Fansided

PGA: WGC-HSBC Champions Course Breakdown and Picks

By George Zainoun

SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 23: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot duirng a practice round prior to the WGC - HSBC Champtions at Sheshan International Golf Club on October 23, 2018 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 23: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot duirng a practice round prior to the WGC - HSBC Champtions at Sheshan International Golf Club on October 23, 2018 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 13: Justin Rose of England in action during Day fourth of the Italian Open at Olgiata Golf Club on October 13, 2019 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 13: Justin Rose of England in action during Day fourth of the Italian Open at Olgiata Golf Club on October 13, 2019 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /

PGA: WGC-HSBC Champions Course Breakdown and Picks

JUSTIN ROSE

By far one of the favorites this week is Justin Rose who in his career at the HSBC at Sheshan has one win in 2017, a T3 last season and a previous top 5 back in 2013. Keeping up with Justin recently has him staying fresh over across the pond on the Euro tour where he most recently squeezed an admittedly disappointing T15 finish. Rose ranks 2nd in the field in PAR 5 Efficiency and has gained 1.5 SG APP  and 2.2 SG T2G over his last 15 rounds including his run in Europe of late. We were very cautious with Justin last year after having made the switch to HONMA Irons and metals, along with the AXIS Putter, but after one solid season, we can confidently say that he has grown accustomed to the new set. If you’re a golfer, you’ll understand club familiarity and how long it takes to build confidence. The same goes for his recent partnership with Gareth Lord who will be carrying the bag after the leave of absence of his long-time caddy “Fooch”. Lord and Rose won the Farmers insurance open together last season at Torrey Pines.

RORY MCILROY

This will come as no surprise, many will have Rory in their lineups this week, he is ranked first in PAR 5 Efficiency, and 1st in SG OTT among the field over the last 25 rounds. Rory had a miserable T54 finish last season at the HSBC, but we will look past that as he appears to be in top form right after securing the FedEx Cup and earning a boatload of cash. He was able to secure a T3 finish last week behind Tiger even after scuffling a but in the early rounds. What is impressive and staggering about Rory is on top of a crazy 9 SG Total over the last 5 events, he has gained 2.2 SG Putting. Once his putter gets hot, watch out. On a course that especially requires the 3 putt avoidance, we like these numbers to put Rory inside the top 10 or better. Looking into it further, he is ranked in the top 3 in scrambling on Donald Ross Courses where Sheshan draws inspiration from.

HIDEKI MATSUYAMA  &  XANDER SCHAUFFELE

I am not suggesting to fade Xander Schauffele, he is after all the defender, and came into a T10 last week, and ranks 3rd in PAR 5 EFF. If you’re building on Fanduel you are likely going to have to decide between X or Hideki unless you fade the chalk. I will lean towards Hideki due to his absolute insane recent form. Taking solo 2nd last week 2 strokes behind tiger, he looked exceptionally strong with his long iron game. Alternatively, if we are looking at Xander he has lost -0.6  strokes putting over his last 5 events and looked visibly confused over the flatstick in several instances at Narashino- that is not something we need at a place that prioritizes 3 Putt avoidance, although he could theoretically get hot at any moment. Hideki gained 2.8 Strokes over his last 10 events ARG, we will need his scrambling this week and +4 Strokes T2G. Remember that he his also representing Japan in a few weeks at the president’s cup so his game needs to be in top form. If we are comparing GIR Gained, Matsuyama over the last 24 rounds is ranked 3rd, and X a 17th.

ALSO CONSIDER: TONY FINAU AS A BOUNCEBACK- RANKED 1st IN PROX 175-200YDS

Home/Fantasy Golf