Tony Finau proved once again that the PGA Tour is really different week to week.  He missed the cut at the Mayakoba two weeks ago and bounced back in a big way to rout the field in Houston.  Finau made a statement shooting 65-62 to start the tournament and played steady golf over the weekend to lock down the win.  No one really gave him a real push which made it pretty anticlimactic.  Good showings from Scottie Scheffler but not enough to move up in the world golf rankings.  I liked what I saw from Aaron Rai and Keith Mitchell as well.  It was also a solid weekend for the playbook with good performances from some value options like Justin Rose, Mackenzie Hughes and Davis Riley.  These players leave Texas and head to the Peach state for the RSM Classic.   

I am a little thankful that this is the last year of the wrap-round schedule.  The whole fall schedule throws me off because I just don’t think of golf as a year round sport.  The benefits though of this portion of the schedule is you get to see more of the young players and grinders on the PGA Tour before the meat of the season begins.  Most of these players are on the lower tier having to grind through the fall and winter while the top dogs can pick and choose the events they wish to attend, usually because of sponsorship responsibilities.  

The RSM Classic will be the last full field event of the 2022 calendar year.  The only event remaining before we ring in 2023 is the Hero World Challenge and that is a no cut event.  This event should not be looked past, the tournament has come down to a playoff in four of its last six editions.         

This tournament is played on two courses at the Sea Island Golf Club.  First, we have the Seaside course which is a par 70 and measures out to just 7,005 yards from the championship tees.  Then the Plantation course, a par 72, that stretches out to 7,060 yards. Both of these courses are played on really fast Bermuda grass and they are true ocean tracks on the southern tip of the island.  You’ll see all the traditional links course staples like ocean vistas, tidal creeks, dunes and salt marshes throughout the course.  Each of the players will play both the Plantation and Seaside courses over Thursday and Friday but then the tournament will be decided on the Seaside course over the weekend.   

When you have short tracks like these, accuracy is usually the first thing I’m looking for when selecting my players. The history of success at the RSM has not shown distance off the tee to be as important as other statistical markers. For example, I will look closely at Strokes Gained: Approach and Scrambling.  We want these guys to fire the ball in there nice and tight but when they do miss, they need to be able to get themselves out of trouble.  These players will go low this weekend, the winners over the last three years have all been 19 under par.  The factors I’ll be looking at when picking players this weekend, course history, current form, Strokes Gained: Approach, Greens in Regulation, Birdie or Better Percentage, Scrambling, and Strokes Gained: Putting.  

The weather looks to be pretty good this weekend with weather in the upper 50s and tickling the low 60s.  There is no rain in the forecast for most of the weekend but there is a 50 percent chance on Sunday.  The winds are projected to be calm for Sea Island in the low teens throughout the tournament.    

Good luck this weekend.

Pos
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Player
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DK
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Draft %
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FD
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Draft %
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GBrian Harman1030028.4%1150037.2%

This home grown Georgia boy grew up just 90 miles from Sea Island in Savannah.  He knows these courses better than most anyone in the field.  He’s made the cut here in four of his last five trips with a Top 5 finish in 2017.  Brian has made the cut in eight straight events with three Top 5 finishes including his last at the Mayakoba.  That shouldn’t surprise you when you see his stats are pretty great across the board.  He ranks 16th in Scoring Average, 17th in Birdie Average, 17th in Driving Accuracy, 20th in Greens in Regulation, 33rd in Tee to Green, 33rd in Off the Tee, and 48th in Approach on the season.  Tony Finau out of the field, he makes for my favorite top priced option.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GJason Day940022.1%1130029.0%

It’s good to see Jason Day getting his game back on track.  The former number one player in the world has dropped to 113th but four straight made cuts and no finish below 21st.  He currently ranks 12th in Approach, 18th in Total, 19th in Greens in Regulation, 20th in Tee to Green, and 23rd in Scoring Average.  In his previous trips to this tournament, he finished 12th and missed the cut.  This is a guy who is more talented than most everyone in the field when he’s firing on all cylinders.  I don’t mind paying up a bit for him against these players.    

