The Farmers Insurance has begun in La Jolla, Calif., but the action is just getting started as showdown action takes over. DraftKings is offering up a slate best $50,000 to first place for Round 2. This quick-hitter article will give a few stats from Round 1, some PGA DFS picks, and best DFS Golf lineup advice for Round 2 Showdown contests.
PGA DFS Golf Picks: The Farmers Insurance Open Round 2
Round 1 Recap
South Course
Scoring average of 72.782 or +.782 over par.Â
After getting caught on a video phone complaining, with expletives, about the course setup in La Quinta, calling it a “putting contest,” among other things, Jon Rahm returns to his “second home,” Torrey Pines. He gained over 2.5 strokes putting on the day and would shoot the best score on this course with an opening-round 66, including another eagle on 18. Proving to be a perfect setup for Jon, the No. 1 player in the world, has his sites set on another victory here.
His playing partners for the day, Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas, each shot four-under and sit just two back of Rahm. A tight leaderboard, however, has 26 people in between them as Johnson and Thomas are each tied for 31st.
Joaquin Niemann making his first start of the season made it look as if he has been practicing, gaining almost five strokes tee to green, but, like Johnson, could not get the putter rolling. Other solid rounds turned in on the South Course today were from Cameron Tringale, Luke List, Will Zalatoris, Peter Malnati, Wyndham Clark and Mito Pereira.Â
North CourseÂ
Scoring Average of 69.103 or – 2.89
Over a three-shot difference between the courses today, as the North Course was every bit easy as advertised. While the South Course was quite a difficult task. Not only that, but so many bunched up scores, as 22 golfers shot 67, three of them on the South Course, and the other 19 on this North Course. Seven scores from this North Course beat 67, with Billy Horschel holding the round one lead with a stellar 63. Michael Thompson, after a poor start in La Quinta last week, got off to a great one here, shooting 65 on the day, while Stephan Jaeger and Kevin Tway provide a couple of surprise names who shot 65. Speaking of surprises, Rickie Fowler bounced back with a good opening round of 66, as did Doug Ghim and Francesco Molinari.Â
The Farmers Insurance Round 1 Stat Recap (South Course)
Strokes Gained Off the Tee
- Wyndham Clark
- Jon Rahm
- Joaquin Niemann
- Alex Smalley
- Taylor Montgomery
Strokes Gained Approach
- Keegan Bradley
- Duston Johnson
- Jon Rahm
- Will Zalatoris
- Scottie Scheffler
Strokes Gained Around the Green.
- Patrick Reed
- Cameron Tringale
- Sepp Straka
- Peter Malanti
- Jared Du Toit
Strokes Gained Putting
- LUKE LIST!?
- Adam Schenk
- Taylor Montgomery
- Peter Malnati
- Jon Rahm
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DraftKings Fantasy Golf Preview: Round 2 The Farmers Insurance Open
- Lock Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
- Grand Prize: DraftKings offers $50,000 to first place and $150,000 guaranteed for the second-round slate.
Best PGA DFS Golf Picks Today for DraftKings Showdown
Although it should be obvious, it bears worth repeating the North Course played three shots easier than the South Course today. Targeting golfers that play that course should be a given, so here are a few golfers playing there tomorrow, outside of Jon Rahm.
- Dustin Johnson ($9,600): Fading Rahm is dangerous when he’s playing this well, but if there’s anyone that can go toe to toe with him at his best, it’s clearly Johnson. He also happens to be the cheapest out of all the studs playing the North Course tomorrow, making him an easy spot to start a lineup fading the two top guys on the board. Lastly, he added a new driver into the bag this year, and it’s clear he’s much more comfortable with it than the one he had last year. Something to keep an eye on.
- Will Zalatoris ($9,000): Everything seems to be moving along for Zalatoris after another solid start on the South Course today. He gained over three strokes on the approach, another half stroke off the tee, and looked good around the green. A lukewarm putter tomorrow should propel him up the leaderboard.
- Keegan Bradley ($7,600): Finishing his round with a couple of birdies on the day, Bradley rode a patented good iron play to a solid score in round one, gaining over four strokes. But, his short game was almost as bad, losing just about two strokes on the day. We know that’s what we are getting with Keegan, but on a course that is playing much easier than expected, he provides a solid floor and good upside if the putter gets hot for nine or more holes.
- Mito Pereira ($7,300) Making his first start of the season, some would question his form or rust. But, there didn’t seem to be any with the irons and putter, as he gained a combined 4.16 strokes with them today. Driving should get easier on the North Course tomorrow, his worst start on the day, hitting only 43% of his fairways, which should give him plenty of chances to use that hot iron game.
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