tour. With a slip in his game and some others stepping-up, that's not the case anymore. DeLaet isn't that far removed from back-to-back seasons which he earned over $2.5 million though, so he's definitely worth some consideration in salary cap leagues this. His number is low enough that it mitigates a lot of risk. In draft leagues he should go near the 10th-round.
82. Ian Poulter - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,600,000
2015-16 Earnings: $370,256
Poulter is recoving from a foot injury and upon his return, he'll be under a major medical extension with 10 events to earn 218.420 points or $347,634, well within reach. He said in June he'd miss four months. That would mean an October return and he said at the Ryder Cup, where he was a vice captain, that he hoped to play the British Masters in October and, if not, then a week later in Malaysia.
83. Steve Stricker
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,418,647
When Stricker implemented his trimmed-down schedule a few years ago, the drop-off in production was predictable. What wasn't predictable was his game completely collapsing in 2015. Though he played nine events that season, he earned less than $300k, which brought about many questions entering this past season. He put much of that speculation to rest however as he once again looked like the old Stricker. Stricker didn't break the bank last season, but he came in with a healthy average of almost $100k per event. Unfortunately for salary cap purposes, his upside is limited due to the number of events he'll again play this season. In drafts, Stricker should go in the eighth or ninth round.
84. Freddie Jacobson
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,354,196
Jacobson started on the PGA Tour in 2003 and remained inside the top-125 every season until 2015. If not for an injury however, his streak would still be alive. Jacobson was only able to play in 14 events that season, but once back at full strength last season, Jacobson proved he still had the game. Jacobson earned just over $1.3 million last year, a number that's in-line with most of his career results. As such, he's not likely to see a big bump in earnings any time soon, but he's also not likely to fall off the map either. In draft leagues, Jacobson should go off the board near the 9th-round.
85. Harold Varner III
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,327,320
Varner III quietly had a very strong rookie campaign last year. He made the cut in 18 of 28 events, and captured four top-10s. In all, he earned over $1.3 million and was safely inside the top-125 at the end of the season. It's hard to get a gauge on Varner because he didn't have a ton of success on the lower tours, so his play last season came as a bit of a surprise. The upside is unknown with Varner III, it could be very high, but at this point, it's just too risky to take a chance on him in salary cap leagues. In draft leagues, he can safely be taken in the ninth or 10th rounds.
86. Peter Malnati
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,298,945
Malnati was determined to stay on the PGA Tour for a second year as he did everything he could to retain his card by playing a whopping 32 events. Like many rookies, he struggled to make more cuts than he missed and unfortunately he ended up missing almost twice as many cuts as he made. Luckily for Malnati, when he made the cut, he played pretty well on the weekend. That's both good and bad, as he proved he could play on the weekend, but he lacked the consistency to get there often. This would indicate that his upside is going to be high once he figures it out, but for now, he carries a bit of risk. As such, he's worth a look in salary cap leagues because of that potential upside. In drafts, he should go off the board in the eighth or ninth round.
87. Tiger Woods - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Woods returns after more than a year off, and it's impossible to predict what lies ahead for him, even whether he'll remain healthy. We'll say he'll be healthier than last year, but that's not telling you much. Not predicting a W or anything close to it, without evidence, but we surely expect some Sunday excitement here and there.
88. Aaron Baddeley
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,400,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,644,915
Baddeley is one of the more peculiar cases on the PGA Tour. He appears to have all the talent to be one of the best players in the world and at times, he's played that way, but for the most part, he's underperformed throughout his career. In his 14 years on the PGA Tour, Baddeley has topped the $3 million mark twice and he's recorded three wins in that time. However, half of seasons on the PGA Tour (seven), he's ended the year under the $1 million mark. Last year was a year where he finished above $1 million, which makes him a poor choice for salary cap leagues this season. In draft leagues he could go anywhere from the sixth through the eighth round.
89. Jason Bohn
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,400,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,369,705
Bohn has put together a nice stretch over the past three years, but after 13 years on the PGA Tour, it's clear that he has a limited upside. In his 13 years on the PGA Tour, Bohn has surpassed the $2 million mark just once. While there's no reason to think a regression is in-store, a significant upswing isn't likely either and as such, Bohn is not a good target in salary cap leagues this season. In draft leagues, he should go near the ninth or 10th round.
90. Cameron Tringale
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,400,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,064,066
If not for the fall-portion of the season, Tringale would be on the outside looking-in this season. Tringale played his best last fall, with a Top-15 at the CIMB Classic and a runner-up at the Shriners Open. After that, Tringale did next to nothing last season. It's funny what a runner-up finish can do for a PGA Tour golfer, it almost guarantees a spot in the top-125. Tringale played better in the two years prior to last season, but in each of those seasons, he also relied upon a one runner-up finish. Considering Tringale's number was around $2 million in the two years prior to last season, he does hold some value in salary cap formats. The question is, can he find more high-end finishes this year? In drafts, he should go in the 10th-round or later.
91. Nick Watney - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,400,000
2015-16 Earnings: $189,880
Watney missed much of the year with a back injury and has 21 events to earn 355.420 points or $528,010 playing under a major medical. If healthy, he should meet those conditions. He opted against back surgery, and recently said he's feeling better and hoped to play in the season-opening Safeway Open. We'll be watching.
92. Bryce Molder
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,300,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,353,385
Molder spent the early part of his career just trying to stay healthy, but once his health was in-order, he showed the golf world that he's actually pretty good. 2009 was the first season that Molder was 100% healthy and it showed with the numbers he posted. He picked-up his first and only PGA Tour win in 2011, which helped him nearly crack the $2 million mark. That was his high-point and although he had a couple rough years after, he's bounced-back fairly well over the past two years. The problem with Molder is his upside, which is limited. As such, he's not a good salary cap option this season. In draft leagues, he should go off the board near the 10th-round.
93. K.J. Choi
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,300,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,328,448
Few players on the PGA Tour have seen the peaks and valleys that Choi has over the past decade. He had a multiple-win season in 2007, which resulted in over $4.5 million in earnings, yet two years later he made less than $1 million. Two years after that, he again was near the $4.5 million mark, and the following year, he was again below $1 million. His low came in 2015 when he couldn't even crack $500k. Choi remains a wild-card, but it's safe to say his best days are behind him. With that in mind, he's not a good option for salary cap leagues this season. In drafts, he should go near the 10th-round.
94. Martin Laird
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,300,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,224,680
Laird was quick to make a splash on the PGA Tour when he first joined in 2008. He picked-up his first win in 2009 and followed that up with wins in 2011 and 2013. European Tour golfers don't often acclimate well to the PGA Tour, so what Laird accomplished early-on is very impressive. That was then however and over the past three seasons, he seems to have lost some juice. His highest earnings number in the past three seasons came last year, but it was only $1.2 million. With Laird the question is whether or not he can get back to his previous highs. Since it's been four years since he cracked the $2 million mark, it's probably wise to pass on him in salary cap formats this season. In drafts, he should go near the eighth or ninth round.
95. Jim Herman
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,250,000
2015-16 Earnings: $2,091,274
Herman turned pro in 2000 and for much of the past two decades, professional golf has been a struggle. That struggle turned into triumph last season though as he picked-up his first PGA Tour victory at the Shell Houston Open. To lend some perspective, Herman's win nearly doubled his career earnings on the PGA Tour. While it was a great feat for Herman, it doesn't bode well that it took 16 years to get there. With that in mind, Herman is highly-overpriced in salary cap leagues this season. In draft leagues he should go late, near the eighth or ninth round.
