Fantasy Golf Predictions
Fantasy Golf Picks, Odds, and Predictions – PGA Championship
Fantasy Golf Picks, Odds, and Predictions for the PGA Championship
2019 PGA Championship Fantasy Preview
It’s an event that was once billed ‘Glory’s Last Shot’ such was its place in the PGA TOUR calendar, and that gave away a tendency among the great and the good to overlook the former fourth major in the schedule – especially with FedExCup riches to chase and occasional events such as the Ryder Cup or Olympic Games to look forward to.
The PGA committee have finally seen sense and airdropped the PGA Championship into a May slot, and that’s a move that makes all kinds of sense.
You feel as though there is renewed vigor for the tournament then, and with proceedings heading to the much-loved Bethpage State Park in Long Island there should be no lacking in motivation from the players.
Brooks Koepka will look to defend the title he won at Bellerive in September, holding off the charge of the renewed Tiger Woods in the process, and he will look to become the first man to win consecutive editions of the PGA Championship since Tiger in 2006/07.
Of course, he will be challenged hard by a high-quality field that features the vast majority of the world’s top 100 players.
Tiger Woods of the United States looks on during a practice round…
Tiger Woods of the United States looks on during a practice round prior to the PGA Championship at Bethpage Black on May 13, 2019 in Bethpage, New York. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
Last Week’s Fantasy Results
Last week in Texas, Sung Kang took home the trophy as the final tune-up before the second major kicks off. Kang wasn’t on our radar, but we ended up with a solid 2nd place finish from Scott Piercy on our Tuesday Sleeper Report.
Overall we missed 3 cuts, but managed a T5 from Matt Jones.
Now off to New York, where a stacked major field will make your head spin.
Sung Kang of Korea poses for a photo with the trophy after winning…
Sung Kang of Korea poses for a photo with the trophy after winning the AT&T Byron Nelson at Trinity Forest Golf Club on May 12, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
The 2019 PGA Championship Field
There are more narratives than you can shake a stick at this week.
Tiger Woods goes for his 16th major title, while Jordan Spieth – it’s unlikely but you never know – looks to complete the career grand slam.
Rory McIlroy’s own attempt at golfing perfection fell rather flat at Augusta, but he ahs the form to thrive at Bethpage, while Dustin Johnson will be desperate to add to his meager (by his standards) one major title.
Mind you, the likes of Jon Rahm, Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele just want to get off the mark!
Phil Mickelson will be looking to go one better at Bethpage Black having finished runner-up here in both 2002 and 2009.
Brroks Koeka of USA plays a shot during the final round at the AT&T…
Brroks Koeka of USA plays a shot during the final round at the AT&T Byron Nelson at Trinity Forest Golf Club on May 12, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
This Week’s Course Preview
Bethpage Black, occasional US Open host and venue for the Northern Trust, will surely show its teeth this week in a layout more accustomed to a major than birdie-making.
It’s an almost painfully long Par 70 at 7,459 yards, and with New York blasted by rain and cold temperatures in recent weeks – in April there were 16 consecutive days of rain – it could play even longer still this week.
The A.W. Tillinghast design features the unique title of having at least two bunkers per hole – many more in some cases – and with dense tree lines there really is no escape for the players.
The Poa Annua greens typically play fast too, although any rain in the area may just slow them down below the normal 12 on the stimp.
But rumor has it that the big cheeses at the PGA of America like the PGA Championship to be a scoreable major, and so that’s why the rough has been kept to just a couple of inches.
In the words of Kerry Haigh, chief championships officer, ‘if we have soft greens and no wind, I would expect and hope that everyone scores well’.
The greens are smaller than average, elevated and well protected, but as Haigh says without the presence of any strong winds Bethpage could be at its easiest in May following weeks of precipitation.
The Northern Trust (or the Barclays as it was known) of 2016 saw five of the first six players home average more than 300 yards off the tee, and that appears to be the key once again in an assignment that could be a test of physical strength and stamina as much as anything else.
Patrick Reed hits his tee shot on the 17th hole during the final…
Patrick Reed hits his tee shot on the 17th hole during the final round of The Barclays in the PGA Tour FedExCup Play-Offs on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park on August 28, 2016 in Farmingdale,… Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
Weather Forecast for Farmingdale, NY
Previous events at Bethpage in the summer have been blighted by red hot temperatures and lightning fast greens….neither looks likely this week.
Indeed, the forecast this time around in Farmingdale is a distinctly chilly 64°F, and a lack of humidity will not aid the shorter hitters in the field.
The relief that all four days should pass by in relatively dry fashion, indeed the predicted precipitation levels do not get above 20% for any of the days of action.
And as for the notorious winds in these parts….forecasts of 9-11 mph won’t be keeping the players up at night, although we would expect the breeze to be stronger at local level.
