The Burning Edge PGA DFS: Travelers Championship

PGA DFS has created a significant following over the past few years. Which is the best thing that could have happened to the sport, next to Tiger making his all world comeback of course. This overflow of PGA DFS players has snowballed in the right direction, creating a wide variety of contests on our go to DFS sites (DraftKings, FanDuel, Yahoo, and even DRAFT). The players that have put in the work are sharper than ever. The content is vast and can be somewhat overwhelming. If you have ever asked yourself who do I trust? Who am I going to believe in enough to put my hard-earned money on the line for? Raise your hand. My hand is up. Now put your hand down and listen. Here at Fulltime Fantasy we want to take the guess work out of it for you. DFS is a sport in and of itself and if we aren’t willing to put in the research, it will hinder our long-term ROI. Majority of DFS players got into this because they love sports, some got into DFS to make money, and others got into this to TAKE money. That is where we come in at Fulltime Fantasy, we want to TAKE what we deserve because we don’t cut corners, we don’t glance over articles, we don’t throw in uneducated lineups.  We are WINNERS. Now let’s go WIN.

Your DraftKings lineup is made up of 6 golfers you choose within a $50,000 salary cap.

Your FanDuel lineup is made up of 6 golfers you choose within a $60,000 salary cap.

Quick tip: You can create an ownership edge by simply not using all your salary cap.

Throughout this article, I will be giving you my Top-Notch Options, Salary Savers, Tourney Treasures, and one Sneaky Suspicion. I will also provide a FADE of the week to help you create an edge against all competition. Let’s dive in!

 

TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

Congratulations to Gary Woodland on his US Open victory. Gary was truly an overlooked golfer going into that tournament, but he has all the tools to compete with the best in the world. All it takes is one very good week on the greens to make it happen. He made a statement that he shouldn’t be overlooked in strong field events ever again.

We are back to a normal field event on the PGA Tour and what better way to welcome us back than a Pete Dye design. The Travelers Championship will take place at TPC River Highlands which has been the host for as long as I can remember. A course where a variety of golfers and skill sets have topped the leaderboards. Bubba Watson has won here 3 times in the past 10 years and is the defending champion this season.

The course is a short par 70 that can be scored on if weather is cooperative. The winning scores over the past 5 years have ranged from -12 to -17. It is worth noting that the greens changed from Bentgrass to Poa Annua in 2015 and have increased in speed dramatically.

This tournament has a solid field overall. The biggest advantage will be gained in ownership and finding the gems in the top range. My early outlook on the slate will be a more balanced approach. Remember if you have questions about certain golfers, or roster construction don’t hesitate to reach out on Slack Chat.

 

Travelers Championship

TPC River Highlands

 

Field 156 Players/ Top 70 and ties make the cut.

Yardage- 6,841

Par- 70
Rank- 25/51
Greens- Poa

Par 5’s- 2

Par 4’s- 12

Par 3’s- 4

 

Tournament History

2018: Bubba Watson 1st, JB Holmes 2nd, Paul Casey 2nd, Beau Hossler 2nd 

2017: Jordan Spieth 1st, Daniel Berger 2nd

2016: Russell Knox 1st, Justin Thomas 2nd

2015: Bubba Watson 1st, Paul Casey 2nd

 

Statistical Breakdown

SG Approach- Top 10 in field

-Patrick Cantlay

-Emilliano Grillo

-Marc Leishman

-Paul Casey

-Brandt Snedeker

-Patton Kizzire

-Cameron Tringale

-Sangmoon Bae

-Francesco Molinari

-Jason Day

 

SG Putting- Top 10 in field

-Beau Hossler

-Jordan Spieth

-Charley Hoffman

-Jason Day

-Sangmoon Bae

-Alex Cejka

-Mackenzie Hughes

-Kyle Stanley

-Harris English

-Brian Harman

 

Par 4 (400-450)- Top 10 in field

-Jordan Speith

-Louis Oosthuizen

-Charley Hoffman

-Chez Reavie

-Patrick Reed

-Boo Weekley

-Bronson Burgoon

-Jason Day

-Jose De Jesus Rodriguez

-Russell Henley

-Sepp Straka

 

Top 10 Overall Rank in my Model

-Jason Day

-Emilliano Grillo

-Paul Casey

-Jordan Spieth

-Daniel Berger

-Russell Henley

-Bubba Watson

-Kyle Stanley

-Hank Lebioda

-Chez Reavie

 

These rankings are based on a mixed model created on Fantasynational.com using my personal rankings and other various factors that best fit this course specifically.