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GKeith Mitchell930019.9%1080023.2%

I have a special connection to Keith Mitchell because he was the first PGA Tour player I booked on my radio show.  He is a great dude and a real talent.  After eight straight finishes of 30th or worse, he broke through with a Top 10 last weekend in Houston.  I’m hoping that is a sign of things to come and especially looking at this field in comparison to him.  Mitchell has also made the cut in three straight trips to Sea Island with two Top 15 finishes.  He ranks 14th in Off the Tee, 14th in Driving Accuracy, 30th in Driving Distance, and 51st in Tee to Green.  Love the potential in this price tag. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GDenny McCarthy910014.9%1040017.6%

When it comes to Denny, you know what you’re gonna get.  It’s fantastic putting and accurate tee shots which works on these courses when you look at his results.  He has two Top 10 finishes in his last three trips to Sea Island.  Denny disappointed last weekend in Houston but finished 6th in Bermuda recently.  He finished last season ranking 2nd in Putting, 22nd in Scoring Average, 31st in Total and 36th in Around the Green.  He makes for a safe option this weekend, his distance won’t hurt on these courses.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GPatrick Rodgers870013.0%1000015.4%

Rodgers would be the first to admit that he had a very up and down 2021-2022 season.  He’s been much more consistent to start this season making six straight cuts including a 3rd place in Bermuda and 16th last week in Houston.  The reason I like him this weekend is because he excels in two areas, driving and putting which has served him well at this tournament.  He has a runner up and another Top 10 finish in his past at Sea Island.  He ranks 22nd in Off the Tee, 32nd in Scoring Average, 36th in Tee to Green, 54th in Birdie Average, 54th in Driving Distance, and 56th in Around the Green.  The key will be if he can keep the ball on the fairway, his distance will give him an edge on the field.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GMackenzie Hughes860023.2%105008.9%

This Canadian has teed it up three times this season, he won the Sanderson Farms, finished Top 25 at the ZOZO and 16th in Houston.  The form is in terrific shape and you should be taking advantage.  Hughes finished runner up at this event last season.  These are short tracks which should play right into his hands.  Hughes ranks 13th in Around the Green, 9th in Putting, 10th in Total, 11th in Scoring Average, and 44th in Tee to Green.  He should be in a lot of lineups whether it’s cash or tournament.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GBrendon Todd800012.8%99006.6%

I spoke about the importance of being accurate off the tee and there are few players better than Todd.  He finished last season 7th on the PGA Tour in Driving Accuracy.  Brendon is also one of the best putters in the world.  He has had success at this event in the past making the cut in five of his six trips with a Top 5 finish in 2019.  Todd also has two Top 10 finishes this season at the Fortinet and CJ CUP.  He is an easy plug and play this weekend. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GJ.J. Spaun780014.3%98009.3%

JJ had a breakthrough win last season at the Valero but he did have a bit of a hangover missing five cuts over the next three months.  He seems to have gotten things together with seven made cuts in a row which includes two Top 15 finishes in his last four starts.  Spaun has made the cut in five of his six trips to Sea Island with a runner up finish in 2017 and a 16th last year.  The stats are not going to wow you but he’s been steady across the board this season. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GAaron Rai780013.2%96009.6%

The former DP World Tour player disappointed us in Bermuda and in Mexico but had a nice bounce back in Houston last week finishing Top 10.  The price tag this week is much more reasonable for him.  The Englishman ranks Top 50 in Around the Green, Putting, Total, Driving Accuracy and Birdie Average.  He finished 16th at this event last year.  

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GDavis Thompson740010.4%92007.3%

Davis has made the cut in four straight starts to begin the 2022-2023 PGA Tour season.  He even finished Top 12 in two of those starts.  This Georgia Bulldog like Brian Harman has played in this event more than most in this field and actually finished 23rd in his debut.  This youngster has a lot of potential and can absolutely destroy the ball off the tee ranking Top 30 on Tour in driving distance.  He ranks 15th in Off the Tee, 32nd in Tee to Green, and 38th in Greens in Regulation.  

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GJustin Lower73004.3%84005.9%

Justin has had a nice start to the 2022-2023 PGA Tour season making the cut in his first five starts with two Top 10 finishes before last week in Houston ending that run.  He has a real talent for keeping the ball in play and it shows in his results this season.  Lower is one of those players who isn’t long off the tee but is accurate and thrives on and around the greens.  Those skills are valuable to have this weekend on Sea Island.  He ranks 11th in Birdie Average, 46th in Putting, 52nd in Scoring Average, 53rd in Greens in Regulation and 55th in Tee to Green.  Those numbers are better than most in this field.  

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GBen Taylor70004.3%80005.8%

The Englishman has had a successful start to the 2022-2023 PGA Tour season making the cut in five of his six starts.  People took notice though when he broke through with a third place finish in Houston last weekend.  I’m mad I didn’t notice him sooner cause his numbers have been solid, ranking 20th in Total, 25th in Putting, 32nd in Off the Tee, 33rd in Greens in Regulation, and 47th in Tee to Green.  I like him a lot in tournaments as a guy who will likely be under owned.

