Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Fantasy Golf: The Canadian Open Preview

We don't get a Historical Performance Chart this week because the Canadian Open fancies itself the second cousin of a major so they rotate venues just like it's American and British counterparts which is just about the damn cutest Canadian thing ever. They even invite players like Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jason Day to come-up and win it so they can say "SEE! . . . we're not just a poor man's cold Australia!"

If we did do the chart this week, it would most certainly memorialize the great Bill Walton. Say what you want about the big redhead but the man was a true original and, at the height of his powers, one of the greatest basketball players ever. Yes, just like every hardcore Deadhead he would often make you roll your eyes and want to throw his hacky sack in a river but, by all accounts, he was nice to everyone he met and that counts for a lot. Especially in these days of conspiracy kook quarterbacks and hate-preaching kickers.

I couldn't say anything about the Grayson Murray tragedy that Harry Higgs didn't already say better in his post tournament speech on Sunday (here's the link). In addition to Harry's plea for us to say more nice things to each other, however, I would also promote the idea that we stop voluntarily inhaling poison. The world and most of the people in it are not as bad as those screeching at us through our phones want us to believe they are. I mean those particular people can fuck off but the rest of are out here just trying to get through the damn day.  

TWEET OF THE WEEK

No way to smoothly segue from that topic so I'm not going to try. Member-guest season is officially upon us so I'm calling my own number for some advice that will serve you well in the coming weeks.

GOLF ANALYSIS

The last time they played the Canadian Open at Hamilton Golf and Country Club was in 2019 when Rory McIlroy closed with a 61 to beat Shane Lowry and Webb Simpson by seven shots. The three previous winners at Hamilton were Scott Piercy, Jim Furk and Bob Tway so the course has produced a total of three major winners in four tries which ain't too shabby even if two of them are Jim Furyk and Bob Tway. 

The FGR paid for its hubris last week with Thomas Daltry's T56 which provided me with fifteen opportunities throughout the weekend to look at my phone and sigh. Not that my other picks were much better with Tony Finau shooting a smooth 75 on Sunday to post a T17 with Brian Harman and Tom Kim sauntering in behind him at T24. Blame it on the picking "Xander Schauffele to win the PGA Championship" hangover.  

Now it's time to get back in the game so we've done a couple shots of pickle juice and run a few hot miles in a hoodie. Our renewed commitment starts with 2019 runner-up Shane Lowry who has been chilling since his T6 at Valhalla. Same with Sahith Theegala who is due to light it up and feels like a logical choice on a course where Rory has dominated. 

As for the 2019 champ, we're just not feeling it this week. We could be on the verge of a McIlroy stinker between his recent run of success and the off-course distractions. 

Adam Scott and the aforementioned Tom Kim have been solid if not spectacular lately which puts them at the top of the second tier along with Keith Mitchell who is ready to land one of his random top five finishes. Daniel Berger just keeps making cuts and last week's winner Davis Riley for only $7,200 feels like a steal for a guy who caught lighting in a bottle after a long draught and will be looking to ride it. 

We'll round-out the picks with Robert Macintyre and Marc Meissner which means we've gone with zero Canadians. They got their win last year and they should just be happy with that . . . which they probably will be. 

One and Done Pick: Shane Lowry
Big cat looks like he's on the prowl
which is just where we need him.

Other Guy I'd Pick: Sahith Theegala

Sleeper Pick: Robert Macintyre

DraftKings Top Ten Values

Sahith Theegala

$10,500

Shane Lowry

$10,100

Adam Scott

$9,000

Keith Mitchell

$8,700

Tom Kim

$8,600

Mark Hubbard

$8,000

Daniel Berger

$7,700

Davis Riley

$7,200

Robert Macintyre

$7,100

Mac Meissner

$6,500


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