When I am writing in peak form, these previews come out on Tuesday night with some attempt at a clever self-referential introduction designed to make the fuck-ups out there think, "well, at least I'm not alone." So here I sit trying to polish this turd on Wednesday afternoon after a long weekend playing lacrosse in Florida with a group of fellow miscreants that provided too much fodder for just a couple of intro paragraphs so you will hopefully find it as a stand-alone post later this week. That, however, will depend on whether intermittent waves of pain and codeine induced haze serve as writing facilitators or inhibitors. (How's that for a tease?) I can't wait to find out myself.
For now, however, we're just going to stick with the mission statement of doling-out great fantasy golf advice and, for the first time in the history of the Fantasy Golf Report, we may actually be fulfilling that objective coming-off a week when we ignored conventional bullshit and gave you Abraham Ancer (2nd), Scottie Scheffler (3rd) and Bud Cauley (T4th). I think after all of these freakin' years, we might finally be onto something. We'll see. But first . . .
TWEET OF THE WEEK
For the second week in a row I'm featuring my own tweet because I can.
SUDDENLY SALIENT GOLF ANALYSIS
I know it can be dangerous to continue to run against historical trends, especially at a course like Torrey Pines which ranks high on the list of places where you can count on a handful of players to perform every year but I'm doing it anyway. Kind of. Logic would dictate that you start with Tiger Woods, Jason Day, Justin Rose and Brandt Snedeker without even blinking and then get creative from there. I have no reason to tell you to shy away from Rose other than the fact that I like Jon Rahm better in that top tier and Sneds is never a bad pick here but consider the following with regards to Messieurs Woods and Day:
1. Health is an issue for these two more than any other top players in the world over the past five years and the ocean side temps this week are going to start in the low 50's. That ain't prime creaky middle aged guy weather. Trust me.
2. Day has not had a top ten since the 2019 Travelers. Yes he's the kind of player who can turn it around in a hurry but that's a far cry from the consistent form he was showing upon arrival when he finished 1st and T5th the last two years.
3. I don't really have a third thing so see points 1 and 2.
Here's another thing you better damn well consider about Torrey Pines. New guys generally do not fare well here. If you look at the recent leaderboards, you'd be hard-pressed to find a random young guy in the top ten other than Talor Gooch's T3 last year. So initially I had Scottie Scheffler and Colin Morikawa in the mix but they have been summarily dismissed in favor of Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman. No offense boys. It's not you. It's Torrey Pines.
With that being said, I am taking a flyer on Lanto Griffin because come on, how great is that name? Also, he finished T12 here in 2018 so he is not without credentials. Rounding-out the top ten are Bud Cauley who will have a big comeback year sooner or later, Keegan Bradley who is a great fit and is playing well, and Scott Stallings who won here in 2014 and backed that up by finishing second in 2015.
And with that all over the road lead-up, I'm picking Tony Finau this week. He's got the perfect long ball game and the kind of record here that is clearly trending towards a title. And with all due respect to the Puerto Rico Open, he is far too good a player for that to be the signature (and only) win of his career at this point. Oh and if you haven't already used Jon Rahm, pick him instead.
One and Done Pick: Tony Finau
Other Guy I'd Pick: Jon Rahm
Sleeper Pick: Scott Stallings
DraftKings Top Ten Values
And here is everyone who warranted consideration this week. Best of the rest would include Gary Woodland, Ryan Palmer, Jason Kokrak and Rory Sabbatini. At least two of them will find their way into the top ten forcing me to slightly overreact and regret every decision I've ever made in my life.
THE AARON RODGERS MEMORIAL
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE CHART
Email the Fantasy Golf Report at fgr@fantasygolfreport.com
For now, however, we're just going to stick with the mission statement of doling-out great fantasy golf advice and, for the first time in the history of the Fantasy Golf Report, we may actually be fulfilling that objective coming-off a week when we ignored conventional bullshit and gave you Abraham Ancer (2nd), Scottie Scheffler (3rd) and Bud Cauley (T4th). I think after all of these freakin' years, we might finally be onto something. We'll see. But first . . .
