Sony Open
Hope most of you faired better than I did on Sunday. Another reason I hate No-Cut events. I was well in the money after Saturday and all my guys – except Morikawa – shot at least 3 under par on Sunday and I lost 80% of my winnings. Something I always fail to understand how that happens, but I guess the people that had Rahm (-10), Hoge (-9), Cam Young (-9), Zalatoris (-8) and others jumped me because of the big rounds. Bottom line is, no one is really out of it going into Sunday with a 40-man field and no cuts.
Back to the normal program with a cut on Friday evening.
Waialae Golf Club is not Kapalua. In fact, it’s way different. Shorter yardage and a Par 70, but fairways are narrow and greens are small. The biggest question here is, do you play the guys that played last week – because they played last week – or do we guess how well the cobwebs are shaken off by the guys who haven’t played in a month. Unfortunately, we have to go there because not everyone that played last week stays. Personally, if I make the trip for one tournament in Hawai’i, I’m staying for the second one.
Highlights: Waialae Golf Club – Par 70 @ 7,000 yards.
Don’t expect the low scores like last week. At least, not the quantity. As noted above, fairways are narrow and greens are small. The bombers don’t have the advantage.
NOTE: All pricing is based on DraftKings
** are my favorites in each category – could be pricing or the fact I think they play best.
$9,000 and Above
- Tom Kim ($10,500)** – I hate taking the highest-priced guy because it limits you so much after that. However, Tom Kim is a go-to until he proves me wrong. He’s never played here, but he had also never played Kapalua and finished T5.
- Corey Conners ($9,600)** – He’s been Top 25 in his last 4, played last week and has three Top 15s in his four appearances at Waialae. I can work with that!
- Hideki Matsuyama ($10,100) – I’m a little leery on this one. Hideki won last year and was Top 20 in his last three appearances here. He’s been a little hit-or-miss lately but did play last week.
- Brian Harman ($9,700) – In his last 5 events he is T16-T8-T2-2nd-T23. He’s only missed the cut here twice in the last ten years. I like him here.
- Also like: Tom Hoge ($9,900) and Jordan Spieth ($10,000) if any of the guys above don’t feel right to you. If you have a gut feeling – GO WITH YOUR GUT!!
$7,500 to $8,900
- Christiaan Bezuidenhout ($8,100)** – T17 in his only appearance here. The ONLY concern I have with him is he hasn’t played in a month. I’ve found myself wanting to put him in a lineup every chance I get and this price is nice!
- J. J. Spaun ($8,400)** – He is playing absolutely phenomenal golf right now! The average DFS player probably wouldn’t even look at him unless he’s the amount of money they have left for the last position. Last four: T5(last week)-12th-T15-T15.
- Kurt Kitayama ($7,700) – This is a rolling-stats play. On the site I use he ranks 5th in SG-Total and SG-Tee-to-Green.
- Adam Svensson ($7,500) – He’s a better fit for Waialae than he was Kapalua so I expect him to continue to play well. This price has a lot of upside in it if I’m right.
$7,000 to $7,400
- Greyson Sigg ($7,300)**
- Webb Simpson ($7,400)** – I want to really like Webb this week but his play hasn’t been Webb-like for several months. I’m hoping one of his favorite courses helps right the ship. Course history: T61-T4-3rd-DNP-T4-T13-T13-T13-DNP-T20. A Top 15 at $7,400? Ring the bell!
- Russell Knox ($7,200)
- Robby Shelton ($7,000) – hasn’t played in a while, but his rolling stats are phenomenal. SG-Tee-to-Green: 7th SG-Total: 11th. If the trend continues this is a great salary saver.
Under $7,000
- Stewart Cink ($6,900)** – going with experience at this level considering length isn’t and advantage
- Ben Taylor ($6,800) – purely a rolling-stats play
- Austin Eckroat ($6,400) – A young-gun who could surprise some people.
LONGSHOT
I’m really leaning towards Matt Kuchar ($7,900) as a longshot. I think he has his game back to “almost” where it needs to be and he’s not going to lose out as much to the Bombers this week. In his last eight appearance here his has two missed cuts, but also has FIVE TOP 10s (including a win).
Ask questions on Discord if you have them. Make sure to tag me so I don’t miss it!
GOOD LUCK!!