Nice field! Pricing doesn’t appear bad either as there seems to be plenty of great options in the sub-$8500 range. El Camaleon Golf Club is very diverse course. Prepare for a birdie-frenzy as the last five years have produced a winner with less than (-20) only once – and that was (-19)!
$10,000 and Above
- Abraham Ancer ($10,700) – three Top 15s in four trips here. In his last four tournaments (16 rounds) he ranks #1 in driving accuracy.
- Viktor Hovland ($10,900) – defending champion so I know he can play the course.
- Frankly, you can play any of these guys, but given the pricing, I’m not relying on this upper part of Tier 1 in building my lineups – see NOTE below.
Note: I started breaking this Tier down a little further for one reason and one reason only. Everyone thinks that it is a “must have” to win a contest (or at least cash). It’s not! You really need a Top 10 from these guys (and preferably a Top 5) to validate what you have to give up as far as value on your remaining picks. Seriously, your average “per golfer” is below $8K if you start with guys in the $10K and up range.
$9,000 to $9,900
- Patrick Reed ($9,500) – I think he “got right” last week and, like Ian Poulter, he rarely goes at a tournament “half-assed”.
- Taylor Gooch ($9,000) – I AM A CURRENT FORM PLAYER!! No more needs said other than T4-T11-T5!
- Aaron Wise ($9,600) – Another guy with TERRIFIC current form.
- Will Zalatoris ($9,100) and Matthew Wolff ($9,200) – Not really on these two this week, but the pricing for both is very reasonable.
$7,500 to $8,900
- Alex Noren ($8,400)
- Christiaan Bezuidenhout ($8,000)
- JUSTIN ROSE ($7,900) – Did you ever think you’d see him sub-$8K? Has the ability to explode and contend which means the risk-reward is very much in your favor.
- Ian Poulter ($7,500) – Told you if he disappointed me again, I’d have to reconsider our “bromance”. He didn’t!
$7,400 and Under
- Harold Varner III ($7,400) – OK, in his last three tournaments, he’s a combined minus 45. At this price, I have to have him in at least one lineup.
- Taylor Pendrith ($7,200) – Yes, I know he folded a little on Sunday last week, but I willingly played him in a weak field at $9,100. If you get anywhere near that performance at this price, you won’t care what he shot on Sunday. STILL MAKING CUTS!
- Matt Kuchar ($7,200) – Admittedly, I’m skeptical about Kuch anymore. However, he has had two Top 40s in a row. I know. That isn’t saying much. However, getting an experienced and smart player at this price is a bonus.
- Henrik Stenson ($7,100) – See Matt Kuchar
No more fades! I’m going with the positive. Here are two potential “Cores” to build with:
CORE #1:
Taylor Gooch
Harold Varner III
Patrick Reed
CORE #2:
Abraham Ancer
Justin Rose
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
GOOD LUCK!!