Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Fantasy Golf: The Mayakoba Golf Classic Preview

Let's take a break from the heaviest rain Maryland has seen since yesterday (which was almost as bad as Friday which didn't even come close to the entire month of May) to talk about golf in Mexico because maybe that won't make us want to curl into the fetal position on the couch in our office and sip coffee through a thin straw while fantasizing about a time when our dog was dry. Oh hey . . . didn't see you there. I'm good. No really. I always drink coffee like that and I wasn't whimpering. Let's preview some shit.     

I think I'm either on to something, on something (life baby!) or both because last week's recommendations which included Bryson DeChambeau (1st), Abraham Ancer (T4), Chesson Hadley (T7), Gary Woodland (T10), Scott Piercy (T10) and Webb Simpson (T15) did not completely suck. Sure, all four of my sleeper picks missed the cut so to actually win money you would have had to ignore 40% of my advice but it's such a fine line between stupid and clever. Figuring-out where that line is part of the fun. 

  


We've actually got a pretty intriguing field thanks in part to Jordan Spieth fulfilling his off the record playing obligation and Rickie Fowler trying to get his first legitimate win since the 2017 Honda Classic as he gets run over like mating season roadkill by the next wave of young players led by Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele. Remember when Rickie won in Abu Dhabi in January of 2016 and many were mindlessly babbling about the potential for a new "Big Three" comprised of him, Spieth and Rory despite the fact that only two of them had won majors? Man that seems like almost three years ago.


I actually like Rickie's chances this week against limited high-level competition on a course where he played well last year. El Camaleon Golf Club (translation: "the beaver's snorkel" . . . I don't get it either) actually has some fans on tour who post consistently good finishes in Emiliano Grillo, Scott Brown and Chucky Triple Sticks. I like two of those guys this week (the good two) along with Joaquin Niemann who is only 19 but already overdue for a professional win. Add him to the list of youngsters that Rickie would really like to get off of his lawn.

In the value section you've got a couple nice options in J.J. Spaun and Harold Varner who both played well last week. Looking over at the clearance rack you'll find 2013 champion Harris English who has been wandering the wastelands of New Jersey with the Russian guy from The Sopranos dropping to 306th in the world but he's made three cuts in a row and that combined with a return to a happy place like The Beaver's Snorkel may be just the spark he needs. If you look on that same clearance rack behind English you'll find my man the totally underappreciated Richy Werenski. He's displayed an ability to shine at these somewhat off-brand events with runner-up finishes at both the Barbasol Championship and the Barracuda Championship. I wouldn't necessarily bet a free dinner at Red Lobster on him but, if you've got a tight roster spot to fill, you could do worse (quite the ringing endorsement). 

At least I'm digging Maryland's
new tourism campaign theme.
One and Done Pick: Joaquin Niemann

Other Guy I'd Pick: Emiliano Grillo


Mid-Range Pick: J.J. Spaun

Sleeper Pick: Harris English


Player to Avoid: Jordan Spieth


Thirty Players to Consider and Ten to Bet



DK Price
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
Rickie Fowler
$11,500
2nd
DNP
DNP
DNP
DNP
Jordan Spieth
$11,300
DNP
DNP
DNP
DNP
DNP
Tony Finau
$11,000
DNP
MC
DNP
T7
DNP
Gary Woodland
$10,700
T34
2nd
DNP
DNP
DNP
Billy Horschel
$10,200
DNP
MC
DNP
DNP
DNP
Aaron Wise
$9,900
MC
T55
DNP
DNP
DNP
Emiliano Grillo
$9,700
T9
T10
DNP
DNP
DNP
Charles Howell
$9,500
T4
T7
T17
MC
T6
Beau Hossler
$9,400
T34
DNP
DNP
DNP
DNP
Zach Johnson
$9,300
T23
DNP
DNP
DNP
DNP
Si Woo Kim
$9,200
3rd
W/D
T17
DNP
DNP
Luke List
$9,000
MC
T7
MC
DNP
DNP
J.B. Holmes
$8,900
DNP
DNP
DNP
DNP
DNP
Joaquin Niemann
$8,800
DNP
DNP
DNP
DNP
DNP
Ryan Moore
$8,600
T6
DNP
DNP
DNP
T23
Chez Reavie
$8,500
T14
T4
T74
DNP
DNP
Abraham Ancer
$8,400
T9
T55
MC
DNP
DNP
Matt Kuchar
$8,200
DNP
DNP
T68
DNP
DNP
Scott Piercy
$8,000
DNP
T4
DNP
T16
W/D
Patrick Rodgers
$7,800
T14
MC
T10
T37
DNP
Kevin Kisner
$7,700
DNP
DNP
DNP
DNP
T60
Pat Perez
$7,700
T34
1st
MC
T69
T16
J.J. Spaun
$7,500
T14
T28
DNP
DNP
DNP
Harold Varner
$7,300
DNP
MC
T5
DNP
DNP
Patton Kizzire
$7,300
1st
DNP
T58
DNP
DNP
G. McDowell
$7,200
T34
T24
1st
DNP
DNP
Kevin Streelman
$7,100
T20
T4
T34
DNP
DNP
Harris English
$6,600
MC
MC
MC
T37
1st
Scott Brown
$6,800
T6
T55
T5
T62
T16
Richy Werenski
$6,400
T41
T50
DNP
DNP
DNP

Email the Fantasy Golf Report at fgr@fantasygolfreport.com

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