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DraftKings PGA first round showdown picks: Arnold Palmer Invitational

By Hans Geevers

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 23: Bryson DeChambeau of the United States lines up a putt on the first green during the final round of the World Golf Championships Mexico Championship at Club de Golf Chapultepec on February 23, 2020 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 23: Bryson DeChambeau of the United States lines up a putt on the first green during the final round of the World Golf Championships Mexico Championship at Club de Golf Chapultepec on February 23, 2020 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images) /
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The Arnold Palmer Invitational begins on Thursday morning! Let’s take a look at the DraftKings PGA showdown contest for round one!

Before I discuss my DraftKings PGA player selections I want to clearly emphasize that this article is focused on the first round showdown contest. The single round showdown contest offered by DraftKings is vastly different with regard to scoring than the traditional classic contest that DraftKings offers for fantasy golf.

For those readers that are not aware, the classic contest offered by DraftKings focuses on an entire golf tournament. In direct contrast to the classic contest, the DraftKings showdown contest is focused on one round. This article is specifically focused on the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

If you have additional questions regarding the single round showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the DraftKings website for more details.

Here are my player selections for the first round showdown contest!

Bryson Dechambeau $9,900

My approach to identifying golfers for my showdown lineup is much different from my approach to the more traditional classic contest offered by Draftkings. Due to the fact that the contest focuses on only one round, you need to locate golfers that have the ability to score (birdies and eagles) and are outstanding at avoiding bogeys.

My first player selection certainly fits the above mentioned criteria. DeChambeau currently ranks third in first round scoring (68.00), eighth in birdie average (4.45), second in par four scoring average (3.92), seventh in birdie or better percentage (25.76%) and fourth in bogey avoidance (11.11%) on the PGA Tour.

I also like the fact that DeChambeau arrives at this week’s API in very good form. Bryson fired a final round 65 at the WGC-Mexico Championship en route to a second place finish in his last tournament on the PGA Tour. It should also be noted that DeChambeau finished second at the 2018 Bay Hill Invitational.

Sungjae Im $9,400

The 2019 PGA Tour Rookie of the year has continued to play great golf in 2020. Im’s outstanding play can clearly be seen in his tenth place finish at the American Express in January and in his win at the Honda Classic last week.

Im currently ranks eighth in first round scoring average (68.31), 15th in par four scoring average (3.45) and 13th in birdie or better percentage (25.11%) on the PGA Tour. I also like the fact that Im has shown previously that he can perform at a high level at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Im finished third in his only start at the API in 2019.

Billy Horschel $7,900

The 2014 FedEx Cup champion currently ranks 26th in first round scoring average (69.30) on the PGA Tour. Horschel also has two top nine finishes in his last three events, including a ninth place finish at the WGC-Mexico Championship in February.

Harris English $7,400

Since the start of the new PGA Tour season in September, Harris English has played ten first rounds. In those ten first rounds played, English has three rounds of 65 and two rounds of 66! English currently ranks fifth on the PGA Tour in first round scoring average (68.10).

Wyndham Clark $7,400

Clark has been getting off to hot starts in tournament play recently. More specifically, in Clark’s last five first rounds played on the PGA Tour he has an average first round score of 66.6! At a Draftkings price of only $7,400, I think Clark is an outstanding play in this first round showdown contest.

Next. DraftKings PGA picks: Arnold Palmer Invitational. dark

If you utilize the five players noted in this article for your first round showdown lineup you will have $7,800 left to select your sixth and final golfer for your unique lineup!

As always, good luck!