RADIO
We are back with another week of FanDuel DFS for the WM Phoenix Open. The field is absolutely loaded with stars as this is the first full-field elevated event of the year. It will not be difficult to find good golfers down the board, so balanced or stars-and-"scrubs" builds will both be doable.
In this article, we'll discuss some of the standout PGA DFS plays available on FanDuel. While it's impossible to hit on every player, we'll touch on some different plays across all price ranges, breaking the groups down into "High," "Mid," and "Low" price options that are worth considering.
Like always, the purpose of this piece is to help you put together your optimal daily fantasy golf lineups for FanDuel, whether that be from a GPP perspective or a cash-game mentality. Be sure to also read all of our other top-notch weekly PGA DFS and betting articles to help you win big!
FanDuel Strategy Nuances (PGA DFS)
Before we dive into the FanDuel plays for this week, we are going to be comparing the prices of golfers on the FD slate to that of the DraftKings slate, in order to figure out some value for the respective golfers. We get an extra $10,000 ($60,000 salary limit in FanDuel) to spend on the same six guys, so there is an opportunity to build some really optimal lineups if we find the right guys. The average increase per player should be $1,666.67 ($10,000/6).
We have tons of great weekly PGA articles, DFS analysis, tools, and DFS advice. Be sure to read our other fantastic articles regarding this week's event, including DFS lineup picks for DraftKings/FanDuel, betting advice, DFS prop picks, and course previews.
High-Priced FanDuel DFS Plays
Below is the difference in salary between the two DFS platforms using the downloadable research station that is part of our affordable Premium Package. It has event history, recent form, DFS scoring upside, and whole lot more nerdy stuff. Use code: "MANIAC" for 10% off an already great deal.
Jon Rahm ($12,100, $1,100 difference)
When it comes to picking between Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy, who are both single-digit favorites to win on the betting market, ultimately the difference is event history for me. Rahm has finished no worse than 13th in his last five starts here and has won two of his last three this season. McIlroy has not played here before, which may or may not be the difference maker. With a talent rich slate at this elevated event, a $12,100 golfer does not necessarily handcuff you further down the salary ranges.
Xander Schauffele ($11,700, $1,700 difference)
Xander Schauffele has a course history that is arguably better than Rahm's, if you weigh the two last starts of 2nd and 3rd a little more heavily. Schauffele withdrew from the Sentry with a niggly back, but has since rattled of two top-13 finishes. He will be a popular play up top, but X-man has his eyes set on winning this week and his course history and form would not disagree.
Tom Kim ($10,700, $1,600 difference)
If we are looking for a lower priced, lower owned golfer above $10K, Tom Kim is somebody I am interested in targeting. He has performed marvelously on courses he has not played before, and outside of the putting debacle he had at Sony, Kim has been on a tear recently, finishing T11 or better in his last 4 starts. His lack of length off the tee may deter people from clicking his name, but his elite accuracy will give him incredible opportunities to flash his stellar iron play from inside 200 yards all week long.
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Mid-Priced FanDuel DFS Plays
Mid-priced salary differences. Notice how much more red we see in that difference column in this range versus the high-priced range. Bear that in mind when deciding which players to play on either platform.
Tommy Fleetwood ($9,900, $1,800 increase)
With no event history and a lack of recent form on US soil, Tommy Fleetwood will find himself underowned this week. At a course that emphasizes around-the-green play, he is one of the best in the field. His approach play has shown a little bit of a resurgence which will always come in handy. He has average distance off the tee but above average accuracy, which is a "compromise" we are willing to make on Tommy on a slate that will require taking a few bold stances on some less popular players who have world class talent.
Seamus Power ($9,400, $1,800 increase)
Seamus Power was slightly overpowered by the wind last week at Pebble Beach. He was a very popular play in DFS and "only" managed a 15th place finish. We are willing to ignore that and lean on his ability to avoid bogeys, make birdies, and dominate par 5s, at a rate that matches only 8 other golfers in the field across those three categories (7 of the 8 are $9,200 or more). His strokes gained metrics are not pretty, but at a venue the requires the ball simply getting into the whole, Seamus does that better than most.
Maverick McNealy ($9,300, $1,600 increase)
Maverick McNealy is one of the best putters on tour. He also has a really tidy short game around the greens and for somebody in this price range, he finds himself in the top 20 of Birdie % and Par 5 scoring. If a model emphasizes ball striking, McNealy is one of those guys who will not show up. He reminds me of Cameron Smith before he became an elite iron player. There is a fantastic chance he gains strokes putting this week, it's just a matter of how many.
Low-Priced FanDuel DFS Players
The below golfers are all candidates to round out your player pool based off their track record at Pebble Beach.
Matt Kuchar ($8,800, $1,4000 increase)
Kuchar seems to have found the level of golf that he was displaying when he finished 16th, 4th, and 5th at this event a few years back. Kuchar is one of those golfers that has a very strong course history component to his game. If he plays well at a venue, he typically continues to do so. We will ignore the MC at Pebble in the wind, and instead focus on the 7th at the Sony (another course he has great course history at). Play Kuchar at tracks he has excelled at in the past!
Garrick Higgo ($8,400, $1,200 increase)
Garrick Higgo has shown a bit of form recently with two top-20 finishes in his last three starts. He also played well here in his only start last year (21st). At this price and relatively low ownership, we are going to need a few of these guys in our lineups if we want to play Rahm. He is a riskier play, but definitely has found something recently which we want to capitalize on.
Brendon Todd ($8,700, $1,600 increase)
Brendon Todd has course history and some impressive recent form going for him. That is all you need to know about this $8,700 golfer.
Kevin Kisner ($8,000, $1,200 increase)
Somebody who I think is sneaking under the radar and has potentially found a little bit of form after a 34th place finish around a gusty Pebble Beach, is Kevin Kisner. Kiz is one of the best Bermuda putters on tour and finds himself on that surface this week. He has finishes of 38th and 26th here and with a hot putter can outscore his $8,000 price tag and 1% ownership.
Nate Lashley ($7,700, $1,200 increase)
Nate Lashley is a risky play that can quite easily payoff his salary of $7,700 if he plays to the level that saw him finish 17th and 3rd at TPC Scottsdale three years ago. He showed a flash of brilliance at the Sony Open finishing 7th and withdrew from a blustery PB last week. He will be barely owned and provides great upside if things click.
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