Fantasy Golf Picks, Odds, & Predictions – CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges

Fantasy Golf Picks, Odds, and Predictions for the CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges

2018 CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges Fantasy Preview

The PGA TOUR’s Fall Season campaign in Asia may be something of a damp squib for many fans, who face the prospect of some rather late nights if they want to follow the action.

But that’s not say it can’t serve up some outstanding golf, or a high-class winner.

It was Marc Leishman who took the spoils in the birdie-fest shootout at the CIMB Classic; the fourth PGA TOUR title of his career.

The -26 winning score was wholly expected at a soft TPC Kuala Lumpur which is receptive and almost completely lacking in demons: 71 of the 78 man field ended the week under par.

Marc Leishman of Australia celebrates with his caddie Matthew Kelly…

Marc Leishman of Australia celebrates with his caddie Matthew Kelly after winning the CIMB Classic at TPC Kuala Lumpur on October 14, 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

The format is the same in this week’s second leg of the Asian Swing, but the conditions could not be any more different.

The players are off to Jeju Island, just off the coast of South Korea, to tackle Nine Bridges; a beautifully picturesque layout that is far more taxing than that found in Malaysia last week.

So same vibe, but a wholly different prospect is in store for the field at The CJ Cup.

Last Event’s Fantasy Results 

Overall not a bad week with JT (our top horse) finishing T5 and scooping up 124 fantasy points along the way.

Justin Thomas of United States in action during the final round of…

Justin Thomas of United States in action during the final round of the CIMB Classic at TPC Kuala Lumpur on October 14, 2018 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

We also had a T5 in Ancer who banked 128.5 fantasy points and Si Woo Kim with his T10 and 118.5 points. Additionally, our Top Sleeper Report pick was CH3, who also notched a T5 with an impressive 124.5 fantasy points.

And, despite his T22 finish, Keith Mitchel proved to be a solid mid-tier pick for us with 99.5 at a $6,900 price tag.

The 2018 CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges Field

At first glance, there’s a lot of similarities between the field for The CJ Cup as with that which battled it out at the CIMB Classic.

But Justin Thomas, Marc Leishman, Paul Casey, Xander Schauffele et al will also be joined by a stellar selection of stars in South Korea.

Brooks Koepka, Jason Day and Hideki Matsuyama all make the trip, as do triumphant Ryder Cuppers Tyrrell Hatton, Alex Noren and Ian Poulter.

Brooks Koepka of the United States plays his second shot on the…

Brooks Koepka of the United States plays his second shot on the second hole during the third round of the 2018 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on The Old Course at St Andrews on October 6, 2018 in… Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

The likes of Gary Woodland, Louis Oosthuizen, Emiliano Grillo, Chesson Hadley and Charles Howell III will be looking to build on top-fives in Malaysia.

This Week’s Course Preview

There are many who grumble that the PGA TOUR’s fall jaunt to Asia is nothing more than a money-making ruse to tap into one of golf’s fastest growing markets.

And you see stunning courses like Nine Bridges, and those sentiments are blown out of the water.

Jeju Island is a naturally-occurring volcanic land mass, and so the players will find themselves at roughly 2,000 feet above sea level in the Korean Peninsula.

Visually at least, the course is reminiscent of the Hawaiian tracks used for the Sony Open and Tournament of Champions, Waialae and Kapalua, but the actual characteristics are somewhat different.

Undulating and with that coastal feel, Nine Bridges is packed with bunkers, thick rough and lots of water hazards; both natural and man-made lakes plonked in some really awkward places.

A general view of the 18th green during the final round of the CJ Cup…

A general view of the 18th green during the final round of the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges on October 22, 2017 in Jeju, South Korea. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

When you factor in that it can get rather windy in these parts, it won’t come as a surprise to note that just 24 of the 78-man field finished under par here in 2017. Indeed, 18/78 finished at double digits over par.

A par 72 playing at 7,309 yards, Nine Bridges offers up four par 3s and a quartet of par 5s, with both nines ending with a longer hole. They are all birdie opportunities, one way or another, but danger lurks; particularly at the 550-yard third, where Justin Thomas made a seven on Sunday 12 months ago.

There’s minimal danger off the tee given the width of the fairways, but the Bentgrass greens are small, firm and well protected.

Weather Forecast for Jeju Island, Korea

By all accounts, it’s a relatively benign week on Jeju Island.

The chance of rain is minimal, and the temperatures aren’t going to be like the close and humid conditions in Malaysia; highs of just 65 degrees are anticipated.

As mentioned, the wind is Nine Bridges’ main form of defense, but even the average wind speeds – topped on Thursday at 14 mph – are the sort of think we might expect in, say, Texas golf or out on the Scottish Links.

The complexity of the course speaks for itself, but at least the weather won’t add too much to the difficulty, according to the early forecast anyway.