Last Year’s Results from the PGA Championship
Brooks Koepka became a major champion for the third in little over a year when he recorded a sublime -16 at Bellerive to take the spoils by two strokes from Tiger Woods.
Anybody seeking confirmation that Tiger was ‘back’ got it when he closed with 64, but it wasn’t enough to overthrow Koepka, who found an extra gear himself on Sunday.
The champion showed tremendous character to quieten a crowd that so clearly wanted Tiger to triumph, making three consecutive birdies to round out his front nine and a couple more at 15 and 16 to seal the deal.
Adam Scott enjoyed solo third, three back at -13, while Jon Rahm and the evergreen Stewart Cink settled for a share of fourth place. Defending champion Justin Thomas was back in T6.
Brooks Koepka of the United States celebrates with the Wanamaker…
Brooks Koepka of the United States celebrates with the Wanamaker Trophy on the 18th green after winning the 2018 PGA Championship with a score of -16 at Bellerive Country Club on August 12, 2018 in… Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images
Where to Play Fantasy Golf for the PGA Championship this Week
We’re in major territory this week, and that can only mean one thing: an opportunity to play a hugely diverse slate with some ginormous cash prizes up for grabs!
- PGA $3M Fantasy Millionaire: Come Sunday evening, DraftKings will have created another millionaire – duplicate line-ups aside – and that’s not be sniffed at for just $20. There’s the small consolation of banking $7,000 for a top-ten finish as well.
- PGA $150k Drive the Green: There’s stacks of options available to DFS gamers this week, and narrowing the slate down to just two contests is a difficult task. But how about this $5 affair, which offers a $15k top prize and a guaranteed 2x payout for the top 20% of players.
This Week’s Fantasy Notes for the PGA Championship
When analyzing Bethpage Black, we have a varied array of notes to delve into.
But are we expecting a US Open style layout, where the winning scores barely got above level par, or a more Barclays (Northern Trust) style track where scoring was much easier?
We’re going to go with a blend of the two, given that Bethpage will play as a mightily long Par 70 this week.
The PGA of America are said to have requested a scoreable course, though, so expect an agreeable first cut of rough barely more than a couple of inches long….that will add some width to otherwise fairly narrow fairways.
And with cold temperatures and a wet spring, it seems unlikely that the greens will play particularly quickly.
How else can handicappers and gamers separate the field this week? Well, the Poa Annua angle is an interesting one, given that so few PGA tournaments are played on the surface at this time of year especially.
And we’ve been taking a deep dive into form at other Tillinghast tracks: Ridgewood (occasional home of the Northern Trust), Baltusrol (PGA Championship 2016) and Winged Foot, host of the 2006 US Open and back on the rotation in 2020.
Last consideration on the list is the fact that this is a major with a renewed feel in 2019. With that in mind, we’re expecting the cream of the crop to rise to the top in what could be fun conditions at Bethpage Black.
[membership level=”0″]
Our Top 5 (and Top 2 Sleeper) Fantasy Picks and Odds to Win the PGA Championship
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 PGA Championship
Top Tier Pick #1:
Brooks Koepka (Odds: 12/1, FPPG: 83.7, GPFP: 106.27 Salary: $10,400)
This being a major, there is of course good competition for our salary cap this week.
We’ve pointed out a few reasons why we think the big hitters can thrive this week, and of all the bombers the one that stands out the most at the prices is Brooks Koepka.
Here’s a guy who, yet to turn 30, has three majors wins to his name, plus a trio of other top-fives and a T6 and T10 at the British Open.
One of the other appealing factors about Brooks this week is that he has consolidated his Masters form with a decent solo fourth at the AT&T Byron Nelson last time out. He was excellent from tee-to-green, by and large, and putted well too. Koepka was a few duffed chips away from contending.
But as we know, it’s the majors where he really earns his corn, and a switch to the East Coast on a long, hard golf course should suit him to a tee.
Key Stats:
- Total Driving – 9th
- Greens in Regulation – 14th
- Par 4 Scoring Average – 15th
Top-Tier Pick #2:
Jason Day (Odds: 25/1, FPPG: 76.3, GPFP: 90.06 Salary: $9,000)
When predicting who will perform well in the majors we have to take a look back through the history books, and one man who’s form in the big ones is impeccable is Jason Day.
The Australian runs such a light schedule on the PGA TOUR he almost goes under the radar in events like this despite incredible pedigree: Day has 15 major top-tens to his name, with top-fives in all four of the biggies and, of course, his win in the PGA Championship of 2015.
Despite complaining of stiffness in his back (again), the 31-year-old banked a T5 at Augusta in his penultimate start, and he played well enough last time out at Quail Hollow to suggest he can contend again.
