4 days agoRussell Henley finished T27 at last week's Memorial Tournament, marking his fourth consecutive top-30 finish. He has been extremely consistent and outstanding in 2024, missing the cut in only one tournament and finishing inside the top five three times. Next, he will prepare for this week's U.S. Open at Pinehurst. Henley has historically performed well in the U.S. Open, finishing T14 in 2023, missing the cut in 2022, and T13 in 2021. The U.S. Open is always one of the toughest challenges for golfers all season, and Pinehurst is a course that demands accuracy with approach shots. It's worth noting that over the past 12 months, Henley ranks in the 39th percentile in greens in regulation percentage on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. Despite this, Henley has found other ways to contend week in and week out, making him worth considering for DFS lineups this week.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
4 days agoByeong Hun An finished T22 at last week's Memorial Tournament. It could have been better, but he carded a 75 in the final round on Sunday, which was his worst round of the tournament. Nonetheless, An has finished in the top 25 in three of his last four tournaments, including two top-five finishes. An has been in excellent form in 2024 and is now preparing for this week's U.S. Open at Pinehurst. Pinehurst is a course that emphasizes strong iron play and will be one of the toughest challenges for golfers this year. One noteworthy stat is that over the past 12 months, An ranks in the 93rd percentile in greens in regulation percentage on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. Given An's recent form and strong iron play, he could be a valuable addition to DFS lineups this week.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
4 days agoJason Day finished T33 at last week's Memorial Tournament, but he struggled with a disappointing 77 in the final round on Sunday. Despite this, Day has made the cut in six straight tournaments and had one top-five and one top-20 finish during that time. Now, he's gearing up for this week's U.S. Open at Pinehurst, an event he has historically performed well in, even though he missed the cut at last year's edition. It's important to note that Pinehurst will be a challenging course, especially for approach shots. Over the past 12 months, Day has struggled with approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway, ranking only in the eighth percentile for greens in regulation percentage. Despite his recent struggles, Day still has the potential to perform well this week, making him worth considering for DFS lineups.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
4 days agoTyrrell Hatton finished T18 at last week's LIV Houston tournament, achieving his fourth straight top-20 finish in LIV tournaments. His most recent PGA Tour appearance was at the PGA Championship last month, where he finished T63. Hatton will now focus on preparing for this week's U.S. Open at Pinehurst. The U.S. Open is known for being one of the toughest challenges of the year for golfers, and Hatton has previously performed well at this tournament. In 2023, he finished T27, and in 2022, he finished T56. Pinehurst will present a stern challenge for golfers, especially on approach shots. It's worth noting that over the past 12 months, Hatton ranks in the 66th percentile in greens in regulation percentage on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. Hatton is capable of contending this week and is worth considering for DFS lineups.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
4 days agoWill Zalatoris finished tied for 41st at last week's Memorial Tournament, shooting an underwhelming 79 in the final round on Sunday. Despite his strong start to the season, Zalatoris has been struggling to replicate his early season form, which saw him finish inside the top 15 in three straight tournaments. As he prepares for this week's U.S. Open at Pinehurst, he's coming off back-to-back top-50 finishes. Zalatoris has had mixed results at the U.S. Open, finishing tied for second in 2022 and missing the cut in 2021. The Pinehurst course poses a tough challenge for golfers, emphasizing the need for accuracy on approach shots. It's important to note that Zalatoris ranks in the 80th percentile for greens in regulation percentage on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. Despite not maintaining his early season form, Zalatoris has shown some consistency and could be a solid choice for DFS lineups this week.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
4 days agoWyndham Clark had a tough time at the Memorial Tournament last week, missing the cut for the second consecutive week and the third time in his last five tournaments. In his recent outings, he has struggled in almost every aspect of his game except off the tee. However, Clark will now focus on preparing for this week's U.S. Open at Pinehurst. Despite his recent struggles, it's worth noting that he is the defending U.S. Open champion. On the downside, Clark missed the cut in both 2022 and 2021. Pinehurst is known for being a difficult course that demands accuracy on approach shots. Over the past year, Clark has performed averagely, ranking in the 50th percentile in greens in regulation percentage on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. While Clark's recent form has been inconsistent, he has shown great potential in the past and could be a valuable addition to DFS lineups this week, albeit with some risk.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
4 days agoBrooks Koepka finished tied for ninth at last week's LIV Houston, marking his third straight top-10 finish in LIV events, including one win during that time. Koepka will now prepare for this week's U.S. Open at Pinehurst, where he has historically performed well. In 2023, he finished T17, 55th in 2022, and tied for fourth in 2021. Pinehurst will be a tough challenge for golfers this week, with an emphasis on accuracy on approach shots. Over the past 12 months, Koepka ranks in the 75th percentile in greens in regulation percentage on approach shots from over 200 yards in the fairway. Considering his recent form and past success at the U.S. Open, Koepka could be worth considering for DFS lineups this week.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
