Fantasy Golf: Honda Classic DraftKings value picks

The Honda Classic will provide some unique challenges for DraftKings daily fantasy players. How do you navigate the lineups? We’re here to help.

Let’s start off this week’s DraftKings fantasy golf column with an admission. We had a tough week last week. It happens, but it still stings when it does. The planning was there, but sometimes things just don’t work out. Phil Mickelson looked like a great pick. Bubba Watson (who was a late scratch to fit the formula) turned out to be a terrible omission.

As you put together your roster for this week, remember this above everything else: do your research, but always go with your gut. There’s a reason they call this “gambling”, after all. It’s your team, and sometimes, even your best plans don’t work. Still, we’ll bounce back, like we always do.

This week at the Honda Classic, a tough field prepares to take on the “Bear Trap” at PGA National. A par-70 measuring just 7,140 yards, history tells us that birdies will be at a premium this week. In the 11 years since the tournament moved across town, from Mirasol to the National, the average winning score has been just -8.9 (call it 9-under). Camilo Villegas (2010) holds the tournament record at -13, but both Rickie Fowler (2017) and Rory McIlroy (2012) have made their runs, coming in at 12-under.

What should we look for in a potential fantasy stud this week? On a shorter course like PGA National, power is nice, but a strong iron and wedge game is even better. Bermuda grass will likely favor those who have spent significant time in the southeast, and Florida in particular. Greens are always fast, and even though Hurricane Irma took out dozens of trees last fall, there will still be plenty of trouble for the wayward driver.

As always, these picks are set for DraftKings standard leagues. If you play elsewhere, you may need to adjust pricing, but the stats speak for themselves, and translate to any game you may be playing.