Charles Schwab Challenge

Posted bygameondfsPosted inGolfTags:, , , , , , , , , , , ,

It’s back! At long last, the PGA has returned, and with it we have some pretty big contests across the industry. Draftkings and Fanduel are both running the contests they usually save for Majors, with top prizes of $1M and $100k respectively for the big GPPs, so this is sure to be a thrilling weekend. This is going to be an interesting tournament as we haven’t seen these guys play in months, and now they are playing without a crowd for the 1st time in a while for many of them. This is also a tournament that a lot of top guys skip every year, so it should be interesting to see how they handle this course, especially with the high temperatures expected to reach the mid to upper 90s.

For DFS Golf, the most important thing is making the cut. For most tournaments, having everyone in your lineup make the cut almost guarantees you a profit, barring an insane weekend collapse. There are certain golfers that are consistent cut-makers, while others are hit or miss and can miss the cut or win the whole thing. It’s important to know what type of lineup you are building, either cash or GPP, so you know which type of golfer you want to target.

Draftkings Scoring

Per Hole Scoring
Double Eagle or Better+13 Pts
Eagle+8 Pts
Birdie+3 Pts
Par+0.5 Pts
Bogey-0.5 Pts
Double Bogey-1 Pt
Worse than Double Bogey-1 Pt
Streaks and Bonuses
Streak of 3 Birdies or Better {Max 1 Per Round}+3 Pts
Bogey Free Round+3 Pts
All 4 Rounds Under 70 Strokes+5 Pts
Hole In One+5 Pts
Tournament Finish Scoring
1st+30 Pts
2nd+20 Pts
3rd+18 Pts
4th+16 Pts
5th+14 Pts
6th+12 Pts
7th+10 Pts
8th+9 Pts
9th+8 Pts
10th+7 Pts
11th – 15th+6 Pts
16th – 20th+5 Pts
21st – 25th+4 Pts
26th – 30th+3 Pts
31st – 40th+2 Pts
41st – 50th+1 Pt

The largest difference for Fanduel is the bonuses, which are similar, but more rewarding than on Draftkings. Most importantly, instead of needing a streak of 3 birdies, you only need 5+ birdies for the whole round. These bonuses really add up so we want guys that can rack up birdies to take advantage of the 5+ birdies and streak points.

Fanduel Scoring

Eagle (Or Better)7
Birdie3.1
Par0.5
Bogey-1
Double Bogey (Or Worse)-3
Streak Bonus (2 Holes in a Row Under-Par)0.6
Bounce Back (Hole Under-Par After Hole Over-Par)0.3
5+ Birdies Or Better (1 Round)4
Bogey Free Round5
1st place30
2nd place20
3rd place18
4th place16
5th place14
6th place12
7th place10
8th place8
9th place7
10th place6
11th-15th place5
16th-20th place4
21st-25th place3
26th-30th place2
31st-40th place1

The most important part of DFS golf is finishing position, as a high finish generally means a good number of birdies and low bogeys to go along with the placement points. The top guys are always a threat to win, so it is important to find the cheaper guys who can outplace their salary. There are multiple ways to build a lineup, and you need to decide if you want to balance cheap and expensive guys, or if you want to go safer with all mid-end golfers. The first composition is great for GPPs, while the latter is more cash-oriented, but any lineup for PGA has potential to win any contest. 

Each player’s tee times have been included alongside their site salaries and betting odds to win. Tee times are very important this week, especially for Showdown contests, due to the drastic weather changes throughout the day. For Showdown contests, we want to target guys playing early as there is projected to be a large increase in both temperature and wind as the days go on, making the course much more difficult for the afternoon waves.

