Connect with us

Fantasy Golf Predictions

Fantasy Golf Picks, Odds, & Predictions – The Quicken Loans National

Published

on

Fantasy-Golf-Picks-Odds-&-Predictions-The-Quicken-Loans-National-2018-Small

Fantasy Golf Picks, Odds, and Predictions for The Quick Loans National

2018 Quicken Loans National Fantasy Preview

The pressure of playing in the final group on a Sunday speaks for itself, and while some thrive under it others simply struggle to get over the line.

Paul Casey ended a lengthy title drought earlier in the season at the Valspar Championship, but he wasn’t even in the frame heading into the concluding day; hence his pressure-free round of 65, which proved good enough to get him over the line.

Paul Casey of England plays his shot from the fifth tee during the…

Paul Casey of England plays his shot from the fifth tee during the final round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 24, 2018 in Cromwell, Connecticut. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

Compare and contrast that to his efforts on Sunday at the Travelers Championship, where his 72 was the worst round of any of the top-40 finishers. His playing partner Russell Henley too baulked in the spotlight, never getting going as his 69 saw him slump from solo second to T6.

The chief beneficiary was Bubba Watson, who once again showed the DFS community that banking on proven winners is always the way to go. His final round of 63 saw him blitz the field and leap from nowhere to the winner’s circle; just as Casey had done at the Valspar in the spring.

It was Bubba’s third win since February, and his place on the Ryder Cup team is surely in the bag.

Speaking of which, there’s plenty of ranking points available at this week’s Quicken Loans National, but a pretty poor field will line up at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm in Maryland. Somebody might just throw their hat into the ring for selection for Team USA this week.

Last Week’s Fantasy Results 

Bubba captured his third victory at TPC River Highlands; but unfortunately he wasn’t a top pick on our radar. However, our two sleeper picks still fared well with Henley (T6) and Lahiri (T9) adding some bonus points to any Bubba/Casey heavy lineups.

Bubba Watson of the United States poses with the trophy after winning…

Bubba Watson of the United States poses with the trophy after winning the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 24, 2018 in Cromwell, Connecticut. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

The Quicken Loans National 2018 Field

This field has the feel of a post-major gathering; quite unlike last week’s star-studded entourage.

Rickie Fowler is the headliner and will be in good spirits after his closing 65 at the US Open, while Marc Leishman will be looking to find some form at a course he finished T5 at just 12 months ago.

Otherwise, there are only two other members of the world’s top 30 in tow in Francesco Molinari and Kiradech Aphibarnrat!

Tiger Woods of the United States waves on the 15th green during the…

Tiger Woods of the United States waves on the 15th green during the second round of the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on June 15, 2018 in Southampton, New York. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

Kyle Stanley will look to defend the title he won in a playoff last year – Charles Howell III, the vanquished combatant, will look to go one better, while Tiger Woods, who established this event more than a decade ago, makes a long-awaited playing return in Maryland.

There’s something for all ages at TPC Potomac, with 45-year-old Stewart Cink, who closed out with a fantastic round of 62 at River Highlands on Sunday, teeing up alongside the precocious 19-year-old Joaquin Niemann.

This Week’s Course Preview

One of the reasons why may have chosen to stay away this week is the complexity of this TPC Potomac layout, which Justin Thomas described as a venue ‘you could 100% host a U.S. Open starting here tomorrow.’

Rickie Fowler approaches the 18th green during the final round of the…

Rickie Fowler approaches the 18th green during the final round of the Quicken Loans National on July 02, 2017 at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm in Potomac, MD. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

Those still with the jitters from Shinnecock Hills may just have opted to stay under the radar for one more week….

This is a Par 70 stretch at 7,139 yards in its second year of hosting this event after a complete overhaul following the demise of the Booz Allen Classic. The likes of Pete Dye, Tom Fazio and Fred Funk all came in and redesigned holes, and the result is a test of seemingly major proportion.

The narrows are extremely narrow – at 30-35 yards, almost ten paces less than those at Shinnecock Hills, and the rough and fescue grasses have been allowed to grow long and wild.

The Bentgrass greens are undulating and lightning quick, and well protected by heavy bunkering.

Really, the emphasis this week is on finding fairways and greens in regulation at all costs; nothing else will get the job done.

Weather Forecast for Potomac, MD

The most interesting observation from the early weather forecast – which is subject to change, of course – are the thunderstorms and bursts of rain expected to hit Avenel Farm on Wednesday.

If the forecast is correct, then conditions should soften suitably prior to the first tee on Thursday morning, and that should at least make the task of finding these tricky greens a touch easier.

That said, there’s plenty of sunshine and a steady, if unspectacular, breeze around on Thursday and Friday, and that will ensure a return to the familiar if unwanted hard, bouncy fairways and greens in time for the weekend.

Saturday ad Sunday are both expected to be hot – up to around 93 degrees in fact – with little wind to speak of. It will be a hot and humid task of winning this championship, that’s for sure.

