6 days agoAustin Eckroat took the lessons from The Masters and applied them to the PGA Championship. The result was a Top 25 at Valhalla (T-18). The American golfer was again getting a final round lecture at the Memorial Tournament on Sunday as the pins were moved. Eckroat shot a 76 to fall back down the leaderboard. He does have some attributes which can keep him in contention at the U.S. Open. Eckroat can drive the ball accurately (70.21% - 12th), and get approaches close. Putting average ranks 31st at 1.734 putts per hole which could prove helpful. Hot conditions should dry out the course which will make shot placement important for Eckroat.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
6 days agoHarris English seemed to have some momentum heading into the third major of the PGA season. The American golfer hung around at both The Masters and the PGA Championship. However, the Memorial Tournament altered that outlook a little as English missed the cut in a second straight event. On one hand, Harris will be rested after last week in Ohio (76-74). English ranks 10th on the PGA Tour in terms of strokes gained to putting (0.632). Approaches will be just as important as Pinehurst No. 2. English missed five or six greens last week alone in that department.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
6 days agoDenny McCarthy needed to open up The Memorial by making some putts. The American did not. He missed greens, some easy shots, and wound up with a 76. McCarthy rebounded but shot a 76 on Sunday to end up tied for 39th. Add in the 7,550 yards that is Pinehurst No. 2, and there is reason for concern. When one hits the greens just 60.1% of the time (172nd on tour), that can be a recipe for disaster. McCarthy needs to putt well (0.863 strokes gained -- second on the PGA) to have a chance to contend. The North Carolina golf course will play different than 1999 or 2005, which may impact McCarthy further.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
6 days agoIt has been a solid year for Hideki Matsuyama, but there is still a ton more to play for as this week's United States Open plays into his skill set as much as any course he's seen all year. Pinehurst #2 will be the most demanding test around the greens that players will see this season, and Matsuyama is the best player on tour in strokes gained around the green (+0.761) to go along with serviceable ball striking. Most recently at The Memorial, the Japanese great gained over five shots on approach into firm and baked-out surfaces much like he'll see again this week. Given how well-suited he is, expect ownership to be high. But for DFS managers willing to overlook that issue; the sky's the limit.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
6 days agoMax Homa is one good week with the driver away from contending in another tournament. He's managed a top 25 or better every time he's gained strokes off the tee in any manner all season. Much of that is thanks to fairly consistent ball striking over the last few months, however, the work around the greens has been the biggest highlight as he is ranked 25th on the year in strokes gained around the green (+0.283). Homa has certainly been less in the mix than many expected in 2024. Nonetheless, the game is there if the troubles with the driver can find some confidence. He is far from a must-play option given how demanding Pinehurst #2 will be off the tee, but, considering 15 of the last 19 U.S. Open champions have been first-time major winners, it would behoove anyone to say he's on the short list of guys capable of battling through the U.S. Open grind.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
6 days agoScottie Scheffler's recent victory at the Memorial Tournament marked his fifth win in 2024 and his fifth in his last five appearances. He has been on an impressive run this year and has only finished outside the top 10 once. Scheffler is now gearing up for this week's U.S. Open at Pinehurst, where he has historically performed well. In previous years, he finished third in 2023, tied for second in 2022, and tied for seventh in 2021. Pinehurst is expected to present a tough challenge for golfers this week, emphasizing the importance of accurate approach shots. Over the past 12 months, Scheffler has ranked in the 98th percentile in greens in regulation percentage on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. With his recent form and past success at the U.S. Open, he could be a valuable addition to DFS lineups this week.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
6 days agoIt is a strong argument to say Collin Morikawa is the best player on the planet without a win in the last two-and-a-half months. He was the only player that gave Scheffler a scare this past week at The Memorial Tournament down the final few holes, and really, he's knocked on the door at almost every event he's played in since a T3 at Augusta. The world no. seven has averaged +1.203 strokes gained on approach and +0.986 strokes gained off the tee over his last three starts. Impeccable ball striking has been a focal point for most of his career, but the strong chipping and putting is not. His success with the flat stick has only flourished as of late, but the 10th ranking for the season in strokes gained around the green (+0.397) suggests this may be an added strength that will be heavily needed this week at Pinehurst #2. Consider Morikawa as a strong option at $11,300 on FanDuel.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
6 days agoAs if the bad play in non-LIV events wasn't enough to have cause for concern about playing Jon Rahm (foot) in fantasy lineups, his recent withdrawal from the Saudi League's event in Houston with an infection in his left foot should. The Spaniard has still not secured a victory on his new circuit and has a T45 and a missed cut to his name in the year's first two majors. To say the move to the breakaway league has not been as fruitful as many suspected for Rahm is a massive understatement. With a $10,900 price tag on FanDuel, he is undoubtedly the riskiest play at the top of the board with little hope of getting a positive return for DFS players.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
2 weeks agoPatrick Cantlay has had a bit of a up-and-down season by his own lofty standards. Currently sitting at OWGR No. 9, the 32-year-old Tour star has finished outside of the top-20 in his last three starts, and he hasn't won an event since the BMW Championship in August of 2022. But he is still a world-class talent, and he should find plenty of comfort heading to a course where he has phenomenal course history at. Cantlay has teed off at the Memorial seven times, posting two wins, two other top-5 finishes, and no other finish worse than T35. He also participated in the Workday Charity Open in 2020 which was hosted at Muirfield Village, and he gained close to eight strokes from tee-to-green en route to a T7 finish. Cantlay looks to be one of the lowest-owned options above the $9,000 salary range on DraftKings, and fantasy managers investing in Cantlay this week could be handsomely rewarded come Sunday evening.
