Picture > Words
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.
History Channeled:
2015-16 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 total: $6,533,509 45 events
- Wins: 1
- Seconds: 1
- Thirds: 1
- Top 10s: 12
- Top 25s: 20
- MCs (10): Grayson Murray (Safeway Open); Patton Kizzire (SFC); Jamie Lovemark (CB Challenge); Jimmy Walker (FIO); Charl Schwartzel (Genesis); Russell Knox (Honda); Henrik Stenson (API); Thomas Pieters (Zurich); Kevin Kisner (WFC).
2018 Thermometer:
Safeway — Tony Finau, 2nd
CIMB — Paul Casey, T-7.
CJ CUP — Keegan Bradley, T-47.
WGC-HSBC Champions — Hideki Matsuyama, T-50
Sanderson Farms — Chesson Hadley, T-2
Shriners — Patrick Cantlay, WINNER
Mayakoba — Kevin Chappell, MC
RSM Classic — Charles Howell, III, MC
A bit all-or-nothing but three podium finishes in eight events is hardly GAWBIDGE.
Last week:
Charles Howell, III walked the plank on Sea Island as I didn’t collect for the second event in a row. Good luck to ALL OF YOU who will play him next week at Sony. I tried to jump the game. I wasn’t patient. Maybe a little cocky after my start? I paid the price.
Don’t forget to check that Matsuyama pick out as well! WOOOOOOOOO, BABY!
Fantasy Golf is hard.
This week:
The Sentry Tournament of Champions lands on lovely Maui at the easiest course on TOUR, The Plantation Course at Kapalua.
Plantation has rated as the easiest course on TOUR in relation to par for the last three seasons. The par 73, 7,452 has multiple changes in elevation and fantastic views of the Pacific but also wide fairways, big greens and a penchant for passing out birdies. The last three winning totals are 22-under-par, 30-under-par and 21-under par. None of those were a tournament record. #GoLowYo.
With only 34 players in this no-cut field, there are many angles in play this week.
The purse is $6.3 million with the winner’s share $1.2 million and change plus 500 FEC points.
My Choice: Kevin Kisner
Close Second: Marc Leishman
Outliers: Russell Henley, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele
Gut Shot(s): Pat Perez, Cameron Smith
Rank Outsider(s): Austin Cook
Keys this Week:
Fade or follow, I’m not worried either way!
Do you have patience?
There are 36 events after this which will obviously include four majors, three WGC’s, THE PLAYERS and four FEC Playoff events. If you’re playing this game week-to-week, I applaud your maverick style. There’s NOTHING worse than having your team back-loaded for August and September and checking in at No. 49,0834,803 in your OAD league. Name the year where all the favorites won the FEC Playoff events. I’ll wait. Find your balance!
Can you pull the trigger on a premium player?
With a field of only 34 and no cut, you’re going to cash. The big boys know there are only about 10 guys who can realistically hang with them over 72 holes on a course they annually destroy. Your mission, if you choose it, is to determine which big boy does the business. Sound difficult? Yep, sure is! Remember, coming in second at THE PLAYERS is a million bucks. Coming in third this week won’t pay off so you better get the right guy!
Where have I been?
As most of you know, I’m now on board at PGATOUR.COM and will be handling The Confidence Factor every week plus post-round fantasy wrap-ups Thursday through Sunday.
You should find some helpful hints below to navigate you through this week.
Don’t forget to check Rob Bolton’s Twitter feed for all the PGATOUR.COM Fantasy info!
Argue? Disagree? Whatever is clever!
You do you.
I’ll do me.
We can learn from each other.
Thanks for reading!
Glass Houses 