Last Year’s Results from The Quicken Loans National

It was our first look at the renovated TPC Potomac 12 months ago, and it would be fair to say that with the week’s lowest round being a solitary 64 from Nick Watney, the players found proceedings rather difficult.

Indeed, Kyle Stanley’s winning mark of -7 confirms the point, although at the halfway stage David Lingmerth was on -10 and seemingly cruising to victory.

The Swede led by two at the halfway stage from Geoff Ogilvy and was still a shot clear heading into Sunday despite carding a Saturday 73.

Neither Stanley nor his playoff opponent, Charles Howell III, were really in the mix at this point, but they kept their heads while all around them were losing theirs, and rounds of 66 were enough to boost the duo to the top of the leaderboard.

Stanley won on the first extra hole when Howell III missed his par putt, and the champion’s successful five-footer sparked tears and celebrations as he ended a five-year title drought on the PGA TOUR.

Highlights | Round 4 | Quicken Loans

SUBSCRIBE to PGA TOUR now: http://pgat.us/vBxcZSh In the final round of the 2017 Quicken Loans National, Kyle Stanley climbed up the leaderboard to get into a playoff with Charles Howell III eventually emerging the victor to earn his second career PGA TOUR win. The Quicken Loans National returns to TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm.

Where to Play Fantasy Golf for The Quicken Loans National this Week

A low-quality field brings with it a slightly light slate of contests for the Quicken Loans National, but even so there is money to be made in a week where research and insight is key!

  • PGA $525k Drive the Green: Even in a rather low-key week, there’s still the chance to trouser the $100k top prize in this $5 contest, with the top 295 players trousering a minimum of $50.
  • PGA $40k Albatross: If you are really confident of drafting a winning line-up this week, take a punt on this single entry, 3921-team contest which hands the winner a cool $4k!

This Week’s Fantasy Notes for The Quicken Loans National

Comparisons to US Open venues and a winning mark of -7; the 2017 edition of the Quicken Loans National taught us plenty of lessons.

The concept at TPC Potomac is very simple. Stay out of trouble off the tee, and then dial in your irons to ensure you find these slick Bentgrass greens; chipping onto such small, undulating surfaces is no fun for anyone.

If we look at Stanley’s run to the title 12 months ago, we note he ranked third for Driving Accuracy and first for Greens in Regulation – it really isn’t rocket science how to be successful here.

Stanley and Howell III made just two bogeys between them on the final day, and perhaps that is the winning formula this week: hang around the leaders until Sunday, card a bogey-free round of 66 or 67 and then retreat to the safety of the clubhouse as the leaders look to cling onto their lead.

It’s a shame to say it, but TPC Potomac isn’t a layout that rewards attacking golf, so draft those who are willing to play within themselves and not go seeking out birdie opportunities that aren’t there.

As for correlating courses, we’re a bit short on inspiration this week but maybe Riviera, host of the Genesis Open, is worth a look. That has Tom Fazio’s fingerprints on it, and is a tough stretch with quick Bentgrass greens protected by strategic bunkering. Riviera will host the US Open in a few years’ time, and so that’s the level of complexity we are looking for.

Our Top 5 (and Top 2 Sleeper) Fantasy Picks and Odds to Win The Quicken Loans National

You must be a Premium Member to view our exclusive fantasy golf picks.

[prompt type=”left” button_icon=”bolt” circle=”true” title=”Go Premium Today!” message=”Dominate your fantasy golf league with Golficity’s expert picks. Sign up for a Golficity Premium Membership to get full access to our weekly fantasy golf predictions segment and so much more.” button_text=”Get Started Here” href=”//golficity.com/premium-membership-fantasy-golf-predictions/”]
Already a member? Sign in Here.

Fantasy Golf Predictions This Season (2017-2018)

[counter num_start=”0″ num_end=”31″ num_speed=”5000″ text_above=”Tourneys Played ’17 -’18” text_below=”217 Picks”]
[counter num_start=”0″ num_end=”23173386″ num_speed=”5000″ num_prefix=”$” text_above=”Season Earnings” text_below=”$747,528 average”]
[skill_bar heading=”Total Top 3s” percent=”7.37%” bar_text=”16 out of 217 picks” style=”background-color: #5fb341″][skill_bar heading=”Total Top 10s” percent=”18.89%” bar_text=”41 out of 217 picks” style=”background-color: #5fb341″][skill_bar heading=”Total Top 25s” percent=”36.86%” bar_text=”80 out of 217 picks” style=”background-color: #5fb341″][skill_bar heading=”Total Winners Picked” percent=”9.68%” bar_text=”3 out of 31 events” style=”background-color: #5fb341″][skill_bar heading=”Total Runners-Up Picked” percent=”22.58%” bar_text=”7 out of 31 events” style=”background-color: #5fb341″][skill_bar heading=”Total Made Cuts (Includes Sleepers)” percent=”75.11%” bar_text=”163 out of 217 picks” style=”background-color: #5fb341″]

Remember to visit our private Facebook group to discuss this week’s picks for The Quick Loans National with other Premium Members.


Cover Photo via Instagram

Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Trending

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x