Rocket Mortgage Classic 07.02.2020

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

The most important thing coming into this tournament is to forget about last week. Everyone was shocked at how crazy last week was, as we saw the lowest number of 6/6 lineups in the history of DFS golf, so it was as much of an outlier week as you can get. Hopefully things will change here, but we are back to the usual terrible fields that we are accustomed to seeing at these types of tournaments. It was nice to see stacked fields since the PGA’s return, but it looks like those days are past us unfortunately. This does help us for DFS though, since we know that the guys playing here will actually try and aren’t just playing this tournament because they have to. Still, this field is ugly and you’re going to have to play some guys that you wouldn’t even look at before. This should be fun!

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

Much like NASCAR, the most important thing 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 so 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 important for Showdown contests, as the wind will pick up throughout the day making the early tee times more favorable. This doesn’t mean that afternoon players are unplayable, but they are at a disadvantage across the board.

NameDraftkings SalaryFanduel SalaryThurs. Tee Time (EST)Fri. Tee Time (EST)Odds
Bryson DeChambeau11700122001:00 PM7:45 AM7/1
Webb Simpson11000121007:45 AM1:00 PM11/1
Tyrrell Hatton10700111007:35 AM12:50 PM16/1
Patrick Reed10500112001:00 PM7:45 AM16/1
Hideki Matsuyama10200110001:00 PM7:45 AM18/1
Viktor Hovland100001090012:30 PM7:15 AM20/1
Sungjae Im9800108007:35 AM12:50 PM25/1
Rickie Fowler9500107007:45 AM1:00 PM30/1
Tony Finau9300106007:35 AM12:50 PM33/1
Bubba Watson92001030012:50 PM7:35 AM50/1
Kevin Na9100104007:35 AM12:50 PM35/1
Scottie Scheffler9000105008:15 AM1:30 PM40/1
Rory Sabbatini880099007:55 AM1:10 PM50/1
J.T. Poston87001020012:30 PM7:15 AM40/1
Jason Day8600990012:50 PM7:35 AM40/1
Doc Redman8500100006:55 AM12:10 PM45/1
Lucas Glover840098007:55 AM1:10 PM66/1
Christiaan Bezuidenhout830096008:05 AM1:20 PM70/1
Adam Hadwin820098008:25 AM1:40 PM60/1
Rafa Cabrera Bello810095001:30 PM8:15 AM80/1
Erik Van Rooyen8000960012:20 PM7:05 AM60/1
Brandt Snedeker790097007:35 AM12:50 PM60/1
Brian Harman790097008:15 AM1:30 PM60/1
Brendon Todd7800980012:50 PM7:35 AM70/1
Alex Noren780094001:10 PM7:55 AM70/1
Branden Grace770094007:05 AM12:20 PM70/1
Kevin Kisner7700950012:50 PM7:35 AM70/1
