Blog Posts

GolfMatch Fantasy Forecast: Valspar Championship at Innisbrook – Copperhead Course

Last week proved that Doral is designed for the longest of the long-hitters. So much so that some caddies and players are speaking out against the course and it’s lengthy layout. If you didn’t have a top-5 driver of the ball picked, chances are you didn’t do too well last week.

 

But what makes the Tour great is that each week is a new course and a new start, so though Copperhead isn’t all that much shorter than Doral, it certainly puts the emphasis back on putting as opposed to driving. The field will again be subject to another trio of tough holes known as the “Snake Pit” and this year has brought another deep field featuring some of the top 10 players in the world. Enjoy!

 

Feel free to contact us with suggestions on fantasy content and enjoy the weekend!

 

How it works:

  • My Guy: If I’m picking in a one-golfer league, and had to just pick one…he’s the guy.
  • Stripes: “Man, I was striping it today” as the big guy (TW) likes to say. Call these guys my “favorites” each week.
  • Wildcard: All in the name. Enough said.
  • Shank: I hate to even say this word, especially on a golf course, so as you can imagine these are guys to avoid.

 

My Guy:

 

Adam Scott

  • Four consecutive top five finishes
  • Showing aptitude with his new traditional length putter as he finished T4th last week at Doral
  • Looks to improve on his OWG ranking of 4th in his second PGA Tour event in 2015

 

Stripes:

 

Jim Furyk

  • Loves this event – fourth in all time earnings at Copperhead
  • Won the Valspar in 2010 and finished runner up in 2012
  • Playing great golf as shown by his top 15s in all three events in 2015

 

Henrik Stenson

  • T4th and 2nd place finishes in his last two events on the PGA Tour
  • Looked very solid at Doral, was very much in the mix on the weekend

 

Ryan Moore

  • Solid 2015 season, five top 25s this season and currently in 12th in the FedEx cup standings
  • Trending upwards with a top 10 finish last week at Doral
  • Well-rounded game;  26th in the all-around ranking

 

Wildcard:

 

Louis Oosthuizen

  • T14 and 6th place finishes in his only two PGA Tour events this season
  • Shot an impressive 67 on Saturday at Doral last weekend

 

Shank:

  • Justin Rose
    • Three starts on the PGA Tour in 2015: missed cut, missed cut, 55th place
    • Struggling mightily with the big stick – ranked 217th on the PGA Tour in driving accuracy

 

Courtesy of: FGLA (Fantasy Golf League of America)

YTD Performance
# of Tournaments:

6

2015 YTD

Counts

Picks

# of Picks

YTD $$

Win

Top 5

Top 10

Top 25

Outside T25

CUT

#

#

#

#

#

#

My Guy

6

$1,485,435.45

1

1

2

5

0

1

Stripes

21

$4,507,109.06

2

6

9

12

5

4

Wildcard

7

$340,892.00

0

0

1

1

4

2

Sums

34

$6,333,436.51

3

50%

7

21%

12

35%

18

53%

9

26%

7

21%

Shanks

6

$365,364.50

0

0%

0

0%

1

17%

2

33%

3

50%

0

0%

GolfMatch Fantasy Forecast: WGC Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral

The Honda Classic was a fantasy owner’s nightmare with so many notable players missing the cut and Padraig Harrington winning his first tournament since 2008.

 

This week the PGA Tour continues its Florida swing with the WGC Cadillac Championship at the famed Trump National Doral. At a whopping 7,528 yards, Doral will be one of the toughest challenges the pros face all year. The best players in the world will be in Miami for what should be a very exciting World Golf Championship event.

 

Feel free to contact us with suggestions on fantasy content and enjoy the weekend!

 

How it works:

  • My Guy: If I’m picking in a one-golfer league, and had to just pick one…he’s the guy.
  • Stripes: “Man, I was striping it today” as the big guy (TW) likes to say. Call these guys my “favorites” each week.
  • Wildcard: All in the name. Enough said.
  • Shank: I hate to even say this word, especially on a golf course, so as you can imagine these are guys to avoid.

