Updated with weekend Optimals
I know everyone is pumped up for the PGA Championship this week at Quail Hollow but me, I’m depressed. That’s right, I’m upset because it’s the last major championship of the season. Of course, I love having another chance at million dollars on Draft Kings but it also means we don’t have another major until April when we head back to Augusta.
Quail Hollow is the regular host of the Wells Fargo Championship but it shifted courses for one-year due to the upcoming PGA. After a long overhaul in prep for this evening, it will play as a par 71 that stretches out 7,600 yards. As far as the length, only the 11th hole was lengthened 36 yards. Players must be able to score on the only three par 5’s to put themselves into position to contend over the weekend. Quail Hollow features six holes in which players have a better than average chance at making a birdie. All of the Par 5’s are reachable in two and two of the Par 4’s are actually drivable for the long hitters. We’ve also got three 200 plus yard Par 3s, one of which is 250 yards. We’ve seen Rory McIlory take home titles at this course twice being that he’s one of the best drivers of the golf ball on the PGA Tour. Total Driving will be a key stat this weekend.
This course does not just play to the bombers because short game will be key as well. Scrambling will play a big role in who takes home the Wanamaker Trophy. The biggest change that happened in the renovation was the rough and what will they do about the length. As of right now, it is not very long but with the impending rain showers, it is possible they are going to let it grow into place instead of doing a late cut. If they do cut it down, play your bombers but if they leave it long, you may want to mix good ball strikers who are proficient from outside 200 yards. We also want smart players with great course management skills because the guys who do their homework will now where on this course they can miss and still score. As always, putting should be looked at but this course is not known for the most challenging greens.
The weather will be difficult to judge this weekend as it looks like scattered showers throughout Thursday and Friday. As of Tuesday evening when I’m writing this, I’d prefer to play more afternoon tee times on Thursday to get out early on Friday but this is subject to change. No matter what, these players will have to deal with wet conditions.
GOOD LUCK THIS WEEKEND!
WEEKEND OPTIMALS
GPP #1
Rickie Fowler - $9300
Jon Rahm - $9100
Justin Thomas - $8700
Tony Finau - $7800
Patrick Reed - $7700
Bud Cauley - $7300
GPP #2
Dustin Johnson - $9500
Brooks Koepka - $9200
Jason Day - $8900
Tommy Fleetwood - $7900
Byeong-Hun An - $7200
Sung Kang - $7000
DFS PGA PLAYBOOK:
PLAYER | DRAFT KINGS | FANDUEL | BREAKDOWN |
Rory McIlory | $11,800 | $10,300 | WARNING: HE WILL BE CRAZY HIGHLY OWNED! 2 Time Champ at Quail Hollow. Top 5s in last 2 Starts. |
Rickie Fowler | $10,700 | $9,500 | Won at Quail Hollow in 2012 & finished T4 last year. Tour Leader in SG:Putting. 5 Top 10s in last 7 Starts Worldwide. |
Hideki Matsuyama | $10,500 | $8,800 | We all saw what he did at Firestone last week. His Tee-to-Green Game is on point, fit him in your lineups |
Sergio Garcia | $9,400 | $8,800 | You know what you're getting with Sergio. Plenty of Experience and Always in Contention. He'll be underowned |
Brooks Koepka | $9,200 | $8,600 | People will be scared off being his 1st trip to Quail Hollow but U.S. Open Winner, T6 at The Open & T17 at WGC. |
Adam Scott | $8,600 | $8,400 | Seems JUST off his perfect game but still 17th in SG:TG & 10th in Adjusted Scoring. His game fits most all courses |
Phil Mickelson | $8,500 | $7,500 | It's hard to NOT put him in at this price & his track record of 11 Top 12 Finishes at Quail Hollow. 2nd in All Time Earnings |
Marc Leishman | $8,100 | $6,700 | Continues to be one of the most balanced players on Tour. 13th All Round, 5th in Adjusted Scoring. 9 Top 20s with T6 at The Open |