96. Jerry Kelly
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,250,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,328,657
As of November 23, 2016, Kelly will be eligible for the Champions Tour, but if his recent play is any indication of what's to come, that tour may have to wait a while before they get their hands on Kelly. Four seasons ago, Kelly actually looked ready to "graduate" to the Champions Tour as he posted his worst numbers in over a decade. He followed that up with another subpar season and at that point, it looked like Kelly had mailed it in, but two years later and Kelly looks like a new man. Kelly has finished the past two seasons at spots 68 and 72 on the FedEx points list and there are no signs that a drop-off is imminent. With that said, there's limited upside with Kelly, so he's not a good salary cap candidate this season. In drafts, he's a 10th-round pick.
97. Scott Brown
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,250,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,143,452
Scott Brown first won on the PGA Tour in 2013 and oddly enough, he's outgained his earnings number from that season in each of the past three years, but hasn't won during that time. That shows that he's become a more consistent golfer over the past few years, but in doing so, he's lost some of his high-end finishes. In fact, he hasn't won or finished runner-up since 2013. While the consistency is great for a draft leagues, it doesn't help much in a salary cap league if its not combined with some high-end finishes. As such, Brown is not a good salary cap option this season. In drafts, he should go near the 10th-round.
98. Francesco Molinari
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,250,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,083,155
Molinari has been a staple on the European Tour for quite a while now and when he made the move to full-time on the PGA Tour, big things were expected. After two years on the PGA Tour, Molinari has yet to make a splash. He's spent the first two seasons hovering around the $1 million mark in earnings and it doesn't look like that number is about to jump any time soon. With that in mind, he doesn't hold a lot of value in salary cap leagues, but considering his status, he holds a little extra value in draft leagues, where he should go near the 8th-round.
99. Keegan Bradley
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,250,000
2015-16 Earnings: $899,985
Not too long ago, Bradley was the next big thing, but fast forward a few years since his lone major and Bradley appears to be spinning his wheel. It all makes for a tough decision on Bradley this year as the potential is there, he's made more in one event than he did all of last year and as already mentioned, he's a major champion, but where is that guy? While it's not likely to see the major-winning Bradley again this year, he's not likely to completely fall off the map either, so he offers a somewhat-high upside, with little risk. In draft leagues, he's bound to go before he should, but he should be a eighth- or ninth-round selection.
100. Anirban Lahiri
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,250,000
2015-16 Earnings: $835,171
Lahiri is no stranger to success on the golf course, but much of that success has come overseas. His first stint on the PGA Tour last season was fairly successful as he played well enough to retain his card for the upcoming season, but he failed to make much of a splash. It wasn't his play on Thursday-Friday that was the issue as he made the cut in 16 of 21 starts, but rather his play on the weekend which kept him from having a great season. With one full year on the PGA Tour under his belt, expect Lahiri to get his weekend issues figured out and for this season to be much better. With that in mind, Lahiri is a solid salary cap play this year and should go near the eighth or ninth round in a draft.
101. Alex Cejka
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,200,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,566,308
The case of Alex Cejka is certainly a strange one. After topping the $1 million mark during the 2003 and 2004 seasons, his game regressed significantly. In fact, it wasn't until a decade later that Cejka again topped the $1 million mark, but that was due to a win during the 2015 season. It was then easy to write-off Cejka heading into last season because given his track record, his 2015 results could be written-off as a fluke...and then he followed it up with a career-best in earnings last season. Where he goes from here is anyone's guess. As such, he's not worth the risk in salary cap drafts this season. In draft leagues he'll probably go around the 10th-round.
102. David Hearn
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,200,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,211,514
Six years on the PGA Tour for Hearn and six cards retained. There's not much to say beyond that. Hearn is steady, but not remarkable. His best season was 2015 when he earned just over $1.8 million. His cuts-made percentage has remained steady around 66% for most of his career. He's definitely not the right person for a salary cap position, but he provides stability on a drafted team. In draft leagues he should go somewhere near the eighth or ninth round.
103. Spencer Levin
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,200,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,179,882
Levin's earnings numbers have been all over the place since joining the PGA Tour in 2009. He's had three years under $1 million, three years just over $1 million and one year over $2 million. Obviously the year over $2 million looks like the aberration right now. In his seven years on the PGA Tour, he has only thee top-3s and a lack of high-end finishes really limits his upside. As such, Levin is not a good option in salary cap leagues this season. In draft leagues he should go near the ninth- or 10th-round.
104. Chez Reavie
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,200,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,086,964
In nine years on the PGA Tour, Reavie has been all over the map. He picked-up his first and only victory on the PGA Tour in his rookie season of 2008, but backed that up with a sub-$500k season in 2009. Two years later, he cracked the $2 million mark for the first time, but again struggled the year following. He struggled for the next three seasons, until last year, where he once again got above the $1 million mark. Reavie has demonstrated that he has the upside to justify a salary cap pick, even at his current number, but he's simply too much of a wild card. In drafts, he should go in the ninth or 10th round.
105. Hudson Swafford
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,200,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,027,314
Since joining the PGA Tour in 2014, Swafford has slowly progressed each year. His first year was not a success as he ended-up at #146 on the FedEx Cup points list, but his 2nd-year he showed a lot of improvement. He posted the same amount of top-10s as he did the year prior (one), but he made the cut in 18 events vs. 11. Last season was his best to date as he made the cut in 22 of 30 events. The cuts-made percentage is impressive, but he has to find a way to improve on the weekend. Until he does, he's not a great salary cap option this season. In draft leagues, he should go in the 10th-round or later.
106. John Huh
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,200,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,007,219
John Huh is one guy that's tough to figure. His rookie season on the PGA Tour was outstanding and he suffered a bit of a sophomore slump, but still managed $1.5 million in earnings, but his third, fourth and fifth seasons have not been very good. Normally, guys that start well, slip a bit in their sophomore seasons, but come back in either their third or fourth years, but Huh has yet to regain his rookie form. On the one hand, the upside is there, he earned $2.6 million in one season, but on the other hand, he hasn't looked like that player in three years. As such, he's worth some consideration in salary cap leagues. In draft leagues, he should go in the 10th-round or later.
107. Shawn Stefani - P
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,200,000
2015-16 Earnings: $698,102
Stefani was very close to making the top-125 on the money list last season and although he just missed-out there, he did make it inside the top-125 on the FedEx Cup points list. Stefani's numbers last season were quite the departure from his previous two season where he earned $1.3 and $1.7 million respectively. Since Stefani is only a year removed from that $1.7 million season, he makes for a good salary cap option this year. In draft leagues he should be a ninth- or 10th-round pick.
108. Johnson Wagner
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,100,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,083,787
Wagner might be the most obscure three-time winner on the PGA Tour right now. Yes, he parlayed those wins into a Geico commercial, but starring with the Geico Caveman isn't exactly hitting it big. As far as his game, he hasn't won since 2012, but he's improved on his consistency. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to win and show consistency at the same time and until he does, he holds little value in salary cap leagues. In draft leagues, he should go near the 10th-round.
109. Adam Hadwin
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,100,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,067,809
Hadwin's first two seasons on the PGA Tour have been fairly nondescript. He's essentially grinding his way to a card each season and there's nothing wrong with that, but the upside is a bit limited until he can show the ability to finish well. He has five top-10s in two years, and nothing in the top-3, so it's probably wise to hold-off on Hadwin in salary cap formats this season. In draft leagues he'll go very late.
110. Robert Garrigus
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,100,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,024,900
Garrigus peaked in 2012 when he posted four runner-up finishes on his way to over $3 million in earnings. His play since 2012 has left a lot to be desired however. In the four years since, Garrigus has failed to even crack the top-3 in any event and he's peaked at just over $1 million in earnings. He's been on the PGA Tour since 2006 and his 2012 season sticks-out because he's never had a season approaching those heights before or since. With that in mind, he's not a good salary cap option this season. In drafts, he'll go in the 10th-round or later.