 

My Guy:

  • Hideki Matsuyama
    • Currently ranks 2nd on the PGA Tour in strokes gained tee-to-green
    • Has shown strong form this year – 11th place in the FedEx Cup standings
    • Due for a win in 2015 with T3, T2 and T4 finishes since January

 

Stripes:

  • Paul Casey
    • One of the hottest guys on Tour right now with a P2 and T3 over the last two weeks
    • 8th on the PGA Tour in scoring average (69.7)
    • Irons are crisp – he co-led the field last week at the Honda Classic in GIR

 

  • Patrick Reed
    • Defending champ and youngest person to ever win a WGC event
    • Finished T7 last week at PGA National
    • Successfully getting himself out of trouble this season as shown by 3rd place ranking on the PGA Tour in scrambling

 

  • Jordan Spieth
    • Three top sevens so far this year
    • A young gun with a lot of firepower won this event last year, why not Spieth this year?
    • His stats bode well for a course as difficult as Doral – 9th in total driving efficiency and 5th in strokes gained tee-to-green

 

Wildcard:

  • Jamie Donaldson
    • Ryder Cup hero for the European team makes his return to Doral after a T2 in 2014
    • Finished a strong showing last week with a 6th place finish at the Honda Classic

 

Shank:

  • Charl Schwartzel
    • Only two starts on the PGA Tour in 2015 resulted in a T41 and a missed cut
    • 171st in driving accuracy and 195th in greens in regulation on the PGA Tour

 

YTD Performance
# of Tournaments:

6

2015 YTD

Counts

Picks

# of Picks

YTD $$

Win

Top 5

Top 10

Top 25

Outside T25

CUT

#

#

#

#

#

#

My Guy

6

$1,485,435.45

1

1

2

5

0

1

Stripes

21

$4,507,109.06

2

6

9

12

5

4

Wildcard

7

$340,892.00

0

0

1

1

4

2

Sums

34

$6,333,436.51

3

50%

7

21%

12

35%

18

53%

9

26%

7

21%

Shanks

6

$365,364.50

0

0%

0

0%

1

17%

2

33%

3

50%

0

0%

 

Fantasy Forecast: Honda Classic at PGA National

The Northern Trust Open turned out to be very interesting as James Hahn surprised the world of golf by proving that he can do more than just crush the “Gangnam Style” dance. Hahn took down Dustin Johnson and Paul Casey in a very exciting playoff match with two huge birdie putts. Congratulations to Hahn on his first PGA Tour win, but now we move on to this week’s Honda Classic at PGA National.

 

This tournament boasts a star-studded field (including Rory as he makes his 2015 debut) at the spectacular PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. The course should provide plenty of excitement with the infamous Bear Trap (Holes 15, 16 and 17) promising to make things interesting as the leaders try to close out their rounds on Sunday afternoon.

 

Feel free to contact us with suggestions on fantasy content and enjoy the weekend!

 

How it works:

  • My Guy: If I’m picking in a one-golfer league, and had to just pick one…he’s the guy.
  • Stripes: “Man, I was striping it today” as the big guy (TW) likes to say. Call these guys my “favorites” each week.
  • Wildcard: All in the name. Enough said.
  • Shank: I hate to even say this word, especially on a golf course, so as you can imagine these are guys to avoid.

 

My Guy:

Rory McIlroy

  • Obvious choice this week, winner here in 2012 and 2nd place last year
  • Started 2015 with 2nd place finish in Abu Dhabi and a win in Dubai
  • Top ranked player in the world finished the 2014 season ranked 1st in the following categories: strokes gained tee to green, strokes gained total, birdie average, scoring average (68.8), par breakers, and overall money list (a whopping $8.2 million)

Stripes:

Keegan Bradley

  • Coming off an impressive T4 showing at the Northern Trust Open last week at Riviera
  • Loves this event, finished T12 or better in his last three trips to the Honda Classic
  • Iron game is crisp, 10th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained tee to green

 

Sergio Garcia

  • 4 for 4 at PGA National and putting game is on fire (1st on the PGA Tour in strokes gained putting)
  • Great form, currently 6th on the Tour in scoring average (69.58)
  • Has to stop choking at some point; coming off a very disappointing T4 at the Northern Trust

 

Lee Westwood

  • Horse for the course – 5 for 5 with three top 10s
  • Great ball striker, 2nd on the PGA Tour in strokes gained tee to green
  • In strong form with a win, T9, and T5 in his last three events

 

 

Wildcard:

Freddie Jacobson

  • Outstanding track record at PGA National, 6 for 6 and a T12th last year
  • Currently in good form with a T7th at the Waste Management Open
  • Red-hot with the putter, 2nd on the Tour in strokes gained putting

 

Shank:

Kevin Streelman

  • Two missed cuts in a row at Pebble and Riviera
  • No top 20s in the 6 tournaments he’s played in during 2015
  • Poor putting (138th in strokes gained putting) and scoring average (116th with an average of 71.4) has dropped Kevin to 66th in the OWGR

 

YTD Performance
# of Tournaments:

6

2015 YTD

Counts

Picks

# of Picks

YTD $$

Win

Top 5

Top 10

Top 25

Outside T25

CUT

#

#

#

#

#

#

My Guy

6

$1,485,435.45

1

1

2

5

0

1

Stripes

21

$4,507,109.06

2

6

9

12

5

4

Wildcard

7

$340,892.00

0

0

1

1

4

2

Sums

34

$6,333,436.51

3

50%

7

21%

12

35%

18

53%

9

26%

7

21%

Shanks

6

$365,364.50

0

0%

0

0%

1

17%

2

33%

3

50%

0

0%

Fantasy Focus: Northern Trust Open

Ok, so we had an off week last week, it happens. Brandt was My Guy the week before…I just picked him a week early that’s all. Anyway, “My Guy” did fare the best of the group with a Top-25 finish, so I’ll hang my hat on that for now.

 

But moving on – a great field this week heading to Riviera, and maybe the deepest to date this season.  There are a handful of guys that just had to make the list this week, so I’ve added an extra stripe and wildcard, but if you field any combination of the group below you’ll be in great shape.Long-hitters are a common theme this week, and for good reason. I’d suggest sticking to someone long, and not trying to be sneaky with anyone who relies heavily on the short game.​

 

Feel free to contact us with suggestions on fantasy content and enjoy the weekend!

 

How it works:

• My Guy: If I’m picking in a one-golfer league, and had to just pick one…he’s the guy.
• Stripes: “Man, I was striping it today” as the big guy (TW) likes to say. Call these guys my “favorites” each week.
• Wildcard: All in the name. Enough said.
• Shank: I hate to even say this word, especially on a golf course, so as you can imagine these are guys to avoid.

 

My Guy:

Harris English
o Long-hitter – Ranks 28th in driving distance
o As a young player, not a lot of history here, but did finish T10 last year
o His run at the Farmers showed he’s playing with confidence which is just about the only thing his game can lack at times

 

Stripes:

Bubba Watson
o Long-hitter (understatement) – Ranks 8th in driving distance
o Not only the defending champion, but did something not many people can do – made Riviera look easy over the weekend last year
o Coming off a T2 finish in the desert (Phoenix)
o Would surely love a W in his belt before he gets to his real playground…Augusta
Webb Simpson
o Long(ish)-hitter – Ranks 62nd in driving distance (294 yds)
o Got himself on the radar in Hawaii where he seemed to start to dial-in with his wedges
o Plays well in CA (remember the US Open?) and has had a few weeks off since his last start (which was a top-10 finishat Humana)
Dustin Johnson
o Long-hitter (understatement) – Would rank 1st in average driving distance based on his 315 yard average from Pebble(yes…315….average)
o Great course record (four top-10’s in last seven trips)
o Showed us last week that he apparently spent plenty of time practicing during his time off (T4 finish)
Jimmy Walker
o Long-hitter – Ranks 23rd in driving distance
o Still too hot to leave him off any favorites list
o Hasn’t placed outside the top 20 at Riviera in last 4 years
o Hasn’t placed outside the top 21 this season (4 starts)
o Past year and a half has been a long testament to the genius of Butch Harmon (in my humble opinion)

 

Wildcard:

Keegan Bradley
o Long-hitter – Ranks 18th in driving distance
o Top 25 at Riviera last two years, lost in a playoff three years back (with Phil, and eventual winner Billy Haas)
o Hasn’t played all that consistently since the Hero World Challenge (T3), but also hasn’t missed a cut
Russell Henley
o Long(ish)-hitter – Ranks 73rd in driving distance (294 yds)
o Hasn’t missed a cut this season
o Long-hitter with streaky, but occasionally superb short game
o Missed cut last year – but current form warrants the pick

 

Shank:

