The 2020 Masters is just a few weeks away. In this article, I will provide my thoughts on how to construct your GPP (guaranteed prize pool) lineups in a manner that will help you gain leverage on the field. Additionally, I will provide three *early player selections for the Masters FanDuel contest.
So let’s take a look at DFS/FanDuel GPP strategy for the Masters. First of all, the Masters traditionally has a small limited field of competitors. For example, last year, this tournament only had a field of 87 players. The Masters also allows former champions to play the event. This means that players such as Fred Couples and Larry Mize will be in the field.
For discussion purposes, let’s assume the 2020 Masters has a field of 87 golfers. If you eliminate the older past champions that will be competing in this year’s Masters that have no realistic chance to win the green jacket, the field becomes even smaller!
Now that I have narrowed the field by eliminating older past champions I deemed highly unlikely to win, I am down to about 65 players in the field. This is obviously a drastic difference from most PGA Tour events. Hence the reason that you must look at the Masters differently when playing GPPs.
In my opinion, the way to differentiate your lineups from others in standard GPP tournaments can be done in a few different ways:
- Gain leverage on the field: This can be done by your assessment of what players will be the least owned in a given GPP. For example, if you think that Zach Johnson will be only owned by 5% percent of the GPP field and you feel strongly that Johnson will win you could own 50% of Zach Johnson to gain leverage. How does one do this? Well, if you have 20 lineups in a GPP tournament with a 20 entry maximum you could have Johnson in 10 of your lineups.
2. Leave money on the table: This is a simple one. Each lineup is allowed to have a maximum of 60,000 dollars. Most people that play GPPs use all 60,000 on the six players they choose for a specific lineup. Rather than using 60,000 on an individual lineup, only use 59,000. By doing so, you will differentiate your lineup from the vast majority in the GPP you are playing.
Now let’s shift our focus to my three early FanDuel player selections for the 2020 Masters!
Xander Schauffele $11,500
How consistently good has Xander been playing this year? Well, as of this writing, Xander has 11 straight top 25 finishes on the PGA Tour, including a second place result at the Tour Championship in September.
In relation to the current listed 2020 Masters field, in the last 12 rounds played on the PGA Tour, Xander ranks second in birdie or better percentage, eighth in GIR (greens in regulation), and fifth in strokes gained putting.
It should also be noted that Schauffele finished second at the 2019 Masters.
Bubba Watson $10,000
The 41 year old American seems to have his game peaking at the right time. Let’s take a quick look at a few of Watson’s recent quality results on the PGA Tour. In August, Watson finished 18th at the Northern Trust and 16th at the BMW Championship (Both FedEx Cup playoff events). This month, Watson finished 7th at the CJ Cup @ Shadow Creek and fourth at the ZOZO Championship @ Sherwood.
Let us not forget that Bubba has won the Masters twice (2012,2014). Watson also finished fifth at the 2018 Masters. It should also be noted that I love Bubba’s fantasy golf value in the FanDuel contest. Watson arrives on the slate at a FanDuel price of $10,000. In my opinion, you could make a valid argument that Watson should arrive on the FanDuel slate at a much higher price point.
Zach Johnson $8,100
The 2007 Masters champion has four top 23 finishes in his last five events on the PGA Tour, including an eighth place finish at the U.S. Open in September.
In relation to the current listed 2020 Masters field, in the last 12 rounds played on the PGA Tour, Zach ranks second in GIR (greens in regulation), ninth in scrambling, seventh in strokes gained putting, and first in bogey avoidance.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me on twitter at @geeversgolf or via my youtube channel, Geevers Golf. As always, good luck!