111. Steve Marino - M
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,100,000
2015-16 Earnings: $768,200
Marino wasted no time in establishing himself on the PGA Tour as a rookie in 2007 and for five years, he was comfortably on that second or third tier as a guy who could win any given week, but wasn't quite ready to step-up to the next level. In 2012 however, Marino was hit with the injury bug and only now is he starting to recover. Last season was his best since 2011 and the outlook is good for Marino, but can he get back to his pre-2012 levels? Too early to tell, but he's certainly worth a look in salary cap leagues. Marino should go off the board near the 10th round in draft leagues.
112. Ben Crane - P
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,100,000
2015-16 Earnings: $607,892
What exactly is going on with Ben Crane? This is a guy who has five victories on the PGA Tour and a career earnings number above $20 million and yet he's had trouble making $1 million per year over the past four seasons. Age shouldn't be kicking-in this early, he's only 40 and even though he's dealt with some injuries, he's managed to play a full schedule just about every year on the PGA Tour, so his downfall remains a mystery. With that said, he does have same value in salary cap leagues this year because the upside is hidden somewhere in there. In drafts, he should go near the 10th-round.
113. Pat Perez - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,050,000
2015-16 Earnings: $47,840
Perez underwent left shoulder surgery and the spring and tweeted in late September that it's "almost showtime." When he returns, he'll have 15 events under a major medical extension to earn 420.160 points or $670,050. We'd like to take a wait-and-see approach after such a serious injury, but chances are that Perez will be able to meet those conditions.
114. Vaughn Taylor
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,640,750
When Taylor won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am last February, it marked the first time in over a decade that Taylor was victorious on the PGA Tour. It was also the first time in about six years that Taylor had any kind of success at all. With that in mind, Taylor is not a good option in salary cap leagues as even with this win, the odds of him playing well this season are low. In draft leagues he'll likely go after the 10-round.
115. Vijay Singh
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,210,104
Singh will turn 54 early in 2017 and yet, he's still going strong. He had a bit of a hiccup in 2013 and at that point, it looked like he might be headed to the Champions Tour, but he's put that notion to rest over the past three seasons, finishing inside the top-125 each year. His upside is obviously limited though and he's Father Time is bound to catch-up with him at some point, so he's not a good salary cap option this season. With his age, he carries a bit of risk in draft leagues as well, but he'll likely go near the ninth or 10th round.
116. Chad Campbell
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,168,073
Campbell's been at this a long time and he's had some great seasons, but those great seasons are long gone. Campbell was once one of the better players on the PGA Tour as he was making over $3 million a year before the explosion of purses. That was over a decade ago and Campbell is now in the mode of taking what he can get and what he can get these days is a few top-10s and an earnings figure just over $1 million. This isn't a knock on Campbell, to his credit, he came back from some extremely low points a few years ago when he could have just thrown in the towel, but he didn't, he persevered and now he's back in seven-figure territory. Campbell has a limited upside now though, so he's not a good salary cap option anymore. In drafts, he should go near the 10th-round.
117. Ricky Barnes
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,158,800
Barnes is the typical PGA Tour journeyman. He's had one outstanding season, but outside that year, he's pretty much just trying to keep his card from year to year. Last season was one of his better years on the PGA Tour as he topped the $1 million mark for just the second-time in eight full seasons, which is great for him, but bad for anyone thinking about him in a salary cap format. Barnes simply doesn't have the upside to justify a salary cap selection this year. In draft leagues, he should go in the 10th-round or later.
118. Brett Stegmaier
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,086,714
Stegmaier sure picked his spots during his rookie season. In his second event on the PGA Tour, Stegmaier finished runner-up, which gave him a little breathing room heading into the heart of the season. Unfortunately, Stegmaier struggled mightily during the winter and spring portions of the season. Luckily, he capped his season with a T5 at the Wyndham Championship and sealed his spot in the top-125. Stegmaier did just enough during his rookie season to retain his card, but not much more. With that in mind, he doesn't has the upside yet to justify a salary cap selection this year. In draft leagues he'll go very late, after the 10th-round.
119. Andrew Loupe
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,075,276
Loupe's success last season was a bit out of nowhere. In his two previous seasons, Loupe came nowhere near the $1 million mark, but last year something clicked. Though he made over $1 million in earnings, a closer look at his numbers shows that he played well in a handful of spots, but lacked any kind of consistency. He missed the cut in 16 of 27 starts, but once on the weekend, he played well in general. He'll need to improve on his consistency if he's to keep his card again this season. As such, he's not a good salary cap option this season. In drafts, he'll go after the 10th-round.
120. Boo Weekley
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $991,660
Once upon a time, Weekley was a pretty consistent player on the PGA Tour, but those days are gone. When Weekly first got some traction on the PGA Tour, in 2007, he was a very reliable guy, but around 2010 he became pretty erratic. Over the past four seasons, Weekley has earned as little as $800k and as much as $2.8 million. Last season was a down season for Weekley, but at this point in his career, his upside is limited, which makes Weekley a poor salary cap selection this year. In draft leagues, he should go near the 10th-round.
121. Sung Kang
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $979,576
Three years on the PGA Tour and Kang hasn't accomplished much in that time. Last year was the first that he finished inside the top-125, so he's showing some progress, but his cut percentage was just over 50% last season and he only managed two top-10s. It is encouraging that he significantly improved his cuts-made percentage last season, but there just doesn't seem to be much upside. As such, he's not a good salary cap option this year. In drafts, he'll go very late.
122. Troy Merritt
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $922,707
Merritt has spent five seasons on the PGA Tour and in four of those five seasons, he's finished under $1 million in earnings. The lone year he topped that mark, 2015, he ended-up just over $2 million, but that was due in large part to a win at the Quicken Loans National. Merritt is still fairly young, so he's got time to get everything figured-out, but that's not the type of golfer that should be on a salary cap team. In drafts, he'll go after the 10th-round.
123. Zac Blair
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $903,459
It's not uncommon for a golfer to regress after a solid rookie season as Zac Blair did last year. What is uncommon is to regress within that sophomore season. Blair started last season fairly well with a top-10 at the Mayakoba and a solo-3rd at the Sony Open, but after that, there was little to write home about. In fact, Blair failed to crack the top-50 in his final nine events. Blair certainly could improve this season, an optimist would point-out that he's successfully secured his card in his first two seasons, but there doesn't appear to be a whole lot of upside at this point. In draft leagues, he should go after the 10th-round.
124. Derek Fathauer
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $898,430
Fathauer's rookie season on the PGA Tour was mildly productive, but not good enough to earn his privileges for the 2015-16. However, using his limited status, he started last season well and parlayed that into a strong season. Fathauer played well enough to earn a full exemption for the upcoming season, but can he continue to show improvement in year three? Fathauer finished the season well, but there's still not a strong body of work to fall back on at this point in his career to make him a solid salary cap pick. In draft leagues he should go near round 10.
125. Bud Cauley
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $760,430
After earning nearly $100k per start in an abbreviated 2011 season, Cauley quickly became a hot prospect. That momentum continued through the following season as he pulled-in over $1.7 million in earnings, but somewhere between that season on the following season, Cauley lost his game. Cauley spent the following two seasons just trying to crack the top-125 in earnings (failing both times) and it wasn't until last season that he finally started to put his game back together. It remains to be seen if Cauley can get back to his 2012 level, but the way he finished last season is promising; all of which makes Cauley an intriguing option in salary cap leagues this season. In draft leagues, Cauley should be drafted near round 10.