Last Year’s Results from the CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges

Justin Thomas continued his fine year by collecting his fifth and final title of 2017 here, but he certainly didn’t have things all his own way.

An opening round of 63 gave him an early lead of three strokes, and many wondered if he was going to canter to victory from that point on.

But a second round of 74 shows how quickly golf events can turn around on challenging tracks like Nine Bridges.

Tough conditions on the Saturday allowed Thomas to get back in the hunt with a 70, and he shared the 54-hole lead with Scott Brown at -9.

A seven at the third meant that JT went through the opening eight holes in +2, but with nearest challenger Marc Leishman making three bogeys in four holes on the front nine he was able to regain control with three consecutive birdies at nine, ten and eleven.

Highlights | Round 4 | THE CJ CUP

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Some steady, largely error-free golf on the back nine confirmed Thomas’ dominance, but he was still taken to a play-off at -9 by the fast-finishing Aussie.

They shared the opening extra hole, but when Leishman found the water on the second JT showed why he is such a good front runner – and a multi-time major champion in waiting – by making birdie and getting his hands on the trophy.

Cameron Smith and Whee Kim rounded out the top four, with a whole bunch of players in T5 at -5.

Where to Play Fantasy Golf for the CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges this Week

The CJ Cup has the feeling of an event that plays into the hands of DFS specialists. It’s not an out-and-out birdie fest, and with a strong top-end to the salary slate there will be plenty of heads scratched as to where the value lies. So take advantage by getting stuck into these contests.

• PGA $200k Tee-to-Green: There’s a top prize of $50k available here, and in these no cut events you are never quite out of the hunt even if one of your players has a stinking round or two.
• PGA $10k Albatross: There’s a small field again but more quality at the CJ Cup than the CIMB Classic last week, and a tougher course means that DFS gamers who know their onions really are in the box seat this week. That advantage can be leveraged in this single entry contest.

This Week’s Fantasy Notes for the CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges

If you’ve read through the various sections of this preview so far, you might already have an idea of who to draft in your lineups this week.

We’ve name-checked the Sony Open and the Tournament of Champions already; two layouts that offer a variety of visual similarities to Nine Bridges. Justin Thomas has won at all too; but then, where hasn’t he won!

We might even throw the Honda Classic into the mix; that’s a tough course played in typically windy conditions in Florida where JT has also triumphed.

As far as the greens are concerned, these are traditional Bentgrass, and so there won’t be any mystery here.

The key is scrambling and putting well. These aren’t necessarily the easiest of greens to hold, and if the wind does pick up let’s not forget that holding the fairways off the tee won’t be straightforward either; quite a few of the holes require shot-shaping around dog-legged fairways.

There will be lots of up-and-downs and grinding golf that needs to be played, and with Thomas complaining of fatigue after winning last year it could also be a physical test, too. Three of the top four in 2017 were aged 25 or younger, and that might just be a factor to consider.

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Our Top 5 (and Top 2 Sleeper) Fantasy Picks and Odds to Win the CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges

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Top 5 Picks/Odds to Win the CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges

*This early in the season some players do not qualify enough stats to register a FPGP and GPFP.

Top Tier Pick #1:

Justin Thomas (Odds: 6/1, FPPG: 98.3, GPFP: 90.39 Salary: $11,600)

The 25-year-old headlined our picks for the CIMB Classic last week, and despite never quite getting into contention it was still a profitable week for his backers as JT crushed countless birdies on route to a top-five return.

As mentioned, the test is altogether different this week at Nine Bridges, but as defending champion its one we know that Thomas is capable of handling.

The phenom has a fantastic short game and can scramble with the best of them, and so while he can engage in birdie fests there is that other grinding side to his game too.

Thomas has enjoyed his golf in both Asian and Hawaii in the past couple of years, and Nine Bridges is a course that brings together the best elements of the unique conditions found at both. This is a layout tailor-made for his style of play.

Key Stats:

• SG: Tee-to-Green – 2nd
• Par 4 Scoring Average – 4th
• Bogey Avoidance – 12th

Top-Tier Pick #2:

Xander Schauffele (Odds: 33/1, FPPG: 80.0, GPFP: 64.00 Salary: $9,400)

In his young career to date, Schauffele has finished T5 and T6 in the US Open and T2 at the British Open.

That shows that he can grind it out in tough circumstances, and those attributes will be key in South Korea.

Last week didn’t quite to plan at the CIMB Classic with a solo 25th place finish, but he closed out his effort with 65-68 and, realistically, there is no shame in compiling a mere -15 at TPC Kuala Lumpur.

The 24-year-old is born and bred Californian and has won the Greenbrier Classic, so he knows Bentgrass greens inside out, and his ability to strike the ball both ways – evidenced by strong showings at Riviera and Sawgrass – bodes very well for a title charge this week.

