April 30, 2025
Matt McCarty and partner Mason Andersen missed the cut at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, but McCarty has been trending in the right direction individually with three top-20 finishes in his last five starts. He'll look to keep that momentum going at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, where he's making his tournament debut. Success at TPC Craig Ranch often hinges on distance off the tee and overall tee-to-green performance, areas where McCarty has struggled. He ranks 146th in driving distance, 132nd in strokes gained per round from tee to green (minus-0.302), and 148th in approach (minus-0.329). Despite this, he ranks in the 83rd percentile in proximity from 150–200 yards over the past 12 months, which accounts for 36.6% of approach shots at this course. He also gains 0.275 strokes per round putting, giving him upside if his irons cooperate. At $7,500 on DraftKings, McCarty is a risky but intriguing value option.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
April 30, 2025
Will Zalatoris has put together a solid season, recording five top-30 finishes in his first nine starts. However, he's struggled recently, failing to finish better than T47 in his last three events, including a missed cut at The Masters. He'll look to rebound at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, where he's competed four times but made the cut only once (in 2021). In his two appearances at TPC Craig Ranch, Zalatoris has lost a combined 8.558 strokes putting, a trend that has continued into 2025. He ranks 142nd in strokes gained putting this season, losing 0.327 strokes per round with his flatstick. Fortunately, his ball-striking remains elite — he's 15th on tour in strokes gained on approach, gaining 0.631 strokes per round. Zalatoris' performance hinges largely on his putter, and at $8,800 on DraftKings, fantasy managers will be banking on him finding his form on the greens.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
April 30, 2025
2025 has not been an ideal start for Sam Stevens, who has managed just one top-10 finish through 14 events. He'll look to turn things around at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, where he's made two appearances, finishing T62 and T34 over the past two seasons. With TPC Craig Ranch featuring the eighth-widest fairways on tour, driving accuracy is less critical, shifting the focus to approach play and putting—two areas where Stevens has struggled. He ranks 113th in strokes gained on approach and 106th in putting, losing strokes in both. However, he does rank in the 80th percentile in proximity from 150–200 yards, the range that accounts for 36.6% of approach shots at this course. Priced at $7,600 on DraftKings, Stevens has solid value upside but comes with clear risk.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
April 30, 2025
After back-to-back finishes of T60 or worse, Sungjae Im has gotten back on track with two straight results of T11 or better. He now looks to carry that momentum into the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, making his first appearance at TPC Craig Ranch. Players will be tested from tee to green this week, with the biggest emphasis coming on approach play. That's been a weak spot for Im this season, as he ranks 178th on tour in strokes gained on approach, losing 0.854 strokes per round, and sits in the 50th percentile in proximity from 150–200 yards, a range that makes up 36.6% of all approaches here. Fortunately, he's been strong around the greens, ranking ninth in strokes gained around the green (plus-0.462) and 38th in putting (plus-0.323). At $10,000 on DraftKings, fantasy managers will need to count on his short game to return value.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
April 30, 2025
Ben Griffin has been putting together a strong season, recording four top-10 finishes, including his first career victory last week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside partner Andrew Novak. He now looks to carry that momentum into the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, where he finished T13 last year. With TPC Craig Ranch featuring the eighth-widest fairways on tour, driving accuracy becomes less of a factor, placing added emphasis on approach play and putting. Griffin has gained 0.271 strokes per round on approach, ranking 54th on tour, and sits in the 52nd percentile in proximity from 150–200 yards, a range that accounts for 36.6% of all approach shots at this course. His putting, however, has been inconsistent, ranking 102nd in strokes gained putting and losing 0.035 strokes per round. Griffin brings a solid all-around profile and will look to build on last week's win, but his $9,200 DraftKings price tag means fantasy managers should weigh their options carefully.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
April 30, 2025
2024 was a successful CJ Cup debut for Jake Knapp, who finished solo eighth following a poor final round. He hopes to have repeat success this year, but the current form with the irons makes it hard to have a high confidence level in the 30-year-old. He's averaged -0.94 strokes gained on approach over his last four starts, but every other part of his game is near normal performance levels. Knapp's proficiency with the driver has resurged in recent weeks, which he'll certainly need to continue for any chance at a good week. Unfortunately, $10,300 on FanDuel is a steep asking price for someone this volatile, but it should be an interesting ownership play that could pay off with a solid week from tee to green.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
April 30, 2025
Coming off a T10 and a T3 in his last two starts, Mackenzie Hughes is in a good place to make his fourth start at TPC Craig Ranch. The worrisome part for the Canadian this week is that his stellar short game (20th this season in strokes gained around the green: +0.335) won't do him many favors, as it is a long course that yields a ton of birdies. However, he's gained strokes across the board in his last three outings. Season-long strokes gained totals are heavily skewed from a poor start to the season, but aren't necessarily a testament to his current game. At $10,700, there is enough evidence in recent weeks to justify giving Hughes a chance this week.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
