Shenzhen International Fantasy Picks

Joost Luiten, OWGR 70

Last year’s Shenzhen International runner-up, Joost Luiten is going to be looking to repeat and even improve that very fine finish.

Luiten’s having a solid early 2017 season. He’s made six European Tour starts since January, has missed no cuts, and finished outside the top 30 only once.

The Dutchman knows how to compete and close the deal. He outplayed Daniel Chopra to notch his first European Tour victory at the 2011 Iskander Johor Open and then edged past Thomas Bjorn in 2013 to capture the Lyoness Open title. He defeated Miguel Angel Jiminez to claim a playoff victory at the 2013 KLM Open and held off charges from Fleetwood and Shane Lowry at the 2014 ISPS Handa Wales Open. Last year he again won the KLM Open, this time defeating Bernd Wiedberger. Luiten seems to like a good fight. I’m looking for a solid, high-level performance from him this week.

Luiten’s not as long off the tee as Jaidee or Fleetwood, but he’s better than either of them on the putting surface, and if he can stay out of trouble getting around Dragon Lake he’ll make up the difference with his flat stick.