NameDraftkings SalaryFanduel SalaryThurs. Tee Time (CST)Fri. Tee Time (CST)Odds
Rory McIlroy11800122001:06 PM6:56 AM8/1
Jon Rahm11000119001:06 PM6:56 AM12/1
Justin Thomas106001180012:55 PM6:45 AM12/1
Bryson DeChambeau10100115007:45 AM11:55 AM20/1
Webb Simpson9800114001:17 PM7:07 AM20/1
Brooks Koepka9700116001:06 PM6:56 AM22/1
Xander Schauffele96001130012:55 PM6:45 AM28/1
Dustin Johnson9500117007:45 AM11:55 AM22/1
Rickie Fowler94001090012:55 PM6:45 AM30/1
Sungjae Im9300112007:23 AM11:33 AM33/1
Patrick Reed9200111007:34 AM11:44 AM28/1
Collin Morikawa91001040012:44 PM6:34 AM40/1
Justin Rose9000110007:45 AM11:55 AM33/1
Marc Leishman8900107007:34 AM11:44 AM45/1
Gary Woodland8800103007:56 AM12:06 PM50/1
Tony Finau8700106001:17 PM7:07 AM30/1
Shane Lowry8600101008:18 AM12:28 PM66/1
Matt Kuchar8500108001:17 PM7:07 AM45/1
Scottie Scheffler84001020012:22 PM6:12 AM40/1
Jason Day830099001:17 PM7:07 AM50/1
Matthew Fitzpatrick8200990012:11 PM6:01 AM60/1
Louis Oosthuizen810097007:56 AM12:06 PM70/1
Jordan Spieth80001000012:55 PM6:45 AM30/1
Sergio Garcia8000105001:28 PM1:28 PM50/1
Viktor Hovland790098007:45 AM7:45 AM60/1
Daniel Berger770097008:18 AM12:28 PM66/1
Kevin Na760098007:56 AM12:06 PM50/1
Kevin Kisner7600950012:55 PM6:45 AM80/1
Harris English750094008:40 AM12:50 PM50/1
Joel Dahmen750093007:12 AM11:22 AM90/1
Max Homa750093008:07 AM12:17 PM80/1
Billy Horschel7400960012:33 PM6:23 AM70/1
Ryan Palmer740094006:50 AM11:00 AM60/1
Joaquin Niemann7400950012:33 PM6:23 AM100/1
Byeong Hun An740096001:28 PM7:18 AM70/1
Matthew Wolff740090007:56 AM12:06 PM150/1
Abraham Ancer730092008:29 AM12:39 AM66/1
Maverick McNealy730092002:01 PM7:51 AM150/1
Adam Hadwin730090008:40 AM12:50 PM125/1
Christiaan Bezuidenhout730091008:40 AM8:40 AM100/1
Ian Poulter730090008:18 AM12:28 PM125/1
Cameron Smith7300910012:33 PM6:23 AM125/1
Phil Mickelson730091007:56 AM12:06 PM100/1
Brian Harman720083006:50 AM11:00 AM80/1
Russell Knox720088007:23 AM7:23 AM125/1
Danny Lee720087008:51 AM1:01 PM100/1
Rory Sabbatini720090008:29 AM6:50 AM125/1
Tom Hoge720083006:50 AM11:00 AM150/1
Ryan Moore720088008:40 AM12:50 PM125/1
Bubba Watson7200890012:44 PM6:34 AM125/1
Jason Kokrak720089008:29 AM12:39 PM150/1
Corey Conners710087007:56 AM7:56 AM90/1
Emiliano Grillo710084001:39 PM7:29 AM150/1
Jim Furyk7100700012:55 PM6:45 AM150/1
Keegan Bradley710088001:17 PM7:07 AM150/1
Erik Van Rooyen710086001:50 PM7:40 AM150/1
Chez Reavie710087007:34 AM7:34 AM100/1
Branden Grace710084007:12 AM11:22 AM150/1
Brendan Steele710089008:07 AM8:07 AM8150/1
Charley Hoffman7000850012:00 PM5:50 AM150/1
Talor Gooch7000810012:11 PM6:01 AM175/1
Harry Higgs7000840012:00 PM5:50 AM200/1
Sebastian Munoz700088001:28 PM7:18 AM150/1
J.T. Poston700086008:18 AM12:28 PM150/1
Jason Dufner700085007:45 AM11:55 AM175/1
Alex Noren700085007:12 AM11:22 AM150/1
Graeme McDowell700084007:34 AM11:44 AM150/1
Matthew NeSmith690080002:01 PM7:51 AM160/1
Lanto Griffin690082001:28 PM7:18 AM150/1
Harold Varner III6900800012:22 PM6:12 AM150/1
Charles Howell III690082007:34 AM11:44 AM150/1
Victor Perez690086008:40 AM12:50 PM200/1
Kevin Streelman690082008:29 AM12:39 PM200/1
