DraftKings PGA: 2019 US Open Picks and Analysis

DraftKings PGA: 2019 US Open Picks and Analysis

Rory McIlroy showcased his superb iron-play at the RBC Canadian Open. He ran away with the tournament, firing a 61 in the final round to win by 7 strokes. Others have said that Hamilton Golf and Country Club is a corollary course to Pebble Beach, the site of the 2019 US Open. I however, do not see it. Pebble Beach will not even be corollary course to the 2019 US Open Pebble Beach layout.

The US Open has given Pebble Beach a face-lift this year. The course shifts from the less than 7,000 yard Par-72 at the Pro-Am, to a 7,075 yard Par-71. The rough will be significantly longer, with early reports of “4-inch rough” from the grounds crew. Around the greens will be a bear. Patrick Cantlay posted a video on Instagram that you should check out if you haven’t. The greens are so small that if you are missing, then you will have to get up and down. That will be extremely difficult with these conditions.

The two key stats that I am heavily weighing this year at the 2019 US Open will be approach and scrambling. All of the top guys will be clubbing down to keep the ball in the fairway. If they are not on with their short irons, then they are not going to score. If they are off with their irons, it is important to be able to lag chips close from around the greens. Last US Open held at Pebble Beach, the field averaged slightly over 50% greens-in-regulation. The winner will not be anywhere close to 100% GIR this week, and scrambling from around the greens will be imperative.

KEY STATS

Approach Gained

Opportunities Gained

Scrambling Gained

Bogeys Avoided Gained

Pebble Beach Gained

Fast Poa Greens Gained

DraftKings PGA: 2019 US Open Picks

Tiger Woods 10,700

Tiger is not the same guy that shot a 12-under to win the 2000 US Open at Pebble Beach by 15 strokes. That being said, nobody would be shocked if Tiger won this week. Tiger ranks in the top 10 in the field in approach, opportunities gained, and DK scoring. Tiger plays well at this golf course and he is in great form. He should be hungry after missed cut at the PGA Championship. Sandwiched between Dustin and Rory, I project Tiger’s ownership to be around 15%.

Patrick Cantlay 10,000

Cantlay will be popular this week. His superb play at the Majors and his win at The Memorial has provided him with some extra notoriety. I cannot pass on Patrick this week though. His game is an excellent form, ranking and the top 5 in approach, opportunities gained, bogeys avoided, scrambling, and DK points. I think you have to keep riding with Cantlay.

Hideki Matsuyama 8,800

This course fits Hideki perfectly. This course is described as a 2nd shot golf course and the big hitters can hit irons off the tee. Matsuyama ranks in the top 10 in the field in approach, opportunities gained, bogeys avoided and DK scoring. Matsuyama may not have win-upside this week, but he is a DK scorer with a great chance to make the cut. As we saw at The Memorial, when Matsuyama is on he can go stupid low.

DraftKings PGA: 2019 US Open Values

Jim Furyk 7,200

Furyk may be too short off the tee for most majors, but not Pebble. This course is going to play difficult, and I want a guy like Jim Furyk. He can make this into a par-fest. For only $7,200, a made cut with top 20 upside is what all you are looking for.

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Furyk has been hovering around the top of my model the past few tournaments, meaning that Jim Furyk is playing some really good golf. Furyk ranks 12th in my model, ranking top-10 in the field in approach and scrambling. Furyk is first in the field in fairways gained.

Lucas Glover 7,000

Glover’s game has been straight fire this year. The guy is playing great golf and it is mostly going unnoticed. Did you know that Lucas Glover had a stretch this season where he had 10/12 top-20’s? Did you know that he has had 11/16 top 20’s for DK events this year? Glover has cooled from a hot start, but has still made his last 3 cuts and finished 16th at Bethpage Black. Glover ranks top-10 in the field in scrambling, and does most things above average. For 7,000 you could do a lot worse.

Charles Howell III 6,900

I am a sucker for CH3. The guy has not been playing the best golf of his career as of late, but I like the spot here. Howell is a West Coast guy, he loves the Poa, and he has had a stretch off to put in some work. CH3 has missed 3 of his last 4 cuts, so this is far from a sure thing, but when he is on he can get hot. On the West Coast swing this season, CH3 had 4 top-10 finishes and won the RSM.

Checkout more articles by the author and make sure to follow @Mystery_Main for up to date injuries, withdrawals, and ownership projections up until the tournament.