126. Morgan Hoffmann - M
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $717,890
After consecutive years above the $1 million mark, the 2015-16 season was definitely a disappointment for Hoffman. More disappointing than his earnings was his lack of high-end finishes. Hoffmann earned only one top-3 all season and that came at the John Deere Classic. Hoffmann should bounce-back though; he's got plenty of talent and he's still young. What remains to be seen is his upside. To this point, it appears to be in the mid $1 million range, which isn't great, but just enough to take a chance on him in salary cap leagues. In draft leagues he should be drafted, but very late.
127. Will Wilcox - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $1,000,000
2015-16 Earnings: $676,841
Wilcox had wrist surgery in August and soon after tweeted that he'd be back in a "few months." When he returns, he'll be playing under a minor medical with easy-to-reach conditions: He'll have three events to earn 55.399 points or $41,049. He may not be in form right away, but we expect this fan favorite to one of the better choices among various golfers returning from injury.
128. Tyrone Van Aswegen
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $900,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,025,632
Van Aswegen's jump from year-two to year-three was nothing short of amazing. Van Aswegen made only eight of 20 cuts in 2015 on his way to $168k in earnings. He had no top-10s and only one top-25. Those numbers make what he did last year all the more shocking. He made the cut in 23 of 30 starts last season and posted five top-25s, two top-10s and a top-3 finish on his way to just over $1 million in earnings. Van Aswegen's rookie season was more like his sophomore season than his third season, so as of now, his performance last year appears to be the outlier. As such, he's not a good salary cap option this year. In draft leagues, he'll go in the 10th-round or later.
129. John Senden
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $900,000
2015-16 Earnings: $989,841
It took Senden a long time to find his groove on the PGA Tour, but once he did, he became a very consistent golfer on the PGA Tour. From 2006-2012, Senden had only one season where he earned less than $1.6 million and even in that season he made over $1.2 million, but at the age of 45, his game appears to be slipping a little. Last season he fell below the $1 million mark for only the second time since 2006. While he doesn't seem like the type of guy that will fall off the cliff, even the specter of a slight regression this year will take him out of consideration for a salary cap spot. In drafts, he's a 10th-rounder or later.
130. Lucas Glover
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $900,000
2015-16 Earnings: $948,927
Glover has three wins on the PGA Tour, including one major, but his game over the past five years has really regressed. Three of those five years, Glover has been at or under $515k each season. The two seasons he was above that number, he still failed to reach $1 million in earnings. Glover peaked in 2009 when he earned nearly $3.7 million, but he's not the same player anymore. With that in mind, he's not a good salary cap option this season. In drafts, he'll go late, after the 10th-round.
131. Blayne Barber
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $900,000
2015-16 Earnings: $768,585
Barber's earnings numbers are a statistical oddity over the past two season. For starters, he earned just over $200 more last season than he did the previous season. Yes, just $200 difference. The other oddity is, even though his earning's number has stayed virtually the same, his FedEx rank went from 145 in 2014-15 to 101st last season. That would indicate that he's playing better against stiffer competition. That bodes well for Barber as he's entering just his third season on the PGA Tour. Barber's upside may be limited, but he appears to be a safe pick, so he might be worth a look in salary cap leagues. In draft leagues he could go as early as the ninth round.
132. Kyle Stanley - P
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $900,000
2015-16 Earnings: $580,374
For a stretch of three years, Kyle Stanley really had things figured out on the PGA Tour, but around the 2014 season, he suddenly lost his game. The bottom fell-out in 2015, but luckily, last season he showed some signs of progress and he might be on his way back-up. The nice thing about Stanley is, his price is so low, that it's almost impossible to pass on him this season. The low salary limits the risk and his upside is comparatively, very large. As such, he's a good option in salary cap leagues this year. In drafts, he'll provide good value as a late-round selection.
133. Bobby Wyatt - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $850,000
2015-16 Earnings: $353,348
Wyatt is known for two things: being on the national championship teams at Alabama and shooting 57 in a state tournament as an 18-year old in 2010. On the course last season he had an interesting road. Most notably, he finished fourth at the Zurich Classic while playing on a sponsor's exemption and with no status. That helped him get 137 Non-Member FedEx Cup points, which gave him entry into the Web.com Tour Finals where he went T61-T24-T12 to earn his PGA Tour card for 2016-17. Sensational playing in a big spot for a guy with more than enough talent to win on the PGA Tour once he becomes adjusted to things.
134. Luke List
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $800,000
2015-16 Earnings: $751,001
List's first go-round on the PGA Tour in 2013 was a disaster. List could only manage $264k in 24 starts and failed to crack the top-10. 2015-16 was a different story though as he posted two top-10s before the end of February and capped his season with a pair of top-20s. In all, it was just enough to secure his card for the upcoming season, which in of itself makes him an intriguing salary cap selection. With that said, though he appears to be trending upward, it's a slow road to this point and he's probably not worth the price in salary cap leagues this year. List will likely go late in a draft because he does have potential.
135. Michael Kim - P
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $800,000
2015-16 Earnings: $664,539
Kim's rookie season probably didn't go quite as he'd hoped, but with his card secured via the points list, he's surely satisfied. Much like many guys like that make enough points, but not enough money to crack the top-125, Kim make plenty of cuts, but didn't have enough high-end finishes. Kim posted four top-25s, but no top-10s last season and that is something he'll have to improve upon if he's to keep his card for next year. Kim is a decent salary cap selection, only because his price is low and he has full privileges for the upcoming season. In draft leagues, he may go undrafted.
136. Seung-Yul Noh - P
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $800,000
2015-16 Earnings: $661,711
Noh picked-up his first PGA Tour win in 2014 and since then, he hasn't accomplished much. It's not uncommon for guys that win for the first-time, to let-up a bit, but if that's what Noh is doing, he's taken it a little too far as he almost lost his playing privileges for the upcoming season. Noh is capable of making over $2 million, as he proved in 2014, but his erratic play over the past two season is worrisome. At his price, he is worth a look, but maybe not a long one. In draft leagues, he'll go in the 10th-round or later.
137. Ollie Schniederjans - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $800,000
2015-16 Earnings: $68,586
Ah yes, Schniederjans, the player we've known for years as the No. 1 amateur in the world, who nearly won the NCAA championship at Georgia Tech and finished T12 at an Open Championship, has made it to the big time. He got there by winning the Air Capital Classic on the Web.com Tour in a playoff, part of a season where he had a second and four other top-10 finishes. He also made seven PGA Tour starts, making the cut four times. In a weak rookie class, he's one of the studs, a fantasy player you can rely on early even as he gets his footing. It's interesting – sometimes the stats page makes you wonder why a guy even earned a card in the first place. Schniederjans was 141st in driving accuracy, 98th in greens hit and 30th in putting. But dig deeper and you'll find that in his win he ranked T2 in GIR and in a week where he made 20 birdies to finish ninth in the field, and that clearly helped the cause. If he gets more consistent, watch out. He's got a world of talent.
138. Grayson Murray - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $800,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Murray ran the podium on the Web.com Tour, winning at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship, which turned out to be the final event of the Web.com Tour season due to Hurricane Matthew, losing in a playoff at the Digital Ally Open and finishing third at the Boise Open. With five other top-10s, he was one of the more consistent players on the Web.com Tour season — especially late – which is useful considering the Safeway Open kicks off the 2016-17 PGA Tour season in mid-October. He can drive for show - 319.4 yards per drive – and putt for dough, too, ranking fifth, and is someone to watch this fall to see if he can carry over that momentum from late summer.