Game Type: GPP
GJohn Huh69002.6%79006.4%

You should be noticing a trend here.  We have loaded up the playbook with a ton of short accurate hitters and here we see John Huh.  There aren’t a lot of tournaments I’m willing to roster him but this is one of them with these short courses.  He has finished 12th at this event in back to back trips to the RSM Classic.  John has made the cut in four of his last six starts with just one Top 30 finish.  He makes for a nice source of salary relief this weekend.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GNate Lashley65000.6%78001.1%

We are deep into the 6K range and the options are thin because of the level of talent in this field.  I did find Nate Lashley has a solid option because he’s made the cut in all four of his trips to Sea Island.  I will say that he hasn’t played great golf recently, missing the cut in two of his last three starts.  We can hold our hats on the fact that Lashley has typically performed better on shorter courses.  I’m willing to throw him in cash or tournaments because of his accuracy and ability on the greens.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
GBrian Stuard63000.4%80000.5%

Once again, we’ve got another short hitter but he can be extremely accurate throughout his bag.  He finished the 2021-2022 PGA Tour season ranked third in driving accuracy and is currently ranked 18th in Approach.  He is very short off the tee but this is one of the few courses where he won’t be at a huge disadvantage.  That’s probably why he has made the cut in three of his five trips to the RSM Classic including a Top 10 in 2019.  Stuard has made the cut in all three of his starts this season including a 12th place at the Fortinet.  He also ranks Top 50 in Putting for the season.  

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
10300
11500

This home grown Georgia boy grew up just 90 miles from Sea Island in Savannah.  He knows these courses better than most anyone in the field.  He’s made the cut here in four of his last five trips with a Top 5 finish in 2017.  Brian has made the cut in eight straight events with three Top 5 finishes including his last at the Mayakoba.  That shouldn’t surprise you when you see his stats are pretty great across the board.  He ranks 16th in Scoring Average, 17th in Birdie Average, 17th in Driving Accuracy, 20th in Greens in Regulation, 33rd in Tee to Green, 33rd in Off the Tee, and 48th in Approach on the season.  Tony Finau out of the field, he makes for my favorite top priced option.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
9400
11300

It’s good to see Jason Day getting his game back on track.  The former number one player in the world has dropped to 113th but four straight made cuts and no finish below 21st.  He currently ranks 12th in Approach, 18th in Total, 19th in Greens in Regulation, 20th in Tee to Green, and 23rd in Scoring Average.  In his previous trips to this tournament, he finished 12th and missed the cut.  This is a guy who is more talented than most everyone in the field when he’s firing on all cylinders.  I don’t mind paying up a bit for him against these players.    

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
9300
10800

I have a special connection to Keith Mitchell because he was the first PGA Tour player I booked on my radio show.  He is a great dude and a real talent.  After eight straight finishes of 30th or worse, he broke through with a Top 10 last weekend in Houston.  I’m hoping that is a sign of things to come and especially looking at this field in comparison to him.  Mitchell has also made the cut in three straight trips to Sea Island with two Top 15 finishes.  He ranks 14th in Off the Tee, 14th in Driving Accuracy, 30th in Driving Distance, and 51st in Tee to Green.  Love the potential in this price tag. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
9100
10400

When it comes to Denny, you know what you’re gonna get.  It’s fantastic putting and accurate tee shots which works on these courses when you look at his results.  He has two Top 10 finishes in his last three trips to Sea Island.  Denny disappointed last weekend in Houston but finished 6th in Bermuda recently.  He finished last season ranking 2nd in Putting, 22nd in Scoring Average, 31st in Total and 36th in Around the Green.  He makes for a safe option this weekend, his distance won’t hurt on these courses.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
8700
10000

Rodgers would be the first to admit that he had a very up and down 2021-2022 season.  He’s been much more consistent to start this season making six straight cuts including a 3rd place in Bermuda and 16th last week in Houston.  The reason I like him this weekend is because he excels in two areas, driving and putting which has served him well at this tournament.  He has a runner up and another Top 10 finish in his past at Sea Island.  He ranks 22nd in Off the Tee, 32nd in Scoring Average, 36th in Tee to Green, 54th in Birdie Average, 54th in Driving Distance, and 56th in Around the Green.  The key will be if he can keep the ball on the fairway, his distance will give him an edge on the field.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
8600
10500

