We are now in what I call the “silly season” for PGA. The Tour calls it the start of the new season or the “wrap around” portion, but until they go to Hawaii, for me, it’s all just an opportunity for the new guys to get their feet wet in less loaded fields. It’s also a good chance to make some money while everyone else focuses on NFL, the end of MLB, and the start of NHL and NBA.
$9,000 and Above
Will Zalatoris & Mito Pereira
Zalatoris: $10,800 | Pereira: $9,900
Will Zalatoris – There are really two guys in this category that stand out. Will Zalatoris and Sam Burns. You can start with either, but I prefer Will. Why? Just my gut! I don’t want to bet against Sam Burns because he does have four straight Top 25s to end the last season – and against strong FedEx Cup fields. Don’t be surprised if both of them are on the first page of the leaderboard. But, I can’t start a lineup with and $11K and $10.8K guy and feel good about myself. In fact, even what I’m proposing is a salary stretch, but I will risk it with a diminished field and play some newer guys for shits and giggles – oh, and they are also good players.
Mito Pereira – I like this guy. Four Top 10s in his last six worldwide events. Gaining strokes in multiple statistical categories is also a positive even though that is rarely my main approach.
Additional Play(s) to Consider
- Sungjae Im ($10,300) – This is the time of year where he can win one.
- Sergio Garcia ($10,500) – Always in play when the field isn’t weak. The only concern is a post-Ryder Cup letdown.
- Harold Varner III ($9,200)
- Charley Hoffman ($9,000) – He is playing consistent golf again. Not spectacular, but consistent. Usually, Hoffman at $9K is a bad thing, but this week, probably not.
$7,500 to $8,900
Brendan Todd & Taylor Pendrith
Todd: $7,900 | Pendrith: $7,800
I’m looking at the lower two tiers and thinking, don’t go for the obvious (if there is one) and take a shot. That’s what I’m doing.
Brendan Todd did not finish the season well, but put out a solid performance two weeks ago. A lot of the guys in these tiers are either coming off a layoff after not making the FedEx Cup playoffs or are guys looking to make a splash as a newcomer. Todd is neither of those but did miss the cut at the Wyndham which ended his season. A solid performance two weeks ago at Fortinet is giving me hope and comfort in playing a veteran.
Taylor Pendrith has made nine straight cuts – mostly on the Korn Ferry Tour. But, he’s also a guy looking to stake his claim as a member of the PGA tour. I like solid play on any tour. At $7,800, it’s worth a shot.
Additional Plays to Consider
- Kevin Streelman ($8,900); Seamus Power ($8,800); Matthew Wolff ($8,500); Scott Stallings ($7,700 and made 5 of 6 cuts here); and Zach Johnson ($7,500 if you want another experienced guy).
$7,400 and Under
John Augenstein & Rory Sabbatini
Augenstein: $6,700 | Sabbatini: $6,900
Make the cut! That’s all you want.
Augenstein had a 6th place finish at the Fortinet a couple weeks ago and is also a newbie! I think the strong play continues and making the cut at this price is excellent!
Sabbatini is Sabbatini. He surprises when you least expect it. However, given the field, I expect it this week. And, how often to you get experience at a price like this?
Additional Play(s) to Consider
- Vincent Whaley ($6,800)
- Scott Piercy ($7,400)
- Brandt Snedeker ($7,200)
- Aaron Rai ($7,300
FADE
Sebastian Munoz had the ultimate “shit the bed” moment two weeks ago at the Fortinet where he should have been contending. I like him as a golfer, but not at $9,300 after that performance.