--Ryan HickeySource: PGA Tour
2 weeks agoSungjae Im tied for ninth at the Charles Schwab Challenge two weeks ago. Except for a missed cut at the PGA Championship last month, Im has been performing well. He achieved three top-15 finishes in his last four PGA Tour tournaments. He is set to play at the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village this week. Im has a good track record at this event, finishing T41 in 2023 and T10 in 2022. It's important to note that Muirfield Village has smaller-than-average green complexes, highlighting the need for accuracy in shots onto the green. It's worth noting that Im's accuracy in approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway ranks in the 26th percentile for greens in regulation percent over the past year. Despite this, considering his recent form and past performances at this event, Im may still be a good choice for DFS lineups this week.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
2 weeks agoSam Burns had a strong performance at the RBC Canadian Open, finishing tied for 10th, which was his second top-15 finish in his last three tournaments. He started the year well but then struggled for form, experiencing a stretch of three missed cuts in five tournaments starting in March. Burns will try to maintain the form he showed at the RBC Canadian Open and last month's Wells Fargo Championship as he competes at this week's Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village. In the past, he finished tied for 16th in 2023 and tied for 50th in 2021 at this event. It's important to note that the Muirfield Village has smaller than average green complexes, making accuracy crucial for shots onto the green. Over the past 12 months, Burns ranks in the 33rd percentile in greens in regulation percentage on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. While Burns could be a consideration for DFS lineups this week, there are some risks involved.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
2 weeks agoMax Homa missed the cut at the Charles Schwab Challenge two weeks ago, marking his second missed cut of the year. However, before that, Homa had been in great form, achieving three top-25 and two top-10 finishes in his last six tournaments. His focus now is on the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village this week, where he has a solid track record, finishing tied for fifth in 2022 and tied for sixth in 2021. It's important to note that the green complexes at Muirfield Village are smaller than average, emphasizing the need for accuracy with shots onto the green. Homa's greens in regulation percentage on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway ranks in the 37th percentile over the past year. Despite this, his previous success at this tournament makes him a strong candidate for DFS lineups this week.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
2 weeks agoTommy Fleetwood finished tied for 21st at last week's RBC Canadian Open after posting a disappointing 72 in the final round on Sunday. Fleetwood had a strong showing throughout the week, highlighted by a 64 on Saturday, which was one of the best rounds of the day. Looking ahead, Fleetwood aims to maintain his good form and improve his overall performance. He will be making his first appearance since 2017 at Muirfield Village for this week's the Memorial Tournament. It's important to note that the green complexes at Muirfield Village are smaller than average, making accurate shots on the greens crucial for success. Over the past 12 months, Fleetwood's greens in regulation percentage on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway ranks in the 51st percentile. Despite his recent strong performance, Fleetwood's struggles to finish may pose some risk for including him in DFS lineups this week.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
2 weeks agoDenny McCarthy came so close to winning The Memorial last year. The American golfer settled for second after losing a playoff to Viktor Hovland. Naturally, there is nothing to be ashamed of in that. McCarthy since finished tied for second at the Valero Texas Open in April. The bigger tournaments have been more of a miss though. McCarthy missed the cut with consecutive 73's at Valhalla and he finished outside the Top 30 at The Players Championship. His third-ranked strokes gained is hard to ignore (0.793). If McCarthy can keep his approaches firm, his top-ranked putts per round (27.45) could again be a factor.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
2 weeks agoCollin Morikawa is returning to action this week after skipping the RBC Canadian Open last week. He is scheduled to play at Muirfield Village for the Memorial Tournament. Morikawa enters this week's tournament after finishing fourth at the Charles Schwab Challenge two weeks ago. He has achieved two straight top-five finishes and three top-five finishes in his last six appearances. Morikawa has had varied results at the Memorial Tournament in the past, withdrawing in 2023, missing the cut in 2022, and finishing second in 2021. Muirfield Village is known for its smaller-than-average green complexes, so accuracy in hitting greens will be crucial. It's worth noting that over the past 12 months, Morikawa ranks in the 57th percentile in greens in regulation percentage. Morikawa's recent form makes him a worthy consideration for DFS lineups this week, although there is some risk associated with his past performances.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
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