Alexander Noren | $7,900 | $7,700 | 5 Top 15 Finishes Worldwide since his 10th at the Players. He's got 5 Victories in the last 13 Months. |
Paul Casey | $7,800 | $7,600 | 2 Top 5s in his last 3 Starts. 5 Top 10s in last 9. He's just always around and too good of a price to pass up |
Daniel Berger | $7,700 | $7,100 | There is NOTHING not to love about this kid, all throughout his bag. 2/2 at Quail Hollow with a T17 last year. |
Charley Hoffman | $7,600 | $6,500 | CAREER season with 6 Top 10s (Back to Back Top 5s). He just keeps doing it, so why fight it, play him at a GREAT price |
Tony Finau | $7,000 | $7,000 | He may sneak up and win the whole thing. Bomber, Tee-To-Green Proficient & 4th in GIR from off Fairway. GREAT value |
Kevin Chappell | $7,000 | $6,000 | Tee-to-Green Proficient with Top 15s the last two weeks. He hasn't missed a cut at Quail since 2012 with 2 Top 20s. |
Russell Knox | $6,900 | $5,200 | Mostly a GUT call here based on his recent play. He's hot coming off of an extremely balanced T5 at the WGC. |
Zach Johnson | $6,800 | $6,600 | 2nd place at Firestone was his 3rd Straight Top 15 Finish. He has played 38 competitive rounds at Quail Hollow |
Luke List | $6,800 | $4,900 | One of the longest hitters on Tour is also 18th in GIR & 2nd in GIR off the fairway. 3rd in PAR 5 SCORING (1st in Eagles) |
Francesco Molinari | $6,800 | $5,900 | One of the BEST Tee-To-Green players in the game coming off of a T24 last week. Finished T17 in his only visit here last year. |
Hao Tong Li | $6,800 | $5,800 | 3rd Place finish at The Open was his 4th Top 5 this year. 16th on Euro Tour in Putts per GIR & 15th in 3 Putt Avoidance |
Bud Cauley | $6,600 | $5,100 | 5 Top 10s this season with a T12 in his last start at the John Deere. 30th in SG:TG, 45th in Adjusted Scoring & Knows this course |
Gary Woodland | $6,700 | $6,300 | 8 Straight Pay Days, 6/6 Cuts Made at Quail Hollow including Top 25s in his last 3 Appearances. |
DRAFT KINGS OPTIMALS:
DRAFT KINGS CASH | PRICE |
Rickie Fowler | $10,700 |
Brooks Koepka | $9,200 |
Phil Mickelson | $8,500 |
Daniel Berger | $7,700 |
Kevin Chappell | $7,000 |
Zach Johnson | $6,800 |
DRAFT KINGS GPP | PRICE |
Rickie Fowler | $10,700 |
Sergio Garcia | $9,400 |
Adam Scott | $8,600 |
Kevin Chappell | $7,000 |
Francesco Molinari | $6,800 |
Hao-Tong Li | $6,800 |
FANDUEL OPTIMALS:
FANDUEL CASH | PRICE |
Rory McIlory | $10,300 |
Rickie Fowler | $9,500 |
Phil Mickelson | $7,500 |
Daniel Berger | $7,100 |
Marc Leishman | $6,700 |
Zach Johnson | $6,600 |
Gary Woodland | $6,300 |
Kevin Chappell | $6,000 |
FANDUEL GPP | PRICE |
Rory McIlory | $10,300 |
Rickie Fowler | $9,500 |
Hideki Matsuyama | $8,800 |
Alexander Noren | $7,700 |
Marc Leishman | $6,700 |
Kevin Chappell | $6,000 |
Russell Knox | $5,200 |
Bud Cauley | $5,100 |
ONE & DONE PLAY:
ONE AND DONE PLAY | FINISH |
SBS - Jimmy Walker | T9 |
Sony - Charles Howell III | T8 |
Career - Bill Haas | T17 |
Farmers - Brandt Snedeker | T9 |
Waste - Brendan Steele | T16 |
Pebble - Phil Mickelson | 65th |
Genesis - J.B Holmes | T34 |
Honda - Graeme McDowell | T14 |
Mexico - Alexander Noren | T55 |
Valspar - Ryan Moore | T18 |
Palmer - Zach Johnson | T66 |
Match - Sergio Garcia | Out of Sweet 16 |
Puerto - David Hearn | T17 |
Shell - Lee Westwood | MC |
Masters - Justin Rose | 2nd |
RBC - Kevin Kisner | T11 |
Valero - Charley Hoffman | T40 |
Wells Fargo - Adam Scott | T36 |
Players - Martin Kaymer | T69 |
Nelson - Dustin Johnson | T13 |
D & D - Pat Perez | MC |
Memorial - Emiliano Grillo | T40 |
St. Jude - Russell Henley | MC |
U.S. Open - Jason Day | MC |
Travelers - Kyle Stanley | T57 |
Quicken - Justin Thomas | MC |
Greenbrier - Webb Simpson | T14 |
John Deere - Johnson Wagner | MC |
Open Champ - Brooks Koepka | T6 |
RBC Canadian - Adam Hadwin | MC |
Bridgestone - Kevin Chappell | T13 |
PGA CHAMP - Rickie Fowler | ??? |