THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP
The 5th Major? It’s sometimes referred to as that. This is a tournament – and a course – where I don’t think any of these guys can claim to have a mastery over it. Out of the Top 4 in price, three of them have won it. However, the history is:
Scottie Win-T55-MC
Rory MC-T33-MC-Win-MC-T35-T12-T8-T6-T8
Xander T19-MC-MC-MC-T2
Justin T60-T33-Win-T35-T11-MDF-T3-T24
JT is the best there as far as consistency, but it shows how little I’m relying on course history this week. JT had the MDF (Made Cut-Didn’t Finish) which is something we don’t see anymore. I’d call it a MC since he didn’t play Sunday. So, out of the guys in the $10K and Up range, ZERO have played four rounds here every year they’ve entered.
Scared yet? At $9,900 Will Zalatoris has made the cut in all three attempts, but his best finish is 21st in 2021. However, returning successfully from injury (at least it appears that way), he is one of my favorite plays this week. Everyone is going to love Scottie Scheffler this week – and they should!
Highlights:
- TPC Sawgrass – Par 72 @ 7,275 yards
- Everyone knows the Par 3 17th!
- This course is difficult – verified by the lack of consistent results by players. This event moved to March a about 5 years ago which brought weather into play. There is so much trouble that accuracy. There is the potential this week for plenty more double-digit hole scores than we saw last week.
- Smaller greens. Narrow fairways. Above average rough. Trees. Water (and plenty of it) – need anything else?
- POA Greens for those of you looking at putting stats on different surfaces.
NOTE: All pricing is based on DraftKings
** are my favorites in each category – could be pricing or the fact I think they play best.
$10,000 and Above
You can play two of these guys if you really want to give the fact that DraftKings has continued to price guys in the $5K range and, this week in particular, the field is a little higher in quality down there.
- Scottie Scheffler ($12,800) – The “baddest man on the planet” right now when it comes to golf. I really think he is worth the 10% price difference between him and Rory.
- Rory McIlroy ($11,600) – He’s been consistent this year, but outside of a Win and a T2 early in the Fall, he’s been consistently “middle of the road”. Is he playable? Absolutely! But, he’s probably my least favorite of the six.
- Xander Schauffele ($11,300) – consistent ball striker and typically very accurate. Four Top 10s in his last six events. Broke a string of 3 straight missed cuts here last year so…I like his current form but TPC Sawgrass can be a streak-ender.
- Justin Thomas ($10,600) – As I said, probably the most consistent of the Top 4 priced guys. Coming off a disappointing year, I like him to do well here.
- Patrick Cantlay ($10,300) – It seems people either love or hate him (Patrick “Can’t”play). Nice play or words but not a good observation of his skill level. I think he’s at least Top 20 this week. He could very easily win!
- Viktor Hovland ($10,100) – I’m hoping he makes the weekend if for no other reason than to adjust the color on my TV using his outfits. Wow! However, when you play like him, no one should care. Mediocre finishes so far this year, but he’s gotten consistently better here each year – 2021 (MC), 2022 (T9), 2023 (T3).
$9,000 to $9,900
- Will Zalatoris ($9,900)** – I could be wrong with this so easily, but he is my favorite play this week. With pricing, I got him and Scottie in a lineup together and I’m not disappointed in the slightest with the other four.
- Ludvig Aberg ($9,300) – No history but, like I said, history means doesn’t mean shit at Sawgrass. This guy will win on Tour this year – maybe here if he doesn’t let the demons into his head/swing this week. Four straight Top 25s this year with two of those Top 10s.
- Shane Lowry ($9,100)** – The hot hand on the Florida swing right now with a 3rd and a T4 in the last two weeks respectively. I like him to finish Top 15 or better here.
- Max Homa ($9,600) – Also moving in the right direction historically here like Hovland. You also like guys good at avoiding big numbers and you don’t see Homa do that very often.
- Hideki Matsuyama ($9,800) – If he makes the cut, expect a Top 25 – or, at least, that’s what he’s always done before.
- BONUS: Wyndham Clark ($9,700)
$8,000 to $8,900
- Tommy Fleetwood ($8,800) – I just have a good feeling. Is that enough to sway you all into playing him?
- Tony Finau ($8,800)** – I think he may be the biggest name playing “stealth clubs”. I mean, with the things I’m reading, he’s not just coming in “under the radar”, he’s not even on it for most touts.
- Sahith Theegala ($8,700) – I was impressed by the way he finished last week and he’s playing great golf. This is a tournament that you can expect someone outside of the “big names” to be on the leaderboard.
- Byeong Hun (Ben) An ($8,100) – Very consistent player right now. Mediocre finishes here. However, current form trumps course history this week – in my opinion.
$7,000 to $7,900
- Tom Hoge ($7,800)** – If Finau isn’t on the radar, this guy isn’t even showing up on the mission report. Five Top 20s (two Top 10s) in his last seven events. At this price? Back up the truck!
- Keith Mitchell ($7,500)** – In honor of “x_iamlegend_x” on Discord – “Cashmere Keith” for the GPP win!
- Christiaan Bezuidenhout ($7,400)
- Erik van Rooyen ($7,300)
- NICOLAI HOJGAARD ($7,100) – he missed the cut last week. I really like this guy to have an outstanding year. I’m really thinking he comes back from the MC last week and shows us what he’s made of this week.
- Alex Noren ($7,200)
Under $7,000
- Davis Thompson ($6,100) – made 10 of 11 cuts. Too good to be priced this low.
- Matthieu Pavon ($6,700)
- Aaron Rai ($6,400)
- Austin Eckroat ($6,500)
$6,000 & Under (They made me do it)
- Taylor Montgomery ($6,000)
- Robert McIntyre ($5,600)
- Ben Silverman ($5,500)
- Seamus Power ($5,800)
- Chesson Hadley ($5,700)
- Garrick Higgo ($5,600)
Longshot(s)
- Justin Rose ($7,000) – I know he’s not the force he used to be. I know he’s unlikely to win. But, to me, this is a mistake! TOO CHEAP!!!!!
CORE PLAYS (Listing 6 – Maybe play 3):
- Scottie Scheffler ($12,800)
- Will Zalatoris ($9,900)
- Ludvig Aberg ($9,300)
- Shane Lowry ($9,100)
- Nicolai Hojgaard ($7,100)
- Ben Silverman ($5,500)
I’m $3,700 over the cap! However, I wanted to throw in a sub-$6K guy. I like several guys in the mid-range. For a balanced lineup, how about:
- Patrick Cantlay ($10,300)
- Will Zalatoris ($9,900)
- Tom Hoge ($7,800)
- Keith Mitchell ($7,500)
- Justin Rose ($7,000)
- Christiaan Bezuidenhout ($7,400)
And…you’re under the Cap!
Ask questions on Discord if you have them. Make sure to tag me so I don’t miss it!
GOOD LUCK!!