When filling out a DraftKings lineup (use promo code SGP), picking among the favorites is a fairly safe proposition. It’s when you have to choose between a pool of golfers down the line is where you make or break your chance to win big.
Here’s the critical decisions you’ll face as you fill out your lineup for the 2019 Sanderson Farms Championship (values courtesy of DraftKings).
Golfers Valued $8,000-$8,900
- Denny McCarthy – $8,900
- Martin Laird – $8,800
- Si Woo Kim – $8,700
- Cameron Champ – $8,600
- Aaron Wise – $8,500
- Wyndham Clark – $8,400
- Nick Taylor – $8,300
- Bronson Burgoon – $8,200
- Kyle Stanley – $8,100
- Luke List – $8,000
It was a tale of two tournaments for Denny McCarthy last week at the Greenbrier. In his 2nd and 4th rounds he gained just over 2.5 strokes on the field tee-to-green, and in the 1st and 3rd rounds he lost just under 7 in that same category. But once again the putter came to save the day as he finished 2nd in the field overall in Strokes Gained – Putting. He fell short of my expectations last week, but I’m willing to give him another shot because of that flat stick and the propensity of good putters to show well at the Sanderson.
Wyndham Clark is a golfer who’s strengths is his length off the tee and his putting, which has been a good combination at the Country Club of Jackson. Clark ranked 5th on the PGA Tour in driving distance in 2019 has gained just under 0.7 strokes per round on the greens since the RBC Canadian Open. For the year, he ranked 8th in that category on the PGA Tour. While traditionally ball striking hasn’t been quite as important in terms of scoring at the Country Club of Jackson, he will need to do better than his recent form in that area. Nevertheless, at least he has two of the most important attributes of a hopeful Sanderson contender in his arsenal, unlike a few others valued near him this week.
Kyle Stanley’s 2019 was certainly not one he envisioned having. Stanley entered 2019 ranked 33rd in the world but has since fallen to 67th as of today. Poor ball striking and putting plagued him for the first half of the year, but things have turned around since the U.S. Open. He’s made seven consecutive cuts and gained 0.9 strokes per round on the field tee-to-green over that stretch. He also has recorded positive strokes gained putting in three of his last five tournaments, and at his best is one of the most talented golfers in the field. A good finish this week could help build some much needed momentum for 2020.
Golfers Valued $7,500-$7,900
- Kevin Streelman – $7,900
- Sebastian Munoz – $7,900
- Harris English – $7,800
- Ryan Armour – $7,800
- Sam Burns – $7,700
- Zach Johnson – $7,700
- Richy Werenski – $7,600
- Grayson Murray – 7,600
- Matt Jones – $7,600
- Bill Haas – $7,500
- Charley Hoffman – $7,500
- Jason Dufner – $7,500
After a rough start to his rookie year, Sebastian Munoz may have figured things out on the PGA Tour. He made 10 of 12 cuts in PGA Tour events with five finishes T11 or better in that stretch. He’s been making his hay lately off the tee and with his putter, and for a rookie he ranked fairly high in birdie % statistics and greens in regulation %. That was good enough for him to retain his card, and he got off to a nice start to his second year with a Top 10 last week at the Greenbrier. Munoz should keep it rolling again this week.
It hasn’t been a very good stretch lately for Sam Burns, who enters this week on the heels of two straight missed cuts. But the core of his game is length off the tee and good putting, which is the right combination of golfer to target this week. His overall numbers are bogged down a bit by an outlier performance at the John Deere, so a regression to the mean might be in order for him.
While not as good as he used to be, Matt Jones still can roll the rock on the greens and drive the ball well enough to compete on the PGA Tour. After a rough patch, Jones enters this event with three made cuts in his last four tries and is coming in on the heels of a Top 10 at the Greenbrier. Jones was great last week tee-to-green but just so-so with his putting, and if that improves to his usual form he should be in for another good finish.
Bottom of the Barrel (Golfers <$7,500)
Cameron Tringale – $7,300: Last week was a bit of a disappointment for Tringale, but he still had positive strokes gained for the tournament tee-to-green and putting. Given his play over the last few months and his profile as a good putter with above average length off the tee, I expect better things from him at the Sanderson.
Robby Shelton – $7,200: That was an excellent PGA Tour debut from the recent Korn Ferry Tour graduate. Shelton gained over a stroke per round on the field both tee-to-green and on the greens, which is exactly the strong all-around game he showed on the Korn Ferry Tour this year. Shelton should have another good performance this week as well.
Harry Higgs – $7,000: I was a fan of Higgs heading into the Greenbrier, and he met my high expectations with a solid T19 finish in his PGA Tour debut. Higgs gained over a stroke per round tee-to-green on the field last week, and like Shelton is primed for another good finish in his young PGA Tour career.
Others To Consider: Lanto Griffin ($7,300), Doc Redman ($7,200), Mark Hubbard ($7,100), Carlos Ortiz ($6,900)
