With Bethpage Black out of the rotation due to Presidents Cup hosting duties, the PGA Tour moves the first playoff event to Glen Oaks Club in Old Westbury, New York this week.
Players, none of whom have played this course in competition, will take on a 7,350-yard par-70 composite course borrowing from Glen Oaks’ three nines. Only two courses on Tour this season have played longer.
Interestingly, even though Glen Oaks is a mere couple of miles from Bethpage Black, it doesn’t look a thing like that celebrated layout. Instead, you’ll hear the moniker “Augusta of the North” thrown around this week.
Wide fairways, little rough, ample bunkering, manicured greens with closely mowed runoff areas, at a glance, it does look a fair bit like Augusta (minus the massive elevation changes).
Strokes gained: off-the-tee will be important as hitting it long and fairly straight should be preferred here (isn’t it everywhere…but particularly important this week). Hitting it close will be important (proximity), as slight misses look to be penalized in much the same way as they are at Augusta National—that is, running off the green.
No need to talk about field strength. As this is a FedEx Cup playoff event, it’s strong! Pricing is quite soft, however, meaning you can comfortably roster top-priced players and still create a balanced lineup with your remaining five selections.
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If You Want to Go Chalk…
While he’s not chalky in many people’s minds this week, Rory McIlroy ($10,900) is still the fourth most expensive player this week. The dude simply isn’t in form right now. He’s injured. You don’t want to say “He’s only teeing it up in the playoffs for the money and exposure for his sponsors.” But…
Top-of-the-Line Considerations
Hideki Matsuyama: $11,500
Three top-10 finishes plus a win in his last five starts (two of which came in majors). Matsuyama is extremely hot right now. You could have seen him priced north of $12,000, but DK has taken a softer route. Take advantage. Ninth in strokes gained: off-the-tee. Ninth in strokes gained: approach. Seventh in total strokes gained. Tour leader in birdie or better percentage.
Brooks Koepka: $9,100
Fifth in birdie or better percentage, Koepka tallied top-15 finishes three of his last four times out (three of those tournaments were majors). As the eighth most expensive golfer this week? Come on! 31st in strokes gained: total.
Deep Sleepers
Charl Schwartzel: $6,900
As the 31st most expensive golfer on DraftKings this week, Schwartzel’s pedigree and recent form makes him well worth rostering. He’s finished inside the top 25 in two of his last three tournaments. After a week off following a poor showing at the PGA Championship, he should be able to crack the top 25 this week. 34th in strokes gained: approach.
Chez Reavie: $6,700
Top-40 finisher in his last four starts (top-25 in two of them), Reavie is 33rd in the pricing this week. 36th in strokes gained: approach, second in proximity, Reavie should do well this week. And while he isn’t long off the tee, his accuracy (fifth in the stat) could put him in position for a top-20 showing.
Birdie Busters
Birdies are the name of the game in GPP. Season leaders in Birdie or Better percentage (BoB%)
Hideki Matsuyama: $11,500
Justin Thomas: $9,400
Jordan Spieth: $11,200
Rickie Fowler: $11,300
Brooks Koepka: $9,100
Luke List: $6,600
Jason Day: $9,700
Tony Finau: $7,300
Core 2
Paul Casey: $9,000
No surprise here! Casey arrives having finished inside the top 15 in his last four starts (including The Open and the PGA Championship). Third in strokes gained: approach. Sixth in strokes gained: tee-to-green. 19th in strokes gained: total. Eighth in scoring average. He’s $500 to $1,000 cheaper than he should be. Take advantage and roster him up to 50 percent.
Marc Leishman: $8,400
As the No. 15 golfer in DK pricing this week, Leishman looks poised to play better than his price as he’s finished inside the top 15 in three of his last four starts. 17th in strokes gained: tee-to-green, 11th in total strokes gained, Leish is a complete player who isn’t getting the recognition he deserves. At $8,400 he’s worth rostering in 35 or 40 percent of your rosters.
Ben Alberstadt is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Ben, check out his archive and follow him @BenAlberstadt.