 

Top Notch Options– My top ranked golfers in the field.

Jason Day- Ranking number 1 in my model and never being to high owned is a perfect recipe for a lineup starter. I will be building about 40% of my lineups around Jason Day this week. With a positive approach week and his always solid around the green and putting stats he is a perfect fit for this design. Cash and GPP Viable.

Patrick Cantlay- The only thing to hold Cantlay back from another top 10 last week was his approach game. That is normally his strong suit. If he keeps putting above average, there is no reason he shouldn’t top 5 this week. I love Cantlay this week. If I can fit him and Day together, they will be my core for sure. Cash and GPP Viable.

 

Salary Savers– My value plays.

Emilliano Grillo- Grillo gained a ridiculous 8.3 strokes through approach last week but somehow managed to give them all back putting. He lost 6.7 strokes on the greens last week and still placed in the top 60. If he can replicate his iron play while minimizing his faults on the greens, he will be an excellent value at $7,900. Cash and GPP Viable.

Keegan Bradley- Ready for another roller coaster ride? This guy is the ultimate gut check play. He has an extremely high chance of making the cut. He also has a chance to have the low round one of the four days. The exact opposite is true for every other round. If you want a really good chance to get 6/6 through the cut, he is a really safe play at $7,700. I personally love to roster Keegan he’s like a box of chocolates. You never know what your going to get. Cash and GPP Viable.

 

Tourney Treasures– Options that will go overlooked but are worth a shot in a GPP.

Kevin Streelman- Streelman has capitalized on courses that fit his game all season. This course is no exception. It is short, controlled, and forces you to make difficult decisions. Streelman has excellent course history with a t33 last season and t8 the season prior. He has a win in 2014 as well so he is no stranger to competing on the weekends here. I believe with a high price tag of $8,200 most people will try to find golfers with higher upside, but I like the safety that is built into Streelman’s game. With his ability to limit big numbers and play close to the vest I would play him in cash as well as tournaments.

Kevin Tway- Tway continued his current made cut streak last time out. Making it 5 straight cuts made and now we get him on a course that he has great history on. Last year on this course he came in 6th place gaining strokes through approach and on the greens. I have a good feeling he makes another cut and scores enough to back up his price tag. At his ownership (which will be low) no need to force him into cash lineups, but he is GPP worthy.

 

Sneaky Suspicion– Gut play of the week.

Bryson DeChambeau- Bryson is simply due for a breakout week. His talent is to pure to continue to fall on his face week after week. This is a course where a hot putter can keep you in the mix. If he can score with his putter his confidence in his irons will follow suit. All it takes is a good first round for him to believe in himself again. Golf is 90% mental and Bryson is currently beating himself. Play at your own risk. He has legit winning upside! GPP Only.

 

Fade– A golfer that is higher owned and doesn’t deserve a spot on our rosters.

Francesco Molinari- Moli is in a minor slump with his irons currently for his standards. He gained 5.7 strokes last week around the greens to keep him in the top 20, that number is unsustainable for him. He normally plays better on courses which focus on longer iron play and with so many big names around him I want more upside and scoring ability at his price. I do think he makes the cut, but I don’t think he pays off his high price tag. As always, I will have one hedge lineup because with player of his caliber, he can click any given week.

 

Important- Other golfers on my radar. I will have a good amount of exposure to, but they just missed the write up cut. *Favorite in the group.

Jordan Spieth*

Justin Thomas

Paul Casey*

Tony Finau*

Bubba Watson

Louis Oosthuizen

Brandt Snedeker*

Chez Reavie

Jason Kokrak

Charley Hoffman

Daniel Berger

Sungjae Im

Adam Hadwin

Bud Cauley

Russell Henley*

Danny Lee*

Kyle Stanley*

Kiradech Aphibarnrat

Sepp Straka

Colin Morikawa

Matt Jones

Sam Ryder

Scott Brown

Hank Lebioda*

 

Remember this is Golf.

Remember to be Contrarian.

Remember to have Fun.