FantasyDraft PGA: The Players  Championship

FantasyDraft PGA: The Players Championship

This article is part of our FantasyDraft PGA series.

The Players Championship
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course (7,189 yards, par 72)
Field – 144 entrants
Purse - $11.0M

The Preview

The Players Championship – golf's "fifth major," returns in all its splendor for another great week of drama. The world's top 50 ranked players are all playing, including Tiger Woods, who returns after a two-year absence. With the changes to the 2018-19 schedule next season, this could very well be the last time the Players is held in May. the Players Championship remains as the highest non-major payout of the year with a gigantic $11 million purse and first prize of $1.98 million. The famous par-3 17th hole – the "island" green - headlines a final three-hole stretch that promises to provide plenty of fanfare and scoring swings throughout the week. Defending champion Si Woo Kim will look to become the first ever back-to-back champion in the event's 45-year history, but it's not likely with such incredible talent in the field.

Past Champions

2017 – Si Woo Kim
2016 – Jason Day
2015 – Rickie Fowler
2014 – Martin Kaymer
2013 – Tiger Woods
2012 – Matt Kuchar
2011 – K.J. Choi
2010 – Tim Clark
2009 – Henrik Stenson
2008 – Sergio Garcia

FantasyDraft Value Picks - based on $100,000 salary cap

Cream of the Crop

Jason Day, $16800

After last week's victory employing his "C" game on Sunday, Day heads back to TPC Sawgrass as a former champion just two years ago. He's a solid pick to contend if he can clean up some of his poor driving from last week, but there's a touch of risk here despite his great value.

Jordan Spieth, $16700

Ranked first in scrambling and second in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green this season, Spieth has somehow slipped under the radar as an elite option this week. His poor record at TPC Sawgrass may have many shying away from him, but he's actually a great fit for this venue on paper.

Justin Thomas, $16700

Once again JT leads the FedEx Cup this season after winning it all last season, continuing a torrid pace of consistent golf as he heads into the Players . He's obviously one of the elite talents in the game, and his top-notch ballstriking and ability to make birdies should translate well to the tricky Pete Dye track.

Glue Guys

Sergio Garcia, $15200

Though he's much better than your typical "glue guy", Garcia is stated as such because his salary falls below what you'd expect for such a decorated record at TPC Sawgrass. Value abounds for Sergio on FantasyDraft this week.

Daniel Berger, $13300

Berger is a cut-making machine but offers little upside in a strong field this week, making him a solid but uninspiring option this week. Almost reminds me of a young Charles Howell III but with a slightly better chance to close the deal.

Bargain Bin

Xander Schauffele, $12600

Won the TOUR Championship last season to seal Rookie of the Year honors but hasn't blipped on the radar since. His upside alone makes him worth a shot at this bargain rate, but there's some risk in taking a first-timer at TPC Sawgrass.

Sean O'Hair, $11800

It's hard to believe, but it's been 11 years since O'Hair snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in an embarrassing manner on hole 17. He's made just four of nine cuts at TPC Sawgrass since, but his recent form of four top-25s his last seven events – including a T2 at the Valero Texas Open - brings his stock up this week.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Michael Riek plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: mriek25.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Riek
Michael is the 2016 FSWA Golf Writer of the Year winner. He is a former collegiate golfer with a passion for analytics and strategy.
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