The PGA Tour is back this week, shifting from Mississippi to Utah for the first time in over 60 years, with Keith Mitchell leading the odds for the Black Desert Championship. 

Set at Black Desert Resort Golf Course in Ivins, Utah, this tournament brings a fresh venue to the Fall Swing and our PGA DFS picks.

 

 

 

Black Desert Championship 2024: Daily Fantasy Golf Picks & Projections

With no previous data on this course, it presents a unique challenge for bettors, but conditions are likely to favor low scores. 

The mid-7,000-yard layout will play shorter due to the altitude, making it easier for players to score well. Expect the winner to finish around -20.

Black Desert Resort: Course Breakdown This Week

Located in Ivins, Utah, the Black Desert Resort golf course is a unique PGA Tour addition, carved from lava. Opened in May 2023 and designed by Tom Weiskopf and Phil Smith, the course features lush fairways alongside striking black basalt rock.

At 3,100 feet above sea level, this 7,371-yard par 71 layout offers three par 5s for birdie opportunities, while the generous fairways require precision due to narrow rough areas. The par-3 third hole showcases a massive green with a pit bunker, reminiscent of Riviera Country Club.

The course's Bentgrass greens and Kentucky bluegrass rough emphasize the need for accuracy. With little historical data, players familiar with Utah's conditions may have an advantage. Expect a focus on driving accuracy, approach shots over 200 yards, and solid putting on Bentgrass greens. The Black Desert Resort promises to be visually stunning on TV, enhanced by its innovative robotic mowers.

 

 

 

Black Desert Championship 2024 Field: Golf DFS

Patton Kizzire, fresh off his Procore Championship win and a T11 finish at Sanderson Farms, looks to carry his momentum into the Black Desert Championship. Among the Aon Next 10 participants are Seamus Power, Patrick Rodgers, Harris English, and Nick Taylor. Michael Thorbjornsen, the top-ranked player from PGA TOUR University, currently stands at No. 126 in the FedExCup standings and aims to break into the top 125 with a strong week.

Matt McCarty is making his second straight PGA TOUR appearance after earning his promotion from the Korn Ferry Tour. Utah natives Zac Blair and Patrick Fishburn recently tied for fourth at the Zurich Classic.

Celebrating his 500th start is veteran Jay Don Blake, who at 65 is back on TOUR after a long hiatus. Meanwhile, Kihei Akina and BYU senior Zac Jones are set to make their debuts, joined by Peter Kuest for his 25th start. Rounding out the field are 17-year-old Bowen Mauss, Max McGreevy, and Mike Weir, the International Team Presidents Cup captain.

PGA Best Bets & Predictions: Black Desert Championship 2024 (2-5 Overall, -0.60 Units)

  • Andrew Novak: Top 20 (+140)
  • Patrick Rodgers: Top 20 (+160)
  • Jacob Bridgeman: Top 20 (+200)
  • Austin Smotherman: Top 20 (+280) 

 

 

 

PGA Best Bets & Predictions: Black Desert Championship 2024

PGA DFS Picks: Top Tier

KEITH MITCHELL ($10,600)

Keith Mitchell is a strong DFS option this week after a close call at the Sanderson Farms Championship, where he finished T3rd. He’s in great form, with T12th, T12th, and T3rd finishes in his last three starts and 14 straight rounds under par. 

Mitchell ranks third in SG: Approach and first in birdies or better percentage over the last 24 rounds in this field. His putting has also improved, ranking 11th at Sanderson. Given his current momentum and ability to score, Mitchell is a solid DFS play.

KURT KITAYAMA ($10,200)

Kurt Kitayama is an intriguing DFS play this week. Despite a disappointing season where he missed the playoffs, Kitayama’s potential shines through. He won a signature event last year, finished T4 at the grueling PGA Championship, and posted a T6 at the 3M Open in July, where he gained 7.4 strokes on approach.

