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 RSM Classic (values courtesy of DraftKings).
Golfers Valued $8,000-$8,900
- Russell Knox – $8,900
- Brian Gay – $8,800
- Dylan Frittelli – $8,700
- Denny McCarthy – $8,600
- Russell Henley – $8,500
- J.T. Poston – $8,400
- Brice Garnett – $8,300
- Vaughn Taylor – $8,200
- Jim Furyk – $8,100
- Lanto Griffin – $8,000
There’s not a lot of golf courses on the PGA Tour that Brian Gay can say he has a realistic chance to win at, but Sea Island happens to be one of those places that gives him confidence. Gay is a short but accurate ball striker who keeps afloat on the PGA Tour with his putting. He’s played well of late and has a good track record there as he’s gained over a stroke per round on the field in 24 career rounds on the Seaside Course. Another good finish should be in the cards for him.
I think Russell Henley is owed a bit of good karma this week. Henley technically shot 65-69 in the first two rounds of the Mayakoba Classic last week…before he self-reported a violation for failure to adhere to the one-ball rule. That resulted in a ludicrous eight stroke penalty on him and as a result he missed the cut. I liked Henley last week and was disappointed by the ruling, but it wasn’t like he disappointed me with his play. Many of the attributes to target last week at Mayakoba apply once again to Sea Island, so I like firing him up in DFS lineups this week.
On name recognition alone, Jim Furyk will likely be a chalky play in this price range. He hasn’t made a whole lot of noise this fall, but he’s the all-time leader in strokes gained per round at Sea Island because of all the attributes to his game – he’s accurate, a solid iron player and has historically putt well on bermuda surfaces. It’s a boring but useful name for DFS lineups this week.
Golfers Valued $7,500-$7,900
- Brian Harman – $7,900
- Rory Sabbatini – $7,800
- Adam Long – $7,800
- Austin Cook – $7,800
- Harry Higgs – $7,700
- Ryan Armour – $7,700
- Chris Kirk – $7,600
- Joel Dahmen – $7,600
The last couple times I’ve pumped Brian Harman‘s tires have not gone well with a MC in Houston and a T72 finish at the Mayakoba. So what’s wrong? The problems have primarily been with his performance off the tee, as he’s suffering from some accuracy issues over the last the last two tournaments. I expect more accuracy from him in that department, particularly because he demonstrated that in his first three tournaments of the year that resulted in finishes of T3, T14 and T18. Sea Island is another golf course that theoretically suits his game, so I’ll give him one more chance in DFS this week.
I’m not expecting another 2nd place finish from Adam Long this week, but with his play this fall and the strengths of his game I do expect a useful contribution to DFS lineups. Long has a great track record on short, less-than-driver golf courses and on bermuda surfaces, and he’s demonstrated good putting and accurate ball striking so far this fall. Fire him up again in DFS this week.
Ryan Armour is another protypical short, accurate player who traditionally does well on short, less-than-driver golf courses. There’s just one problem with him, though – the putting statistics on paper look bad. A year after finishing 53rd on tour in Strokes Gained – Putting, Armour is a revolting 222nd in that category this fall. The statistic is a little misleading as it doesn’t capture the last two tournament’s he’s played and while his performance on the greens isn’t anything to write home about, it’s better than where it was. Despite the struggles he’s had finishes of T23, T8 and T33 over his last three tournaments, and if he can get things going a bit with this flat stick he should have a respectable finish at Sea Island.
Bottom of the Barrel (Golfers <$7,500)
Brian Stuard – $7,400: If the theme of the week is to target short, accurate players who excel on the greens, then picking Stuard in a DFS lineup is a no brainer. Stuard hasn’t missed a cut since the Greenbrier and has a good track record on both less-than-driver golf courses and ones with bermuda greens. He should be useful again in DFS this week.
Nick Taylor – $7,200: Taylor was a guy I liked last week and he delivered with a respectable T26 finish at the Mayakoba. Nothing about my opinion of him has changed, as his accurate ball striking and solid putting should once again be a good match for Sea Island this weekend.
Others To Consider: Xinjun Zhang ($7,300), Andrew Landry ($6,700), Josh Teater ($6,600)
