Hitting the Power Fade – PGA DFS
By: Mark Farris
Tournament: Sentry Tournament of Champions
Course: Kapalua Resort – Plantation Course
(Par 73 – 7,500 Yards)
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Defending Champions: Xander Schauffele (-23) – 2019
Dustin Johnson (-24) – 2018
Justin Thomas (-22) – 2017
Jordan Spieth (-30) – 2016
Combine this information with my partner, Alex White’s, information. We take slightly different perspectives in our analysis but are on a lot of the same guys each week. Hopefully, this gives you validation.
NOTE: No matter what the format of my article, I am ALWAYS available on Slack Chat! You can discuss your ideas/issues with everyone in the #pga-dfs channel or you can DM me on there if you have an idea you really want to keep to yourself, but need someone to bounce it off of!! I promise, I won’t tell!!! …… as long as you let me use it! LMAO!
Remember the Rules of playing DFS:
- You will probably lose more weeks than you win.
- Play Single-Entry (S/E), S/E Double-Ups and 50/50s as a hedge against the GPPs you want/like to play.
- If you play GPPs, look for Single-Entry contests first. After that, play the ones that allow five (5) entries or less. The only exception I have to my rule is that I play the $1 WTA each week that allows 20 entries. I don’t always play the maximum but I use it to help me set the 10-20 lineups I like to set each week. I am NOT a Mega-Multi Entry player!
- In PGA-DFS, DO NOT get overly excited by your position after Round 1 (Thursday).
Course Background
- Long Par 73 – in yardage only. The course is hilly and a lot of the drives are downhill.
- Ocean-side course so the elements WILL can be a factor….wind is a given!
- Bermuda rough and greens and the rough is typically cut short and isn’t penalizing.
- Position will/can be important off the tee..
THIS IS A NO-CUT EVENT!!!
I’m going to change it up for the No-Cut events this year and try to minimize the article. I may also redo my format (I know – make up your mind Mark!!) so that it’s easier to take a quick look to make plays if you are in a hurry.
My fellow PGA expert Alex’s approach is a lot more statistical and I’m more of a “gut” picker. Golf is a variant DFS sport and sometimes you just have a feeling………that’s my approach in this Article. Don’t get me wrong. I view Alex’s article as a “must read” and his analysis has pushed me off the fence on a lot of plays. So, here we go!
Since this is a No-Cut event, you don’t have to be as wary of your picks. The bonus here is, not only does everyone get four rounds (barring an injury or WD/DQ), but these are also guys that won last year so we know they can go low.
This is usually a low wining number and a “birdie-fest” as they say. Guys that tend to make a lot of birdies or better, but screw up royally on some holes (a.k.a. Phil Mickelson – who isn’t here), can be a key for you in placing higher up.
$9,000 & Up
- John Rahm
- Justin Thomas
- Xander Schauffele
- Dustin Johnson
- Patrick Cantlay
- Rickie Fowler
- Gary Woodland
- Patrick Reed
All are viable to start your lineups with but, remember, this is a week where “chalk” isn’t necessarily a good thing. I think Gary Woodland will probably be the most overlooked player in this range.
My Play: Patrick Reed (Don’t care! I like the guy! He’s real!)
Top Picks: John Rahm, JT, DJ and Xander
$7,000 – $8,900 (not listing everyone here)
My Play: Collin Morikawa
Top Picks: Matthew Wolff, Matt Kuchar, Kevin Kisner & Joaquin Niemann
Below $7,000
My Play: Lanto Griffin
Top Picks: Adam Long, Sung Kang & Max Homa
NEW START!!! LET”S DO THIS!
Remember, it’s called GOLF because all of the other 4-letter words were taken! The variance is frustrating and Alex and I are just trying to help you through the ROUGH!
