Kings Back In Winner's Circle At The Players Championship

It only took the reigning Jackson Cup champ 10 weeks to get back in the winner's circle which for Kings Deer probably seemed like an eternity. He had a rough start to the season with a missed roster in week 2 which put a damper on his chances of retaining the Cup. But a big win at The Players should rejuvinate his spirits as he begins his hunt for his 2nd career segment title. This is just his second Top 10 but both were Top 3s as well so he's clearly got his eye on the big finish. Kings has a good stretch in front of him to start the spring as he was runner-up at this week's Honda Classic in 2019 (the last time this event was played) and will be defending champ at next week's Corales Puntacana (2019) in the Dominican Republic. 

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Top 10 Finish

While Kings Deer was busy winning his first event of 2021 most of the field was busy trying to keep a full roster in the field for the weekend! Perhaps never before seen in league history the carnage at TPC Sawgrass was enough to turn stomachs. Some teams were nearly completely decimated as they limped back into battle on Saturday with only 1 man. 

While Kings had a full roster, Niblick18 and HollySandersOldFace were down just a man but thankfully had Thomas on their squad which secured them a Top 3 finish. For Niblick it's his 3rd Top 10 and 2nd Top 3 of the season - his first Top 10 in 6 weeks but he does have a lone victory to keep him company. Sanders got his 2nd Top 10 and 2nd Top 3 with this finish, his first Top 3 coming in Phoenix where he won the Waste Management. As both teams are winners already they do have some cash in hand waiting for them in their 0% interest fantasy bank accounts.

Vegas Vito had himself a big week and got back into the hunt after some missteps set him back towards the end of winter. He secured his 5th Top 10 in the effort along with Reed's Rule Book, also with 5. Reed's is still desperately looking for that elusive Top 3 though to assure his backers that he's got earning power.

Where Eagles Dare got a much needed Top 10 as he'd gone 6 long lonely weeks without one. He started out hot but has faded somewhat since then, however this finish bumped him into 12th place and knocking on the door of the overall Top 10.  Oh Geez seems to be heating up as he carded his 2nd Top in a row but he's still looking for a high finish and some cash. Perhaps a spring segment title is something he's got his eye on.

Halve Ouimet tied Gophers for the league lead in Top 10s with his 6th and expanded on his season lead with big blunders coming from Gophers and Bmerk.

 Perhaps the biggest achievement last week came from GreenJacket and ByeBye Birdie who both somehow carded a Top 10 with just a three-man roster following the cut. Their squads were heavily shot-up following the Friday's cut but, showing true bravery and leadership, ByeBye and GreenJacket sent their boys back into the fray with merciless determination, holding nothing back as they fixed bayonets. It was not a fight for the faint of heart as they clubbed their way past their foes and into a Top 10 finish. It was a performance perhaps not before seen in league history. It was for both of them their second consecutive Top 10.

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SEASON STANDINGS

For many the savagery reaked by the cutline last week was a tough blow to their overall position. But where there is movement down there must be movement up. While Gophers and Bmerk gave up ground it presented a prime opportunity for Reed's and Vegas to leap frog up the board. ByeBye Birdie enters the Top 10 for the first time this year and has plans to make herself comfortable in her new digs - perhaps lighting a little incense to get cozy. Halve Ouimet expanded his lead at the top and is comfortable, if only for the moment, as the spring gets underway. All it takes though is an empty roster position for him to get unseated and it can happen on any given Friday. At 423 points the 10th place team could easily halve his disparity in a couple week's time. With 23 tournaments spread over 5 1/2 months still to play it's all about keeping the pace.

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STAT OF THE WEEK

In 2020 these teams made the biggest jump in the 

segment standings from winter to spring. 

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EARNINGS UPDATE

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NAME CHANGES

As mentioned a few weeks ago please stick with the name you've got. 

Team name changes during the season make tracking stats and overall continuity of progress difficult. 

Looking at you Grippin&Rippin - formerly Nick Hoffman. 

If you're not satisfied with your name, talk to your parents. 

Otherwise just wait until next season.

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NEXT UP: THE HONDA CLASSIC

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The iconic layout of the PGA National is sure to test some nerves this week. There'll be no shortage of spash-downs as it's a true test of Florida golf. Hopes and dreams will soar above the water's edge while praying for a good bounce. And a 3-hole stretch on the back nine in particular (#15-17), ominously known as the 

Bear Trap, will invariably determine the winner of this event.

“[Fantasy] Golf is a compromise between what your ego wants you to do, 

what experience tells you to do, and what your nerves let you do.” 

- Bruce Crampton