139. Seamus Power - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $800,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Not sure what this says about Power or the crop of potential European Ryder Cup captain's picks, but Seamus, pronounced "Shamus," was on some lists of potential options for Darren Clarke. He was not picked, but that doesn't diminish his impressive 2016 campaign. He got his PGA Tour card through a win at the United Leasing & Finance Championship, and had a solid summer run that included three top-20 finishes, one at the Rio Olympics where he represented Ireland and tied for 15th. That week, in a limited but still strong field, he ranked 14th in SG tee-to-green, complementing a season-long Web.com Tour ranking of 13th for greens in regulation. Don't be surprised if Power sneaks up on some leaderboards early. The mere mention of him has a possible captain's pick shows you what those across the pond think of him.
140. Ken Duke - M
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $773,025
Duke has made a career out of picking his spots on the PGA Tour. In eight years on the PGA Tour, Duke has amassed over $10 million in earnings, but has only three top-3 finishes in that time. One of those top-3's was a win, which always helps, but it shows just how unpredictable he can be. With that in mind, Duke is not a good salary cap option this year because there's no way to know if he's going to pull-out a top-3 somewhere or not. In draft leagues, he'll likely go in the 10th round or later.
141. Chad Collins - M
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $734,548
Unlike some of the guys near spot number 125 on the money list, Collins is probably quite pleased with how the 201-2016 turned out. To this point in his PGA Tour career, Collins has proven just good enough to keep his card each year and that should be expected again this year, which makes him a poor salary cap pick this season. He may go undrafted in many leagues because there's little upside that can be seen at this point.
142. Cameron Smith - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $477,843
The young Aussie took a step back in his second season on tour, but that's not uncommon. He did not have a top-10 in his 24 starts and finished 157th in points. It's entirely possible the 23-year-old contends for a playoff berth in 2016-17.
143. Wesley Bryan - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $178,729
Bryan earned a battlefield promotion with three Web.com Tour wins, but he struggled in the few PGA Tour starts he had. Based on 2015-16, he'd need to earn a little over $700,000 this season to crack the top-125, and that could go down to the wire.
144. Richy Werenski - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Werenski had a successful 2016 on the Web.com Tour, demonstrated by his win at the BMW Charity Pro-Am in May and three second-place finishes. Most impressive is that those seconds came at three times of the year — February, April, August. One thing that separates rookies who make the PGA Tour from those who stay on the PGA Tour is complete game consistency, and finishing high like that at different times of the year really helps. He ranked 16th in total driving but 73rd in putting, something he'll need to improve for the PGA Tour. He can contend once or twice, but stringing together multiple good appearances may be tough unless the putter improves.
145. Cheng Tsung Pan - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $750,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
If there's a sleeper in this bunch it's Pan. Another Olympian (T30), he had a whopping seven top-10s on the Web.com Tour this year, which got him a card even without a win. The best finish was a playoff loss at the LECOM Health Challenge. He was 15th in greens hit and ninth in putting average. Do that on the next level and he'll be headed back to more Olympics and find himself in the PGA Tour winner's circle too.
146. David Toms
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $700,000
2015-16 Earnings: $774,522
Toms will turn 50 in January and although he's played at a respectable level over the past four years, it's evident that Father Time is catching-up with him. Toms' age-induced drop-off is still better than half the PGA Tour, but the odds of any kind of improvement at this stage are slim and none. While he's not a good salary cap option this year, he's still a viable option in draft leagues, but 10th round or after.
147. Retief Goosen - M
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $700,000
2015-16 Earnings: $745,735
Somewhere between the 2010 and 2011 seasons, Goosen's game took an extended vacation and its only returned in the past two years. Unfortunately, his game now, is nowhere near the level it was when it abandon him after 2010. The new norm for Goosen is hovering around spot 125 on the money list, which makes him a poor salary cap selection again this season. In draft leagues, he'll likely go very late, but because of the name, he will be selected.
148. Scott Stallings - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $700,000
2015-16 Earnings: $697,434
Stallings is the most accomplished of the 50 Web.com grads, with three PGA Tour wins. But pretty remarkably, he's also missed more cuts than he's made in his career, and it's tough reaching the playoffs that way. He just missed last season while finishing 128th in points, and it should be another down-to-the-wire scenario for Stallings again this season.
149. Mark Hubbard - P
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $700,000
2015-16 Earnings: $642,942
Hubbard was one of the fortunate golfers who missed-out on the top-125 on the money list, but he accumulated enough FedEx Cup points to sneak inside the top-125 on that list, which means he's good to go for the upcoming season. The reason he failed to crack the top-125 on the money list is because he had no top-10s all season. he did have five top-25s and well placed at that, so he was able to earn enough points. In his two years on the PGA Tour, Hubbard hasn't shown much, so for this year, he's not a good salary cap option. In drafts, he'll go very late or possible undrafted.
150. Trey Mullinax - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $700,000
2015-16 Earnings: $49,635
This name will be familiar for anyone who follows college golf, as Mullinax played at Alabama and was a teammate of guys like Justin Thomas, who won NCAA titles in 2013 and 2014. Now his individual game is getting the spotlight after a 2016 Web.com Tour campaign in which he won the Rex Hospital Open and had six other top-25 finishes, enough to clinch a spot on the PGA Tour. This combination is pretty sweet too: 318.2 yards off the tee, 47th in greens hit, third in putting average.
151. Steven Bowditch - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $650,000
2015-16 Earnings: $458,891
Bowditch has fallen so far, so fast is hard to comprehend. He shot a boatload of rounds in the 80s last season, albeit handling the embarrassing moments with grace. That gets him good-guy points, but not FedEx points. He can't do so poorly again, can he?
152. John Peterson - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $650,000
2015-16 Earnings: $13,020
Peterson missed most of the season with a left hand injury and was trying to play his way back on Tour via the Web.com Tour finals. If he doesn't make it, his starts will be severely limited, severely limiting his value (which wasn't great to begin with).
153. J.T. Poston - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $650,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
No victories for Poston in 2016 but consistently high finishes ensured him a playing spot on the PGA Tour for 2016-17. That's especially impressive considering he didn't even join the Web.com Tour until June, and in fact played in the Canadian Tour's Qualifying School in March. He finished second twice, the first by shooting a final-round 64 at the Lincoln Land Charity Championship and the next by losing in a playoff at the Digital Ally Open. Couple that with a third in his second event of the year and a T6 in June and Poston quickly earned enough cash to make it to the next stage. The strength of his game is his irons and putter, where he ranked fifth in greens hit and 19th in putting average. Keep that consistency going on the next level and you could have a money machine.
154. Lee Westwood - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $600,000
2015-16 Earnings: $1,138,810
Westwood still has game, but played a very limited schedule last year. He made a lot of cash by finishing T2 in the Masters, so he'll be back at Augusta this season. If you're a gambling man, he's worth a shot in deeper formats.
155. Bryson DeChambeau - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $600,000
2015-16 Earnings: $656,621
Here's the thing about DeChambeau: the dude's legit, but this is going to be a tough road for him. Yes, he nearly won the RBC Heritage in his first week on Tour but then he struggled, big time, missing four straight cuts. He admitted that he overprepared and worked too hard, perhaps expected considering the angles (figuratively and literally) at which he looks at golf. The man whose irons are the same length firmly believes he has the power to change golf -- and he very well might. Kudos to him for winning the DAP Championship in a playoff, the first Web.com Tour Finals event, to clinch his PGA Tour card. But getting acclimated to the traveling grind and learning all the golf courses on tour won't be easy - it's not even for the best -- and it wouldn't surprise if it takes the better part of a season for DeChambeau to work his way into a groove. That might not be a bust in a golf fan's eyes but in the eyes of a fantasy player it might not be good enough.
156. Gonzalo Fdez-Castano - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $600,000
2015-16 Earnings: $65,600
Fdez-Castano made 17 of 22 cuts on the Web.com Tour last season with seven top-25s, including two top-10s. He went T16-T9-T24 at the Finals to earn his PGA Tour card for this season. The T9 at the Boise Open was highlighted by opening rounds of 68 and weekend 66s. A seven-time European Tour winner, the 35-year-old Spaniard will get more opportunities on the PGA Tour this year after just two events last season, though his first resulted in a T15 at the Sanderson Farms Championship.