TWEET OF THE WEEK
For the second week in a row I'm featuring my own tweet because I can.
The kitchen is closed in this terminal (which I politely questioned) and people are giving me their leftover food which now makes me wonder if I come across as charming or desperate.— Ronny Elliott (@FantasyGolfRep) January 20, 2020
SUDDENLY SALIENT GOLF ANALYSIS
I know it can be dangerous to continue to run against historical trends, especially at a course like Torrey Pines which ranks high on the list of places where you can count on a handful of players to perform every year but I'm doing it anyway. Kind of. Logic would dictate that you start with Tiger Woods, Jason Day, Justin Rose and Brandt Snedeker without even blinking and then get creative from there. I have no reason to tell you to shy away from Rose other than the fact that I like Jon Rahm better in that top tier and Sneds is never a bad pick here but consider the following with regards to Messieurs Woods and Day:
1. Health is an issue for these two more than any other top players in the world over the past five years and the ocean side temps this week are going to start in the low 50's. That ain't prime creaky middle aged guy weather. Trust me.
2. Day has not had a top ten since the 2019 Travelers. Yes he's the kind of player who can turn it around in a hurry but that's a far cry from the consistent form he was showing upon arrival when he finished 1st and T5th the last two years.
3. I don't really have a third thing so see points 1 and 2.
Here's another thing you better damn well consider about Torrey Pines. New guys generally do not fare well here. If you look at the recent leaderboards, you'd be hard-pressed to find a random young guy in the top ten other than Talor Gooch's T3 last year. So initially I had Scottie Scheffler and Colin Morikawa in the mix but they have been summarily dismissed in favor of Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman. No offense boys. It's not you. It's Torrey Pines.
With that being said, I am taking a flyer on Lanto Griffin because come on, how great is that name? Also, he finished T12 here in 2018 so he is not without credentials. Rounding-out the top ten are Bud Cauley who will have a big comeback year sooner or later, Keegan Bradley who is a great fit and is playing well, and Scott Stallings who won here in 2014 and backed that up by finishing second in 2015.
And with that all over the road lead-up, I'm picking Tony Finau this week. He's got the perfect long ball game and the kind of record here that is clearly trending towards a title. And with all due respect to the Puerto Rico Open, he is far too good a player for that to be the signature (and only) win of his career at this point. Oh and if you haven't already used Jon Rahm, pick him instead.
 |
| Kind of makes you wonder why one would choose a lacrosse trip to Florida that ended-up in a Codeine haze. |
Other Guy I'd Pick: Jon Rahm
Sleeper Pick: Scott Stallings
DraftKings Top Ten Values
Jon Rahm
|
$11,300
|
Hideki Matsuyama
|
$9,900
|
Tony Finau
|
$9,300
|
Cameron Smith
|
$8,800
|
Brandt Snedeker
|
$8,400
|
Marc Leishman
|
$8,300
|
Lanto Griffin
|
$7,900
|
Bud Cauley
|
$7,600
|
Keegan Bradley
|
$7,300
|
Scott Stallings
|
$6,900
|
And here is everyone who warranted consideration this week. Best of the rest would include Gary Woodland, Ryan Palmer, Jason Kokrak and Rory Sabbatini. At least two of them will find their way into the top ten forcing me to slightly overreact and regret every decision I've ever made in my life.