Rafa Cabrera Bello690090001:50 PM7:40 AM150/1
Danny Willett6900800012:33 PM6:23 AM150/1
Scott Piercy680082001:06 PM6:56 AM200/1
Andrew Putnam6800830012:33 PM6:23 AM150/1
Bud Cauley6800810012:00 PM5:50 AM175/1
Brendon Todd6800810012:44 PM6:34 AM150/1
Adam Long6800770012:33 PM6:23 AM200/1
C.T. Pan680077001:06 PM6:56 AM200/1
Zach Johnson6800800012:44 PM6:34 AM175/1
Sung Kang6800780012:44 PM6:34 AM160/1
Jimmy Walker670085008:07 AM12:17 PM175/1
Kevin Tway670076007:23 AM11:33 AM225/1
Chris Kirk670076001:39 PM7:29 AM200/1
Jhonattan Vegas670079007:12 AM11:22 AM200/1
Patrick Rodgers6700810012:00 PM5:50 AM175/1
Nick Watney670078001:50 PM7:40 AM200/1
Lucas Glover670077007:01 AM11:11 AM200/1
Wyndham Clark670077007:01 AM11:11 AM200/1
Vaughn Taylor660075008:40 AM12:50 PM175/1
Carlos Ortiz6600760012:00 PM5:50 AM150/1
Beau Hossler660078007:01 AM11:11 AM200/1
Cameron Champ660079008:18 AM12:28 PM200/1
Keith Mitchell660079007:23 AM11:33 AM200/1
Matt Wallace6600790012:22 PM6:12 AM200/1
Mackenzie Hughes660075008:51 AM1:01 PM175/1
Sam Ryder6600700012:11 PM6:01 AM250/1
Dylan Frittelli650075007:23 AM11:33 AM200/1
Cameron Davis650077002:12 PM8:02 AMN/A
Matt Jones650074001:28 PM7:18 AM250/1
Nate Lashley650074001:06 PM6:56 AM250/1
Pat Perez650073007:34 AM11:44 AM300/1
Tom Lewis650078008:51 AM1:01 PM225/1
Jazz Janewattananond6500730012:11 PM6:01 AM250/1
Si Woo Kim650075001:17 PM7:07 AM200/1
Denny McCarthy6400700012:11 PM6:01 AM300/1
Xinjun Zhang6400720012:22 PM6:12 AM350/1
Robby Shelton640076007:01 AM11:11 AM250/1
Chesson Hadley640071008:29 AM12:39 PM250/1
Andrew Landry640074008:07 AM12:17 PM250/1
Tyler Duncan6400730012:44 PM6:34 AM250/1
Zac Blair6400710012:22 PM6:12 AM350/1
J.J. Henry640070006:50 AM11:00 AM750/1
Brice Garnett630072007:45 AM11:55 AM300/1
Mark Hubbard630074001:39 PM7:29 AM250/1
Doc Redman630070007:01 AM11:11 AM350/1
Troy Merritt630072008:07 AM12:17 PM300/1
Peter Uihlein630073002:01 PM7:51 AM300/1
Tyler McCumber630071009:02 AM1:12 PM500/1
Kramer Hickok630070002:01 PM7:51 AM400/1
Patton Kizzire630070007:23 AM11:33 AM500/1
John Senden630070001:50 PM7:40 AM750/1
Steve Stricker620072008:07 AM12:17 PM250/1
Kyoung-Hoon Lee620072007:01 AM11:11 AM250/1
Andy Ogletree620071002:01 PM7:51 Am300/1
Sepp Straka6200700012:11 PM6:01 AM400/1
Brian Stuard620070007:12 AM11:22 AM400/1
Scott Brown620074001:39 PM7:29 AM500/1
Jim Herman620070008:18 AM12:28 PM500/1
Keith Clearwater620070002:01 PM7:51 AM750/1
Bill Haas610071006:50 AM11:00 AM350/1
Richy Werenski610070001:50 PM7:40 AMN/A
Brian Gay610074008:51 AM1:01 PM400/1
Henrik Norlander610070009:02 AM1:12 PM400/1
Bronson Burgoon610078001:39 PM7:29 AM300/1
Scott Harrington610070007:12 AM11:22 AM400/1
David Frost610070002:12 PM8:02 AM750/1
Olin Browne610070008:51 AM1:01 PM750/1
Josh Teater600070001:39 PM7:29 AM400/1
Adam Schenk600070001:50 PM7:40 AM400/1
Bernhard Langer600070008:29 AM12:39 PM500/1
Chad Campbell6000700012:22 PM6:12 am600/1
Doug Ghim600070008:51 AM1:01 PM500/1
Scott McCarron600070001:28 PM7:18 AM750/1
Tom Lehman600070009:02 AM1:12 PM750/1
Franklin Corpening600070002:12 PM8:02 AM750/1

