RADIO
Akshay Bhatia Needs the Driver to be True in Ohio
Akshay Bhatia won at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and has three Top 10 results in 2026. The American golfer has seven Top 25 efforts in 13 events this season. Bhatia has been one of the best putters all year with 0.718 strokes gained (4th) but off the tee his 56.09% driving accuracy (119th). Bhatia is a longer shot at +8000 to win this week at the Memorial Tournament. However, the Top 20 betting projection could get to around +200. If Bhatia can be close to average accuracy wise with the driver, contending is very possible and he can be a viable option from both DFS and wagering standpoints.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Aaron Rai Primed to take on the Memorial Tournament
Aaron Rai returns from some time off after winning the PGA Championship. The golfer from England humbled the Philadelphia golf course with some amazing putting. Rai actually gained more strokes from approach (1.83) compared to putting (1.77). In his last three stroke (single-player) events, Rai has double digit accuracy from his driver. The wildcard is what happens after winning a major. Just ask J.J. Spaun about that this year. Rai ranks inside the Top 10 in greens in regulation at 70.31%. Does rest become rust? That again is a valid question. The uncertainty makes one hesitant here with Rai from a DFS or betting perspective.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
J.J. Spaun Rebounded at Charles Schwab Challenge
J.J. Spaun has had an adventurous 2026 season. The American golfer won the Valero Texas Open but has missed six cuts in 14 events. Spaun is the definition of a risk-reward candidate. He was on form at the Charles Schwab Challenge with a T-6 last week. A few missed putts on Sunday could have placed Spaun in a better position. Anyway, Spaun's metrics are very good and his 64.82% driving accuracy (16th) bodes well at Muirfield Village. Getting long shots close is also a priority at the Memorial and Spaun ranks second in Proximity at 34 feet 3 inches. It comes down to putting for Spaun. If he is close to average, Spaun is very good from a Top 10 or Top 20 betting standpoint.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Xander Schauffele One to Watch This Week in Ohio
Xander Schauffele has been remarkably consistent in 2026. The American golfer has eight Top 25 results in 11 events. That includes a T-7 at the PGA Championship a few weeks back. The Memorial Tournament sets up well for Schauffele. Since 2019, he has not finished outside the Top 25 in Ohio. His best effort in 2026 was a third at THE Players Championship in March. Schauffele is inside the first four or five names in betting circles (was +1700 on DraftKings to win). His Top 10 number is currently +138 and that may be a number to consider given his 18th-ranked driving distance (314.8 yards) and he is Top 30 in all four major strokes gained metrics.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Hideki Matsuyama Putter Could be Vital at the Memorial
Hideki Matsuyama has had several Top 20 results at Muirfield Village. The Japanese golfer won the event in 2014. He has a Top 10 as recent as 2024 despite an opening round 73. Matsuyama has only finished with a 69 or better in two of his last 18 rounds in Ohio. Longer courses normally tend to be a benefit to the golfer but the putter at the Cadillac Championship was unkind (lost 0.53 strokes) to say the least. Driving distance is not bad for Matsuyama but that 57.42% driving accuracy (103rd) is a little more troubling. At 28.4 putts per round, Matsuyama ranks a solid 58th. The golfer cannot get too far behind early. If he does, he is another fade from a betting standpoint this week.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Nicolai Hojgaard Rust Concerns at Muirfield Village
Nicolai Hojgaard has not played since the PGA Championship. The Danish golfer was up and down all over the week at the second major of 2026. While driving distance has been typically good, driving accuracy has been a different story for Hojgaard. At the Truist and Cadillac Championships, Hojgaard's driving accuracy was 21 and 11% off the field average. Worse, his putts per round before Round 4 is more than a full stroke above his Sunday number (27.82). His lone Memorial appearance in 2023 was derailed by some awful approach shots (lost 2.54 strokes). Hojgaard, despite seven Top 25 results, might be someone to avoid in DFS circles especially.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Ryan Gerard Surfaces After Long Cold Stretch with Top 10 Result
Ryan Gerard had a very good early stretch to the 2026 season. The American golfer nearly won the Sony Open then the American Express. After that, below average starts tended to derail Gerard. It was why the T-10 at the Charles Schwab Challenge was a mild surprise. A hot start put Gerard in a great position (64) but a final round 72 knocked him slightly out of contention. His driving accuracy ranks 32nd at 62.53%. Gerard averages 303.9 yards per drive which is close to normal for a PGA golfer. Muirfield Village requires setting up shots well and Gerard has spurts where that becomes a problem. Volatility is high from a DFS perspective.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Wyndham Clark May Struggle at the Memorial Tournament
Wyndham Clark did win THE CJ Cup Byron Nelson his last time on the golf course. The American golfer enjoyed the birdie festival on his way to a -30 including a scintillating 60 in the final round. Clark's problem is more on courses where the birdies are not as plentiful. His track record at the Memorial Tournament is not quite so good (missed several cuts since 2019). Clark does have a T-12 in 2023 but gained around a full stroke putting and on approach. That has not happened on the Ohio golf course before or since. Muirfield Village is a long course that places a premium on driving accuracy. Clark has been around 8-10% off the average in driving accuracy at the Memorial. From a betting standpoint, he becomes a fade this week.
