The PGA Tour has kicked off in 2022, and that means One and Done Pools are set to begin. Last week there were just 38 golfers in the Sentry Tournament of Champions, so this week’s Sony Open is where things really begin. This week has a 144-man field in Oahu, which means there are plenty of options to choose from for PGA One and Done golf picks this week. Naturally, everyone is available, though the players remaining will be more a factor as the season rolls on. This column will explore three of the best One and Done picks and give some expert predictions for the Sony Open.
Expert PGA One and Done Golf Picks for Sony Open
What is a One and Done pool?
A One and Done pool has some similarities with NFL survivor pools except that players cannot be eliminated early for making a poor pick. Each week players have to select one golfer, and their prize money earned that week become points for the player. The same player cannot be used twice, just like an NFL survivor contest, so strategy and knowing when to save a top-tier player can make the difference. At the end of the season, the team with the most cumulative earning is in line for a big payoff. Pools will pay several spots, depending on it is size, similar to a GPP structure from PGA DFS.
Waialae Country Club is the site of this week’s tournament, and it is a standard 36-hole cut event, so getting guys to the weekend is step 1. For those new to PGA and One and Done tournaments, golfers will only receive money if they are able to make the cut, which is the top 65 and ties after Friday’s round. For more information about the course, make sure to check out all the audio and written content across the Awesemo Channels. Let’s dive into some of the possible picks for this week’s Sony Open.
PGA One and Done Picks This Week
Seamus Power
There are some bigger names in the field, but it is unwise to burn them right out of the gate. This tournament is more wide open, and that brings in a second tier of players who all have plenty of talent themselves. Seamus Power played last week, and getting those four rounds in is a positive with so many guys coming in off a break in the schedule. Power was 15th last week, but the finishing position is not important, as his game looked to be in fine shape. He was positive tee to green and just had a flat putter, which he can easily turn around.
Last year Power had a stretch where he gained in seven of nine events on the greens, and if he can find that form, it could be a quality result here at the Sony. There are no issues with using him early in the year, so he checks a lot of boxes.
Maverick McNealy
Everyone keeps waiting for Maverick McNealy to win on tour, and that nearly happened late in 2021 during the swing season. He finished runner-up at the Fortinet Championship thanks to a combination of positive ball striking and an incredibly hot putter. His form has stayed hot, with two straight top-20s in his last two events before the winter break, so McNealy could easily be in form heading into Sony.
There is no course history for McNealy, but that is not a big deal, as this should fit his game. He clearly has made strides tee to green during the latter part of 2021, and his putter has always been an asset to his game. McNealy is live to have some big results at the beginning of the 2022 season, and there is nothing wrong with playing him early.
Latest PGA DFS Content
- Houston Open DFS Sims Set-Up: Injury Bugs & Other Key Factors
- Houston Open First Round Leader Picks, Bets & More (2024)
- PGA DFS Picks: Top Values for the Houston Open (2024)
- DraftKings Golf Cheat Sheet: Best PGA DFS Sims Picks for the Houston Open | Tony Finau
- 2024 Valspar Championship DFS Fades, Pivots & Stands: No Thanks, Xander Schauffele
- Stokastic DFS on Youtube
Talor Gooch
This pick sticks with the strategy of using high-upside talents who are not among the elite player in the field. Talor Gooch is a fine play early in the year, and he got in four rounds last week at the Sentry. He finished middle of the pack, but just him getting out there is a positive for this week’s Sony. Gooch is a pure ball striker who has been positive in strokes gained approach in every weighted event since late August. That type of precise iron play will serve him well at any course, including what he will see this week.
Sony Open One and Done Pick: Seamus Power
With so many options in the opening tournament, there will not be massive ownership on any of the guys above, so a positive result would be a great start to the season. There are safer and more conservative routes, and Power has not had any success at Sony in the past, but he is a different golfer at this point in his career. Do not read much into his past course history. Coming off a middle-of-the-road finish at the Tournament of Champions, all he needs is a little positive regression from his putter, which is a strength of his game. If the ball striking stays where it is and the putter heats up, Power will be primed to get the season started on a high note.
Thanks for reading to the end of this article! If you appreciate this free content and want to see more of it every day, you can help us out by sharing this article on social media!
[PGAPAGE]