RADIO
Ben Griffin Looking to Repeat This Week at Colonial
It was a breakthrough victory last season for Ben Griffin, who parlayed that into his first Ryder Cup team. He'll now be trying to join Ben Hogan as the only players to win this event back-to-back, but there are a plethora of guys in much better form attempting to stop him. He's recently turned the tides of his 2026 season, with a solo third and T14 finishes in two of his last three starts. However, there is still an overwhelming cause for pause regarding Griffin's DFS viability. Ranking outside the top 100 in both strokes gained off the tee and on approach, the ball striking is still clearly not there. He hasn't gained strokes with his approach play in his last six starts. The putter has had to go crazy for him to compete, which isn't always an easy thing to count on. This isn't to say the former Tarheel is a full fade heading into Thursday, but those willing to bite on the recent finishes need to know the high-risk game they're playing.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Rasmus Hojgaard a Player to Avoid at Charles Schwab Challenge
Things have been fairly stagnant for Rasmus Hojgaard as of late, as teeing it high and letting it fly seems to be the only thing working right now. The long drives won't do him nearly as well here as they do at other venues, and the fact that he's hitting less than 50% of his fairways leaves much to be desired from that standpoint. And recently, things haven't gotten much brighter from there, losing strokes on approach and on the greens in three of his last four starts. There are certainly places for the bomb-and-gouge players, but this layout isn't one of them, and Hojgaard isn't doing enough anywhere else to feel comfortable about his chances this week.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Hideki Matsuyama Needs Solid Driving Week at Charles Schwab Challenge
If Hideki Matsuyama were averaging positive strokes gained off the tee this season, he would arguably be the leading favorite this week at Colonial. Some of the approach play and putting statistics he's accrued at various spots this season have been good enough to win. However, the struggles off the tee have been too detrimental to allow the 34-year-old to get over the hump. His collapse in Phoenix earlier in the year explains it perfectly. The Japanese star ranks 130th in strokes gained off the tee (-0.292), and is still inside the top 40 in strokes gained tee to green despite it. The bottom line is that what he does off the tee will dictate whether he is a must-play or just one of the more solid options, but regardless, he has immense fantasy value this week.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Justin Thomas Trending Well Ahead of Charles Schwab Challenge
It's been a nice run of play for Justin Thomas the last few weeks, capping it off with a T4 finish at Aronimink; his best major championship finish in two years. Next up is a Colonial Country Club layout that would be assumed to fit his shot-sculpting playstyle, but where he's had more frustrating weeks than successful ones. The 33-year-old finished T10 in his debut appearance, but has produced a T40 and a missed cut since, thanks to poor approach performances. He looks to be figuring that part of his game out, having averaged 1.02 strokes gained on approach at the PGA Championship. If the trends of solid putting and the familiar ball striking continue, it could be another solid week for JT.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Akshay Bhatia Lacking Driving Prowess Needed at Colonial Country Club
For whatever many of us thought was going to happen after Akshay Bhatia's victory at Bay Hill, things haven't really come to fruition. The 24-year-old hasn't had a top-10 since, while missing the cut at both of the year's first two majors. We know he has an abundance of talent, but so far, he is driving the ball too poorly for anything else to shine. He ranks 128th in strokes gained off the tee (-0.245), and is outside the top 100 in driving accuracy and distance. And though his iron play has suffered over his last few starts, it's otherwise a strong part of what makes Bhatia one of the young stars on the PGA Tour. However, this week doesn't fit how he is playing at the moment. The ceiling is too low for the price he warrants.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Sahith Theegala Searching For Swing at Charles Schwab Challenge
After the hot start to the season, Sahith Theegala has lost his way a bit over the last few events. He's lost strokes on approach in three of his last four starts, and hasn't particularly hit it well off the tee either. That isn't the kind of struggle to be on at such a target-oriented, placement-style layout. Colonial Country Club is a difficult place to hit shots out of position. Despite having a solid year going on and around the greens, the downturn in ball striking makes him a difficult recommendation this week. Especially considering this is only his third time playing this event, with a lone made cut finishing T57.