Harold Varner III7600930012:30 PM7:15 AM80/1
Maverick McNealy760093006:45 AM12:00 PM70/1
Scott Stallings750091007:55 AM1:10 PM100/1
Joseph Bramlett750088008:25 AM1:40 PM100/1
Brian Stuard7400890012:00 PM6:45 AM100/1
Patrick Rodgers740092001:10 PM7:55 AM90/1
Will Gordon730091008:35 AM1:50 PM80/1
Wes Roach730087008:35 AM1:50 PM100/1
Keegan Bradley730092007:15 AM12:30 PM80/1
Mark Hubbard720088001:20 PM8:05 AM125/1
Chris Kirk720090006:45 AM12:00 PM80/1
Si Woo Kim7200890012:30 PM7:15 AM125/1
Kyle Stanley710090008:25 AM1:40 PM80/1
Sebastian Munoz7100860012:50 PM7:35 AM125/1
Michael Thompson710088001:20 PM8:05 AM100/1
Emiliano Grillo710086008:25 AM1:40 PM125/1
Tyler Duncan700087007:15 AM12:30 PM100/1
Tom Hoge700087008:05 AM1:20 PM125/1
Peter Uihlein700082002:00 PM8:45 AM150/1
Talor Gooch700081001:30 PM8:15 AM200/1
Sam Burns690085007:05 AM12:20 PM150/1
Ryan Armour690082007:15 AM12:30 PM125/1
Charl Schwartzel690083007:55 AM1:10 PM150/1
Seung-Yul Noh6900840012:10 PM6:55 AM100/1
Patton Kizzire690081007:45 AM1:00 PM150/1
Lanto Griffin680086007:45 AM1:00 PM125/1
Matthew Wolff6800890012:40 PM7:25 AM100/1
Jason Dufner680085007:25 AM12:40 PM125/1
Harry Higgs6800840012:20 PM7:05 AM150/1
Chesson Hadley6800830012:00 PM6:45 AM125/1
Tom Lewis680082001:50 PM8:35 AM125/1
Aaron Wise6700860012:50 PM7:35 AM125/1
Sepp Straka670084001:30 PM8:15 AM200/1
Adam Schenk670078006:55 AM12:10 PM250/1
Luke List670085001:10 PM7:55 AM125/1
Andrew Putnam670080007:25 AM12:40 PM150/1
Beau Hossler670078008:15 AM1:30 PM150/1
Matt Wallace6700820012:10 PM6:55 AM150/1
Cameron Tringale660079007:55 AM1:10 PM200/1
Nate Lashley660085007:45 AM1:00 PM150/1
Ben Martin660084006:55 AM12:10 PM150/1
Wyndham Clark6600830012:20 PM7:05 AM200/1
Kevin Chappell6600790012:40 PM7:25 AM200/1
Russell Knox660081007:45 AM1:00 PM150/1
Danny Willett6600830012:40 PM7:25 AM150/1
Jimmy Walker660079007:15 AM12:30PM200/1
Cameron Davis650080006:45 AM12:00 PM200/1
Matt Jones650080001:20 PM8:05 AM200/1
Wesley Bryan6500800012:30 PM7:15 AM150/1
Henrik Norlander6500780012:00 PM6:45 AM200/1
Pat Perez650081007:15 AM12:30 PM150/1
Sam Ryder6500780012:10 PM6:55 AM200/1
Richy Werenski650077008:05 AM1:20 PM200/1
Cameron Percy6500730012:20 PM7:05 AM300/1
James Hahn650074006:45 AM12:00 PM250/1
Brandon Hagy650077002:00 PM8:45 AM200/1
Hudson Swafford640077001:00 PM7:45 AM250/1
Josh Teater640075006:55 AM12:10 PM250/1
C.T. Pan6400790012:40 PM7:25 AM150/1
Sahith Theegala640075001:50 PM8:35 AM300/1
Troy Merritt640077007:25 AM12:40 PM200/1
Kristoffer Ventura640076008:45 AM2:00 PM200/1
Grayson Murray640076007:35 AM12:50 PM250/1
