I think we can all agree that the opening week of the 2015-16 PGA season started off with a bang. Emiliano Grillo seems to be the real deal and I am excited to watch him along with other exciting new golfers this season. That being said, I am going to be completely honest with you all when I tell you that from a fantasy perspective, the season opener left much to be desired for me. While I did have some Grillo shares along with a ton of Wilcox and Thomas… Unfortunately I played Russell Knox across the board which ultimately sank the majority of my lineups but such is life and sometimes you just have to get back on the pony and enjoy the ride….
On to this week! What better place to double down than in Las Vegas? This week, we head to TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas, NV for the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. TPC Summerlin is a par 71 course that measures over 7,250 yards. Make no mistake about it, this is a scorers paradise so be ready for some low scores this week and some exciting golf!
KEY STATS:
Par Breakers
GIR Percentage
Birdie Or Better Percentage
As always, SG:T2G, SG:Putting, and Course History will all be sprinkled in to help us figure out which golfers to target from week to week.
$TUD PLAYS:
BROOKS KOEPKA
$10,900 (DraftKings)
Odds To Win: 15-1
Expected Ownership: 15.5%
We are all aware that Brooks Koepka is a scorer. His game sets up almost perfectly for this course and has the history to prove it most recently with a T4 here last season. His price could keep his ownership somewhat down this week with favorites like Na cheaper but if you can afford him, this is a great spot to pay up for Brooks. His great round of golf Saturday will most likely be overlooked by the uninspiring 75 on Sunday too so hopefully that will keep even more people off him this week.
KEVIN NA
$10,400 (DraftKings)
Odds To Win: 25-1
Expected Ownership: 22.1%
Local guy narrative? Check. Course History? Check. Former Winner? Check. Recent Form? Check. And it goes on and on…. Things may just be too perfect in this spot for Kevin Na but you know we will have pretty much no choice but to roster him everywhere this week. Na is coming off the P2 last week where he was T5 in Par Breakers, T5 in Birdie or Better Percentage, and T11 in GIR Percentage. If he can keep it rolling this week, I see no reason why he won’t be in contention in back to back weeks to start this season.
VALUE PLAYS:
JASON BOHN
$9500 (DraftKings)
Odds To Win: 30-1
Expected Ownership: 16.5%
Bohn should be a popular pick again this week as he measures up greatly in all the key stats this week. He is coming off the T3 at the Frys where he led the field in GIR Percentage and T2nd in Birdie or Better Percentage and Par Breakers. Look for Bohn to keep the hot hand rolling into the Shriners this week!
WILL WILCOX
$8200 (DraftKings)
Odds To Win: 50-1
Expected Ownership: 14.2%
Surprisingly, Wilcox was owned right at just 10% in last week’s Drive the Green. I believe he is still underpriced and will continue to have heavy exposure to him until he proves me wrong. When Wilcox started the Fry’s opening round with 4 consecutive birdies I started losing my mind already proclaiming a Win…. So maybe a got a little ahead of myself but you can’t complain about a T10 for his price. This guy ranks well in literally every category on Tour and should be played in all formats.
PUNT PLAY:
TROY MERRITT
$5700 (DraftKings)
Odds To Win: 290-1
Expected Ownership: 1.1%
This is strictly a go for broke punt play based on price. We have all seen Merritt go low before and he has proven he has the ability to win. Why not take a flier on a guy like Merritt who has been known to put up birdies in bunches on easier courses?
Guys I’m Fading: Rickie Fowler, Brandt Snedeker, Webb Simpson
My Winner: Because Kevin Na is just way too obvious here, I am going with Brooks Koepka. His distance off the tee and his putting should give him even more opportunities this week for some low scores.
Best of luck this week, I hope you win all the money!!!
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