THE AARON RODGERS MEMORIAL
HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE CHART
DK Price
|
2019
|
2018
|
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
|
Rory McIlroy
|
$11,600
|
T5
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
Jon Rahm
|
$11,300
|
T5
|
T29
|
1st
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
Tiger Woods
|
$10,800
|
T20
|
T23
|
MC
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
Justin Rose
|
$10,300
|
1st
|
T8
|
T4
|
MC
|
MC
|
Xander Schauffele
|
$10,100
|
T25
|
MC
|
MC
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
Hideki Matsuyama
|
$9,900
|
T3
|
T12
|
T33
|
MC
|
MC
|
Rickie Fowler
|
$9,700
|
T66
|
MC
|
MC
|
MC
|
T61
|
Gary Woodland
|
$9,500
|
T9
|
T12
|
T20
|
T18
|
T45
|
Tony Finau
|
$9,300
|
T13
|
T6
|
T4
|
T18
|
T24
|
Patrick Reed
|
$9,200
|
T13
|
T23
|
DNP
|
W/D
|
DNP
|
Sungjae Im
|
$9,100
|
T52
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
Jason Day
|
$9,000
|
T5
|
1st
|
MC
|
MC
|
1st
|
Colin Morikawa
|
$8,900
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
Scottie Scheffler
|
$8,800
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
Cameron Smith
|
$8,700
|
T9
|
T20
|
T33
|
MC
|
MC
|
Joaquin Niemann
|
$8,600
|
T72
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
Jordan Spieth
|
$8,500
|
T35
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
MC
|
Brandt Snedeker
|
$8,400
|
T62
|
T45
|
T9
|
1st
|
T19
|
Marc Leishman
|
$8,300
|
T43
|
T8
|
T20
|
MC
|
T27
|
Matthew Wolff
|
$8,200
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
Billy Horschel
|
$8,100
|
8th
|
T54
|
T64
|
T8
|
MC
|
Ryan Palmer
|
$8,000
|
T13
|
T2
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
Fran Molinari
|
$7,900
|
DNP
|
T45
|
T14
|
MC
|
DNP
|
Lanto Griffin
|
$7,900
|
DNP
|
T12
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
Cameron Champ
|
$7,800
|
MC
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
Emiliano Grillo
|
$7,800
|
T52
|
T12
|
T33
|
MC
|
DNP
|
Byeong Hun An
|
$7,700
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
T49
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
Jason Kokrak
|
$7,700
|
T20
|
DNP
|
MC
|
T25
|
DNP
|
Bud Cauley
|
$7,600
|
T13
|
T58
|
MC
|
T25
|
DNP
|
Russell Knox
|
$7,600
|
T43
|
T29
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
MC
|
Bubba Watson
|
$7,500
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
Phil Mickelson
|
$7,500
|
DNP
|
T45
|
T14
|
MC
|
MC
|
Joel Dahmen
|
$7,400
|
T9
|
MC
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
Harris English
|
$7,400
|
MC
|
T8
|
T14
|
T31
|
T2
|
Keegan Bradley
|
$7,300
|
T35
|
5th
|
T4
|
MC
|
T41
|
Lucas Glover
|
$7,200
|
DNP
|
T67
|
T33
|
MC
|
T24
|
Nick Watney
|
$7,200
|
T72
|
T58
|
MC
|
MC
|
T7
|
Rory Sabbatini
|
$7,200
|
T70
|
T20
|
T14
|
MC
|
DNP
|
Talor Gooch
|
$7,200
|
T3
|
T51
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
DNP
|
Brendan Steele
|
$7,100
|
MC
|
T29
|
T20
|
T49
|
T45
|
Pat Perez
|
$7,000
|
MC
|
DNP
|
T4
|
MC
|
74th
|
J.B. Holmes
|
$6,900
|
MC
|
4th
|
T33
|
T6
|
T2
|
Scott Stallings
|
$6,900
|
T43
|
MC
|
MC
|
T25
|
T2
|
Kyle Stanley
|
$6,800
|
MC
|
T51
|
T14
|
T25
|
T67
|
Jimmy Walker
|
$6,600
|
MC
|
T63
|
MC
|
T4
|
T7
|
Email the Fantasy Golf Report at fgr@fantasygolfreport.com
