PGA DFS DraftKings Pivots: Sleepers and Value Picks - U.S. Open

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to my PGA DFS Pivots for DraftKings! This week, the PGA event is The U.S. Open!

The U.S. Open returns to The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. The golfers can expect small and fast greens that are protected by thick rough. Also, as a staple of U.S. Open golf, the rough off the fairways should be thick as well. However, we have seen reports that the rough off the fairway is not as bad as in years past. While accuracy off-the-tee is important at any U.S. Open, this week seems to place higher importance on greens in regulation. Golfers that can hit these small greens or get up and down to save par will have an advantage over the field.

As with any major, the field is very talented. This presents us with opportunities to receive some ownership discounts on some of the top golfers in the world. Making accurate pivot plays this week will be vital for success in GPPs.

The U.S. Open - DFS Lineup Pivots 

Cameron Smith ($10,200) - I am surprised at Cam Smith’s current projected ownership. He disappointed some at The Canadian Open by finishing in 48^th place. However, Smith did not play all that badly. He did lose strokes putting but gained 3.6 on approach. Smith has now gained strokes on approach in seven straight events. Smith is also known as an excellent around-the-green player, he ranks ninth in the field in that metric over the last 24 rounds. Smith is sandwiched between chalky guys like Schauffele and Mcllroy, likely assisting in keeping his ownership low. Smith has a mixed bag at The U.S. Open. He finished in fourth place in 2015 but missed the cut last year. He does seem to have the game that could help him contend this week. He makes for an excellent pivot option.

Hideki Matsuyama ($9,100) - Currently projected to be in the single digits ownership-wise, Hideki Matsuyama is an elite pivot option. The greens at The Country Club are small, slippery, and undulating. Hitting your approach shot to the correct portion of the green and below the hole is a must to score. Matsuyama ranks first in the field in proximity over the last 24 rounds. He has also gained strokes tee-to-green in 10 straight events. Finally, Matsuyama ranks 12^th in ball-striking and ninth on approach over the last 24 rounds. Not too bad for a golfer who is going overlooked.

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Talor Gooch ($7,500) - Talor Gooch has been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons lately. He was just suspended from The PGA Tour for his involvement in the LIV Tour. However, Gooch could play well at very low ownership this week. An excellent around-the-green player, Gooch ranks second in the field in that metric over the last 24 rounds. We last saw Gooch on tour where he finished 20^th at The PGA Championship and 27^th at The Charles Schwab. Gooch gained strokes on approach at those two events as well. Gooch may offer a nice salary and ownership relief this week.

Webb Simpson ($7,400) - In Webb Simpson’s last four U.S. Opens he has two top 10 place finishes and a 16^th place finish in 2019. Simpson did, unfortunately, miss the cut at last year's U.S. Open. However, Simpson has a game that can suit U.S. Open golf. An accurate driver of the golf ball, Webb ranks 17^th in the field in finding fairways over the last 24 rounds. He is also accurate on approach, ranking 27^th in proximity. He has also been quietly in good form. Simpson has gained strokes on approach in four straight events and gained tee-to-green in three of his last four. At single-digit ownership and low salary, Simpson makes for a good pivot option.

Patrick Reed ($7,200) -  Patrick Reed had a good showing at The Charles Schwab. That lead him to be one of the more popular players at The Memorial. Reed let down many who rostered him finishing in 53^rd place. Reed later announced that he will be playing in the next LIV event. All these factors may contribute to his low single-digit ownership projection. Reed has four straight made cuts at The U.S. Open. In 2018 he finished in fourth place. Reed’s short and around-the-green game serves him well at this event. He ranks 15^th and 12^th in the field in those metrics over the last 24 rounds. Although he disappointed some in his last start, Reed has much improved over the last month. Gaining strokes tee-to-green in three straight starts and gaining strokes on approach in two of his past three. Reed offers nice salary relief and his projection ownership could give us some leverage. Reed is an elite GPP play this week.

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