Top Tier: 

It’s hard to look past Rory McIlroy’s recent form, as he started the season with 6 straight top-5s before the break, which is absolutely unheard of. It’s hard to fit him in here and he needs another top 5 to pay off his salary, but if anyone can be counted on to do it, it’s Rory. Jon Rahm is another great play here at the top, and he makes for a nice pivot off the likely highly owned McIlroy. He had back to back top-5 finishes here in his first 2 appearances, but ended up missing the cut last year, so look for him to right the ship this week. Another player with almost the exact same course history as Rahm, Webb Simpson is in a great spot to contend for his 2nd win in 3 events, and he comes in at a pretty big discount compared to the previous 2, despite still being the 5th most expensive golfer on Draftkings. 

Upper-Mid Tier: 

Much like Webb Simpson, both Patrick Reed and Sungjae Im are looking for their 2nd win in 3 appearances, and it is much easier to fit them into your lineups. They have the right combination of recent form and winning experience that puts them among the top guys to target this week. Just under them is Marc Leishman who is coming off a 2nd place finish at the API, just a few weeks after his win at the American Express. There is supposed to be a good amount of wind this week which is Leishman’s bread and butter, so don’t be surprised if he is in contention entering the weekend. Another guy with good recent form here is Scottie Scheffler, who is a solid play here, but he should be highly owned and is a bit too expensive to fit into lineups when there are more appealing options just above him. Still, he has looked great this season and has 3 straight top-30s, so you can’t completely ignore him this week. If you are playing cash, Matt Kuchar is Mr. Consistent and is generally as safe a play as you can get as all he does is make cuts.

Lower-Mid Tier: 

This is probably the toughest tier to choose from, and there is merit to playing a lot of these guys. Daniel Berger was red hot entering the break with 3 straight top-10s, and another one here would make him a great value for this low price. Harris English and Joel Dahmen each have 3 straight Top-20s, and both are expected to carry high ownership due to their strong play this season. English also has 5 Top-30 finishes here in his last 6 appearances, setting him up to continue his streak of great play. Max Homa has 5 straight Top-25s including 3 Top-10s and makes for a nice pivot off the chalkier options around him. A little below these guys, Abraham Ancer and Christiaan Bezuidenhout provide some nice salary relief with upside. Ancer has made 10 cuts in a row, while Bez has 4 straight Top-30s and was tied for 2nd after round 1 of the PLAYERS before it was cancelled. Since that doesn’t show up on the game logs, he could fly under the radar here and makes for a great GPP play. This is a really tough range to narrow down, so you may want to start with the expensive guys and fill in from here with who you can afford. 

High Risk Plays:

If you want to play multiple top guys, you’re going to need some extreme salary relief. Usually at a tournament like this that’s fine, but this is a stacked field and I’m not overly confident in anyone down here to make a push for the top-20. Regardless, if you have multiple Top-5 golfers, you don’t need all that much from your salary relief, so getting someone down here could work out. Cameron Davis is coming in off 7 straight made cuts, including 3 Top-10s, making him the top target at the bottom. Like Marc Leishman (and many other Aussies), Davis plays well in the wind and can put up a decent score while helping you get some of the top guys who can challenge for the win. Kyoung-Hoon Lee has 4 straight made cuts including 2 Top-15s, and he is probably the cheapest player I’d feel comfortable rostering, except maybe Jim Furyk on Fanduel, but I’m not really sold on him even with the huge pricing difference. Brendon Todd has made 10 cuts in a row now and, while he doesn’t look like the same guy that went 1st, 1st, 4th at the beginning of the season, he has still been putting up some respectable finishes recently. I’m not sure this range of players is too necessary with all the lower-mid tier options, so tread carefully. These guys are down here for a reason.

If you have any questions or need strategy help, feel free to hop in the Premium Discord and ask away.

Thank you for reading! For our premium members feel free to ask us any questions you have about the slate in the premium member discord!

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