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CIMB Classic: five sleeper picks

By Mike Randleman

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - OCTOBER 23: Hideki Matsuyama of Japan plays on the 1st hole during day four of the 2016 CIMB Classic at TPC Kuala Lumpur on October 23, 2016 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - OCTOBER 23: Hideki Matsuyama of Japan plays on the 1st hole during day four of the 2016 CIMB Classic at TPC Kuala Lumpur on October 23, 2016 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty Images) /
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CIMB Classic
NAPA, CA – OCTOBER 08: Graham DeLaet of Canada reacts to his putt on the 18th hole during the final round of the Safeway Open at the North Course of the Silverado Resort and Spa on October 8, 2017 in Napa, California. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images) /

Graham DeLaet is a smart fantasy pick this week. Just don’t tell him you’re relying on him. DeLaet ruffled some feathers in August after a fan expressed disappointment in the Canadian after he withdrew from the Wyndham Championship with a back injury.

It’s hard to blame him for getting frustrated at irrational fantasy golf fans; there are certainly plenty of them out there. Fortunately DeLaet should be in better spirits this week as his back issues appear to be diminishing.

DeLaet’s had four weeks off since his FedEx Cup Playoffs run ended at the Dell Technologies Championship. He came back with a vengeance, tying for fifth at last week’s Safeway Open carding three rounds in the 60s. His ball striking was on point to place him second in greens in regulation.

I, like many others, have got to think a PGA Tour win is coming someday for the 35-year-old Canadian. He had another solid 2016-17 season, finishing with seven top-10s that included a T7 at the PGA Championship.

This week is DeLaet’s first start at the CIMB Classic since 2013. He did well that week, tying for seventh with four rounds of par or better. He was third in total driving on Tour last year, so I like for him to create plenty of birdie opportunities this week.

Next: PGA Tour power rankings: 2017 CIMB Classic

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