Don’t take your hawaiian shirts off just yet. We’ve got another week in the Pacific for this week’s Sony Open.
The course is Waialae Country Club and while it’s one of the oldest on TOUR, it’s just a baby in size. At 7,044 yards it certainly qualifies as a short, par 70 course.
Give a look at the Wind Specialists and the entire Sony Open Fantasy Golfanac for more quotes and course details.
Check out my Searching for a Specialist article over at RotoGrinders for some deeper analysis.
Players to Watch
Matt Kuchar… Matthew Kooch has Waialae Country Club figured out. With top 10s in each of the past four years here, it’s safe to lead with him on any of your fantasy rosters. Also, don’t worry about his putter-up-the-arm method of putting, it is still legal with the new anchoring rules.
Jimmy Walker… It’s Walker Hawaiian Ranger. Anytime he tees it up on an island, you want to invest. Just don’t go overboard in DFS since his price is super, dooper, trooper inflated.
Graeme McDowell… He gave gamers the middle finger last week and makes his course debut this week. There is a reason so many wanted a piece of G-Mac on their roster last week. He was looking great, don’t let one bad week deter you. Hop back on the train!
Harris English… He’s becoming one of my favorite golfers to lock-and-load blindly on short courses. This week is definitely a shot venue. Look for a top 30 this week with top 10 upside.
Gary Woodland… Finished third here last year. There is not a lot of wind currently forecasted but we all know that can change at the drop of a hat. If the week picks up, Woodland is one of the best in the business in the wind.
Kevin Kisner… The Kiz is 1-for-4 here at Waialae with the one being a T84. Ouch! Given his raised expectations as of late, I think it’s an easy week just to avoid Kisner altogether.
Brandt Snedeker… Said he was in for a big year and he started off strong last week. Much like Billy Horschel, when Sneds gets rolling, you want to keep rostering him. Load him up again.
Tony Finau… My overall numbers suggest Finau should be a top-15 finisher. However, when researching I stumbled upon his terrible record on bermuda grass. Add in the switch to nike irons and I’m going on the complete Finau Fade Train this week. Its a dangerous game I’m playing, but I say Finau finishes outside the top 25 so I want no part of him this week. Wish me luck.
Will Wilcox…Now you’re really gonna hate me. First I fade Finau and now I fade Willy Wavegod Wilcox! I’ve gone completely mad. There is some method to my madness though. Looking at his short course performance I see negative in the Strokes Gained:Total column. He does have a top 10 here in one start, but I’m going to bank on him not repeating that. I think at best he sneaks into the top 20, but worse-case is a missed cut. I don’t want that MC on my rosters this week.
Hao Tong Li… The 20-year-old already has four international wins. All in Asia, but still four wins. If you’re looking for a deep scrub sleeper, I’d rather take a flier on some like Li or Miguel Tabuena than settle for a washed-up veteran.
Sony Open Cheatsheet… Head over to Daily Fantasy Solutions and grab this week’s DraftKings cheatsheet for just five bucks. This includes guys that fit the stat profile, golfers that are in good form, course history, recommended cash game targets and more! I love hearing about the success people are having with the weekly DraftKings cheatsheet so check it out!
My Top 25 for the 2016 Sony Open in Hawaii
1. Matt Kuchar
2. Jimmy Walker
3. Adam Scott
4. Ryan Palmer
5. Harris English
6. Graeme Mcdowell
7. Brandt Snedeker
8. Gary Woodland
9. Webb Simpson
10. Keegan Bradley
11. Kevin Na
12. Charles Howell III
13. Russell Knox
14. Pat Perez
15. Justin Thomas
16. Daniel Summerhays
17. Zach Johnson
18. Chris Kirk
19. Luke Donald
20. Daniel Berger
21. Jerry Kelly
22. Jason Dufner
23. Kevin Kisner
24. Marc Leishman
25. Francesco Molinari