John Deere Classic: Top 5 DraftKings value picks

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MADISON, WI – JUNE 24: Steve Stricker hits a drive during the second round of the American Family Insurance Championship held at University Ridge Golf Course on June 24, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Michael Cohen/Getty Images) /

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You likely won’t find another realistic opportunity to start Stricker this year, so why not put him in where he’s the best player in tournament history? With three consecutive wins at the Deere from 2009-2011, Stricker brings the most accurate driving on TOUR to the Quad Cities. That’s the type of success that more than offsets any worries I may have about his middling greens-in-regulation percentage (65.93, 89^th on TOUR).

I get it if Stricker is a little rich for your blood. He hasn’t cracked the top-25 at TPC Deere Run for three years. And sure, only four players have a higher salary this week, but that’s not an accident. Frankly, if Stricker were five years younger and a little more active, I’d be surprised to see him anywhere less than second on the salary list. Stricker has eight total finishes of 11th or better at the Deere, and has proven that he can contend, even when onlookers like us think he’s toast.

Stricker is somehow just 160th in birdie average this season, but in this particular battle of stats versus results, I’ll go with the one that pays the bills. Let the other players in your games this week overthink this play, while you reap the rewards.

Next: John Deere Classic power rankings

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