03-29-17

Misery loves company so come on in and stick your toes in the frigid waters of Lake Glasshole.

I have only one thing left to do:

One-and-done

Each week I painfully writhe and wretch trying to figure out the proper strategy to find a player that will hit the top 10. Wins are great but aren’t likely, so I’m satisfied with having a chance to hit the big money. Missed cuts are absolutely the death in this game, but even the surest of things don’t always happen in the reality world of fantasy golf. Remember, fade or follow, it’s up to you.

 

Gamers who are new to OAD must remember that the most lucrative purses, the majors, WGC events, THE PLAYERS and FedExCup Playoffs, are down the road and you’ll need to save some big boys for these events, all 12 of them.

 

 

Last Season: Il Disastro

Season total: $5,978,929; 47 events

• Wins: 2 (Matsuyama, Hoffman)
• Seconds: 0
• Thirds: 1
• Top 10s: 9
• Top 25s: 18
• MC: 8 (Mickelson, FIO; Oosthuizen, SHO; Chappell, Colonial; Casey, Memorial; Woodland, FESJC; Hearn, RBC Canadian; McGirt, Wyndham; Justin Thomas, DBC)

 

2016-17 season: Brand New Day

 

Season total: $1,737,613; 20 events

• Wins:
• Seconds: 1
• Thirds:
• Top 10s: 4
• Top 25s: 6
• MCs (4): Grayson Murray (Safeway Open); Patton Kizzire (SFC); Jamie Lovemark (CB Challenge); Jimmy Walker (FIO); Charl Schwartzel (Genesis); Russell Knox (Honda); Henrik Stenson (API).

 

Event	Golfer	Place	Money
Safeway Open	Grayson Murray	MC	$0
CIMB Classic	Hideki Matsuyama	T-2	$756,000
WGC-HSBC Champions	Martin Kaymer	T-40	$62,000
Sanderson Farms	Patton Kizzire	MC	$0
Shriners	Chris Kirk	T-61	$14,190
OHL Mayakoba	Emiliano Grillo	T-10	$175,000
RSM Classic	Russell Henley	T-10	$150,000
SBS TOC	Brandt Snedeker	T-14	$122,000
Sony Open	Charles Howell, III	T-8	$180,000
CB Challenge	Jamie Lovemark	MC	$0
Farmers Insurance	Jimmy Walker	MC	$0
WMPO	Brendan Steele	T-16	$90,952
AT&T Pebble Beach	Phil Mickelson	65th	$15,120
Genesis Open	Charl Schwartzel	MC	$0
Honda Classic	Russell Knox	MC	$0
WGC-MC	Justin Rose	T-38	$64,000
Valspar	Bill Haas	T-41	$21,451
Arnold Palmer	Henrik Stenson	MC	$0
Puerto Rico Open	Luke List	T-37	$12,900
WGC-Match Play	Rory McIlroy	T-30	$74,000

 

Thermometer:

I’ve barely made $100k in two WGC events using Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy.

Welp.

When the only “smart” decision last week was fading Graham DeLaet (MC) for Luke List (T-37), that’s hardly the definition of winning.

Like some of you, strategy no longer matters as I’m currently a speed bump in this game. I’m burning premium players from here on out and hoping for the best. There’s no point in “saving” anybody for later since you’re not going to win the WGC-BI, PGA Championship and four FedExCup events to make up the difference.

I’m panicking NOW.

You do you.

Rubbish.

 

Keys this Week:

The list of winners is littered with big hitters off the tee who rack up par-breakers. I’m a big believer in the theory of those who hit the most greens have the most chances at birdies but I’m not ruling out short-game artists either.

HEY! THAT LOOKS LIKE ME MAKING MY OAD PICKS!

With the greens running a very warm 12+ on the Stimpmeter and the setup being consistent for the last few years, course historians should benefit as well. Michael Kim was the only true rookie last year inside the top 50. But as with most decent tracks multiple styles should be able to score and succeed this week.

 

My Weekly Finalists:

I explain in more details in my preview what I’m looking for on the course.

 

Henrik Stenson: With three podium finishes in five tries he’ll feel right at home. He took last week off after MC at API so he should be rested and ready.

Jon Rahm: The youngster went close in Mexico and even closer in Austin plus he doesn’t seemed to be phased by anything other than trying to win.

J.B. Holmes: He missed his chance to defend last year with a wonky shoulder. He’ll fly in the jet wash of the two above him but he’s shown this track fits his eye more than once.

Rickie Fowler: When he’s in this nick, he’s on this list each week. The toughest part for gamers this season will be determining which week.

Charles Howell, III: This is a recording. If you haven’t by now, wow, I’m impressed. He advanced from his group in Match Play last week and has hit the top 10 here the last two years. I’d remind you that he needs to win to qualify for the Masters but that should influence your decision.

 

 

My Choice: Jon Rahm

Close Second: Rickie Fowler

Outlier: Russell Henley

Gut Shot: Jamie Lovemark

Rank Outsiders: Peter Uihlein, Kyle Reifers

 

 

QUESTION(S) OF THE WEEK:

 

No Spieth?

Nope. His white whale is No. 12 at Augusta so I’m trotting him out next week and letting him unleash the furor. And if you’re angle is “Texas tho” I’ll remind you he’s defending at Colonial in May.

 

This week is a home game for Patrick Reed!

Er, that’s more of a statement but I get the drift. I’d point out that his top 10 last year was a backdoor firmly kicked in on Sunday afternoon. He’s another player that I’m not forcing into my lineup when he’s not in form, sorry. Check his price on DK if you need affirmation…

 

 

Good Luck!