Fantasy Golf Predictions
Fantasy Golf Picks, Odds, and Predictions – 2020 RSM Classic
Fantasy Golf Picks, Odds, and Predictions for the 2020 RSM Classic
The 2020 RSM Classic Fantasy Preview
It seemed inevitable that Dustin Johnson would one day slip into the green jacket, but he still had to take care of business and, with each passing year, arguably it gets that little bit harder.
But DJ is one of the coolest cats in world golf, and if he was feeling any nerves over the weekend he didn’t show them as he became the champion of the 84th edition of The Masters.
The harshest of critics will point to the fact that there was no gallery of spectators to ramp up the pressure, while the soft conditions at Augusta also meant that the 2020 edition was one of the ‘easiest’ yet.
But that should not detract from the incredible performance put in by Dustin, who hit a huge 78% of fairways from an average drive of 306 yards – Bryson take note! – and a mammoth 82% of greens in regulation.
It will be different next April, of course, but try taking DJ’s achievement away from him.
The 85th edition of The Masters is less than six months away, happily, but for now the PGA TOUR season begins to wind down towards Christmas and the holiday period. First up, we’re staying in Georgia for the RSM Classic.
Last Week’s Fantasy Results
GOTTA LOVE IT WHEN WE PICK A MAJOR WINNER!
Last week we went DJ as our horse and coupled him nicely with Im (T2) on our Tuesday Sleeper Report. Here’s what we said about DJ heading into the week:
He is a fantastic driver of a golf ball, a reliable scrambler and fast greens hold no fear for him hence why he’s served up four top-10s at Augusta National in his last quartet of visits.
The physical aspect of winning The Masters should provide no problem for DJ, who showed that his recovery from COVID-19 has been effective in his T2 effort at the Houston Open last week.
Johnson undoubtedly has as strong a chance as anyone this week, and oddly his $10,000 salary is something of a bargain as a result.
Hopefully you took our advice and ended up with a nice payday last week!
The 2020 RSM Classic 2020 Field
Normally a week after a major we’d expect a slackening of the field quality, and while there aren’t many of the big guns heading to St Simon’s Island there is still an eye-catching quality to the proceedings this week.
Webb Simpson returns to an event in which he has twice finished second, and he will be joined by Sungjae Im – so impressive at Augusta.
A trio of Englishmen – Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick – may have a say in the destination of this trophy, while the in-form Russell Henley will be hoping to cash in on his recent improvements.
Elsewhere, could major winners like Justin Rose, Jason Day or Louis Oosthuizen add a long-awaited ‘W’ to their resumé?
This Week’s Course Preview
It’s a split course event, of sorts, this week, with one of the two opening rounds played at the Plantation course at Sea Island Golf Club on St Simons Island.
This is a mightily short stretch at 7,058 yards for its Par of 72, and while the venue is located by the coast this track at least has some protection from the breeze courtesy of the thick tree-lined fairways.
The landing zones are fairly narrow here, but the rough isn’t all that penal and the overwhelming feeling is one of ease. The Bermuda greens are quite sluggish too, which will appeal to some players more than others.
The main slice of the action will unfold on the Seaside layout, which hosts 54 holes. As you have probably already guessed, this is the coastal track that is Links-style in nature and almost completely exposed to the elements, and as such it tends to play a touch trickier than Plantation.
Designed by Tom Fazio, the Seaside course plays a few yards over 7,000 for its Par 70 and features narrow fairways and large Bermuda greens that run at a fair 12-13 on the stimp.
Weather Forecast for Sea Island, GA
Aside from the possibility of a rain shower on Thursday and Sunday, the overall picture is looking pretty good on St Simons Island this week.
Dry in the lead-up, Thursday is shaping up to be unsettled with cloudy spells and precipitation a 30% chance.
Friday and Saturday can be grouped together – they will be sunny with occasional clouds and temperatures of around 73°F.
It could well rain on the Sunday too, and keep an eye on the wind speeds – they could reach up to 14 mph.
Last Year’s Results for the 2020 RSM Classic
When Tyler Duncan and Webb Simpson were locked together in a play-off last year at the RSM Classic, you wouldn’t have many takers on the underdog.
Duncan, the 150/1 outsider, had never won on the PGA TOUR, and he was up against a player in Simpson who is a major winner who simply loves it at Sea Island.
But no matter – they shared the opening play-off hole before Duncan, who had landed a 25-footer on the 72nd hole to force extra time, slammed home a 15-footer to land his maiden PGA TOUR trophy.
