In this edition of PGA DFS picks, we’re looking for a big payday at the Sony Open in Hawaii and helping you find some winning teams!
Golf Course Notes:
- Full tournament field of 144 golfers
- Cut: Top 65 and ties play the weekend
- Played at Waialae Country Club in Hawaii: 7,044 yards, par 70
- Tree-lined fairways with plenty of doglegs, and bunkers – with an emphasis on accuracy, clubbing down and previous course knowledge
- Bermuda turf and greens
- Windy conditions expected
- Focus Stat Categories: Strokes Gained: Approach; Par 4 Scoring; Less-than-Driver, Bogey Avoidance, SG: Putting
The Picks:
Elite PGA DFS (DK $9,000 and up):
Justin Thomas (DK $12,000, FD $12,300) – After JT’s latestwin in a playoff late Sunday at Kapalua, he’s listed as theVegas favorite at 9-2. Itwas a weird finish but he should contend again this week.
Webb Simpson (DK $11,100, FD $11,500) – Webb is now oneof the most consistent golfers on Tour and he’s an excellent fit for this track,where he finished fourth in 2018. I’ll have shares alongside Thomas.
Matt Kuchar (DK $9,900, FD $11,100) – Kuchar won here last year and also at El Camaleon in the Mayakoba Golf Classic in 2018 – an event that features a correlative coastal course with a similar feel. He’s a solid cash gameplay.
Charles Howell III (DK $9,100, FD $10,700) – Howell has a good history here and as a solid ball striker excels in many of our focus stat categories. He’s finished in the Top 15 three of his last four times here and is 5/5 on cuts since 2015.
Also consider: Patrick Reed (All formats), Collin Morikawa & AbrahamAncer (GPP only)
Mid-Range PGA DFS (DK $7,500 to $8,900):
Corey Conners (DK $7,800, FD $8,900) – He finished tied for third here last year after a T39 in his debut, and I’ll be hammering him into a big chunk of my GPPs. The upside is there and he’s a good bet to make the weekend. I love him in all formats this week.
Chez Reavie (DK $8,400, FD $10,000) – He’s had a nice run here, finishing T3, T18, T8 in his last three tries. A near-lock to make the cut and a solid bet for a Top 25. It should be a cash game staple and GPP plug-n-play.
J.T. Poston (DK $8,100, FD $9,900) – Poston had a solid week playing in tough competition, and he’s going to be popular given his recent form and the fit at this layout. He’s a fine play in all formats this week – just keep an eye on his ownership in tournaments.
Sebastian Munoz (DK $7,900, FD $9,700) – Don’t forget about Munoz. I liked him last week and he’s a sneaky play again here – even after his T10 finish last year at this venue
Emiliano Grillo (DK $7,600, FD $9,300) – I can’t give up on Grillo, who’s struggled with the flat stick but can be a little more aggressive here and is an elite ball-striker with loads of GPP upside.
Also consider: Brendan Todd, Kevin Kisner,Brian Stuard, Rory Sabbatini
Value PGA DFS (DK Under $7,500):
Brian Gay (DK $7,200, FD $8,900) – Gayhad a breakthrough in 2018 and a solid 2019, and he looks to get the ballrolling with another Top 25 here – something he accomplished in 2017 and 2019at Waialae. His MC at the RSM could keep folks off, and he finished T14 at theMayakoba.
Patton Kizzire (DK $6,900, FD $8,500) – Kizzire’s recent form is trash, but Hawaii has treated him well the past few years. He’s an under-the-radar play who might just be the course horse we need to fit ion some studs.
Talor Gooch (DK $6,800, FD $8,200) – He’s GPP only as a value play with some upside, since he checks some of the key boxes, but not a guy who’s cash-viable.
Jimmy Walker (DK $6,800, FD $8,500) – It’s been a while since we’ve heard Walker discussed, but he’s a 2x winner here and this type, of course, is his bag, baby! He made the cut here last year after two misses in 2017 and 2018.
Jerry Kelly (DK $6,200, FD $7,100) – Old Man Kelly is super cheap and he’s a former winner with three top 15s here over the past five years. Dude loves this course.
More value golfers for GPPs: Kyle Stanley, Chris Kirk, DanielBerger, Keegan Bradley, Scott Piercy, Harry Higgs
The PGA DFS Fades:
Hideki Matsuyama (DK $10,500, FD $11,300) – He hasn’t played well at this venue, which is a change from last week’s brainless fade of Xander Schauffele (At least I take some chances with my fades). Matsuyama played well in October but he’s a little too pricey for me given his track record in Hawaii.
Joaquin Niemann (DK $9,400, FD $10,800) – I expect him to be popular but I’m not ready to go overboard just yet. Niemann is a first-timer here and I prefer some of the guys who are a little cheaper.
PGA DFS — Sample DK GPP lineup #1 (leaving $$$):
JustinThomas ($11,200)
AbrahamAncer ($9,000)
J.T.Poston ($8,100)
BrianGay ($7,200)
ScottPiercy ($7,100)
JerryKelly ($6,200)
($400 left)
PGA DFS – Sample DK GPP lineup #2 (balanced):
WebbSimpson ($11,100)
CoreyConners ($8,900)
ChezReavie ($8,400)
EmilianoGrillo ($7,600)
KyleStanley ($7,000)
PattonKizzire ($6,900)
($100 left)
PGA DFS – Sample DK GPP lineup #3 (large-field):
JustinThomas ($12,000)
J.T.Poston ($8,100)
SebastianMunoz ($7,900)
RorySabbatini ($7,600)
KeeganBradley ($7,200)
ChrisKirk ($6,700)
($100 left)
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