RADIO
Former number one in the world Luke Donald was unable to convert his 54-hole lead into a victory as Branden Grace shot 5-under 66 in the final round to win his first PGA Tour event. Russell Knox finished runner-up with Donald (I chose Knox in my column last week.)
Four of my eight selections missed the cut: Brandt Snedeker, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Sean O'Hair, and Brendon Todd. The other four picks: Russell Knox (runner-up,) Tony Finau (T39, 3-over,) Colt Knost (T14, 2-under,) and Jerry Kelly (T45, 4-over.) I was really high on Colt Knost and after shooting an opening round 2-over, he turned it around.
TPC San Antonio hosts the Valero Texas Open. The course, AT&T Oaks Course, is a par-72, 7,522 yards. Jimmy Walker won this tournament last year, defeating Jordan Spieth by four strokes. The last golfer to defend his championship was Zach Johnson in 2009. The course, "The AT&T Oaks Course, designed by PGA TOUR legend Greg Norman with player consultant Sergio Garcia, reflects the TOUR's departure from the modern tournament style course (expansive grass areas and spectator mounding) to a more natural look and feel, without sacrificing the fan experience making it very tournament friendly."
PGA Stats To Look At for Daily Fantasy Golf (DFS)
The following stats are most closely related to finishing position, provided by The Fantasy Golf.
Bogey Avoidance
Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green
Birdie or Better Percentage
Strokes Gained: Putting- Last year Jimmy Walker led the field in SG:P and won the tournament.
Fantasy Golf Lineup Picks for DraftKings (PGA DFS)
Brandt Snedeker ($10,300)
Bogey Avoidance: 17
Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 58
Birdie or Better Percentage: 23
Strokes Gained: Putting: 38
I can't imagine Sneds getting cut in back-t0-back weeks. He last played at this course in 2011 where he finished fourth.
Bryson DeChambeau ($9,800)
He has not played in enough tournaments so his stats do not qualify him. This young gun has been playing with a chip on his shoulder and with something to prove. He played stellar golf at The Masters finishing T21, and followed that up last week finishing T4 in Hilton Head.
Jason Kokrak ($9,300)
Bogey Avoidance: T24
Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 47
Birdie or Better Percentage: T110
Strokes Gained: Putting: 148
Kokrak had a really nice showing at the RBC Heritage last week, finishing T6, 4-under. He finished T11 last year at this tournament, T31 in 2014, and T15 in 2013. He missed the cut in 2012.
Daniel Summerhays ($8,300)
Bogey Avoidance: 122
Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 125
Birdie or Better Percentage: 42
Strokes Gained: Putting: T49
What a cool name Summerhays is. He was T4 last year at the Texas Open, runner-up the year prior, and T7 in 2013. He last missed a cut at TPC San Antonio in 2011. Last week he finished T51, 5- over at the RBC Heritage. His stats may not be so good, and his golf of late has been iffy, but his past performance on this course makes him a must play.
Freddie Jacobson ($8,100)
Bogey Avoidance: 29
Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 143
Birdie or Better Percentage: 56
Strokes Gained: Putting: 26
Jacobson has had good success on this course; runner-up in 2010, T18 in 2012, T15 in 2013, T16 in 2014, and T50 last year. His last time out he was cut at the Houston Open in the last week of March. He should regain his form in San Antonio this week.
Aaron Baddeley ($7,400)
Bogey Avoidance: 40
Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 117
Birdie or Better Percentage: 43
Strokes Gained: Putting: 9
I love how Baddeley is an effective putter. I always feel more comfortable knowing my player can knock down some deep putts. Last week he finished T9, 3-under. At this tournament, he finished T3 in 2010, did not play in 2011 or 2012, T7 in 2013, T69 in 2014, and T20 last year.
Jerry Kelly ($7,000)
Bogey Avoidance: 11
Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 89
Birdie or Better Percentage: 184
Strokes Gained: Putting: T145
Kelly has only missed one cut on the season, but he has to start making birdies to garner more points on DraftKings. He was T46 last week at the RBC Heritage shooting a 4-over. He was cut last year at the Texas Open, T6 in 2014, cut in 2013, and T18 in 2012.
Justin Leonard ($6,300)
Bogey Avoidance: 97
Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 113
Birdie or Better Percentage: T174
Strokes Gained: Putting: 134
I'll give him a flyer due to him winning this tournament three times. Why not Leonard?
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