Club de Golf Chapultepec

Club de Golf Chapultepec is the 3rd time host of the World Golf Championship (also known as WGC) in the outskirts of Mexico City. Being a WGC event, only a select field of 72 golfers will get the opportunity to play in the non-cut event. The course is a par 71 measuring 7,345 yards. Being at altitude, the course will play shorter as the air is thinner and the ball will fly further. Golfers will have a tough time working out the yardage book and tough for the caddies when golfers can hit 10% further off the club than at sea level.

With the event being played at the course for only the 3rd time, there is little course history to go on, but being a WGC event, we do not need to delve into the lower end of a standard PGA tour field.

With all four rounds in Mexico – making birdies and eagles should be more of a focus and the big bombers will be back in the pack as the course is tight and tree-lined. So, this means more iron play off the tee, bringing the shot makers in. Greens, though, are very tricky and above average in 3-putts last year means a premium on par saves with the putter.

DraftKings have posted a $500,000 “Drive the Green” contest with a buy-in for $5.00 and there are also various single and 3 entry max contests in the lobby. Moneyball has posted a $500 contest which again will increase with entries for the $10 buy-in.

So, with all this to contend with, it is the who’s who in picks this week. I must add, my “selections to avoid” has been running so COLD this year! Fowler, McIlory and Tiger have made me look foolish with great performances when I suggest avoiding, let’s hope this trend stops this week!

Justin Thomas ($11,800 DK $9,400 MB) – Most expensive golfer on the slate and the data backs up the price tag. Was unfortunate to have the putter go cold on Sunday at Riviera and miss out on the win. Thomas leads the tour in strokes gained from tee to green and strokes gained on approach. Add the history of two top 5’s at this event, Thomas is on the redemption narrative this week.

Hideki Matsuyama ($9,000 DK $7,200 MB) – If Thomas is number 1 in strokes gained from tee to green then Matsuyama is number 2. Last three starts on the PGA tour have all been T15’s or better. Can get on a birdie blitz at any time and we need birdies this week in our fantasy scores. Great stud option but with a discount this week.

Garry Woodland ($7,900 DK $6,300 MB) – Wait a second, let me get this straight; Woodland is currently 3rd in the Fedex standings, has 6 top 10’s this season out of 8 events, 4th in the PGA in strokes gained from tee to green and he is salary under 8K? Woodland missed the rain swept event at the Genesis and will revel in the great conditions in Mexico. Great salary for a golfer of his calibre.    

Brooks Koepka ($9,800 DK $7,800 MB) - The reigning PGA TOUR Player of the Year, Koepka is in search of his first World Golf Championships crown and second PGA TOUR win of the season. Currently ranked number 2 in the world, Koepka has been quiet on the scene with a missed cut in Saudi Arabia a few weeks back. Will be low owned with the lack of play, but we get four rounds this week and worth a GPP shot.

Emiliano Grillo ($6,900 DK $5,500 MB) – Going to need to eat the value chalk here as Grillo is too cheap this week. Has not missed a cut in 8 starts this season and has great upside with other golfers in this price range. I am big on the strokes gained on approach this week and Grillo is ranked top 5 this season on the PGA tour. If you wanted to fade Grillo, then have a look Hao-Tong Li at $7,400 DK & $5,900 MB who is touted as a future star.

Bryson DeChambeau ($10,000 DK $8,000) – Ok so DeChambeau is my fade this week and I am going to play the altitude card. I am sure it is going to mess with the field and I see DeChambeau having trouble as this is first visit to Mexico in a WGC event. He is also too expensive for me as well.

DraftKings

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