A little hangover from last week’s U.S. Open at Winged Foot is to be expected this week after hanging on every putt of our roster picks to the bitter end. As predicted, without many birdies or eagles, the final place finish points were critical to having a winning ticket. Congratulations to Bryson DeChambeau on his U.S. Open victory and defying conventional wisdom, me included, about the importance of hitting fairways versus the benefit of distance and the relationship to greens hit, proximity to the hole, and putts made, to strokes gained and positive scoring results. In essence, the bombers and great ball strikers that can also keep their composure, and have great short games, have a distinct advantage over the competition under the microscope of the ultimate challenge of a U.S. Open test of a long course, high rough, and firm, fast greens. Naturally, following a Major Championship the field at the Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship is an A- field 35 players deep, that has some good values in the B and C categories as well. Will Zalatoris ($10,900 DK $11,800 FD) headlines the Draft Kings salary rank after his impressive T-6 finish at the U.S. Open last week and strong, consistent play on the Korn Ferry Tour. Corey Conners ($11,900 FD $10,600 DK) headlines the Fan Duel salary rank and is a proven winner on the PGA Tour who is a great ball striker but has been inconsistent on and around the greens. I would not choose either top salary player as there is more value in competitors throughout the top tier of 35 that have prior experience and have had some success on this golf course that I believe will be better choices.
DFSExperts will provide two value picks in the B and C groupings that will be competitive to make the cut and quite possibly to be a contender for the win.
DFSExperts will provide two value picks in the B and C groupings that will be competitive to make the cut and quite possibly to be a contender for the win.
This week the (Corales Puntacana Resort and Club ) course will be playing to a Par 72 at 7,666 yards. The Corales Course was designed by Tom Fazio, opening in 2010, featuring the closing three holes appropriately nicknamed the “Devil’s Elbow,” with a forced carry over the Bay of Corales on 18. The front nine also wraps around the coastline of this Caribbean seafront gem of a resort course. The fairways are generous, but when the wind blows the challenging Paspalum greens are difficult to gage being pin high or in the proper quadrant, which is a must to score well here. The Puerto Rico Open, won by Viktor Hovland at the Coco Beach Golf and Country Club is the only course played on the PGA Tour schedule with Pospalum greens, so that will be the only similar course to analyze data from and there is no Shot Link support at either event.
The weather forecast for Thursday through Sunday calls for temperature highs between 83 – 82 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 20 percent throughout the event. Humidity will range from 75 down to 73 percent. The wind will likely be a factor this week as it will reach nine to twelve miles per hour out of the SE, E, ENE, and E. Graeme McDowell ($7,800 DK $9,000 FD) is the defending champion. This week will be important to pick a strong B and C roster to have a unique and winning team. Sleeper picks from DFSExperts can make your lineup unique and turn it into a winner, adding to the obvious statistical analysis choices, with deeper research and the eyeball test. These details and trends from the entire field are only possible to come from an experienced golf coach that goes beyond the numbers and reaches the depth and breadth of the competitor and person to be out in front of positive results.
This week’s free choices come from each of three categories A- List, Jhonattan Vegas ($7,700 DK $9,800 FD) who is long off the tee and possesses a good all-around game, who is a great value on Draft Kings but is more appropriately valued on Fan Duel. In the B List that is a good value and is more of a hunch in his comeback from an injury, Kevin Chappell ($7,300 DK $9,000 FD) who was a highly ranked PGA Tour winner that showed he is ready to return to form and is motivated to return to the top of the mountain. In the C List I can’t believe Bill Haas ($6,500 DK $8,00 FD) is not ranked higher and is a good value to make the cut and possibly even to contend for the win.There are several quality picks that are very undervalued throughout the field, but especially in the B List grouping that have stellar performance records, have played well recently on similar style golf courses and will emerge as players to watch to win, not just to make the cut. I have picked the winner in four of the last seven weeks and many of my C List picks are placing in the top 10 to 20, including a win for Stewart Cink at the Safeway event. Beyond the obvious, pay attention to my free picks, combined with the more in-depth analysis behind the Paywall and you could be cashing a three to six figure ticket. Come to the other side of the Paywall and be enlightened.
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A-List DFS Picks at the Corales Puntacana Resort Championship: 2020
I believe in the top 35 salary range above $7,500 DK $9,500 FD, Mackenzie Hughes ($10,300 DK $11,500 FD), Sam Burns ($10,100 DK $11,600 FD), or Kristoffer Ventura ($9,200 DK $10,600 FD) are the most likely to find the victory circle this week based on a combination of their ball striking, recent form, short game skills, and-or course experience. I would not choose Will Zalatoris ($10,900 DK $11,800 FD) at this price, as this is a tall order after a grueling, emotional finish at the U.S. Open. He will likely make the cut, but not finish in the top 10 to justify his salary.
B-List DFS Picks at the Corales Puntacana Resort Championship: 2020
Chris Stroud ($7,200 DK $8,500 FD), Scott Harrington ($7,000 DK $8,300 FD) and Brandon Hagy ($6,900 DK $8,300 FD) fit the model of success for Corales Puntacana as leaders in strokes gained off the tee, and on approach, or a more balanced approach with strokes gained in putting. Not feeling Cameron Percy ($7,400 DK $8,800 FD) this week with him struggling in the wind and not having a good record on Paspalum greens at this event or the Puerto Rico Open.
C-List DFS Picks at the Corales Puntacana Championship: 2020
I think Michael Gligic ($6,500 DK $8,000 FD), Bill Haas ($6,500 DK $8,000 FD), and Alex Cejka ($6,300 DK $7,000 FD) are all good choices to make the cut based on their records in that regard as well as all being good ball strikers on a long course that can make a few putts when it matters as well.
Who Not To Pick at the Corales Puntacana Resort Championship: 2020
We covered value picks throughout all three salary categories. The field is not very deep this week, so don’t fall in love with a lot of the bottom C-List guys less than $6,200 DK $7,300 FD. The no go’s this week in a week field are everyone under $6,200 Draft Kings or $7,300 Fan Duel.
While these are a few teasers for this week, more in depth analysis and justification for my recommended lineup plays, or don’t play this week, are exclusively available for members of DFSExperts.com. Send us any fodder for the “Wall of Fame” including screenshots. We will put them up on social and proclaim you the DFS champion of the world. Good luck, and Golf On!