Kitayama’s ball striking has been solid, ranking 16th in SG: Off-the-Tee and 28th in Approach. He also has strong course history, with top finishes at venues featuring wider fairways, like TPC Scottsdale, TPC Twin Cities, and Vidanta Vallarta. His upside makes him a sneaky DFS pick.

CHRIS KIRK ($9,800)

Chris Kirk is an excellent DFS pick this week at just $9,800, especially in this weak field. As the highest-ranked golfer participating, he’s surprisingly the sixth-most-expensive player on DraftKings. 

Kirk has made seven consecutive cuts, highlighted by a T9 at the BMW Championship. With five top-25 finishes this season and a history of success in the fall and at TPC Scottsdale, he’s poised to add another strong performance. 

 

 

 

PGA DFS Picks: Mid-Tier

RYAN FOX ($9,200)

Ryan Fox is a solid DFS play this week at $9,200 following a strong T11 finish at the Sanderson Farms Championship. He gained strokes on approach for the fifth consecutive start and has made the weekend in eight of his last nine events, including three top-25 finishes. 

As a former European Tour player, Fox's links experience will serve him well at the Black Desert Course, which features large greens and a treeless layout. With his solid recent form and ability to thrive in unique setups, he could surprise this week. Look for value plays like Nick Taylor ($7,400) and David Lipsky ($6,700) as well.

ANDREW NOVAK ($8,100)

Andrew Novak is an excellent DFS option this week following a T23 finish at the Sanderson Farms Championship, where he gained strokes in all four major categories, including 3.1 on approach. 

The 29-year-old has emerged as one of the best middle-iron players in the field, showcasing past success on Tom Weiskopf courses and in resort-style conditions. With just two missed cuts in his last 17 starts and 10 top-25 finishes during that span, Novak ranks 14th in SG: Approach this season and represents a strong value at his salary.

JACOB BRIDGEMAN ($7,600)

Jacob Bridgeman is a strong DFS option this week after his T11 finish at the Sanderson Farms Championship, marking his best performance this season. He has accumulated eight top-25 finishes and has placed in the top 20 in three of his last four starts. 

Bridgeman excels on the greens, ranking fifth on Tour in SG: Putting and 13th in birdie average. His exceptional putting skills will be crucial at the Black Desert Resort, which features large putting surfaces that play to his strengths. Given his recent form, Bridgeman is poised for another impressive showing.

 

 

 

PGA DFS Picks: Value Tier

AUSTIN SMOTHERMAN ($7,100)

Austin Smotherman is a strong DFS option this week, coming off a T7 finish at the Procore Championship. Although he’s played under conditional status with just 12 starts this season, he has made an impressive 11 cuts. 

Smotherman ranks sixth in SG: Approach over his last 24 rounds, highlighting his ball-striking prowess. He has also recorded two top-25 finishes in his last four starts, indicating solid upside at his low salary. With his recent form and consistency, Smotherman represents one of the best value plays available this week.

RYO HISATSUNE ($6,900)

Ryo Hisatsune is an intriguing DFS option this week after a successful rookie season, currently sitting 89th in points and securing his card for next year. His best result was a T3 at the Wyndham, along with a top-20 finish at the PGA Championship. 

Although he missed the cut at the Sanderson Farms, he gained over 1.5 strokes in both ball-striking categories, showcasing his strong performance. Ranking 57th in SG: Tee-to-Green and 65th in birdie average, Hisatsune is one of the top ball-strikers in this field, with a previous top-15 finish at TPC Craig Ranch this season.

MARTIN LAIRD ($6,600)

Martin Laird is an appealing DFS option this week, given his strong track record in desert events. The 41-year-old has two wins at TPC Summerlin and a T3 at TPC Scottsdale, where he’s recorded four top-10 finishes. 

While not as strong off the tee as in his earlier years, Laird has become a more well-rounded player, gaining over 2.0 strokes around the green in his last two outings. After gaining 2.7 strokes on approach last week in Jackson but struggling with the putter, he could see positive regression on the greens. At under $7k, he’s a great GPP value.

 

 

 

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