So, I have a pool below of 40 golfers. Moving forward, when we get more stats and things are more current, we’re going to chop the pool down to 25-30. An abundance of choice can cause decision making paralysis and we want to avoid that.
But being so early in the season, we’re flying a little blind and we’re sort of on a hope and a prayer.
Regardless, there are lineups to be made and bets to be placed and spouses to anger as they continue to question why we’re continually “depositing into Draft Kings” and not “paying the mortgage” and “I don’t give a shit if you think Luke List learned how to putt, you’re not liquidating the children’s college fund.”
Sorry, I blacked out - what happened?
Anyway:
Some usual suspects I won’t spend time on here - they’re good - play them: Theegala, Glover, Kirk, Conners, Aberg, Hatton, Fitzpatrick.
I took a look at the trend table and roughly every golfer from about 70 and up is playing at their base line and above, so I’m not overly concerned about Henley or Fitzpatrick.
Conversely, even though I mentioned them above, Glover & Aberg are definitely on the slide a little bit. It could just be that they were playing at such a high level, it’s almost impossible to sustain. I’d give them the benefit of the doubt, but if their lines aren’t great or click percentages in daily tournaments are too high, could give you a good reason to fade.
Waialae Country Club isn’t long, but it is tight and accuracy is a premium. It’s not a tough putting course, but it may become a putting contest, which is why we want to put an emphasis on approach and putting this week, or at least that’s where my head is at.
I’m extremely interested in Ben Kohles. He was lighting the Korn Ferry on fire and had a top 5 finish at the RSM Classic. His accuracy, putting and approach are appealing to me and the price point is fantastic as well.
Noren, Poston, Fitzpatrick, Whaley and… Luke List? have all been terrific putters in their last 16 rounds, so I think it’s ok to be high on them.
Golfers who play at Sentry and then play at Sony are around 80% to make the cut. I misplaced where I read that, but if I find it again I will be happy to appropriately credit. Something to consider when building your lineup.
As per usual, this our more flimsy group and more likely to be your tournament consideration group.
Harris English has never really had a super high finish here, but seems to always make the cut. Solid putter over the past tracked 16 rounds as well.
Mathieu Pavon has plus numbers across the board. Will be interesting to see how much the field is on him. Has never played here.
Bhatia will likely be popular, but his putting has come on since switching to the broomstick. Played very well at Sentry last week.
Brendon Todd has made the cut here four years running with two T-21’s in that span. Worth noting.
Andrew Putnam has made the cut four times of the previous five events, has a solo two and a T-4 last year. 40th at Sentry last week and a 5th in November at World Wide Technology. Supreme accuracy.
Good luck - let’s get 6/6 through!