157. J.J. Spaun - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $600,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Spaun registered one victory – the News Sentinel Open in late August – two seconds and seven top-10s in 2016 on the Web.com Tour, easily sealing his spot on the PGA Tour for 2016-17. The win included middle rounds of 62-64, two of four rounds of 64 or better he shot in competition this year. He also played the Northern Trust Open on the PGA Tour, missing the cut. He was second in greens in regulation on the Web.com Tour at 76.65 percent and was 12th in the all-around ranking. One negative is that he finished 89th in putting average, something that will have to change on the PGA Tour for him to be a strong fantasy player.
158. Andres Gonzales - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $550,000
2015-16 Earnings: $579,667
Gonzales has made the playoffs just once, in 2015, and he used his best career finish, T3 at the OHL Classic, to get him there. Last season, he missed 16-of-28 cuts in finishing 154th in points, and that is more of the norm for him. Making the playoffs this season would be a surprise.
159. Geoff Ogilvy - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $550,000
2015-16 Earnings: $397,595
Ogilvy is using his one-time exemption for being among the top-50 career earners, so he really has to produce. It doesn't take much to get into the top-125, maybe one or two or two really good weeks. But does Ogilvy have them in him? Probably not.
160. Max Homa - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $550,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
The youngster out of UCLA was a rookie in 2014-15 and enjoyed limited success. So he returned to the Web.com Tour and finished 23rd on the regular-season money list to get a second try. He should be better suited this time around, but whether enough to reach the playoffs and keep his card is a big question mark.
161. Will MacKenzie - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $525,000
2015-16 Earnings: $416,033
MacKenzie is a two time PGA Tour winner, but his best season came in 2013-14, with five top-10s. He hasn't been able to match that in the past two years combined, while battling injuries. He was 151st in points last season, and it's hard to envision a finish inside the top-125 this season.
162. Padraig Harrington - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $654,929
Harrington was the 2015 Honda winner, and he made a good chunk of his earnings last season by tying for sixth in the Tournament of Champions. He won't be in that event this season, barring a fall win, so his earnings likely will drop.
163. Nick Taylor - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $628,756
Taylor is exempt by virtue of winning the 2014 Sanderson Farms, which is looking like an aberration. He had only one top-10 last season, in the alternate-field Puerto Rico Open. Nothing indicates a more successful season ahead.
164. Michael Thompson - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $521,983
Thompson has steadily regressed since notching his lone PGA Tour win in 2013, barely making half his cuts the past two seasons. He averaged 25 starts those two seasons, so it's not like he didn't have opportunities to get inside the top-125. There's scant evidence that will change this season.
165. Jeff Overton - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $410,246
Overton hasn't had a really good year since 2010 (or before 2010, for that matter). He has one start on a minor medical to earn 165.503 points or $307,644, which is unlikely. If he doesn't get it, he'll likely be scrapping for starts the rest of the season.
166. Andrew Johnston - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $270,262
Few took golf more socially by storm in the second half of 2016 than Andrew "Beef" Johnston. The Brit who said out loud, publicly, right after his Spanish Open win that he'd celebrate Open by getting really drunk (which is an automatic way to gain a ton of fans on social media, by the way) backed up his party antics by: a) getting really drunk, b) contending at the Open Championship and being in the second-to-last group on Sunday before finishing eighth, c) getting a sponsorship with fast-food chain Arby's and staring in some utterly hilarious commercials, d) coming to the U.S. to play the Web.com Tour Finals for a PGA Tour card even when he had a place to play and e) backing up those intentions with great play - fourth at the Boise Open - to clinch his tour card. It's uncertain how much he'll play over here or how well he'll play being a world traveler playing both tours - we've seen that backfire before - but he has the game to contend in a big spot and a personality that's infectious.
167. Miguel Angel Carballo - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $240,509
Carballo struggled on the PGA Tour this year in 18 starts, finishing 187th in FedEx Cup Points. Yet he went to the Web.com Tour Finals and got his card back by virtue of a second-place finish at the Boise Open. If he can fix a balky putter that lost him -.447 strokes per round, which would have ranked him 175th with the requisite number of rounds, Carballo can contend on the PGA Tour.
168. Hunter Mahan - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $230,694
The former perennial top-10 golfer has taken perhaps the most precipitous fall of anyone the past few years, but he had strung together enough semi-recent wins to keep his card. Earning less than $10,000 per tournaments seems impossible to do again, but Mahan won't come close to past glory, either.
169. Mackenzie Hughes - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $500,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Hughes got into the winner's circle this year at the Price Cutter Charity Championship in August, shooting a Saturday 64 to help propel him up the leaderboard. He added two other top-10s, leading the Canadian to the PGA Tour for 2016-17. He missed nine cuts in 23 starts, which is concerning, not helped by his 111st-place ranking in driving accuracy and 67th place in greens in regulation. But he has a strong putter, ranking 17th, and that will help take his game to new heights if he can hit more fairways and greens.
170. Tim Wilkinson - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $450,000
2015-16 Earnings: $708,623
Wilkinson started last season making 11 of 13 PGA Tour cuts, including a T4 at the Byron Nelson, and then went into a tailspin. He missed six of the last nine cuts and headed to the Web.com Finals to look to retain his card. A T33 and T48 in the first two events put him in a tough spot, but a T12 at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship was enough to the claim the 50th and final Web.com tour card. Don't expect much more this season.
171. Greg Chalmers - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $450,000
2015-16 Earnings: $695,188
Chalmers consistently is among the putting leaders on the tour, but it hasn't been enough to sustain him. He did win the Barracuda last season, giving him a two-year exemption, but it was his lone top-25. He should make more than 12 starts, but expect a lean season ahead.
172. Rory Sabbatini - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $450,000
2015-16 Earnings: $150,236
Sabbatini regained his card via the Web.com Tour finals, but if he hadn't made it, he was expected to use his one-time top-50 career money list exemption. But that doesn't mean you should have him on your team.
173. Ernie Els - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $400,000
2015-16 Earnings: $559,024
Els is coming off two consecutive seasons outside the top-150 in points. He had only one top-10 last season, in a severely depleted Quicken Loans National field. He had no top-10s the season before, and it would hardly be surprising if that happened again in 2016-17.
174. Sam Saunders - C
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $400,000
2015-16 Earnings: $510,079
First of all, here's hoping the golf gods shine brightly down on Saunders and give him a great 2016-17 PGA Tour season in the starts he gets to continue the great legacy of his grandfather. On the golfing side of things we'll see him some on the PGA Tour and a bunch on the Web.com Tour. He'll need to fix both his driving and iron play as he was 142ndin strokes gained-tee to green and 140th in strokes gained-total while ranking 128th in greens in regulation.
175. Rod Pampling - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $400,000
2015-16 Earnings: $142,433
Pampling played 18 PGA Tour events in 2015-16 but made just eight cuts, his best finish a T26 at the opposite-field Puerto Rico Open. After finishing 195th on the FedEx Cup points list, Pampling carded three top-25s, including a T10, in the Web.com Finals to earn his 2016-17 card. He hasn't topped $190K since 2012, and at 47, likely will keep that streak alive this year.
176. Ryan Blaum - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $400,000
2015-16 Earnings: $42,160
Blaum got his PGA Tour card through the Web.com Tour Finals and used a T5 in Boise and a T18 in Columbus to do it. In Boise he finished with 64 and ranked T2 in birdies and 10th in putts per GIR. If he continues that combination on the PGA Tour, he might contend. Blaum was 33rd on the regular season money list, just missing his card that way. He also competed last fall at the OHL Classic on the PGA Tour and tied for 29th. A player hot now, the fall could be a good spot for him.