Key Stats:

• Par 5 Birdie or Better Leaders – 16th
• Scoring Average – 55th
• SG: Tee-to-Green – 66th

Mid-Tier Pick #1:

Abraham Ancer (Odds: 80/1, FPPG: 128.5, GPFP: 102.80 Salary: $7,700)

This young man has a hot hand right now, with four top-10s within his last nine starts, and as staunch backers of his game it would be foolish for us to let Ancer go right now!

The 27-year-old followed a T7 at the Dell Technologies Championship with T5 at the CIMB Classic, and while that proves he can hang in birdie shootouts there is the grinding aspect to his game too; proven by a number of key stats last season.

With top-10s at the OHL Classic and Houston Open too, this is a guy who loves playing in the wind, so once again Abraham could be the Ancer this week.

Key Stats:

• Scrambling – 27th
• Bogey Avoidance – 32nd
• Par 4 Scoring Average – 42nd

Mid-Tier Pick #2:

Austin Cook (Odds: 125/1, FPPG: 102.0, GPFP: 81.60 Salary: $7,400)

There were no alarms for Austin Cook last week, who amassed a total of -18 on his way to a T13 finish.

That included three rounds of 68 or better, and so he is converting birdies at a decent rate right now.

Form in Malaysia followed some bright moments in the BMW Championship, where he served up rounds of 63 and 67, and so Cook is trending in the right direction.

Possessing a smart short game, there is no reason why the 27-year-old can’t improve upon his decent turn in Kuala Lumpur last week.

Key Stats:

• Scrambling – 32nd
• SG: Putting – 37th
• Par 4 Scoring Average – 42nd

Low-Tier Pick:

Stewart Cink (Odds: 100/1, FPPG: 100.5, GPFP: 105.53 Salary: $7,000)

There’s life in the old dog yet!

At the ripe old age of 45, Cink showed he can mix it with the young dudes at the CIMB Classic last week in carding a -18 total.

That confirms a strong medium-term formline, which includes three top-10s and six top-25s in total in his last nine outings.

As a former British Open champion, it will not be a surprise to learn that Cink loves a windy challenge, and a grinding test of ball-striking also plays into his hands.

Key Stats:

• SG: Approach – 8th
• Par 4 Scoring Average – 27th
• Greens in Regulation – 51st

Sleeper Pick for the CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges

Kevin Chappell (Odds: 80/1, FPPG: 71.3, GPFP: 57.71 Salary: $7,300)

A former Texas Open champion who finished inside the top-10 at the British Open in the summer, Chappell is a man who loves a windy assignment.

He played really nicely too at the CIMB Classic, carding three rounds of 67 or better in his T10 finish.

The 65 he recorded to close out the event was bettered by two players only, and so confidence will surely be high as he heads to South Korea.

Key Stats:

• Total Driving – 18th
• SG: Approach – 35th
• Birdie Average – 55th

Alternative Sleeper Pick for the CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges

Adam Hadwin (Odds: 150/1, FPPG: 41.0, GPFP: 51.25 Salary: $7,100)

This is quite a left-field choice, and one you suspect will guarantee low ownership.

When you look at Hadwin’s recent form in isolation it’s hardly impressive, but inspect the details more closely and you might find reasons to be cheerful.

There was T11 at the Northern Trust, a solid T21 at the Dell Technologies and then T19 at the BMW Championship, where the Canadian closed out 63-67.

And yes, he missed the cut at the Safeway Open last time out, but only after carding a 69 in his second round.

Hadwin tends to save his best for hard, doglegging layouts (think Riviera and Innisbrook), and so Nine Bridges should suit.

Key Stats:

• Par 4 Scoring Average – 27th
• SG: Around-the-Green – 31st
• Greens in Regulation – 51st

This Week’s Sample DraftKings Lineup

Note: Sample lineups provided as examples only.  Be sure to mix-and-match players to best fit individual contests.

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Fantasy Golf Predictions This Season (2018-2019)

[skill_bar heading=”Total Top 3s” percent=”0%” bar_text=”0 out of 14 picks” style=”background-color: #5fb341″][skill_bar heading=”Total Top 10s” percent=”28.57%” bar_text=”4 out of 14 picks” style=”background-color: #5fb341″][skill_bar heading=”Total Top 25s” percent=”50%” bar_text=”7 out of 14 picks” style=”background-color: #5fb341″][skill_bar heading=”Total Winners Picked” percent=”0%” bar_text=”0 out of 2 events” style=”background-color: #5fb341″][skill_bar heading=”Total Runners-Up Picked” percent=”0%” bar_text=”0 out of 2 events” style=”background-color: #5fb341″][skill_bar heading=”Total Made Cuts (Includes Sleepers)” percent=”85.71%” bar_text=”12 out of 14 picks” style=”background-color: #5fb341″]

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