THE POST’S PICKS
MARK CANNIZZARO
RORY McILROY: Beware the injured golfer. Wouldn’t it just figure if McIlroy, who’s been nursing a nagging rib injury since the start of the year, won this week? Don’t put it past him.
DANIEL BERGER: He’s part of that 20-something set of stars who have been basking in the glow of major championship victories (Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas).
JUSTIN THOMAS: Fresh off his PGA Championship victory, will he still have his foot on the gas after winning four times already this season? Thomas is in the driver’s seat for Player of the Year honors.
KEEGAN BRADLEY: If there is a player who has a “hometown’’ advantage it is Bradley, who played his college golf at St. John’s and could thrive at Glen Oaks with a lot of local support. PHIL MICKELSON: Mickelson is under some pressure to perform well the next two weeks to get himself onto the Presidents Cup team.
BRETT CYRGALIS
RICKIE FOWLER: All his buddies (Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth) have been winning major championships recently, and he must feel left out. The FedEx Cup title would help ease the pain.
PATRICK REED: Another terrific player who hasn’t won a major but has knocked on the door a bunch. He still wants to prove himself.
JORDAN SPIETH: While most players might be confused by the new greens at Glen Oaks, Spieth is one of the most likely to figure them out quickly and gain a good advantage around the hole. CHARLEY HOFFMAN: Putting together a great season, Hoffman is now famous for his line, “I’m tired of finishing in second,” which he said during the WGC event at Firestone this month. A newfound desire is there. LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN: The sweet-swinging South African finished runner-up in the PGA Championship, and as he starts to figure his putter out, he becomes increasingly dangerous.