Fantasy Golf: RBC Heritage Saturday Showdown Selections
By Derek Helm
I will provide a quick summary of the first two rounds of the 2023 RBC Heritage before diving into my favorite plays for Round 3 Showdown contests on DraftKings.
Keep in mind that we want to project future success and not rely on previous accomplishments.
The first round of this year’s RBC Heritage was certainly an interesting one. Aaron Rai finished his impressive first round on Friday morning. He hit 12 of 14 fairways on his way to a 63 and the lead after one round.
Viktor Hovland shot a bogey-free seven-under 64. He rode a hot putter gaining the 4th most strokes on the greens in round one.
Brian Harman shot a bogey-free 65. Harman has struggled with his irons recently but not in the first round when he hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation.
There were some impressive scores in round two; including Jon Rahm who had the low score of the day shooting seven under. He was bogey-free and hit 83% of greens in regulation.
Fourteen golfers shot 66 or better including current leader Jimmy Walker, and Scottie Scheffler who made his way to 2nd place.
Other notable names who dominated round two were Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay (who aced the 7th hole), and Tommy Fleetwood.
2023 RBC Heritage: Round 3 DraftKings Showdown Plays
*All statistics are based on metrics from the first two rounds.
Tony Finau ($9,000)
On a course that rewards strong iron play, Finau should be able to score well. He’s 1st in strokes gained approach to this point. The only thing holding him back has been the putter.
He lost over two strokes putting in round one. While he wasn’t positive in round two he did improve. With how well he’s struck the ball I expect him to do some damage Saturday if he can just be neutral with the putter.
Shane Lowry ($7,700)
Lowry has struck the ball well this week especially in round two when he hit 15 of 18 greens in regulation. The putter has let him down a bit but I’m not concerned going into the weekend. He has gained the 5th most total strokes at the RBC Heritage over the last five years.
Last year at Harbour Town, Shane shot a combined eight under on the weekend. This is a place where he has played well and he should continue to be very comfortable over the weekend.
Denny McCarthy ($7,500)
Denny had an up-and-down first round. He was three under through 13 holes but then bogeyed three straight. He was much better in round two making six birdies compared to only one bogey.
Denny can catch absolute fire with his putter. Pair that with the fact that he’s currently top 20 in strokes gained approach and 9th in GIRs Gained and he could have an incredible weekend.
Next. Spieth: ‘In our sport you can’t have too many jackets’. dark
Ben Martin ($7,200)
Martin started off the tournament with five birdies in his first seven holes. He was five under through 15 holes before back-to-back double bogeys and a bogey to end his first round.
He then started round two with back-to-back bogeys but bounced back nicely making five birdies over his final 16 holes. He was 6th in strokes gained from tee to green in round two.