Sebastian Munoz finished solo third, while Brendon Todd – the kind of short, coastal golf last season – ended up alone in fourth.
Tyler Duncan wins his first PGA TOUR title | Round 4 | The RSM Classic 2019
In the final round of the 2019 The RSM Classic, Tyler Duncan rallied from four shots behind the leader to earn his first career event after two playoff holes. SUBSCRIBE to PGA TOUR now: http://pgat.us/vBxcZSh The Fall portion of the 2019-20 PGA TOUR season comes to a close at The RSM Classic this week.
Where to Play Fantasy Golf for the 2020 RSM Classic this Week
Winnings banked at The Masters should be kept close this week as the RSM Classic has that sort of crapshoot feel to it, but by all means chuck a few darts at these high value contests.
- PGA $400k 8-Iron: This is a pretty standard contest, but with $100k on the table for the winner from just an $8 entry, why not treat yourself to a few turns. Finish inside the top 20% and you will definitely bank a profit.
- PGA $50k Birdie: There’s a similar feel to this contest too, although the top 25% of players will cash. The headline numbers? A $3 entry could net the jackpot of $5k.
This Week’s Fantasy Notes for the 2020 RSM Classic
A trophy adorned with names like Kevin Kisner, Austin Cook and Mackenzie Hughes, it is pretty clear that length is no great advantage this week.
Indeed, Duncan averaged just 280 yards off the peg here last season, making Sea Island one of the most open layouts to win at on the PGA TOUR.
The fairways are quite narrow and the greens, on the Seaside track, are large, so hitting approaches from the short grass – to ensure premium proximity to the pin where possible – is probably a good idea.
We stay in Georgia but the action switches to Bermuda – remember that in your drafts, and be aware of a possible Masters hangover for guys like Sungjae Im, who was emotionally invested throughout the four days. That can take a lot out of a player; even someone like Im, who just seems to love playing golf anywhere, anytime.
There is a bit of a crapshoot feel this week, and you certainly want to be trying to ‘pre-empt’ a hot putter – that has been the trend at Sea Island in recent years.
[membership level=”0″]
Our Top 5 (and Top 2 Sleeper) Fantasy Picks and Odds to Win the 2020 RSM Classic
You must be a Premium Member to view our exclusive fantasy golf picks.
Already a member? Sign in Here.
[/membership]
[membership level=”1,2,3″]
Top 5 Picks/Odds to Win The 2020 RSM Classic
Top Tier Pick #1:
Webb Simpson (Odds: 10/1, FPPG: 87.9, GPFP: 105.44 Salary: $11,200)
To cut a long story short, we drafted Webb Simpson here 12 months ago as our top-tier pick and he lost in that play-off to Tyler Duncan.
But it was a value pick nonetheless, and last year he headed to Sea Island despite a lack of recent activity – this time around, he should be that bit sharper.
Webb has that most lovely of things: a top-10 at Augusta where, after a second round of 73, he was basically free-rolling – there was no emotional attachment to possibly winning the Masters. Relaxed, he produced some excellent golf.
T8 at the U.S. Open, T13 at Shriners and T17 at the ZOZO Championship in his three starts prior to The Masters, all is good in the Simpson camp and remember he has finished second in this event twice and also T3 – there isn’t a layout anywhere more suited to his game than the pair at Sea Island.
Simpson is by far and away the most likely winner this week, so we might as well get him on board!
Key Stats:
- Driving Accuracy – 10th
- SG: Putting – 33rd
- SG: Tee-to-Green – 39th
Top Tier Pick #2:
Russell Henley (Odds: 28/1, FPPG: 65.8, GPFP: 72.33 Salary: $10,100)
It’s a top-heavy approach this week, but one that could yield dividends with Russell Henley playing some outstanding golf of late.
The Georgia native has been hitting the purest of irons and scrambling well, and his flat stick has – at times – got hot.
Perhaps it’s a lack of length that has prevented him from getting the win his form deserves, so building on top-fives at the CJ Cup and ZOZO Championship should be a possibility at the more receptive Sea Island.
Three top-10s here set the scene, and a win on the east coast at the Honda Classic and at the relevant Sony Open suggest we can expect big things from Henley this week.
Key Stats:
- Scoring Average – 5th
- SG: Approach – 9th
- Driving Accuracy – 15th
Mid-Tier Pick #1:
Chez Reavie (Odds: 90/1, FPPG: 59.6, GPFP: 47.67 Salary: $7,500)
Chez Reavie is another player who hasn’t frequented Sea Island all that often, but the club serves up a pair of courses that should suit his eye.
