With the exception of the Masters, there isn’t typically a lot of viable course history information for golf majors.
That changes at the 2017 PGA Championship, which will be held at Quail Hollow Club. The Charlotte golf course has hosted what is now known as the Wells Fargo Championship each of the last 14 years, and while it has undergone some significant alterations since 2016, that kind of history will provide DFS players with some valuable information when filling out their DraftKings lineup.
With that in mind, here’s a look at my ideal picks:
2017 PGA Championship DraftKings Lineup
Player
Price
Rory McIlroy
$11,800
Branden Grace
$8,200
Tommy Fleetwood
$8,000
Paul Casey
$7,800
Patrick Reed
$7,300
Zach Johnson
$6,800
Breakdown
Not only has Rory McIlroy produced Top-5 finishes at the Open Championship and WGC-Bridgestone in his last two starts, but he has absolutely owned Quail Hollow throughout his career with two wins and six Top-10’s in seven starts there. He set the course record with a 61 in 2015, he won that year by seven strokes, and he’s well worth the high price point.
McIlroy, my highest-priced player, and Zach Johnson, my lowest-priced player, should be my two highest owned players. Johnson has righted the ship after an inconsistent mid-season run with a T5, T14 and runner-up in his last three starts, and $6,800 is just a ludicrous price. He’s going to be super popular, but it’s tough to pass up on that kind of value with the way he’s playing.
With those two popular plays book-ending my team, I tried to go with four other guys who, at least by name recognition, may fly a little under the radar.
Branden Grace has made the cut at nine of the last 10 majors and has mixed in five Top-10’s, including Top-5’s in each of the last two PGA Championships, and a T6 at the Open Championship last week. For mid-range options, he’s as consistent as they come in big-field events.
Tommy Fleetwood is somewhat of a “post-hype” pick. Everyone loved him at Royal Birkdale for the Open, but it’s easy to foresee a lot of people being off him after a “disappointing” T27 there. Still, he has a win, six Top-30’s and a major-on-US-soil Top-5 (US Open) in his last six starts, and it’s tough to beat that kind of form.
Another player who has performed well at majors this year is Paul Casey. He finished sixth at the Masters, fell to 26th at the US Open after being in contention on the weekend and tied 11th at the Open Championship. Throw in a T22 at the Players, a T16 at the WGC-Mexico and a T5 at last week’s WGC-Bridgestone, and Casey, who is ninth in the field in strokes gained tee to green over the last 12 rounds, makes for a really nice bargain at $7,800.
Finally, we have Patrick Reed. It’s been a roller-coaster season for Captain America, but he’s made the cut in all four of his trips to Quail Hollow, and he comes in with some nice momentum having shot 68-68 over the weekend at the WGC Bridgestone.
Other Plays I’ll Have Exposure to This Week: Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, Hideki Matsuyama, Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, Daniel Berger, Charley Hoffman, J.B. Holmes, Brendan Steele, Tony Finau, Xander Schauffele, Bernd Wiesberger, Kevin Kisner