177. Brandon Hagy - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $400,000
2015-16 Earnings: $33,226
Five top-10s and seven top-25s gave Hagy a PGA Tour card, the best finish being a T3 at the Ellie Mae Classic at TPC Stonebrae in July. A long hitter, he ranked second in driving average at 321.7 yards per drive, first in eagles and 11th in scoring average. If he can control his distance – something Tony Finau and Justin Thomas have had to figure out, for example – he's certainly got the length to contend on the PGA Tour. Another key for him, which could lead to early struggles, is working out a gameplan for each course and where his length fits in.
178. Xander Schauffele - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $400,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Schauffele, 26th on the regular-season Web.com Tour money list to miss a tour card that way by one spot, gathered himself and went T50-T18-T9 in the playoffs, clinching a spot on the PGA Tour and giving himself a nice sigh of relief. He's playing well and could hop up on a leaderboard this fall, as he was T12 in GIR and T15 in putts per GIR in Columbus.
179. Ryan Brehm - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $400,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Brehm won the Portland Open in late August on the Web.com Tour, sealing his spot on the PGA Tour for 2016-17 after a Web.com Tour campaign that saw him have two thirds and five top-10s in 24 starts. He missed seven cuts in 24 starts and had nine other finishes outside of the top 25. That's probably attributed to his 134th-place ranking in driving accuracy and 58th place in greens in regulation. That has to improve for him to be a better player than the $400K he's pegged for.
180. Steven Alker - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $400,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Alker is back on the PGA Tour for the third time. He persevered through an up-and-down Web.com season last year, posting seven top-25s, including two top-10s, but missed four consecutive summer cuts and then trunk slammed at the first Finals event. Fortunately for him, he bounced back in the next two events, finishing eighth at the Boise Open and T18 at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship. In 22 PGA Tour events in 2014-15, Alter made more than $236K.
181. Stuart Appleby - C
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $350,000
2015-16 Earnings: $500,214
The former PGA Tour winner has fallen on hard times in recent years beset by injuries and poor play, which has resulted in him only having conditional status for 2016-17. He'll get some starts others won't by being a past champion, but his focus should be on improving a tee-to-green game that left him ranked 113th in that category last season.
182. D.A. Points - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $350,000
2015-16 Earnings: $305,250
Points made little more than $300K in 18 PGA Tour events last season, and nearly three-quarters of it came from three top-20 finishes. Aside from that, he never finished inside the top 50. But T6 at the DAP Championship in the first Web.com Finals event all but sealed his PGA Tour card for 2016-17. A two-time PGA Tour winner, Points hasn't finished in the top 10 in three years and will probably make it four this season.
183. Tim Clark - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $350,000
2015-16 Earnings: $110,361
Clark has 19 starts on a major medical exemption to accrue 368.787 points or $607,529 to keep his card. Health aside, he was among those most affected by the anchored-putting ban, putting into question his future earning capabilities.
184. Martin Flores - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $350,000
2015-16 Earnings: $101,576
Flores lost his PGA Tour card after 2014-15, but was fifth among Web.com regular-season money winners to earn a trip back. It'll be a struggle to stick around. He did make the playoffs three years running from 2012-14, but slipped to 156th in points the following season to return to the Web.com Tour.
185. Matt Jones - C
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $300,000
2015-16 Earnings: $712,723
Jones has the dubious distinction of finishing 126th on both the FedEx Cup Points List and the money list, when just a couple more points or dollars would have gotten him a PGA Tour card for next season. Now after a missed cut in the last regular-season event of the year at the Wyndham Championship, the former Shell Houston Open winner has an uncertain schedule and some time to fix a game that left his strokes gained ranks of 102nd tee to green, 155th in approach to the green and 159th in putting.
186. Whee Kim - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $300,000
2015-16 Earnings: $682,662
Kim finished T3 at the John Deere and T6 at the RBC Heritage last season but those were his only top-25 finishes in 27 PGA Tour starts. So, he headed to the Web.com Finals to earn his card where he finished T9 in the Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship to ice it. The 24-year-old South Korean improved his driving distance by 13 yards to 301.1 and has the talent to contend, as he showed last season. More consistency - 13 missed cuts — would go a long way.
187. Steve Wheatcroft - C
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $300,000
2015-16 Earnings: $601,164
Wheatcroft missed the cut at the Wyndham Championship in his last regular-season event, but his season had its moments – two top-5s late in the year – alongside 10 missed cuts and 13 finishes outside the top 25. Now he has limited starts and a need to improve on a balky tee to green game where he ranked 150th in that strokes gained category on the PGA Tour.
188. Chris Stroud - C
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $300,000
2015-16 Earnings: $599,176
Stroud started 2015-16 strong with a T10 at the Frys.com (now Safeway) Open but it turned out to be his only top-10 of the year with only two other additional top-25s. He'll need to make the most of his limited opportunities on the big circuit and improve his driver, which left him 118th in strokes gained-off the tee.
189. Tom Hoge - C
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $300,000
2015-16 Earnings: $561,559
Hoge had two top-10s, T9s at RSM and Valero, but 12 missed cuts in 26 starts doomed any realistic chance to keep his PGA Tour card for 2016-17. Out of the conditional category he'll get some starts here and a lot on the Web.com Tour, and a chance to fix all aspects of his game. His strokes gained-total ranking was a poor 147th.
190. Bronson Burgoon - C
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $300,000
2015-16 Earnings: $557,020
Burgoon missed 11 cuts in 27 starts in 2015-16 on the PGA Tour, including in three of his last four starts of the season. Part of the problem he'll seek to fix with some extra time off is a balky short game that left him 181st in strokes gained – around the green.
191. Tyler Aldridge - C
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $300,000
2015-16 Earnings: $517,738
Zero top-10s hurt Aldridge's cause, as did 13 missed cuts in 28 starts. Now he has limited playing privileges and a balky driver (125th in strokes gained – off the tee) and putter (121st) to fix.
192. Greg Owen - C
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $300,000
2015-16 Earnings: $484,955
Owen missed 15 cuts in 29 starts and just had one top-10, a T5 at the Sony Open. That won't do it. In his limited playing opportunities on the PGA Tour next season he'll need to improve on his short game and putter, as he ranked 171stin strokes gained-around the green and 185th in strokes gained-putting.
193. Kelly Kraft - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $300,000
2015-16 Earnings: $403,437
Kraft rode a rollercoaster last season. He struggled out of the gate in his first full season on the PGA Tour to miss four of six cuts but then went on a run at season's end, making five of six, including a T5 at the John Deere Classic. He still needed a trip to the Web.com Finals to secure his 2016-17 card but missed the first two cuts before a T5 at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship saved him. Perhaps more familiarity with PGA courses will help his consistency in his second year on tour.
194. Brian Gay - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $300,000
2015-16 Earnings: $280,619
Gay will play under a major medical extension, with 14 events to earn 309 points or $461,851. That's a tall order right now, and there's no reason to gamble on Gay in any fantasy format.
195. Matt Every - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $300,000
2015-16 Earnings: $158,453
Every kept his card thanks to winning at Bay Hill two of the past three years, but he offered little in 2015-16 to indicate he would be competitive this coming season. Best to steer clear until he shows a little game.
196. Dominic Bozzelli - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $300,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Four top-10s propelled Bozzelli to the big time, including a victory in June at the Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship. Middle rounds of 63-64 and a winning score of 24-under clinched his spot on the PGA Tour for 2016-17 and a playoff loss just weeks later at the LECOM Health Challenge where he closed with 66 on Sunday proved he has closing power. He missed eight cuts in 18 starts, which isn't a great percentage and something he'll have to improve at the next level, but his average driving distance of 304.2 yards will be helpful as long as he can hit more greens. His 127th GIR rank won't cut it on the tour.
