Dark Horses for 3M Open: Three who could contend

Before I jump into this week’s tournament, I wanted to do a quick recap for The Open Championship. My three dark horses were Guido Migliozzi, Branden Grace and Lee Westwood. Nothing exciting by any means. Both Guido and Grace were cut and Westwood finished in a tie for 59th at 2-over for The Open. Overall it was fun watching Collin win and Jordan contend again in a major.

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This week, the PGA Tour is heading to TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, MN for the 3M Open. This is an event where we have some of the top guys in the world, but also a lot of mid to low tier players. This is one where I believe a value guy has a better shot at winning. In 2020, the top five consisted of a bunch of value guys and Tony Finau. The winner was Michael Thompson, who is not a regular name at the top of leaderboards. This week, the balance build approach seems right because this is a birdie fest course that allows those cheaper grinder players to rack up birdies like they do and not have to worry about to many challenges.

This week I will be providing three dark horses, meaning players that are longshots, but could play really well for their low salary. These dark horses are golfers that are $7,500 and below. Also I use DraftKings, so these prices will be for their website, but the players can be used on FanDuel as well.

Dark Horse Number 1

Jhonattan Vegas ($7,500): Vegas is one of my dark horses not only because of the recent great finishes (which are incredible), but also because of how they key stats look for him. At that price, those key stats look really good for Vegas. He played here last year and missed the cut, but he is looks to be playing better heading into this week. Definitely a guy that I want in most of my lineups at this price point.

Last Five Finishes on Tour: 11th, 5th, 2nd, 69th, 9th

Last Two Finishes Here: MC, DNP

Key Stats:

SG Approach: 82nd

SG Off The Tee: 4th

Birdie or Better %: 57th

Dark Horse Number 2

Brandon Hagy ($7,200): Hagy is another one of my dark horses because he had two great weeks at birdie fest courses (JDC and RMC). This again is another week where they should be able to go pretty low and he is a guy that can do that. His only outing here is a 46th, but seeing how low he has been going makes me believe he can find his way into the top 30, with a ceiling of probably a top 20. If Hagy finds his way into the top 20 at $7,200, it will be an incredible week for him in DFS.

Last Five Finishes on Tour: 18th, 6th, MC, 50th, MC

Last Two Finishes Here: 46th, DNP

Key Stats:

SG Approach: 195th

SG Off The Tee: 28th

Birdie or Better %: 137th

Next. 2021 Open Championship: Winners and Losers. dark

Dark Horse Number 3

Mark Anderson ($6,500): Mark is my final dark horse and more of a punt play because he is someone I have little faith in making the cut. I am playing him in a lineup or two in hopes that he has one of his great weeks like he did at the Barbasol or RMC. I will say it again, this is a scoring course and he is a guy that can shoot low if everything is going right for him. If he makes the cut at $6,500, he is already paying off the salary and if he gets hot it is only going to make your lineup different, because in all honesty who is playing this guy? Risky, but high reward.

Last Five Finishes on Tour: 26th, MC, 8th, MC, 9th (KFT)

Last Two Finishes Here: MC, DNP

Key Stats:

SG Approach: 141st

SG Off The Tee: 123rd

Birdie or Better %: 140th

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2021 3M Open: Dark Horses

By Richard McCusker | Jul 21, 2021

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