Luke Donald
o Not a long-hitter (187th, under 280 yard average)
o Hasn’t shown any consistent form in 2015 (well it’s been consistent…just bad)
o I don’t expect him to find his groove on a course as long and demanding as Riviera
o Don’t try to be sneaky and pick him as someone who’s done well here before…just let him play his 2 rounds and miss the cut
o Sorry Luke, but fantasy players reading this… you’re welcome

 

 

YTD Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

# of Tournaments:

6

2015 YTD

 

Counts

 

Picks

# of Picks

YTD $$

 

Win

Top 5

Top 10

Top 25

Outside T25

CUT

 

 

 

 

#

#

#

#

#

#

My Guy

6

$1,485,435.45

 

1

1

2

5

0

1

Stripes

21

$4,507,109.06

 

2

6

9

12

5

4

Wildcard

7

$340,892.00

 

0

0

1

1

4

2

Sums

34

$6,333,436.51

 

3

50%

7

21%

12

35%

18

53%

9

26%

7

21%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shanks

6

$365,364.50

 

0

0%

0

0%

1

17%

2

33%

3

50%

0

0%

 

GolfMatch Fantasy Forecast: AT&T National Pro-am

2015 has been a great year for golf. A lot of big names and young talent have been filling the giant void Tiger has created over the past few years, and every week is anyone’s tournament. On top of that… three out of the five winners in 2015 have started the week on this post. But I digress…

 

Another gorgeous stop on the West Coast swing is on tap this weekend. Great tournament to watch – mainly because Bill Murray is in the field. I’d pick him if I could, but I’ll stick to the guys who are playing for the cash. Enjoy!

 

Feel free to contact us with suggestions on fantasy content and enjoy the weekend!

 

How it works:

  • My Guy: If I’m picking in a one-golfer league, and had to just pick one…he’s the guy.
  • Stripes: “Man, I was striping it today” as the big guy (TW) likes to say. Call these guys my “favorites” each week.
  • Wildcard: All in the name. Enough said.
  • Shank: I hate to even say this word, especially on a golf course, so as you can imagine these are guys to avoid.

 

My Guy:

Jimmy Walker

  • If you can use him this week not sure how you pass on him
  • Past 3 tournaments: (Hyundai) Lost in a playoff, (Sony)Won by nine…took a Hawaii vacation, (Farmers) Was one shot back going into Sunday – finished T7
  • Defending champion at Pebble
  • He’s leading the FedEx Cup for a reason – take him

 

Stripes:

Hunter Mahan

  • Hasn’t missed a cut all year (back to 2014 – which includes a win in FedEx Playoffs)
  • A favorite stop for Hunter – top-20’s in past four years
  • Coming off a solid Sunday finish in Phoenix
  • Oh and a new child…new Dads always play well – it’s a thing, trust it

Ian Poulter

  • Solid week last weekend (T19) as he adjusted to California sunshine
  • Coming off four straight top-25’s around the globe
  • Flashy player for a flashy tournament – look for the Brit on Sunday

Kevin Streelman

  • Nothing crazy this year – but has played well on Sundays (64, 69, 68 last three tournaments)
  • If he can stay with the pack through Saturday, I like his chances to jump ahead Sunday

 

Wildcard:

Graham DeLaet

  • Started to pop back up on the “heating up” map prior to last week’s WD (flu)
  • Streaky player who is solely held back by the flat-stick
  • He drives for show, just has to putt for dough (as they say)

 

Shank:

Billy Horschel

  • Reigning FedEx Champ has cooled off (a lot…like Boston-cold)
  • No course history to fall back on (0 top 25’s, handful of MC’s)
  • Not going to find his game in a tournament playing with amateurs

 

 

YTD Performance
# of Tournaments:

5

2015 YTD

Counts

Picks

# of Picks

YTD $$

Win

Top 5

Top 10

Top 25

Outside T25

CUT

#

#

#

#

#

#

My Guy

5

$1,421,600.45

1

1

2

4

0

1

Stripes

18

$4,491,469.06

2

6

9

12

4

2

Wildcard

6

$325,660.00

0

0

1

1

3

2

Sums

29

$6,238,729.51

3

60%

7

24%

12

41%

17

59%

7

24%

5

17%

Shanks

5

$345,916.50

0

0%

0

0%

1

20%

2

40%

2

40%

0

0%