Jamie Lovemark640071007:05 AM12:20 PM200/1
Robert Streb640070008:25 AM1:40 PM300/1
Shawn Stefani630076001:10 PM7:55 AM150/1
Austin Cook630072007:25 AM12:40 PM250/1
Steve Stricker6300740012:40 PM7:25 AM250/1
Tyler McCumber630071001:40 PM8:25 AM250/1
Luke Donald630073001:00 PM7:45 AM200/1
Chris Stroud630074001:20 PM8:05 AM200/1
Peter Malnati630070007:55 AM1:10 PM300/1
Kyoung-Hoon Lee630073006:45 AM12:00 PM250/1
Vincent Whaley630070001:50 PM8:35 AM250/1
J.J. Spaun6300700012:00 PM6:45 AM250/1
Kevin Tway630075007:25 AM12:40 PM200/1
Chase Seiffert620070008:45 AM2:00 PM250/1
Bronson Burgoon620072008:15 AM1:30 PM300/1
Zac Blair620076006:55 AM12:10 PM250/1
Aaron Baddeley620072008:15 AM1:30 PM300/1
Bill Haas620074006:55 AM12:10 PM250/1
Tim Wilkinson6200700012:10 PM6:55 AM400/1
Ted Potter Jr.620072001:00 PM7:45 AM250/1
Hank Lebioda620070008:35 AM1:50 PM300/1
Bo Hoag620070008:25 AM1:40 PM400/1
Scott Brown6200700012:00 PM6:45 AM300/1
Zack Sucher620070002:00 PM8:45 AM300/1
Roger Sloan620070008:15 AM1:30 PM500/1
Fabian Gomez620070001:20 PM8:05 AM400/1
Roberto Castro610071001:10 PM7:55 AM300/1
Lucas Bjerregaard610073008:05 AM1:20 PM250/1
Xinjun Zhang610070008:05 AM1:20 PM400/1
Chris Baker610070001:40 PM8:25 AM300/1
Johnson Wagner610070001:30 PM8:15 AM300/1
Brian Gay610070007:05 AM12:20 PM300/1
Ryan Blaum6100710012:00 PM6:45 AM250/1
Mark Anderson610070001:50 PM8:35 AM400/1
Rhein Gibson610070002:00 PM8:45 AM400/1
Rob Oppenheim610070001:40 PM8:25 AM400/1
Jonathan Byrd6100700012:20 PM7:05 AM400/1
Matt Every610070001:10 PM7:55 AM500/1
Scott Harrington610070007:05 AM12:20 PM500/1
Nelson Ledesma610070008:35 AM1:50 PM500/1
Greg Chalmers610070007:15 AM12:30 PM500/1
Arjun Atwal610070001:20 PM8:05 AM500/1
Robby Shelton600070007:05 AM12:20 PM300/1
D.J. Trahan600070001:30 PM8:15 AM400/1
Ryan Brehm600070001:40 PM8:25 AM400/1
Seamus Power6000700012:20 PM7:05 AM400/1
Kramer Hickok600070001:40 PM8:25 AM300/1
Doug Ghim600070001:40 PM8:25 AM400/1
David Hearn600070006:45 AM12:00 PM400/1
Sebastian Cappelen600070002:00 PM8:45 AM500/1
Dominic Bozzelli600070008:45 AM2:00 PM500/1
Michael Gligic600070008:35 AM1:50 PM500/1
Michael Gellerman600070001:50 PM8:35 AM500/1
Peter Kuest600070001:50 PM8:35 AM500/1
Ricky Barnes6000700012:10 PM6:55 AM400/1
Ben Taylor600070008:45 AM2:00 PM500/1
John Senden6000700012:10 PM6:55 AM500/1
Vijay Singh6000700012:40 PM7:25 AM500/1
James Nicholas600070008:35 AM1:50 PM500/1
Bo Van Pelt600070008:05 AM1:20 PM500/1
Martin Trainer6000700012:30 PM7:15 AM500/1
Michael Kim600070007:25 AM12:40 PM500/1

