Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Fantasy Golf: The 3M Open Preview

In the hopes of finding some inspiration for previewing a tournament that will feature just three of the top twenty-five players in the world on a TPC course that's held only one PGA Tour event, I referred back to last year's preview only to discover that I compared writing that one to constipation which, aside from kind of rhyming, is not exactly inspiration. 

So here are the other things I did instead of finishing this preview by my self-imposed Tuesday happy hour deadline (we're going heavy on the bullet points this week to give this shit some shape):
  • I played pool basketball with my kids (and lost).
  • I ate cereal for lunch. But it took four months of working from home to break me on that one so I'm counting that as a win.
  • I plowed through the last 45 minutes of District 9 which was my most recent "what in the hell is dad watching now?" movie of the pandemic. I will recommend it but will also warn you that it's really dirty. Not in a good way. More like one of those movies that needs a bath.
  • I played an old man lacrosse game after which all of my focus was devoted to climbing steps and not falling down in the shower which leaves nothing for writing.  
Today, however, I have a renewed spirit, or something. But first, this . . .
 
TWEET OF THE WEEK

Here's a fun one for my fellow "we're about to spend a fortune sending our kids off to the potentially deadly abyss that is college this fall" parents . . . 


ALMOST BASELESS GOLF ANALYSIS

As noted above, they played TPC Twin Cities last year and here is some of the relevant information to be drawn from the results:

  • Matthew Wolff was the top dog (see what I did there? . . . and yes I did verify that they are both sub-species of canis lupus per www.rover.com). 
  • Lucas Glover and Brian Harman finished T7 which makes them two of the favorites this week and who doesn't like lighting money on fire?
  • Tony Finau finished T23 so I guess he didn't hate the course. 
  • Brooks Koepka finished 65th so I guess he didn't love the course or he didn't care that week. Or both. 
  • Harris English, Charley Hoffman and Doc Redman who are all being touted as smart money picks this year missed the cut last year. 
  • For the full results, click here.

So what do we make of all that? I really have no idea. The most relevant takeaway from last year's leaderboard might actually be that Bryson De(I just threw up in my mouth a bit)Chambeau and Collin Morikawa tied for second so it does not appear to be one of those talent leveling courses like TPC San Antonio or TPC Just About Everywhere Else for that matter. 

I still think, however, that we're due for a Sunday battle involving more modest talent like the one I called for two weeks ago when we ended-up with a playoff between Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa a/k/a two of the ten best golfers in the world right now (rankings notwithstanding). Viktor Hovland, Ian Poulter, Patrick Cantlay and Jason Day also finished in the top ten that week. Nailed it!

The safe pick feels like Paul Casey but he never wins so if you're looking for your best shot at a top five, he's your guy. You could say the same thing about Tony Finau. And Harris English. And it's really hard to pick a player who you know in your heart is going to let you down on Sunday. So I'm going way out on a random limb and picking Max Homa. If nothing else, my heart will be in it through at least Friday because how can you not root for Max? 

Considering that the whole week is kind of a crapshoot, so is the rest of our top ten but I feel at least somewhat comfortable with Chucky Triple Sticks and Richie Werenski. And if you're going to take a flyer on a deep sleeper, might as well make it a guy like Stewart Cink who still likes to make cuts with minimal pressure because he's just out there having a good time until he starts crushing everyone on the senior tour as the next version of Kenny Perry. 

If I'm going down in flames, I'm at least
gonna root for a guy I like. (Seems logical).
One and Done Pick: Max Homa

Other Guy I'd Pick: Harris English

Best Value: Charles Howell, III

Sleeper Pick: Stewart Cink

DraftKings Top Ten Values


Tony Finau
$10,900
Paul Casey
$10,100
Harris English
$9,000
Patrick Rodgers
$8,200
Max Homa
$8,000
Dylan Frittelli
$7,600
Richie Werenski
$7,400
Charles Howell, III
$7,400
Pat Perez
$7,200
Stewart Cink
$6,600

Email the Fantasy Golf Report at fgr@fantasygolfreport.com

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