4 days agoAfter a resurgent season last year that saw Justin Rose return to being a prominent threat on the PGA Tour, 2024 has been much less kind to the former U.S. Open champion. The 151st-ranked player in strokes gained on approach (-0.417) still has the pedigree to show out here and there like we saw with his T6 at Valhalla earlier this year. However, the volatility makes him nearly untouchable in most fantasy lineups. His T12 in 2014--the last time this championship was held at Pinehurst #2--is reason to suggest he has enough prowess on and around the greens to stay relevant, though just like his iron play isn't up to the same level it was 10 years ago, Rosey isn't the same player in that aspect either. Even at $9,000 on FanDuel, he isn't worth the heartache.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
4 days agoSam Burns has turned in two solid weeks with a T10 at the RBC Canadian Open and a T15 at The Memorial Tournament last week. In that time, he's mostly posted positive strokes gained metrics across the board. However, he did average -0.35 strokes gained on approach at Muirfield Village, which will need to be cleaned up to have any chance at the place many regard as the home of American golf. At a venue where short game is more crucial than the run-of-the-mill tour event, Burns has demonstrated strength on and around the greens at different points this season. He gained an average of +1.103 strokes putting through his first six events to start the year, but has since cooled off. More recently, he's averaged +0.63 strokes gained around the green over his last three starts. At $9,800 on FanDuel, there is considerable risk here, especially if his recent success causes a spike in ownership, but, he is worth a nod in certain lineups.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
4 days agoFrom tee to green most weeks, Cameron Young does enough right to draw some attention at a demanding venue like Pinehurst No. 2. However, it should be noted that the 27-year-old has lost strokes with his irons in four of his last five starts. Things fall off severely on and around the greens, as he is ranked outside the top 100 in chipping and putting strokes-gained metrics for the season. Even if his ball-striking returns to form, he likely won't have enough success without a solid short-game performance. There's just too much going wrong here to feel confident putting him in a lineup at $9,900 on FanDuel.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
4 days agoBilly Horschel has shown much better form over the previous three tournaments and in general this 2024. The American golfer may be 37 but is playing more like he is 27 lately. He has three consecutive Top 25 results. Horschel can make birdies as seen when he won the Corales Puntacana Championship in April. He did the same at the PGA Championship in May. That included a Sunday 64 to vault him into the Top 10 (T-8). Pinehurst will play much differently but if Horschel can keep his approaches somewhat accurate, that putter ranks fourth in terms of strokes gained (0.72). Limiting and making putts at the U.S. Open is always essential like at any major.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
4 days agoTaylor Moore has shown inconsistency on the golf course. However, the American has performed well when it comes to the big events. He finished in the Top 20 at both The Masters and at Valhalla (PGA Championship). It has been those in-between tournaments which have proven to be more troublesome. Moore found the Memorial Tournament not to his liking (75-81). Also, he bogeyed or worse nine of the 18 holes last Friday. Approaches will be essential at Pinehurst and Moore lately (117th at -0.139 strokes gained) has been missing a few more greens than usual (under 60% in the past two events). This U.S. Open figures to be a test from the start for Moore.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
4 days agoDaniel Berger has towed a tough road in 2024 with six missed cuts in 13 tournaments. The American golfer has not won since the AT&T in 2021. Berger can make his share of birdies but the U.S. Open is different. Getting to the green has not been a problem but putting has been an adventure. Berger ranks 171st in strokes gained due to putting (-0.707). Putts per round is above 30 (30.26) on a course where one-putts (33.5%) are helpful. Berger being so far outside the Top 150 in this many metrics does not bode well. Getting balls on the green (8th in Greens In Regulation) will be vital for Berger from the start.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
4 days agoNicolai Hojgaard enjoyed a week of rest leading up to the U.S. Open. The golfer from Denmark performed better a couple weeks ago at the RBC Canadian Open (T-35th). Hojgaard has been a bit up and down lately. He has missed four cuts in his last eight tournaments including the Arnold Palmer and The Players Championship. His solo second at the Farmers Insurance Open seems like a lifetime ago. His 308 yard drives rank 25th on tour but that 60.08% accuracy rate is concerning. Scrawny and bumpy conditions will be a major test for Hojgaard from the start.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
4 days agoThomas Detry surprised many with his top-five finish at Valhalla. The Belgian golfer finished tied for fourth in Kentucky last month behind strong 66's to open and close the event. Pinehurst No. 2 may be more of a challenge like the Memorial Tournament proved last weekend. Detry tried his best but struggled early, then bogeyed 17 and 18 on Sunday. More challenging pin placements seemed to knock Detry off his game. Approaches will be key on a firm and fast golf course. Detry ranks 134th in terms of strokes gained on approach. Add in accuracy concerns with his driver, and the Belgian may find the U.S. Open more challenging.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
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