Source: Data Golf
Source: Data Golf
Michael Thorbjornsen Brings High Upside to CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Michael Thorbjornsen has been solid this year, posting five top-25 finishes and just four missed cuts through 13 events. He now turns to the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, where he finished T33 last year in his only previous start. Success at TPC Craig Ranch typically comes down to strong off-the-tee play and approach shots with long irons, both areas where he has been strong. Thorbjornsen ranks 55th in strokes gained off the tee (+0.196 per round) and 13th in proximity from over 200 yards (47'2"), a range that accounted for more than 39% of approach shots here last year. There are still a couple of concerns, including the putter, where he has lost strokes in three of his last four events, as well as on approach, where he ranks 108th on Tour (-0.129 per round). Despite this, he brings strong upside in a weak field and profiles as a solid play at $9,000 on DraftKings.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Luke List Carrying Poor Form Into CJ Cup Byron Nelson
To be very frank, Luke List has been bad this year. Through nine events across multiple different tours, he has just three made cuts and a best finish of T57. He now looks to find anything at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, once again held at TPC Craig Ranch. In five trips to this venue while on Tour, List has two missed cuts and no finish better than T30. Despite the lack of high-end results, he has gained strokes off the tee and with the putter in three straight appearances here. The 41-year-old is desperately searching for form, but at just $6,500 on DraftKings, he can safely be avoided until he shows any signs of a turnaround
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Tom Kim Hoping to Build on Strong Myrtle Beach Finish
Tom Kim has missed only one cut through 10 solo events this year, though he has not been able to get back to the high-end results we saw from him for much of 2024. He has just two finishes better than T34, including his best result of the season, a T6 two weeks ago at the Myrtle Beach Classic. He now turns to the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, where he has finishes of T34, T52, and a missed cut over the last three seasons. Kim sits 105th in strokes gained off the tee (-0.116 per round), 36th on approach (+0.330), and 50th in total driving. His putting has also held him back this year, ranking 105th, but in his last three trips to TPC Craig Ranch, he has gained at least 1.25 strokes putting each time. Strong approach play on the year and decent course history make him worth a long look at $7,800 on DraftKings.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Sungjae Im Brings Upside to TPC Craig Ranch
After recording a T5 at the Truist Championship, Sungjae Im struggled to follow it up at the PGA Championship, missing the cut after a poor week on approach. He now looks to rebound at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, where he finished T33 last year at TPC Craig Ranch. Im ranks 68th in strokes gained off the tee (+0.084 per round), 16th around the green (+0.355), and 65th in putting (+0.115). The biggest concern remains his approach play, where he is losing -0.405 strokes per round, ranking 137th on Tour. Despite the poor iron play, Im still carries some of the highest upside in the field, and at $8,700 on DraftKings, he is worth a look by fantasy managers.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Billy Horschel Looking for Turnaround at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Billy Horschel has struggled to find any consistent form this season, recording just one top-25 finish in solo events to go along with four missed cuts. He will look to find something in a watered-down field this week at TPC Craig Ranch, where he is making his course debut. Success here typically comes down to strong off-the-tee play and approach with long irons, two areas where Horschel has struggled this year. He ranks 135th in strokes gained off the tee (-0.383 per round), 91st on approach (-0.002), and 115th in proximity from over 200 yards, a distance that accounted for more than 39% of approach shots here last year. The 39-year-old has fallen to 123rd in the Official World Golf Ranking and can be avoided until signs of a turnaround emerge.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Adam Hadwin Difficult to Trust at TPC Craig Ranch
Adam Hadwin has spent most of the 2026 season playing alternate-field events and on the Korn Ferry Tour. In five PGA Tour starts this year, he has recorded just one top-25 finish, which came at the Puerto Rico Open back in March. Through only eight measured rounds, Hadwin is losing 1.046 total strokes per round, including -0.318 on approach and -0.033 putting, while gaining +0.023 strokes off the tee. He has made two previous starts on Tour at TPC Craig Ranch, missing the cut in 2022 and finishing T34 in 2023. Hadwin is difficult to trust in his current form, though his best results this year have come in weaker-field events.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Tony Finau Looking for Consistency at TPC Craig Ranch
Tony Finau has been up and down to start the season, recording three top-25 finishes and four missed cuts through 13 events. He now turns to the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, where he will be making his debut at TPC Craig Ranch. Success here typically hinges on off-the-tee play and approach shots with long irons, two areas where Finau has struggled this season. He ranks 105th in strokes gained off the tee (-0.226 per round), 111th on approach (-0.161), and 119th in proximity from over 200 yards, a distance that accounted for more than 39% of approach shots here last year. A T31 finish at the Truist Championship, along with the weaker field this week, will boost his ownership, and at $7,200 on DraftKings, he may still be worth a flier despite the inconsistent form.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Luke Clanton Searching for Form at CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Luke Clanton has not been at his best start to the season, recording just two finishes better than T60. He now turns to the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, where he will be making his tournament debut. Clanton has struggled throughout the bag, losing strokes in every category except approach play, where he ranks 28th on Tour at +0.379 strokes gained per round. Even in a watered-down field this week, he remains difficult to trust. His iron play can provide some upside, but fantasy managers may want to look elsewhere.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Aaron Rai Withdraws From CJ Cup Byron Nelson
In perhaps the least shocking news of the week, Aaron Rai has withdrawn from the upcoming CJ Cup Byron Nelson. The Englishman captured the first major championship of his career last week at Aronimink in longshot fashion and will take some time to properly celebrate the unexpected victory. With his entry into golf's biggest events now secure for the foreseeable future, Rai's schedule will likely continue to shift throughout the rest of 2026.
Source: PGA Tour - Rob Bolton
Source: PGA Tour - Rob Bolton
