Fantasy Golf on DraftKings - Waste Management Phoenix Open

 

Lock of the week:

Rickie Fowler – $10,400 – The fact that Rickie missed the cut last week at the Farmers is all the more reason we love him this week in GPPs. With a crowd of studly options above the $10K price tag on DraftKings, it’s tough to figure out which will be lower owned. Fowler’s missed cut likely puts him somewhere in the middle in terms of GPP ownership. He’s had back to back T5’s at WMPO the last two attempts. Despite the performance last week, he’s gained 18 strokes total in the last 6 events. He’s a birdie maker that will thrive in the rowdy atmosphere of WMPO. In fact, Rickie missed the cut last year at The Farmers but followed with a T4 at the WMPO. Full send on Rickie!

Value Plays:

Webb Simpson $8,900 – Webber lost in a playoff at TPC Scottsdale last year to Hideki as he just pounded the greens all week per his usual. He’s found the putter and the form has followed. He’s gained 16 strokes total in the last 6 events and gained 30 strokes in the last five years at TPC Scottsdale! Simpson has been extremely consistent of late in SG: T2G having gained no less than three strokes on the field in that category in his last 24 events. Hitting fairways and hitting greens in regulation will be critical to another great week at TPC Scottsdale. The price for Webb will likely see him around 20% owned, but we’re willing to eat the chalk and lock him up in GPP and cash lineups.

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Ryan Palmer $7,900 – What a story we’ve witnessed play out with Palmer so far this season. His wife is winning the battle against cancer, he locked up his PGA Tour card a couple of weeks ago after struggling for two years, and he lost in the playoff last week at The Farmers. He’s gained 20 strokes over his last six events and 23 strokes at TPC Scottsdale in the last five years. He’s a bomber with a high ball flight draw that is proven to come in handy at this event. “Yea…but does he score Tour Junkies…?” YEA! Despite his struggles, he’s finished top 20 on tour three of the last five years in Birdie or Better percentage, two of the last five in Eagles per hole, and two of the last five in P5 Birdie or Better percentage.

JJ Spaun $7,500 – We’re riding this JJ wave until the 2nd year stud wins or gets hit by the beer truck. He’s such a ball striking phenom that continues to be undervalued on DraftKings. The price is too good for a guy who’s gained 21 strokes in the last 6 events and finished T4 at the WMPO last year on his first try. The off the tee and approach game will be the most critical to success here at TPC Scottsdale. JJ is crushin both! He’s averaged four strokes gained tee to green in his last 10 events. He’s a GPP and cash game lock.

Best bargain basement option:

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Kevin Streelman $6,800 – At $200 above the minimum price on DraftKings, Streelman comes in as the “don’t overthink it” play of the week. Streels is in tremendous form having gained 17 strokes in his last 6 events and gained an average of five strokes tee to green in his last five tournaments. His course history here is what will throw people off as he’s missed his last two cuts at WMPO. However, this is an overreaction to a player in tremendous form. Gain an edge in GPPs by rostering Streelman while others are afraid of the history. Player to Avoid:

Alex Noren $9,200 – Adoringly nicknamed, A Nore, on the Tour Junkies Podcast this week, Noren will likely be highly owned coming off the well-publicized playoff with Jason Day at The Farmers. Our caddies on the PGA Tour tell us that experience at TPC Scottsdale can come in handy as the greens can be tricky. Given Noren’s likely rise in ownership, lack of experience, and price tag, we’ll be avoiding him for the most part in GPPs. This section will always be about avoiding a player that will be popular so an edge is gained when they underperform. Underperforming for a high caliber player above $9K doesn’t always mean missing the cut. It could mean he finishes outside the T25 or T40 while not scoring enough to really return value based on the price. Enter A Nore this week.

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