A lack of length is no major bar to success this week, and as a decent wind player who is comfortable on Bermuda clearly he has the game to thrive.
Form has been patchy of late, but you tend to get that with shorter hitters, and a T3 at the Safeway Open isn’t all that far in the rear view mirror. A top-30 at The Masters continues the positive narrative.
An accurate driver with a touch of class to his iron play, Reavie can outperform his salary this week and that makes him a value pick.
Key Stats:
- Driving Accuracy – 11th
- SG: Approach – 26th
- Scrambling – 56th
Mid-Tier Pick #2:
J.T. Poston (Odds: 100/1, FPPG: 60.0, GPFP: 47.98 Salary: $7,300)
Three missed cuts at Sea Island were followed by T14 here last year, and that is an indication that the penny has dropped for J.T. Poston at a venue that should in theory be of interest to him.
A birdie machine on account of his streaky putting abilities, Poston resides on St Simons Island and that, you would assume, has to be something of an edge.
But there’s plenty of other reasons to be positive about his chances, from comfort on Bermuda and in a breeze to the sense that Poston is always better off when he can club down off the tee and keep the ball in play.
Key Stats:
- SG: Putting – 20th
- SG: Approach – 63rd
- Scoring Average – 67th
Low-Tier Pick:
Scott Piercy (Odds: 125/1, FPPG: 57.0, GPFP: 60.16 Salary: $7,000)
This is a great time of year for Scott Piercy, a player who thrives on the coast in Links-style conditions and who loves playing in the wind.
Sea Island rewards quality iron play, and given that Piercy is one of the best in the business in this department it’s amazing that he hasn’t played here in six years!
Top 20s at the Bermuda Championship and Shriners show that Piercy is warming up nicely ahead of a week he should thoroughly enjoy.
Key Stats:
- SG: Approach – 37th
- Scoring Average – 47th
- SG: Off-the-Tee – 65th
Sleeper Pick for The 2020 RSM Classic
Austin Cook (Odds: 90/1, FPPG: 56.7, GPFP: 45.35 Salary: $7,500)
Good times in abundance for Austin Cook at Sea Island, where he followed his career breakthrough victory with a solid T11 in his title defense.
We know that Cook is comfortable in the wind because lost out in a play-off at Shriners just a matter of weeks ago, and his ability to pick his way around a tighter golf course like those at Sea Island certainly holds him in good stead.
T2 at Shriners and T24 at the Houston Open, Cook brings the magic recipe of current and course form to Georgia.
Key Stats:
- Scoring Average – 21st
- Driving Accuracy – 51st
- SG: Approach – 51st
Alternative Sleeper Pick for The 2020 RSM Classic
Russell Knox (Odds: 100/1, FPPG: 53.9, GPFP: 69.04 Salary: $7,200)
Short and windy, already the excitement is beginning to build in Russell Knox ahead of his trip to Georgia.
Residing on the east coast, the Scot seems to come alive in a breeze and he will be hoping to improve on a best in this event of T20.
His incoming form is eye-catching enough with top-20s in Bermuda and Houston, and he just seems to be a rock solid pick in short, coastal outings like this.
Key Stats:
- Greens in Regulation – 5th
- Scoring Average – 35th
- SG: Approach – 59th
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.
[/membership]
Fantasy Golf Predictions This Season (2020-2021)
Remember to visit our private Facebook group to discuss this week’s picks for the 2020 RSM Classic with other Premium Members.
Cover Photo via Instagram
Blind Ranking The Most Iconic Masters Moments
FIRST LOOK: Titleist Unveils New Vokey WedgeWorks Grind Lineup
New Shot Scope LM1: The Best Budget Launch Monitor Under $200?
Did LIV Golf Finally Get its Big Breakthrough?
FIRST LOOK: Titleist’s New GTS Driver Lineup Spotted on Tour
Streamsong Unveils “Bone Valley”: A Bold New Name and Logo for Its Highly Anticipated Fifth Course
Titleist Introduces Limited-Edition Oil Can Finish on T-Series Irons
FIRST LOOK: Titleist’s New GTS Driver Lineup Spotted on Tour
6 Big Changes Coming to the PGA TOUR
New Shot Scope LM1: The Best Budget Launch Monitor Under $200?
We Played This Old Golf Course Where Thomas Edison Was A Member
Are You MEASURING Your Golf Swing Correctly? (This Can Help)
Zach Johnson Explains Why He Didn’t Pick Bryson DeChambeau for the Ryder Cup
Justin Thomas FIRES Coach before Ryder Cup…Who’s Next?
