Pro Golf Now
Fansided

International Men’s Golf: Tokyo Olympics Draftkings/Fantasy Golf Player Picks

By Hans Geevers

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 11: Hideki Matsuyama of Japan plays a shot from a bunker on the second hole during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 11: Hideki Matsuyama of Japan plays a shot from a bunker on the second hole during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

This week, fantasy golf fans will be presented with a golf event they only get to play on Draftkings every four years (or five years in this case due to COVID-19), the Olympics! A talented field of talent will travel to Tokyo, Japan to compete in the Olympics. The talented field I just mentioned includes 2019 Masters winner Patrick Reed, 2021 Open champion Collin Morikawa, and 2021 Masters winner Hideki Matsuyama.

Before I discuss my fantasy golf player selections I wanted to emphasize that the purpose of this article is not to provide a specific lineup. Having stated that, this article will provide multiple player options in an effort to assist the reader in generating a unique lineup that will hopefully have the potential to win a Draftkings GPP (guaranteed prize pool) contest!

More from Pro Golf Now

Now let’s shift our focus to my Draftkings/fantasy golf player selections for the Tokyo Olympics!

Xander Schauffele (United States) $10,700

The 27 year old is currently in rather good form. Let me be more specific. Xander has played six tournaments on the PGA Tour since the beginning of April. In those six events just mentioned, Schauffele has accumulated four top 14 finishes, including two top seven finishes at major championships (2021 Masters-third: 2021 U.S. Open-seventh).

In relation to this week’s current listed Tokyo Olympics field, in the last 12 rounds played on the PGA Tour, Schauffele ranks third in GIR (greens in regulation), fourth in strokes gained ball striking, and third in bogey avoidance.

Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) $10,500

The last time we saw Hideki was at the Rocket Mortgage Classic earlier this month. Unfortunately, Matsuyama had to withdraw from that event due to testing positive for COVID-19. Am I concerned that Hideki had COVID-19 and had to take a few weeks off to recover? Not really. If Matsuyama tees it up this week I have to assume he is fully healthy and ready to go.

I should note that I like the “enhanced” motivation that this man must have. I mean how often do you get to play golf in the Olympics on home soil? Once in a lifetime? Hideki has already secured a win at the Masters this year. I would assume that Hideki would love being the only man on Earth to say he holds a green jacket and a gold medal. Having stated that, I have to roll with Hideki this week.

Ryan Fox (New Zealand) $6,900

The 34 year old has three top 14 finishes in his last six tournaments played on the European Tour, including an 11th place result at the Porsche European Open in June. I should also mention that Fox has previously shown that he can play solid golf on a big stage. An illustration of that fact can clearly be seen in his 16th place finish at the 2019 Open Championship.

Fox is currently ranked fifth in driving distance (316.86) and fourth in strokes gained tee to green (1.56) on the European Tour.

Scott Vincent (Zimbabwe) $6,400

Most fantasy golf fans have never heard of the name Scott Vincent. Well, that’s fine. That is why you have me here to better inform you! Scott Vincent is the current 264th ranked golfer in OWGR (Official World Golf Rankings). Vincent is currently a full time member of the Japan Tour.  However, Vincent has also played several tournaments on the European Tour over the course of the last few years.

Let’s take a look at a few of Vincent’s recent quality results on the European Tour. Vincent finished sixth at the 2020 South African Open, eighth at the 2020 Portugal Masters, and ninth at the 2020 English Championship.

Next. 2021 3M Open: Winners and Losers from Minnesota. dark

Vincent also checks the box for me when it comes to current form. Vincent finished second at the Golf Partner Pro-Am (Japan Tour event) in May. In my opinion, Vincent’s familiarity with playing in Japan gives him a slight advantage in comparison to the other golfers in the low cost price range on Draftkings. In summary, I think Vincent has the chance to break the slate with a top 15 finish.

Additional golfers I like: Patrick Reed (United States) $10,100: Viktor Hovland (Norway) $9,900: Mito Pereira (Chile) $7,200.

Home/Fantasy Golf