Source: PGATour.com
Source: PGATour.com
Sungjae Im Remains Boom-or-Bust at Colonial
Sungjae Im bounced back nicely after missing the cut at the PGA Championship, recording a T9 finish at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. He now looks to keep that momentum going at the Charles Schwab Challenge, where he has alternated between top-15 finishes and missed cuts over his last six appearances. Colonial typically rewards accurate driving, short-iron play, and hot putting. Im ranks 52nd in total strokes gained (+0.436 per round), 135th on approach (-0.372), 39th in putting (+0.277), and 77th in driving accuracy. Where he can separate himself is around the greens, ranking ninth on Tour while gaining +0.436 strokes per round. He will likely need to continue leaning on his scrambling ability, however, as he ranks just 151st in greens in regulation (61.27%). At $8,300 on DraftKings, Im remains one of the biggest boom-or-bust options in the field.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Michael Thorbjornsen Trending in Wrong Direction Entering Colonial
Michael Thorbjornsen opened the CJ Cup Byron Nelson with a bogey-free 64 before following it up with a two-over 73 on Friday to miss the cut. He now turns to the Charles Schwab Challenge, where his only previous appearance ended in a withdrawal due to a wrist injury. Colonial typically rewards accurate driving, short-iron play, and hot putting. Thorbjornsen ranks 103rd in total strokes gained (-0.120 per round), 115th on approach (-0.169), 140th in putting (-0.418), and 62nd in driving accuracy. He also sits in just the 49th percentile in proximity from 100-150 yards, a range that accounted for more than 34% of approach shots here last year. At $8,200 on DraftKings, Thorbjornsen appears to be trending in the wrong direction and profiles as a risky fantasy option this week.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Gary Woodland Looking to Get Back on Track at Colonial
Despite carrying momentum into the PGA Championship, Gary Woodland struggled in the short game, losing over 3.2 strokes combined putting and around the green on his way to a missed cut. He now looks to bounce back at the Charles Schwab Challenge, where he has recorded three top-15 finishes and just one missed cut in his last five appearances. Colonial typically rewards accurate driving, short-iron play, and hot putting. Woodland ranks 38th in total strokes gained (+0.607 per round), 11th off the tee (+0.587), 23rd on approach (+0.253), and 54th in putting (+0.183). Accuracy remains the biggest concern, however, as he ranks just 109th in driving accuracy while hitting only 56% of fairways. Woodland's game is built more around power than precision, which makes him a slightly volatile option at Colonial, though his upside remains high at $8,400 on DraftKings.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Russell Henley a Top Option at Colonial
Russell Henley has been playing solid golf throughout the season, recording seven top-25 finishes and three missed cuts through 11 events. He now turns to the Charles Schwab Challenge, where he has posted finishes of T58 and T16 in two prior appearances. Colonial typically rewards accurate driving, short-iron play, and hot putting, all areas that fit Henley's game well. He ranks 24th in total strokes gained (+0.830 per round), 82nd on approach (+0.066), and 40th in putting (+0.270). Henley has also been the most accurate driver on Tour this season, hitting over 70% of fairways. Additionally, he sits in the 89th percentile in proximity from 100-150 yards, a range that accounted for more than 34% of approach shots here last year. At $10,200 on DraftKings, Henley profiles as one of the strongest options in the field.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Harry Hall Hoping Putter Carries Him at Colonial
Harry Hall has had an up-and-down season, mixing five top-25 finishes with five missed cuts through 13 events. He now heads to the Charles Schwab Challenge, where he has posted finishes of T6, missed cut, and T3 over the last three years. Colonial typically rewards accurate driving, strong short-iron play, and putting. Hall ranks just 121st in strokes gained off the tee (-0.220 per round) and 98th on approach (-0.058), but remains one of the better putters on Tour, sitting 36th (+0.297). He is also in the 75th percentile in proximity from 100-150 yards, a range that accounted for more than 34% of approach shots here last year. Hall's upside almost always comes down to the putter, and in his two strong finishes here, he gained over 10.9 strokes combined on the greens. If the flat stick heats up again, he could outperform his $8,100 price tag on DraftKings.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Rickie Fowler Looks to Regain Momentum at Colonial
After three straight top-10 finishes heading into the PGA Championship, Rickie Fowler struggled and ultimately finished T60, largely due to a cold putter. He now looks to bounce back at the Charles Schwab Challenge, where he has recorded five top-20 finishes in 12 appearances. Success at Colonial typically comes down to accurate driving, short-iron play, and a hot putter. Fowler ranks 18th in total strokes gained (+0.934 per round), 44th on approach (+0.321), 20th in putting (+0.464), and 39th in driving accuracy. There have been very few concerns in Fowler's game this season, and at $9,600 on DraftKings, he brings a solid floor with event-winning upside.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
Pierceson Coody Looking to Stay Hot at Colonial
After missing the cut at the PGA Championship, Pierceson Coody bounced back nicely with a T19 finish at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, gaining a ridiculous 8.6 strokes putting. He now looks to keep it rolling at the Charles Schwab Challenge, where he has recorded a missed cut, T5, and T16 in three appearances. Success at Colonial typically comes down to strong driving, sharp short-iron play, and a hot putter. Coody ranks 22nd in strokes gained off the tee (+0.480 per round), 75th on approach (+0.123), and 51st in putting (+0.213). The only concern may be his driving accuracy, where he ranks just 110th on Tour. If he can keep the ball in play off the tee, he profiles as a very solid option at $8,600 on DraftKings.
Source: PGA Tour
Source: PGA Tour