197. Julian Etulain - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $300,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Two second-place finishes, the first at the Louisiana Open and the second coming in a playoff loss at the DAP Championship, propelled Etulain to the PGA Tour. The Argentinian was 12th in greens hit, which he will need to continue on the tour. Look for early season struggles as he gets acclimated to the golf courses on the PGA Tour.
198. Tag Ridings - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $250,000
2015-16 Earnings: N/A
The 42-year-old Ridings rallied for a T12 in the last stop of the Web.com Finals to earn a PGA Tour card for the first time since 2013. He was 52nd on the Web.com Tour regular-season money list and entered the finale, the Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship, 36th. Ridings has played one event on the PGA Tour the last two years (2015 John Deere Classic, MC). His best shot at money will come this fall.
199. Cameron Percy - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $250,000
2015-16 Earnings: $313,456
Percy finished T10 in the first Web.com Finals event, and that was enough to carry him to a PGA Tour card for the second consecutive year after missing in 2014-15. He went T61-MC in the last two Finals events to cap an unimpressive year, carding two top-25s in 15 PGA Tour events. Expect more of the same this season from the 42-year-old Australian.
200. J.J. Henry - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $250,000
2015-16 Earnings: $280,674
Henry won the Barracuda a couple of seasons back, and that's why he's still here. Whether we can say that at this time next year for the veteran is a long shot. There's really no part of his game to get excited about.
201. Ryan Armour - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $250,000
2015-16 Earnings: $32,455
Armour was 12th on the Web.com regular-season money list, so he's back for another go-round on the PGA Tour. But he's 40 years old and has played only 83 Tour events going back to his 2007 debut season. This could be his final ride at the PGA Tour rodeo.
202. Davis Love III - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $200,000
2015-16 Earnings: $222,422
Love enjoys exempt status based on his out-of-nowhere Wydham win in 2015, but who knows how much he'll play this season? Last season, he had zero top-25s in his 15 starts, and it's entirely possible that happens again.
203. Brad Fritsch - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $200,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
The veteran Canadian has had his most PGA Tour success in 2013 and 2014, but still couldn't reach the playoffs. He's back on tour, thanks to finishing 14th on the Web.com regular-season money list, but it's likely a one-year reprieve.
204. Mark Anderson - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $200,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Anderson has had only one full-season run on the PGA Tour, in 2012, and didn't do much with the opportunity. He's getting a second chance after a 16th-place showing on the Web.com money list during the regular season. Fun fact: Anderson has made $715,000 in his career on the PGA Tour and $715,000 on the Web.com Tour. No-so-fun-fact: He won't make the playoffs this season.
205. Nicholas Lindheim - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $200,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Lindheim has played only once on the PGA Tour (he made the cut in 2014). He'll get a lot more opportunities after a perplexing Web.com season. He had a win and a runner-up, but he also missed 10 of 20 cuts. That won't cut it with the big boys.
206. Brian Campbell - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $200,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Campbell had two second-place finishes in a three-tournament span, the BMW Charity Pro-Am and Nashville Golf Open, and added three other top-10 finishes to clinch a spot on the PGA Tour. He had an interesting stats dichotomy – 75th in greens hit yet eighth in putting average — and, not surprisingly, was fairly high (36th) in scrambling. He must hit more greens.
207. Hiroshi Iwata - C
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $150,000
2015-16 Earnings: $634,862
Iwata is an interesting case because he plays a lot of overseas and most likely has status elsewhere in the world. So with that in mind, and with only conditional status on the PGA Tour, he could play the Web.com Tour a lot or look elsewhere. Wherever he plays he'll need to hit the ball better, as he was 176th in strokes gained-tee to green last season on the PGA Tour.
208. Jonathan Randolph - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $150,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Randolph was 13th on the Web.com regular-season money list. He's had only one full season on the PGA Tour, in 2014-15, and made only $250,000. It's hard to see him making that much this time around.
209. Zack Sucher - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $130,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Sucher came alive at the right time, using two top-10s in the Web.com Finals to secure his PGA Tour card. He played 18 events on tour in 2014-15, but made only five cuts and earned less than $100,000. He might surpass that number this season, but not by nearly enough to even sniff a playoff berth.
210. Carl Pettersson - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $100,000
2015-16 Earnings: $66,986
Pettersson will use his one-time top-50 career money list exemption. He was fairly decent just two years ago, but fell hard and fast last season, making only 5-of-22 cuts. Until he shows us something, steer clear.
211. Bo Van Pelt - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $100,000
2015-16 Earnings: $15,392
Van Pelt will continue playing under a one-time top-50 career money list exemption, which is what he was playing under last season. No matter, he has no fantasy value.
212. Charlie Beljan - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $100,000
2015-16 Earnings: $11,160
Beljan has 12 events to earn 453.560 points or $706,730 under a major medical extension. Who knows when he'll return, but don't count on him getting anywhere close to meeting those conditions. He has zero fantasy value.
213. Kevin Stadler - E
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $100,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Stadler has not been seen or heard from since 2014-15, when he went down with a left hand injury. Who knows when/if he'll be back, but if that happens, he'll be under a major medical extension, with 26 events to earn 454.420 points or $717,890. That's a tall task, and that doesn't even take into account that he can no longer anchor his putter. He was a terrible putter without anchoring, and not great with it.
214. Kevin Tway - W
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $100,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Tway tied for third in a Web.com playoff event to secure his PGA Tour card. It's going to be hard to replicate that this season, as he's had zero top-25s in 32 career PGA starts. His claim to fame is being the son of 1986 PGA champion Bob Tway, and that's not likely to change this season.
215. Sebastian Munoz - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $100,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Munoz won a tournament to get inside the top 25 on the Web.com regular-season money list, but he also missed 16 of 23 cuts. That was his first foray onto the secondary tour, and he's never played a PGA Tour event. But he will now, and he'll likely experience significant growing pains.
216. Rick Lamb - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $100,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Lamb played only 13 times on the Web.com Tour last season, but he won once, good enough to sneak into the 24th spot on the regular-season money list. He's never played a PGA Tour event, and he'll almost assuredly be heading back to the Web.com Tour after his rookie PGA season.
217. Joel Dahmen - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $100,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Dahmen used two T3s during the regular season to snag the 25th spot on the Web.com money list. He's played in only one PGA Tour event, in 2014, and he made the cut. But he shouldn't expect that to be a weekly occurrence this season.
218. Brett Drewitt - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $100,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
A mediocre regular season – he was 55th on the Web.com Tour regular season money list – got turned into a great season after clinching his PGA Tour card via the Web.com Tour Finals. Drewitt went T28-MC-T5 in the playoffs, ranking first in greens hit and T3 in driving accuracy at Nationwide. A nice combination to close his season and a potential good omen for the 2016-17 PGA Tour fall campaign.
219. Cody Gribble - R
2016-17 Projected Earnings: $50,000
2015-16 Earnings: $0
Gribble tied for second early in the Web.com Tour season at the United Leasing & Finance Championship but struggled throughout, missing a whopping 15 cuts in 24 starts. But he tied for fifth at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship and with the playoffs shortened to three events it was good enough for a PGA Tour card, even after missing the cut in the first two playoff events. That's a huge red flag for fantasy players: a talented golfer who didn't play well and basically got a card on one good finish. Look for any sign of strong, consistent finishes before starting or playing him regularly.
RotoWire golf writers Len Hochberg and Jeremy Schilling contributed to this report.
