daily fantasy sports articles

The next stop on the PGA Tour sees a quality field compete in the desert at the Waste Management Phoenix Open held at TPC Scottsdale. One of the most attended tournaments on the calendar with over 600,000 attendees over the four days, the event has become world famous for the courses 16^th hole. The par 3 “party” hole can hold 20,000 spectators in an enclosed stadium, which after some refreshments could make the noise of 50,000!

The course is a Par 71 that measures 7,266 yards. It’s a desert course but is notoriously tight in nature. There are water hazards in play on seven of the holes and strategically placed bunkers that golfers will have to work around off the tee. The par 5’s are drivable in 2 strokes, so the long hitters are in play. The type of golfer that we should target are good ball strikers and tee to green players. The winning score is around the -15 so we want golfers who have plenty opportunities at birdies.

22 of the top 30 in the FedEx cup standings will be competing in the event including current points standing leader Xander Schauffele. The weather is forecasted to be very un-desert like - rain and low temperatures could enhance the big bombers once again.

DraftKings lead the way in daily fantasy golf and have the $400,000 Drive the Green for a $5 entry and the popular $20,000 Caddie which is a $6 single entry.

For those who like smaller fields, at Moneyball a $10 entry for $500 is in the lobby.

Here are my tips for the Waste Management Phoenix Open!

Hideki Matsuyama ($10,700 DK $8,600 MB) – Tied for 3^rd at last week’s Farmers Insurance open and has an excellent record at the course (Won twice in 2016 and 2017 before withdrawing injury in 2018 after shooting 69 in the first round), Matsuyama is the bookies 3^rd favourite but don’t be surprised if his odds come in before the 1^st round. His average round is 67.4 from 17 rounds at the course, just loves TPC Scottsdale and is a great play if you can afford him.

Phil Mickelson ($9,300 DK $7,400 MB) – The Arizona State University native is teeing up his record 30^th appearance at the course. The three-time winner of the event is having a purple patch on desert courses this season after his T2 in the Desert Classic. His past years at the event have been T11, T16 and T5 since 2016. At the Desert Classic Mickelson led the field in driving distance and made a staggering 27 birdies. “Lefty” will be the one of spectator’s favourite and will rise to occasion after a week off last week.

Webb Simpson ($9,900 DK $7,900 MB) – Simpson profiles for TPC Scottsdale exceptionally well as his record at the event shows. From 2011-2017, Simpson has gone 5-for-5 with a playoff loss and no worse than a T14. Arrives with four top 10s and a T15 in the last five starts. Well rested after missing the Desert Classic and the Farmers Insurance open, hopefully Simpson is low owned for the event.

Jon Rahm ($11,500 DK $9,200 MB) – Highest salary on the slate and deservedly so. Jumped out of the blocks at Torrey Pines with a -10 round of 62, although he went on to finish tied for 5th after not converting numerous chances down the stretch. Rahm is sure to be a fan favourite this weekend as an Arizona University alumnus, and it is going to be difficult fading him when his metrics are all above the tour’s average.

Joel Dahmen ($6,900 DK $5,400 MB) – My value play of the event, he tied for 9^th in the Farmers Insurance tournament and has made the last 8 cuts in a row. Dahmen didn’t play the fairways well but his short game and putting was exceptional at Torrey Pines. Look for Dahmen to attack the par 5’s as he is currently ranked 5^th in the PGA for going for the greens on par 5’s making birdie or better.

The one I am looking to avoid is Rickie Fowler ($9,400 DK $7,500 MB). Fowler only broke par once at Torrey Pines last week with his approach game letting him down. Fowler is currently playing a new ball which can take a little time getting used to. Fowler has however finished the event as a two-time runner up which hopefully inflates his ownership.

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