When filling out a DraftKings lineup (use the 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 Houston Open (values courtesy of DraftKings).
Golfers Valued $8,000-$8,900
- Harris English – $8,900
- Sam Ryder – $8,800
- Cameron Tringale – $8,700
- Bud Cauley – $8,600
- Luke List – $8,500
- Bronson Burgoon – $8,400
- Beau Hossler – $8,300
- Carlos Ortiz – $7,200
- Aaron Baddeley – $8,100
- Lanto Griffin – $8,000
- Xingjun Zhang – $8,000
This is likely to be a chalky play this week, but I love the resurgence of Harris English‘s form. A few weeks ago I asked if he was back, and while he didn’t quite live up to my expectations he still posted a respectable T33 at the Safeway Open. His ball striking numbers there remained solid, and he gained 0.75 strokes per round on the field off-the-tee in the event. He’s also putted very well of late, albeit it more on bentgrass and poa annua surfaces and not the bermuda greens he’ll face this week. Nevertheless, there’s not a lot of evidence to suggest he’ll bomb out of this week’s tournament in Houston.
The prices have finally caught up to Lanto Griffin, as over the last few weeks he’s been valued in the low $7,000 range. A combination of a weak field and his solid play is the reason why he’s crept up into the $8,000 range. But I still like him at this price as the ball-striking remains solid and his putting continues to shine. He’ll need to be better off the tee, as so far this year he’s been just OK in that department, and that was an area he struggled at in the Korn Ferry Tour last year. Nevertheless, he’s someone I have confidence in to post another good finish.
After a slow start to his return to the PGA Tour, Xinjun Zhang has been rock solid over his last two outings. He’s gained over 1.8 strokes per round on the field tee-to-green over that stretch and parlayed that into a T7 and T16 finish, respectively. He also drove the ball much better the last two tournaments than he did in his 2019 PGA Tour debut at the Greenbrier, and if that keeps up another good finish is in order.
Golfers Valued $7,500-$7,900
- Robby Shelton – $7,900
- Kevin Chappell – $7,900
- Nick Watney – $7,800
- Martin Laird – $7,800
- Richy Werenski – $7,700
- Brice Garnett – $7,700
- Andrew Landry – $7,600
- Brian Gay – $7,600
- Jhonattan Vegas – $7,600
- Tom Lewis – $7,500
- Lucas Bjerregaard – $7,500
- Austin Cook – $7,500
Like Lanto Griffin, Robby Shelton is a player I’ve continued to put in to DFS lineups with pretty good success. He’s made the cut in all four events this year and has been solid both in his ball striking tee-to-green and with his putting. That’s not much a surprise for those who trailed him during the Korn Ferry Tour last year. While his price is higher than previously weeks, I’m not shying away from using him.
Besides shooting a 59 at the Greenbrier, Kevin Chappell hasn’t made a ton of noise since returning from a back injury. But in a weak field and a golf course that matches his strengths when he was on top of his game, I like using him here as a mid-tier option to a lineup. Chappell is notoriously a good driver of the golf ball, and so far in his return that’s been where he’s been best by posting positive strokes gained off-the-tee in his two events back on the PGA Tour. Call it a hunch he has a nice finish down in Houston.
Andrew Landry has been very erratic so far this fall, but despite a lack of length he’s notoriously pretty good with a driver in his hands in his career on the PGA Tour. Over his last three tournaments he’s gained over half a stroke per round on the field off-the-tee, and despite three missed cuts out of four his overall ball striking numbers look fine. It’s the putter, however, that’s been really bad. Landry has some nice performances in his career on golf courses with bermuda greens, however, so maybe a return to more friendlier confines might be what he needs to post a good finish.
Bottom of the Barrel (Golfers <$7,500)
Harry Higgs – $7,400: Higgs has literally been up and down in his debut on the PGA Tour, alternating between a Top 25 finish and a missed cut over the first four events. He’s pretty good off-the-tee going all the way back to his days on the Korn Ferry Tour, ranking 37th there in Good Drive % and has gained 0.88 strokes per round on the field off the tee over his first four tournaments on the PGA Tour. His tournament success has gone the way of his putting, but an uptick in that should mean at least an appearance on the weekend.
Doc Redman – $7,200: Despite a lackluster beginning to his 2019-2020 season, Redman should be valued higher than this. He’s one of the more talented ball strikers and drivers in the field this week and has shown brilliance of play since turning pro in the summer. What he’ll have to overcome is his putter, which has not been good. But at this price point and his ceiling, he’s worth a flyer in lineups.
Zack Sucher – $6,600: Like Harris English, Sucher is a player that has kicked his game into high gear since failing to secure permanent status on the PGA Tour. Over his last two events he’s posted a pair of Top 25 finishes and has gained just under 1.5 strokes per round on the field tee-to-green. Another good ball striking week for him should mean another solid finish.
Others to Consider: Tom Hoge ($7,400), Scott Stallings ($7,300), Mark Hubbard ($7,100), Scott Harrington ($6,900), D.J. Trahan ($6,800)
