Open Golf – DFS Fantasy Breakdown
The third major of the season is upon us as the top players in the game head to Royal Troon for The Open and there are some excellent fantasy games ready to be played with our partners DraftKings. Here is our comprehensive guide on who to pick and who not to pick and don’t forget we’ve got a full tournament guide here too.
Profile
Royal Troon isn’t the longest course in the world but we think length will be a huge asset this week with the way the course is designed. Birdies are to be had on this course and if you have enough length the real big numbers shouldn’t be an issue.
This is a major though so every part of a golf game is going to be tested but links golf isn’t really one for statistics so we can’t offer a statistical strength to the week. Our picks are going to be on feel and instinct here.
Star Men
As always this section is for those players who cost over $8,000 and there are plenty of them in the field this week given the depth of it.
PICK – Dustin Johnson $12,000
Easy pick this one. The US Open champion followed that up with a win at the WGC Bridgestone and the American looks at ease with all parts of his game right now. He drives it miles which is an asset around here and has good control of his ball flight and with the potential to take these first six holes to the cleaners he should run up a heavy score.
PICK – Adam Scott $10,600
If you haven’t quite got enough funds for Dustin Johnson then Adam Scott isn’t a bad replacement. He is a monster driver of the ball who loves links golf. He has been in the top 10 in each of the last four Open’s so we know he can adapt to links golf and with the form he has been in he is sure to score well this week too.
PICK – Branden Grace $9,700
He is our main betting pick this week and there is no way we are leaving him out of our fantasy teams either. Grace drives the ball well, has perfect control of his golf ball and an all-round game which should see him go very close on this layout. To get him for less than 10 grand this week is a snip.
PICK – Martin Kaymer $8,400
The former USPGA and US Open champion has shown time and again that he rises to the big occasion and this golf course should suit the strategic nature of his mind. He is coming nicely into form and not being spoken about as one of the main contenders is probably a good thing for him. The German looks a nice price to us here.
AVOID – Rory McIlroy $11,900
With the prices the big four are this week you can only really afford one of them and out of the choices Rory is the least enticing especially at this price. When all is fine he’s a great player but the swing is behaving, his mouth has got him into strife and there is a lot of attention on him which he could probably do without. Much better options at much better prices this week.
AVOID – Justin Rose $9,400
Justin Rose might have shot to fame in this tournament but he hasn’t done a whole lot since in it with last year being his only top 10 since his amateur days in 1998. That isn’t a good enough record for someone of his class and we don’t think he will extend it this week. He hasn’t been playing much golf due to injury and hearing him interviewed earlier in the week he sounded full of a cold so he’s too expensive for us.
Mid-Range Players
In this section we are looking at those players priced between $6,500 and $8,000 of which there are some big names this week.
PICK – Patrick Reed $7,900
Patrick Reed’s short game is ideal for around here but his long game isn’t too bad. If the course firms up then he can play the bump and runs needed and if it doesn’t he has shown he is fine in the wind. We’re expecting a big week from the American and are surprised to find him in this section.
PICK – Marc Leishman $7,400
Any time this all-round machine tees it up we’re interested especially at this price. Leishman was beaten in a playoff last year having survived some extreme conditions so we know he can adapt his game and being in the first group out in the tournament he should get excellent conditions to get his event underway. We’re expecting good bursts of scoring from him.
PICK – Andy Sullivan $7,200
This is a very cheap price for one of Europe’s finest who is just coming back into the sort of nick which saw him win three tournaments last year. Sullivan knows how to control his ball, isn’t too serious on the golf course so will take what he’s given and most importantly has a wonderful short game to enhance or protect his score. He’s almost a must pick at this price.
PICK – Padraig Harrington $6,800
The twice former winner is worth taking a chance on at this price especially if you need to squeeze someone in to complement some bigger priced players. Having won this tournament twice his credentials aren’t to be doubted and with the course beginning to firm up he could go a lot better than people expect. Should score better than his price reflects.
PICK – Tyrell Hatton $6,600
The Englishman can have a bit of a hot head but he often revels in these conditions and off the back of a good run in Scotland last week we’re taking no chances on his form. That is rock solid. If he controls his ball and keeps it in play he should pick up plenty of points at a price a few hundred bucks cheaper than he could have been.
AVOID – Bubba Watson $8,000
You won’t get Bubba this cheap many times in the year but we’re still not interested. Bubba likes to see where he is going and be able to visualise the shots and there are a number of blind tee shots on this course. His imagination doesn’t really extend to playing the ball along the ground so we don’t think this is the week for Bubba to deliver a big score.
AVOID – Justin Thomas $7,500
A first Open Championship for the American but nothing we’ve seen from him in the past suggests this is going to be his sort of thing. His form is questionable at best and the last thing we want at this price is a missed cut. Others offer much better value in this section.
AVOID – Brandon Stone $6,700
Brandon Stone has made good strides on the European Tour this season but we’re not convinced his high ball flight suits this form of golf and without seeing him control his ball how he needs to we don’t need to go near this talented South African this week.
Bottom End Players
This is for those players rated $6,500 or less and that is a sizeable group as well this week.
PICK – Soren Kjeldsen $6,300
The Dane looks an obvious pick at this price. Won in extreme conditions on a links course in Ireland last year and has contended in The Masters and Spanish Open this year. Comfortable in the wind and straight as a die. He should go just fine this week.
PICK – Gary Woodland $6,300
Gary Woodland is an underrated player but his length could be a valuable commodity here. He has a solid enough all-round game who makes a lot of birdies. He is a player capable of tearing the first six holes apart and then protect his score coming home. Won’t win the tournament but can certainly make the cut and bring home some extra rewards.
PICK – Matteo Manassero $6,200
Classy ball striker who is coming back to top form. When he’s on he’s as straight as anyone and going the aerial route won’t be an issue for him. Putted very well in Scotland last week and that stick can ensure he makes another cut and scores for four rounds for us.
PICK – Callum Shinkwin $5,400
Young Englishman who is making good strides in Europe. Belts it miles and that is no bad thing around here. He showed in Scotland last week that he has the imagination for links golf and with the power to take care of the shorter par 4s and the par 5s he is going to make a lot of birdies this week. There will be bogeys but I expect him to make the cut and four rounds of scoring is all we can ask at this price right?
AVOID – Paul Lawrie $6,200
Won this tournament in 1999 when Jean van de Velde let him in the back door but he has only record one top 30 finish in the event since then. The Scot has been battling injuries and loss of form in 2016 and while he could be motivated being back in Scotland I’m not expecting much from him.
AVOID – David Howell $6,000
Not really in the greatest form. An excellent putter but putting isn’t something that is going to advance you on the field very much around here. Has won the Dunhill Links so when he is confident he can go well but the into the wind holes will be pretty long for him and when the swing isn’t perfect the struggles come.
AVOID – Darren Clarke $5,400
Another former champion that we’re taking on and while there is no doubt he can play links golf the Ryder Cup captaincy has really taken effect now and he’ll have more than half an eye on his potential stars this week which might take his eye off the ball of his own game. A missed cut has to be the fear here and that’s enough to put me off.
We hope that has given you some good pointers to get stuck into the many excellent value games at DraftKings this week. If you want to play DFS sports and fantasy golf in particular but haven’t got an account you can sign up to DraftKings and get a 100% deposit bonus and FREE entry into a tournament when you deposit by clicking the banner below.
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