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Fantasy Golf: Honda Classic DraftKings value picks

By Brandon Raper

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Rickie Fowler of the United States plays his shot from the seventh tee during the final round of The Honda Classic at PGA National Resort and Spa on February 26, 2017 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Rickie Fowler of the United States plays his shot from the seventh tee during the final round of The Honda Classic at PGA National Resort and Spa on February 26, 2017 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Graeme McDowell DraftKings Honda Classic
PACIFIC PALISADES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the 11th tee during the final round of the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club on February 18, 2018 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

It doesn’t seem fair, but Graeme McDowell has seen more than his share of rough outings in recent years. The level of competition on the PGA TOUR is as strong as it’s been in a long time, and in two of the past three years, he’s failed to qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

This year, however, McDowell seems to be re-energized, and it’s showing on the course. While most others in his position would be destroyed by memories of what used to be, the Irishman seems at peace with both what’s behind him, and what could potentially lie ahead.

"“I think I’ve managed to boil it down to the fact that if the worst-case scenario happens this year and I don’t play well, I can be OK with that,’’ McDowell said. “So once you decide that you’re OK with the worst-case scenario, you can start to think about what happens if I really apply myself and start to play well and get out of my own way.’’"

Coming off of a week at Riviera that saw him hold a share of the lead at the halfway mark, only to fall into a tie for 26th after a disastrous 77 on Sunday, a trip to the Honda Classic couldn’t come at a better time.

McDowell has built a solid resume at PGA National over the last decade, including four top-tens in his eight appearances. He finished fifth here in 2016, and last year’s T-14 was tied for his best showing of a down year.

Through six official starts in the 2017-18 PGA TOUR season, McDowell he put together some of the building blocks for success. He currently ranks 26th in driving accuracy and 19th in strokes gained around the green. That last one is helpful, when you see that he’s battling to offset more than his share of missed greens (66.14%, 117th on TOUR).

McDowell was one good round away from a truly special week at Riviera last week. Look for him to provide even better results this time around. At $7,300, he could be a real steal.

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