DraftKings Fantasy Golf: Wyndham Championship

Aug 20, 2015; Greensboro, NC, USA; Wyndham Championship signage on the 18th tee during the first round of the Wyndham Championship golf tournament at Sedgefield Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

DraftKings Fantasy Golf: Wyndham Championship

This week’s tournament takes us to Sedgefield Country Club, in Greensboro NC. Sedgefield has held this tournament every year since 2008, so we will have some course history to work with. This is a fairly “gross” tournament coming off the heels of the Olympics. You may notice many of the household names will not be in attendance. That being said, I think that DraftKings will be fairly sharp as this tournament won’t draw the casual fan. There is some excitement however, with the Fed Ex playoffs approaching next week. This tournament could provide a little extra motivation to some players looking to advance their position or make the final cut.

Sedgefield plays at a little over 7100 yards and a par 70. It a course where accuracy should be favored, but long hitters should still be considered. Course history appears to favor accuracy as well. No true bombers have finished in the top three over the past couple few years.

As far as player pricing is concerned, it’s shaping up to be a much more balanced week, rather than a stars and scrubs week (in my opinion). I don’t truly love anyone priced in the upper tier and I think there is more value in the mid to range players.

Next: Key Metrics and Top Tier

Key Metrics

Greens in Regulation (GIR) – This represents the percentage of holes in which a golfer reaches the green in at least two strokes less than par. This is my favorite metric to use when the course calls for the targeting of accurate golfers.
Recent performance – This goes for any data, but specifically looking at top ten finishes and missed cuts, over the past five to eight weeks.
Course History – As mentioned this a course that holds this tournament every year, so evaluating past performance from specific players and player types will be important.
Putting Stats (Putts Per Round, Adjusted PPR, Strokes Gained Putting) – Above average putters should be able to capitalize this week. These stats compliments GIR, in that if you can hit in the fairway, you’re going to have a lot of birdie opportunities. I think you’ll see a lot of 6 to 12 footers, so a solid putter should be a factor.

Top Tier

Patrick Reed – $12,200

Reed is the highest priced golfer on the slate, but he’s very much in play. I don’t like many of the top option this week, but Reed is one of the safer plays. Reed has five consecutive finishes of T13 or better. He also has good course history, finishing 24th in 2014, and a winning in 2013.

Kevin Na – $9100

Jun 19, 2016; Oakmont, PA, USA; Kevin Na hits his second shot on the 3rd hole during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s the same old story with Na. Don’t count on him to win anything anytime soon, but he’s one of the safer bets to make the cut. He’s coming off an 8th place finish at the John Deere Classic and is a solid cash game play if you have the extra salary.

Tyrrell Hatton – $9400

Hatton has been playing some great golf (17th John Deere, 10th PGA Championship, 5th British Open, 2nd Scottish Open). Hatton has a long-term GIR of 67.1% and a GIR of 72.9% over the last six weeks.

Webb Simpson – $10,200

Webb will be your course history play this week. He owns this course with a win in 2011, a 22nd place finish in 2012, an 11th place finish in 2013, a 5th place finish in 2014, and a 6th place finish in 2015. Beware of ownership, he’ll be one of the highest owned this week. Webb is my favorite high-priced option.

Next: Mid and Low Tier

Mid Tier

Rafael Cabrera-Bello – $8900

Cabrera-Bello is way too under priced given his recent form and specifically his 5th place finish in Rio last week. He’s one of the best ball strikers on tour with a 74.3 GIR percentage. He hasn’t missed a cut since May and he’ll be in my core group of players. Like Simpson, he’ll be one of the highest owned players this week.

Keegan Bradley – $8200

I usually get nauseous when rostering Bradley, but he’s in play here this week. Bradley jumps off the page in nearly every statistical category. He’s hit 69% GIR while still hitting the ball fairly far relative to the field. Bradley has been fairly consistent of late and hasn’t missed a cut since the U.S. Open.

Jason Dufner – $7900

Dufner has been very consistent and has a real chance to win this week. He checks the box for both GIR at 68.7% and DA at 64%.

Bottom Tier

Martin Laird – $6900

Mandatory Credit: Tom Tingle-Arizona Republic via USA TODAY Sports /

Laird will be a source of salary relief at a discounted price of $6900. Laird does’t top the charts of long term GIR, but has been much better of late with 75% GIR over his last 6 weeks. He’s one of the few long ball hitters I’ll be on.

Chez Reavie – $6300

Reavie is too cheap for this style course. He’s hit 68.7% GIR and 68.9% driving accuracy, which ranks as one of the highest.

Henrick Norlander – $6600

Norlander hasn’t missed a cut since April and ranks very high in GIR and DA. All the stats line up perfectly with this course.

Other Players That I’ll Have Exposure To: Cauley, Henely, Haas, Rahm, Matsuyama, McGirt, Furyk, Kokrak

Fades: Fowler, Moore

Notes:

Course switched from Bentgrass to Bermuda Grass in 2012

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