Everyone listed below is playable on both sites, but some of them make more sense on one site than the other, which will be noted.

Top Tier:

With such a weak field, our eyes are immediately drawn to the guys up top that should be able to dominate this week. The 3 names that stick out are Bryson DeChambeau, Webb Simpson, and Tyrell Hatton as they all have a good chance to be in contention on Sunday. The tricky part here is their prices though, since it will be hard to fit them in without having to scrape the bottom of the barrel. This makes them all preferred options on Fanduel where you can fit them in much easier, while Draftkings makes it difficult to put a good lineup around them. Just below those 3, we have another trio in Viktor Hovland, Sungjae Im, and Tony Finau who also possess winning potential, but aren’t as safe as the top guys. The benefit here is the discounted prices that allow you to get some other good players in your lineups rather than cheap punts that will have you praying they make the cut. Kevin Na and Scottie Scheffler are both options here as well, but are more risky and don’t really possess the same upside as the rest of these guys. Still, they are serviceable options if you can’t afford anyone else up top.

Upper-Mid Tier: 

There are a lot of solid plays in the mid tier this week, so it will be important to narrow them down for your lineups (unless you just want to enter every possible combination of players). Doc Redman and Rory Sabbatini have seen big price jumps as a result of their strong recent play, but they are definitely in play with a field like this. Both of these guys are top-20 to top-10 threats in a weak field, so they make for great plays this week. Speaking of guys with high upside, Lucas Glover has 3 straight top-23s since the return and Christiaan Bezuidenhout has 5 top-30s in his past 6 appearances. Both of these guys are great options this week, especially Bezuidenhout on Fanduel where he is pretty underpriced. When looking for someone to make the cut in this price range, you have to look at Adam Hadwin. Hadwin has made 9/10 cuts this season, but he has only finished inside the top-40 once in his past 8 events after 2 straight top-4s to start the season. Although he may not have the upside of the guys around him, Hadwin is still one of the better cut makers on Tour and that’s all you really need for DFS golf.

Lower-Mid Tier: 

Towards the bottom of the mid tier, we find 2 guys that are sure to be popular this week in Harold Varner III and Maverick McNealy. Varner III has made 5/6 recent cuts including 2 top-20s, while McNealy has made 13/14 cuts with 3 top-15s in his last 7 events. That’s a whole lotta upside at a cheap price. Just above them is Brandt Snedeker, and although he hasn’t looked great after the break, this course is a tremendous fit for him and if there was anywhere for him to get back on track, it’s here. I hate to say it but Will Gordon seems a bit too cheap this week for his recent play. He finished 3rd last week off a sponsor’s exemption and now has 4 top-21s, including 2 top-10s, in his past 5 PGA Tour events. These placements are very spread out though since he doesn’t have his Tour card and has been playing due to exemptions, but he needs to play well here more than almost anyone if he wants to keep playing these tournaments, so he makes for a decent value play. Brian Stuard is another option in this range after making all 3 cuts since the return, but he doesn’t have the same upside as the other guys here. Stuard does have a good chance to make the cut though, so he should be a safer pick than some of the other options at his price.

Value Plays:

If you want to pay up for the big names this week, you’re going to have to get some cheap guys as well. Getting guys down here is more viable than usual because of the weak field, but it’s still hard to trust anyone this cheap. If the top guys do end up paying off their salary though, it may be necessary to look down here. In this price range, we want cut makers and Mark Hubbard has made all 3 since the PGA’s return. His best finish of those 3 was 33rd though, but he did have 2 top-11s to go with 2 missed cuts before the break, so there is some upside. Going even further down brings us to Cameron Davis who should be able to bounce back from 2 straight missed cuts this week. He shot a great -4 round one last week, but followed it up with a +1 dud that resulted in him missing the cut by 1 stroke. Before missing the cut the past 2 weeks, Davis had made 7 in a row with 3 top-10 finishes, so hopefully he can return to that form this week. Much like Davis, Lanto Griffin had missed 2 straight cuts before his 24th place finish last week, so he makes for a decent value play assuming he has righted the ship. Lanto has 3 top-10s this season including a win, and this weak field is the best chance he has at adding another one to his résumé. Finally, we have a great value play on Fanduel this week, as Kurt Kitayama is only $7700 on there versus his $8100 price tag on Draftkings. Kitayama is a Euro Tour player who had to go through Monday Qualifiers for this event, despite being the 77th ranked golfer in the world, and he has made 6 straight cuts between both Tours. His price tag is a bit high on Draftkings, but on Fanduel he is a fantastic value play that allows you to afford the big guys. This is his first appearance since February though, so don’t go overboard because there could be some rust.

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

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