April 30, 2025
Aldrich Potgieter had a couple of highs in 2025 but several lows too. The South African golfer finished runner-up in Mexico and lost a playoff. However, he has seven missed cuts in 10 events on the PGA Tour. That includes five missed cuts and one outside Top 40 result over the past six starts. This has not sunk some metrics. Even his putting metrics which are still positive (46th in strokes gained - 0.289) have been negative since Mexico. Around the green numbers are even outside the Top 150 (171st at -0.43 strokes gained). Potgieter is now +400 to finish in the Top 20. That number would have been halved two months ago. His 71.44 scoring average has dropped to 165th which makes even a DFS possibility less intriguing for the CJ Cup.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
April 30, 2025
Taylor Pendrith has a little good history in Texas. The Canadian golfer won his only PGA Tour event last year by one stroke over Ben Kohles. Furthermore, Pendrith comes off a Top 5 at the Texas Children's Houston Open in 2025. He has three Top 10 results overall this year. Even despite a few poor early rounds at the RBC Heritage, Pendrith made the cut and improved over the weekend with a 67-68 close. The long drives and easier-to-approach greens feel like a boon to the Canadian. Off the tee, Pendrith has gained 0.702 strokes in 2025 (2nd). One of the only major issues is putting. Putts per round is up to 29.55 (172nd) with a one putt percentage (36.55% - 174th). Pendrith is +125 for a Top 20 result. With more big names in the field, Pendrith remains an option.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
April 30, 2025
Niklas Norgaard has been having a tough time lately. The 32-year-old from Denmark missed the cut at the first two events in Texas and might have a problem at The CJ Cup. Norgaard. Four straight missed weekends do reveal some interesting numbers. Putts per round rank 144th at 29.15. That number rises up to 29.64 on Thursdays and Fridays. Norgaard can make a golf ball dance with 320+ drives in abundance. He is second on the PGA Tour with a 318.5 yard driving average. However, accuracy ranks 166th at 52.57%. With the driver likely on the menu this week, Norgaard may have a few more challenges than usual with the 7,468 yard, Par-72 this week.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
April 30, 2025
Rasmus Hojgaard played well at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The runner-up finish was a boon for the golfer from Denmark. That has vaulted him up to +4500 on DraftKings and even +360 for a Top 10 result. In eight stroke-play events on the PGA Tour, his best finish was a T-12 at the WM Phoenix Open. Also, there is plenty of red in his metrics. Driving accuracy ranks 145th at 55.37% and that may be the worst. His driving distance does rank ninth at 314.3 yards. Putts per round concern many from the DFS perspective. He comes in 150th at 29.23 and his one-putt percentage ranks 166th. Three-putt avoidance is outside the Top 150 as well (3.63% - 162nd). Volatility is high for Hojgaard.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
April
29,
2025
Aside
from
being
virtually
a
home
game
this
week
for
Scottie
Scheffler,
there
isn't
much
reason
for
the
world
No.
1
golfer
to
tee
it
up,
other
than
he's
still
looking
to
get
the
first
win
of
the
season
off
his
read more...
April 29, 2025
From a cuts-made perspective, it's been a fair run so far in 2025 for Tom Kim. But he hasn't done much on the weekends to take advantage of most opportunities. He's only managed one top-10 finish this season, since the iron play has been the only bright spot to speak of, ranking 13th this season in strokes gained on approach (+0.640). All other metrics rank outside the top 120 and have made it difficult to gain traction on leaderboards. The South Korean isn't exactly long or accurate off the tee either, which doesn't exactly spell success at TPC Craig Ranch. It would be plausible to expect another made cut, especially in such a weak field. However, he likely won't live up to his $10,400 price tag on FanDuel.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
April 29, 2025
It has been a turbulent few weeks for Austin Eckroat, who managed to have a decent T32 finish in Hilton Head after missing two straight cuts in Augusta and Houston. Short game and approach play have been the downfall of most rounds, as he ranks 124th in strokes gained on approach (-0.201) and 158th in strokes gained around the green (-0.327). Iron play is certainly the bigger importance this week, and averaging +0.78 strokes gained in this area at Harbour Town is intriguing along with a T2 in this event two years ago. Eckroat is one of the more accurate drivers on Tour, which also bodes well on this Tom Weiskopf layout. Given the recent struggles, there is some level of volatility with the 26-year-old, but the course fit is undoubtedly there and makes him a decent option at $9,300 on FanDuel.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
April 29, 2025
Ben Kohles finished tied for 59th at the Corales Puntacana Championship two weeks ago and is now focusing on preparing for this week's CJ Cup Byron Nelson, which will be held at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas. Kohles has two top-25 finishes out of 12 starts this season, but he has also missed the cut in seven of those tournaments. In the past 12 months, Kohles ranks in the 50th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from over 200 yards in the fairway. This is important because, at last year's CJ Cup Byron Nelson, over 38% of approach shots came from this distance. Including Kohles in DFS lineups this week carries some risk.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
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