PGA Tour Fantasy Picks: Honda Classic

Thomas Pieters — $7,700

It’s easier to project a player’s performance if they’ve already logged rounds at the course in question, but there’s something about those enigmatic names that makes them so much more fun to use. Given that, it looks like Pieters will have his share of full-throated supporters this week, but don’t climb aboard the bandwagon just for the novelty value — do it because the 25-year-old has many of the makings of a first-class fantasy play.

With a tie for second at last week’s Genesis Open, Pieters will bring along no shortage of momentum as he makes the journey to Florida. The Belgian was absolutely rolling at Riviera, ranking fourth in the field in strokes gained: approach-to-the-green and sixth in strokes gained: putting. That’s the kind of performance that wins golf tournaments — the only thing keeping Pieters out of the winner’s circle was a transcendent week from newly minted world No. 1 Dustin Johnson. In addition, Pieters notched a top 25 in Dubai a few weeks ago, so his great form goes deeper than last week’s result.

Although he’ll be a first-timer at PGA National, Pieters is clearly talented enough to string together a nice stateside run. He won’t come without some risk, but fantasy managers should be positively tantalized by the potential payoff.