DraftKings are running a fantasy golf game associated with the Deutsche Bank Championship offering a first prize of $100,000 out of a total fund of $400,000. Players can draft several teams at $27 per entry and must select six players with a salary cap of $50,000 which means the average cost of each player is $8,333. Salaries range from $11,800 for Jason Day to $6,000 for some of the lower order qualifiers for next stage the 2015 FedEx Cup.
Player Statistics
For each player in the tournament DraftKings displays stroke averages, top 10s and cuts made. The FPPG rating measures each player’s fantasy score since the start of the season and the top players will have the best rating. Fantasy players can see detailed statistics for each competitor from over the last two seasons. These numbers analyse scoring on each type of hole and show a player’s stroke average in their last tournament and from the start of 2014.
Course Features
The Deutsche Bank Championship has been played at the TPC at Norton in Boston since it was added to the schedule since 2003. The tournament has a history of big hitters doing well. The fairways are generous and the course is above average in length for a par 71 track. Hitting the greens in regulation and scrambling are the other key attributes for good scoring. The nature of the course favours some players more than others and the following players will be suited to playing conditions this week.
Fantasy Team
Jim Furyk ($9,000) has had a consistent season and won again which means he has risen to number six in the world rankings. He has been playing decent golf on the PGA Tour for the best part of twenty years and can figure this week despite not being the longest driver in the field. Furyk combines solid current form with a decent record at this week’s host course and that profile can compensate for his lack of length off the tee. Furyk is a top 25 player for greens hit and scrambling and traditionally those skills serve players well at TPC at Norton.
Brooks Koepka ($8,700) is one of the bright young things of American golf trying to make an impact after spending several years playing on the European Tour. He is now consistently recording high finishes in the States and has the game to score well at Norton. Koepka is a top 12 player for greens hit and driving distance. Before missing last weekend he had made his last five cuts with something to spare and is set for another good week on a course suited to his profile.
Matt Kuchar ($8,500) is the guy who always smiles while he is playing golf and that could be because his consistency has earned him a fortune during his professional career. His current form is average but he is a regular cut maker on the course. He has a solid all-round game and is an excellent scrambler when he misses greens. Kuchar will not be intimidated by getting closer to the $10 million jackpot for winning the FedEx Cup and he can confirm his place next week with another good effort.
Brandt Snedeker ($8,400) has already won the FedEx Cup so knows what its like to be presented with a cheque for $10 million. He famously said he would not buy a new car as he has a perfectly decent vehicle in his garage. Sneds is just below the very highest level and at 29 in the world rankings gets invites to the majors and WGC tournaments. Winning may be beyond him this week but he can make the top 10 and contribute some point to your team’s total.
Bill Haas ($7,700) is another former FedEx Cup winner and might have lost some hunger since banking that mammoth cheque. He is not a flamboyant player but solid and consistent which is reflected in his world ranking of 28. Haas is a top 40 player for greens in regulation and scrambling, skills that allow to compete against longer hitters. He has a decent record at TPC Norton and a high finish can get him through to the next round of the post-season.
Tony Finau ($7,700) is am emerging talent who has recorded some high finishes on the PGA Tour this season. He is in the top ten for driving distance and a top 50 player for finding greens in the correct number of shots. He has no course form in his record but has figured on similar layouts that put a premium on distance over accuracy when driving. The wide fairways will give him some leeway and decent approach play will set up plenty of birdie opportunities.
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