This Canadian has teed it up three times this season, he won the Sanderson Farms, finished Top 25 at the ZOZO and 16th in Houston.  The form is in terrific shape and you should be taking advantage.  Hughes finished runner up at this event last season.  These are short tracks which should play right into his hands.  Hughes ranks 13th in Around the Green, 9th in Putting, 10th in Total, 11th in Scoring Average, and 44th in Tee to Green.  He should be in a lot of lineups whether it’s cash or tournament.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
8000
9900

I spoke about the importance of being accurate off the tee and there are few players better than Todd.  He finished last season 7th on the PGA Tour in Driving Accuracy.  Brendon is also one of the best putters in the world.  He has had success at this event in the past making the cut in five of his six trips with a Top 5 finish in 2019.  Todd also has two Top 10 finishes this season at the Fortinet and CJ CUP.  He is an easy plug and play this weekend. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
7800
9800

JJ had a breakthrough win last season at the Valero but he did have a bit of a hangover missing five cuts over the next three months.  He seems to have gotten things together with seven made cuts in a row which includes two Top 15 finishes in his last four starts.  Spaun has made the cut in five of his six trips to Sea Island with a runner up finish in 2017 and a 16th last year.  The stats are not going to wow you but he’s been steady across the board this season. 

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
7800
9600

The former DP World Tour player disappointed us in Bermuda and in Mexico but had a nice bounce back in Houston last week finishing Top 10.  The price tag this week is much more reasonable for him.  The Englishman ranks Top 50 in Around the Green, Putting, Total, Driving Accuracy and Birdie Average.  He finished 16th at this event last year.  

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
7400
9200

Davis has made the cut in four straight starts to begin the 2022-2023 PGA Tour season.  He even finished Top 12 in two of those starts.  This Georgia Bulldog like Brian Harman has played in this event more than most in this field and actually finished 23rd in his debut.  This youngster has a lot of potential and can absolutely destroy the ball off the tee ranking Top 30 on Tour in driving distance.  He ranks 15th in Off the Tee, 32nd in Tee to Green, and 38th in Greens in Regulation.  

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
7300
8400

Justin has had a nice start to the 2022-2023 PGA Tour season making the cut in his first five starts with two Top 10 finishes before last week in Houston ending that run.  He has a real talent for keeping the ball in play and it shows in his results this season.  Lower is one of those players who isn’t long off the tee but is accurate and thrives on and around the greens.  Those skills are valuable to have this weekend on Sea Island.  He ranks 11th in Birdie Average, 46th in Putting, 52nd in Scoring Average, 53rd in Greens in Regulation and 55th in Tee to Green.  Those numbers are better than most in this field.  

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
7000
8000

The Englishman has had a successful start to the 2022-2023 PGA Tour season making the cut in five of his six starts.  People took notice though when he broke through with a third place finish in Houston last weekend.  I’m mad I didn’t notice him sooner cause his numbers have been solid, ranking 20th in Total, 25th in Putting, 32nd in Off the Tee, 33rd in Greens in Regulation, and 47th in Tee to Green.  I like him a lot in tournaments as a guy who will likely be under owned.

Game Type: GPP
G
6900
7900

You should be noticing a trend here.  We have loaded up the playbook with a ton of short accurate hitters and here we see John Huh.  There aren’t a lot of tournaments I’m willing to roster him but this is one of them with these short courses.  He has finished 12th at this event in back to back trips to the RSM Classic.  John has made the cut in four of his last six starts with just one Top 30 finish.  He makes for a nice source of salary relief this weekend.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
6500
7800

We are deep into the 6K range and the options are thin because of the level of talent in this field.  I did find Nate Lashley has a solid option because he’s made the cut in all four of his trips to Sea Island.  I will say that he hasn’t played great golf recently, missing the cut in two of his last three starts.  We can hold our hats on the fact that Lashley has typically performed better on shorter courses.  I’m willing to throw him in cash or tournaments because of his accuracy and ability on the greens.

Game Type: CASH & GPP
G
6300
8000

Once again, we’ve got another short hitter but he can be extremely accurate throughout his bag.  He finished the 2021-2022 PGA Tour season ranked third in driving accuracy and is currently ranked 18th in Approach.  He is very short off the tee but this is one of the few courses where he won’t be at a huge disadvantage.  That’s probably why he has made the cut in three of his five trips to the RSM Classic including a Top 10 in 2019.  Stuard has made the cut in all three of his starts this season including a 12th place at the Fortinet.  He also ranks Top 50 in Putting for the season.  

Game Type: CASH & GPP