This column is a quick-hitter article to give you the stats you need to make informed PGA DFS picks for your DraftKings + FanDuel daily fantasy lineups and give you a couple of recommendations for the second round of the Zozo Championship. On a typical Showdown contest, DraftKings will offer upwards of $50,000 to first for rounds 2 and 3 showdown and sometimes up to $100,000 for the final-round contests. They also provide weekend-long contests that have been offering $25,000 to first for most weekends. Lastly, FanDuel has also tried to get into the weekend-long and final-round contests, offering $10,000 and $5,000 to first.
Previous Round Recap
Sebastian Munoz continued his hot play in round 1 today, but not without starting off with a bang of sorts. He three-putted from inside 10 feet for bogey on the first hole. From there, though, he went 9 under, including two hole-out eagles. No one would catch him once he posted his 8-under 64, as he was one of the first groups out. Tyrrell Hatton continued his hot form as well in round 1, while Justin Thomas got his round kick started after going directly through the oak tree on 15, leading to him making the 10-footer for eagle. When he gets into contention, he’s incredibly dangerous.
Rory McIlroy’s struggles continued in round 1, again with his irons. He had one of his worst rounds in quite some time, losing almost three strokes on the day. Harris English and Lanto Griffin rode hot putters in round 1, sitting inside the top 10, while one of the best putters in the game, Brian Harman, couldn’t get it going with the putter but had a magnificent day everywhere else and sits just 2 back after round 1.
Lastly, Xander Schauffle battled back after a bogey, triple stretch on his backside to finish at 3 under. He sits just 5 back even with the triple.
Stat Review
Birdie or Better Leaders Through Round 1
- Sebastian Munoz (10)
- Tyrrell Hatton, Harris English, Kevin Kisner, Dylan Frittelli, Alex Noren, Justin Rose, Justin Thomas, Lanto Griffin (8)
Strokes Gained Ball Striking vs. Putting
Here is a new name that we haven’t seen in this category maybe ever: Carlos Ortiz. He lost over four strokes with the putter today while gaining two with his ball striking for a difference of over 6.5. Much to my dismay, Viktor Hovland was No. 2, losing almost four strokes on the day while gaining 2.1 with his ball striking, a 5.86 differential. Others above five included Tom Hoge, Hideki Matsuyama and Jon Rahm.
Click here to see all the stats from round 1
PGA DFS Slate Preview
Lock Time
12:50 EST
Contest Preview
DraftKings
- DraftKings is offering $25,000 to first and $100,000 guaranteed for the second-round slate
FanDuel
- N/A
General Strategy and PGA DFS Picks
A complete mixture of players up in the top 10 after round 1 makes it a bit harder to identify the winning formula here this week. There are no surprises with the three golfers that are actually losing strokes ball striking — Griffin, English and Mackenzie Hughes. However, strokes gained on the approach was the most important stat yesterday, so we’ll try and find some guys that hit their irons great but may not have putt well in round 1.
I think it goes without saying that Thomas seems like the most logical play on the slate for round 2, coming in at $10,000 salary. Plus, his game is clicking with over four strokes gained ball striking in round 1. Typically when he gets into a tournament with a chance to win, that doesn’t go away.
Top 10
Dylan Frittelli ($6,500)
Frittelli’s form has been up and down as of late, but one thing that has been consistent is his off-tee game. That helped him in round 1 get into the fairway and in position to gain over three strokes with his irons. However, his putter didn’t really heat up, and he’s a guy that can definitely get hot on and around the greens. At $6,500, he’s also going to allow you to go any which way with your lineup building.
Stud or Value Pick Outside the Top 10
Jon Rahm ($10,200)
Going Rahm over Thomas in my main lineup may end up costing me a cash, or a good cash, but all is not lost; Rahm sits only 3 back. He also lost almost two strokes with his short game, which isn’t typical of him. In fact, he ranked 64th out 78 in the field. That won’t continue, as he hit at least three edges on his putts and caught a few bad lines around the greens. I will look to start my lineups with Thomas and Rahm tomorrow.
Sneaky Pick Outside the Top 10
Tom Hoge ($6,600)
Hoge’s ball striking and approach game are really looking good. Hoge was strong a week ago, putting up almost 80 DFS points, and he had another five birdies today, even while losing over three strokes putting. At this salary, it’s an easy gamble knowing that his baseline seems to be at least four birdies right now. If we can get a hot putter matched up with that ball striking, he has a 65 in him.
Lineup Fill-Ins
Jordan Spieth $7,100
Sungjae Im ($8,300)
Matthew Wolff ($8,400)
Patrick Cantlay ($8.900)
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