This article is part of our FanDuel PGA DFS Picks series.
Fort Worth Invitational – Fort Worth, TX
Colonial Country Club (7,209 yards, par 70)
$7.1M Purse
$1,278,000 and 500 FedEx Cup points to the winner
Tournament Preview
After stopping at a new venue for the AT&T Byron Nelson last week, the PGA Tour returns to deeply-rooted tradition for its 73rd installment at Colonial Country Club. Colonial's long history dates to 1941, when it hosted the U.S. Open. Just five years later in 1946 it established itself as a Tour stop and has hosted ever since. In fact, it's second only to Augusta National as the longest continuous venue for PGA Tour play. With legendary Texas icon Ben Hogan winning the first two editions of the event and eventually collecting five total victories, the course would forever be associated with one of golf's greatest. Headliners Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose, Jon Rahm, and Rickie Fowler make a reasonably strong core to lead this week's field. The par-70 layout of Colonial is a classic tree-lined venue with just two par-5s, complete with many abrupt doglegs and little margin for error off the fairways. Expect plenty of birdies and a winning score somewhere between 14- and 20-under-par.
Recent Past Champions
2017 – Kevin Kisner
2016 – Jordan Spieth
2015 – Chris Kirk
2014 – Adam Scott
2013 – Boo Weekley
2012 – Zach Johnson
2011 – David Toms
2010 – Zach Johnson
2009 – Steve Stricker
2008 – Phil Mickelson
Key Stats to Winning this Week
• Driving Accuracy
• Strokes Gained: Approach-the-Green
• Strokes Gained: Putting
Champion's Profile
Whenever you hear a course described as "classic" or "tree-lined", it goes without saying that accuracy off the tee is critical. With just two par-5s for long-hitters to feast on and many doglegs that demand proper positioning, the advantage of distance is muted. Once players are in the fairway, there's plenty of short iron approaches, leading to plenty of makeable birdie putts. Over a nine-year period from 2003-2011, Colonial was deemed the easiest greens to putt in terms of Strokes Gained: Putting. Though it hasn't remained the most lenient to putt since then, it's still amongst the most generous with its smooth bentgrass surfaces. This has an effect of taking already-great putters into another stratosphere. This venue has a way of making winners out of players like Zach Johnson and Jordan Spieth, who are accurate and strategic off the tee with superb short irons and putting.
FanDuel Value Picks
The Chalk
Jordan Spieth, $12400 – Again the favorite in his home state for a second straight week, Spieth will have a chance to rekindle his memories of winning here back in 2016. The only thing standing in his way is his poor putting of late, but this week's smaller and easier greens could be just the antidote he needs to get back on track.
Justin Rose, $12200 – An elite tee-to-green ball striker who is top-15 in Strokes Gained: Putting this season? Yes please! Rose hasn't played Colonial since 2010, but his consistent game fits the classic course profile this week.
Jon Rahm, $11900 – A birdie machine who can take any course by storm, Rahm will have to dial is back a bit to hit more fairways this week. But when he does, he will be attacking the flags and will likely get into contention on talent alone.
Webb Simpson, $11600 – Returning to action off a dominant win at TPC Sawgrass, Simpson will look to maintain his elite play on a track where he's finished inside the top 5 the past two years.
Longer Shots Worth a Risk
Jason Dufner, $10200 – Fresh off a top-5 at THE PLAYERS, Dufner has both form and history on his side. He's netted three top-6s at Colonial in 10 career appearances and represents a great value add to your lineup this week with a mid-range price tag on FanDuel.
Aaron Wise, $9400 – The 21-year-old closed the deal in impressive fashion last week after a near-win a few weeks earlier, making him one hot commodity right now. His current form alone should again net him a made cut despite his first time seeing the course. Despite last week's win, his salary only jumped up $700, and an amazing 28 players are still priced higher than him.
Shawn Stefani, $7800 – There's no doubt Stefani has struggled with some extended periods of consecutive missed cuts, but he's put together three top-26 finishes his last six events. As a good putter and iron player, Stefani's game appears to fit the course if he can position himself off the tee consistently. He's a risk worth taking if only to get other top-salary options in your lineup.
Strategy Tips for this week (based on 60k standard salary cap)
This week's classic course demands driving accuracy, short iron play, and great putting to contend. If a player has strengths in at least two of these aspects he's fair game for this tournament. Make sure to acquire at least 2 studs and fill in your lineup with some trendy options.
