I tweeted as I watched Tiger Woods try to do his best against the wind and crazy Shinnecock Hills first hole while watching the US Open last week. Poor Tiger three-putted after struggling to simply hit the green, and I could not help sending the following into the Twittersphere:
us Saturday Hackers, right? I feel so much more reassured! Get hot Tiger. And DJ, and Bubba on what looks like a rugged links day!
Well, it was a rugged day, and weekend, that, despite just my three years back into the game of golf, a tourney the likes of which I have never imagined. And, the truth is, I enjoyed the hell out of watching, not so much because I wanted to see the best golfers struggle, but rather for a brief weekend, the PGA Tour looked just like the rest of us trying to cope with the weather and a tough course.
So, this week the PGA moves to Connecticut and TPC River Highlands, and that should play much more manageably than Shinnecock, registering at 6841 yards. The scorecard reveals a par of 70 with just 6841 yards to tackle. River Highlands presents just a couple of fives: #6 at 574 yards and #13 at 523 yards. Then there are the four threes, ranging from 153 to 223 yards with the balance of fours ranging from a tidy 296 to a bomber 481 yards.
That means I am focusing on those guys who can hit the green from 100 yards or less, although after last week, all bets are off.
I’m playing the PGA First Tee for just a buck at FantasyDraft, a format I really like because they drop the low score from your seven-man roster ($100K cap) for the weekend, so sign up and see if you can beat me!
The weather looks to be pose some clouds, with some light (4-5 MPH) but generally be warm in the lpw 80’s.
Jordan Spieth ($17,200): Jordan is expensive, but similarly he is due for some solid rounds. especially after missing the Open cut by just a stroke. Spieth ranks #2 in GIR hitting the green 71.53% of the time, and though he has missed four cuts including the Open, Jordan still kicks it with 105.73 FPPT.
Charlie Hoffman ($15,100): I had not paid that much attention to Hoffman’s skill set till over the weekend when he finished in the money at four over. Charlie’s short game looked so sweet last weekend, I am banking the guy with seven top tens this year can keep it going over less challenging circumstances. Hoffman ranks #91 at GIR with a 65.84% average.
Russell Knox ($14,800): The Scot navigated through Shinnecock to log a #12 finish, the 16th cut of 21 tries he has made this season. Knox ranks #10 at GIR hitting the carpet 70.32% of the time, and has three top ten finishes this season with a 95.66 FPPT.
Emiliano Grillo ($14,100): Giving Grillo a second shot after he missed last week’s cut. But, Grillo is #17 at GIR (69.36%), has five top tens, and the Open is the only cut he has missed while averaging 113.88 FPPT.
Kevin Streelman ($13,400): Searching the cheap end, Streelman ranks #3 at GIR with a solid 70.11% nailed, has made 16 of 19 cuts, and is averaging a solid 103.89 FPPT, a solid potential return for the price.
Nick Watney ($12,700): Another lower priced gamble, Watney has 14 cuts made over 17 tries, and ranks at #71 in GIR hitting the green 66.95% of the time while averaging 95.47 points per tourney.