Day is also one of the few who can call upon a previous top-ten at Bethpage Black, which came at the Barclays of 2016.
Key Stats:
- SG: Off-the-Tee – 5th
- SG: Putting – 11th
- Par 4 Scoring Average – 15th
Mid-Tier Pick #1:
Tony Finau (Odds: 40/1, FPPG: 79.8, GPFP: 94.93 Salary: $8,800)
Given that there’s a couple of bargain basement picks that really catch the eye this week, that means we can invest a decent slice of our salary cap into another expensive selection.
But we’re confident that Tony Finau can live up to the billing. As one of the longest hitters around he should be in his element here, and he has also delivered plenty of good results on Poa Annua in the past too.
Normally consistently good, Finau’s game has been a little off in recent months and yet he has still turned up where it really matters: T5 at the Masters and T22 at THE PLAYERS Championship is not the form of a man ready for the scrapheap.
A runner-up at the Tillinghast-designed Ridgewood last season, big things can be expected from Finau this week.
Key Stats:
- Driving Distance – 6th
- Scoring Average – 20th
- Bogey Avoidance – 45th
Mid-Tier Pick #2:
Aaron Wise (Odds: 120/1, FPPG: 65.5, GPFP: 52.34 Salary: $7,100)
One of the best drivers around, there is just something about the way Aaron Wise carries himself on the golf course which suggests he’s a major winner in waiting.
There’s a long way to go before he reaches elite levels, of course, but his form is improving and at a course that should suit we – and he – can be positive about his chances.
Wise found some form just in time for his Augusta date, where he finished a more-than-credible T17 after opening with a round of 75.
A decent outing at Quail Hollow (T18) followed, as did a fair enough defense of his maiden PGA TOUR title last week at Trinity Forest, where he opened 69-69-66.
Key Stats:
- SG: Off-the-Tee – 16th
- Greens in Regulation – 23rd
- Bogey Avoidance – 60th
Low-Tier Pick:
Scott Piercy (Odds: 200/1, FPPG: 79.6, GPFP: 67.63 Salary: $6,500)
Here’s an almost giveaway price on a player who didn’t make a single bogey at Trinity Forest last week!
Okay, so that layout is much easier than Bethpage Black, but even so it takes some effort to avoid any mistakes and close out 63-64 to take a share of second place.
Piercy has had a good few looks at Bethpage in the past, with a best of T22, and a confirmed ability of playing in the wind bodes very nicely should Long Island show its teeth.
Admittedly, Piercy isn’t the longest hitter in the world, but he is sublime from tee-to-green, and with his putting improving steadily there’s absolutely no reason why he should be this price. Take advantage!
Key Stats:
- Greens in Regulation – 8th
- Bogey Avoidance – 8th
- Scoring Average – 26th
Sleeper Pick for the PGA Championship
Charley Hoffman (Odds: 150/1, FPPG: 69.4, GPFP: 66.56 Salary: $7,100)
Another player who reserves some of his best form for the majors is Charley Hoffman.
With top-10s in the Masters and US Open plus back-to-back top-20s in the British Open, the Hoff has a habit of hanging well in the big ones and a shift in the schedule to May here should suit a man who appears to have struggled to motivate himself for Glory’s Last Shot in September.
A Californian who has won the Texas Open and the Mayakoba Classic, there’s no doubting that Hoffman is comfortable in the wind, and he showed that when finishing T13 here in 2016.
Key Stats:
- SG: Off-the-Tee – 46th
- SG: Approach – 52nd
- SG: Putting – 61st
Alternative Sleeper Pick for the PGA Championship
Jhonattan Vegas (Odds: 150/1, FPPG: 69.4, GPFP: 85.40 Salary: $7,100)
Another bargain who appears to have a lot going for him this week is Jhonattan Vegas.
The Venezuelan has been trending very nicely of late, with a T8 last time out at Quail Hollow following T3 at the PLAYERS, T16 at the Honda Classic and T23 at the Arnold Palmer.
Vegas has worked hard at this game and is much tidier from tee-to-green these days, and that – backed by an excellent short game and comfort in the wind – plus a high ball flight ensures he ticks plenty of boxes on Long Island.
Key Stats:
- SG: Off-the-Tee – 8th
- Bogey Avoidance – 19th
- Greens in Regulation – 35th
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 (2018-2019)
Remember to visit our private Facebook group to discuss this week’s picks for The PGA Championship with other Premium Members.
Cover Photo via Instagram
What’s Really Going on with LIV Golf?
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
New Shot Scope LM1: The Best Budget Launch Monitor Under $200?
FIRST LOOK: Titleist Unveils New Vokey WedgeWorks Grind Lineup
Did LIV Golf Finally Get its Big Breakthrough?
Blind Ranking The Most Iconic Masters Moments
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?
