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Fantasy Golf: DraftKings Selections for the 2019 Rocket Mortgage Classic

By Hans Geevers

PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 16: Dustin Johnson of the United States plays a shot from the second tee during the final round of the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 16, 2019 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 16: Dustin Johnson of the United States plays a shot from the second tee during the final round of the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 16, 2019 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /
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This week, the PGA Tour travels to Detroit, Michigan for the 2019 Rocket Mortgage Classic. This will be the inaugural playing of this event. Due to this fact, DFS players will not have the luxury of having previous course history to evaluate as they compile player pools for Draftkings contests. 

This week’s event will be played at Detroit Golf Club. How’s it look for Draftkings purposes? Let’s take a look.

The course is a Donald Ross design that is a par 72. The course measures approximately 7,300 yards. The golf course is a tight tree lined track. The fairways are narrow and undulating. Donald Ross is known for his difficult greens. This course is certainly no different in that regard.

In my opinion, a golfer’s success this week will start with strategic placement of the ball off the tee. I also think good putting is vital if a player hopes to be on the leaderboard Sunday afternoon.

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The key statistics I am focusing on this week are: strokes gained off the tee, strokes gained putting, and greens in regulation.

Now let’s get to my Draftkings Selections for this week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic!

Dustin Johnson (12,000)

In my opinion, DJ is clearly the best player in the Rocket Mortgage Classic field and it’s not close. Let’s take a quick look at some of Dustin’s outstanding results in 2019 to validate that point.

Johnson won the WGC Mexico in February and tied for 5th at The Players in March. Dustin has also performed very well at two major championships in 2019. D.J. finished 2nd at the Masters in April and followed that up with a 2nd place finish at the PGA championship in May.

It has to be said that the results I just noted are in PGA tournaments with the best players in the world. These events are without a doubt some of the strongest on the PGA schedule every year. The field of talent that Dustin will be competing against at the Rocket Mortgage Classic is NOT the strongest on Tour.

As far as statistics go, Dustin checks that box for me. Johnson is currently 3rd on the PGA Tour in strokes gained off the tee and ranks 2nd in strokes gained tee to green. I also love the fact that Dustin currently ranks 6th on Tour in driving distance. In my opinion, bombers will have a distinct advantage at the Detroit Golf Club attacking the four par 5 holes.

Dustin’s ability to make eagles rather than birdies is an important point. Draftkings scoring provides more points for eagles than birdies. In my opinion, the additional points for eagles could be the difference between winning and losing a Draftkings contest.

In my opinion, DFS players have a tendency to over analyze the field as they compose lineups. I have to admit I have done that in the past. However, with experience, I have learned that sometimes you just have to simplify things and start your lineup with the best player in the field. For me, that is clearly the SMART play for this week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Kevin Streelman (8,600)

I recommended Streelman last week and he performed, placing 15th at the Travelers Championship. I am going back to Kevin again this week. I have always thought that Streelman is a very streaky player. Having said that, when Kevin gets hot, I always try and play him in Draftkings contests.

Streelman also has traditionally performed rather well on tight tree lined courses that are not overly long in length. An example of that would be his performance at Harbour Town Golf Links earlier this year. Kevin finished 6th at the 2019 RBC Heritage at Harbour Town. I personally feel that Harbour Town has some correlation to Detroit Golf Club.

Kevin currently ranks 26th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained off the tee and ranks 34th in GIR.

Brian Harman (8,000)

Harman had a very slow start to the 2019 season missing five of his first eight cuts. However, over the last few months it appears that Harman has found something positive with his game.

Let me point to a few of Harman’s recent results to illustrate my point. In the month of May, Harman finished 24th at the Wells Fargo Championship, 27th at the Memorial Tournament, and 31st at the Charles Schwab Challenge.

Last week, Harman finished 8th at the Travelers Championship. His final round at the Travelers was a bogey free 66! I think that Harman’s positive results continue this week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

If you are looking for lower priced players to complete your lineups that I feel have the ability to make the cut and potentially top 20 this week:

Vaughn Taylor (7,600)

Finished 4th last week at the Travelers Championship.

Peter Malnati (7,500)

He has made his last 4 cuts on Tour. Finished 16th at the RBC Heritage.

Martin Laird (7,500)

Most recent result was a 21st place finish at the Travelers. He has made 5 straight cuts on the PGA Tour.

Brian Stuard (7,100)

The Michigan native has had some quality results this year. Stuard finished 4th at the Valero Texas Open in April.

Robert Streb (6,800)

Not for the faint of heart. Risk/reward play here. Streb’s last 2 starts on Tour: 35th at the RBC Canadian Open and a 21st at the Travelers Championship. A dart throw.

Next. Chez Reavie is back in the winner’s circle after Travelers. dark

As always, good luck! Enjoy the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

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