PGA: Course stats and value plays for the Houston Open
Houston Open value plays
Hopefully, some of you took advantage of Lanto Griffin and Jack Trent last week who both returned massive value on the slate. We will look to find another few diamonds in the rough again this time around in a field where lots of players have yet to make a name for themselves on the young season. Using the Key Stats on the previous slide and accounting for recent form, I’ve put together some value plays to open up some salary relief to get you set for the week and hopefully the weekend. Let’s have a look!
I will catch some heat about this from a close friend of mine who played Zack Sucher at the RBC Canadian Open last year where he was horrendous, then came into the Travelers the following week and Tied for 2nd place. We call this situation getting “Suched” a traditional inside joke I’d like to share with all of you.
Regardless, Zack has shown great improvements over the last 24 rounds, much more importantly in his last 8 where he has spiked in Strokes Gained Tee to green at +3.1, Strokes gained OTT +1.7, ranked 8th in the field, and +3.5 Approach ranked 19th in the field. He also grooved in a T18th last weekend, as well as a T24 at the Greenbrier. He is also in solo 7th place in OTT Rank on Tour on the young season, averaging 334 yards. He shares a T11th in rank with Lanto Griffin in approach shots proximity totaling 200+yards. For me, you can’t beat the value at DK for $6,600, and $7,800 on FD.
XINJUN ZHANG
Some of you will remember Xinjun as China’s “Bad Boy” serving a suspension back in 2014 on the Asian Tour for signing two incorrect scorecards. Well, now he’s back with a little more maturity and has reinvented his swing, his style, and mindset. This is evidenced by his T7 at Safeway, and T16 last week in Vegas, and doing so gaining +3.1 SG OTT, and a crazy +3.7 SG APPROACH.
Zhang’s struggles are on the greens with the putter but has shown signs of improvement in that regard gaining 0.9 strokes putting a couple of weeks ago and limiting the damage last week. If he can get it going on these surfaces which are famous for being rather impeccable, look for another strong finish from him. Zhang ranks 9th in Ball striking among the field. DK $8,000 – FD $8,900