GOLF: DraftKings PGA: Masters Tournament
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GOLF: DraftKings PGA: Masters Tournament
RotoWire 4/5/2016 Michael Riek
FedEx Cup Points: 600 to the Winner
Location: Augusta, Georgia
Defending Champion: Jordan Spieth
Tournament Preview
A tradition unlike any other, it’s Masters week. Pimento cheese sandwiches for $1.50, Jim Nantz’s masterful storytelling, the Wednesday par-3 contest; there is simply no shortage of tradition when it comes to Augusta National and the season’s first major. With 89 players slated to tee up, it will be the smallest Masters field since 2002. The field consists of 17 former Masters Champions, 14 first-time professionals, and six amateurs who all received the coveted invite to Augusta National. The favorites for the week include Jason Day seeking three consecutive wins and two-straight majors; Rory McIlroy going for the career grand slam; Bubba Watson seeking a third green jacket; and 21-year-old Jordan Spieth looking to defend last year’s tournament record-tying performance. Weather-wise, rain is forecast Thursday but it will otherwise be reasonable, setting up what is certain to be a Sunday filled with compelling drama.
Key Stats to Winning at Augusta National:
• Par-5 scoring
• Driving Distance (right-to-left shot shape preferred)
• Proximity to the hole
• 3-putt avoidance and putting conversion from 5 to 15 feet
Past Champions
2006 – Phil Mickelson
Champion’s Profile:
The last decade of players to don the green jacket include eight decorated champions; six have 10-plus PGA Tour wins and/or multiple majors to their names. The blueprint to play well is clear. Augusta National is fairly long with wide fairways and short rough, with at least nine holes favoring a right-to-left shot shape off the tee. Players will need to hit precise, soft-landing approaches to setup decent birdie looks from 15 to 20 feet, as many pins don’t allow players to get much closer. There are many difficult collection areas and bunkers to navigate, and green complexes are lightning-quick with abundant undulation. These unique characteristics give an advantage to long hitters who shape it right-to-left (draw for right-handers, fade for left-handers). Around the green, players will need immaculate touch to save par by chipping it close and holing many knee-knocking five to 10 footers to maintain momentum. All four par-5s are reachable in two for the longer hitters, making par-breakers a requirement on these holes to contend. All said, players will need to bring their A-game and full focus all week to have any chance at a green jacket.
DRAFTKINGS VALUE PICKS
(Based on Standard $50K Salary Cap)
DraftKings Tier 1 Values
Jordan Spieth - $12,300 ( Winning Odds: 12%)
Adam Scott - $11,900 ( 8%)
Ian Poulter - $7200
Angel Cabrera - $6,500
Having a good track record at the Masters has more meaning than any other major for two reasons: It’s played at the same course every year and it has the smallest field of any major. After dismissing the amateurs and players older than 50 as legitimate contenders, there are only around 70 players who have a reasonable chance to win, and that’s before the 36-hole cut. Mickelson won his first in 2004, then won two years later in 2006, then won four years later in 2010. If you see the trend, 2016 represents six years after his last green jacket. Rose is a classic ballstriker with a knack for Augusta, posting top-25s his last eight starts at the Masters. Kuchar is in both lineups due to his value and overall consistency, and enters Augusta well under the radar. Paul Casey is a player with length, four top-20s at the Masters, and decent form entering this week. Ian Poulter might be outspoken, but his record of seven top-20s at Augusta is nothing to scoff at. Finally, the unheralded Angel Cabrera may be ranked 328 in the world, but his undeniable aptitude at the Masters can’t be ignored; he won in 2009 and has six top-10s in 16 Masters starts.
Higher-Risk Tournament Lineup
Kiradech Aphibarnrat - $6,100
Mark O’Meara - $5,100
With the $4M Fantasy Golf Millionaire event on DraftKings holding a capacity of 229,800 entries, differentiating your lineup is more crucial than ever to maximize your chance for a nice payday. Jordan Spieth found his stride in Texas last week with a top-15 and will look to defend his green jacket from last season’s record-tying Masters. Jason Day is the overall favorite but just $11,600 thanks to early salary designations; Day has won his last two events and the last major played. Matt Kuchar notched three straight top-8s at the Masters prior to a T46 last year and enters underrated this year. Kaymer is a risk with three of eight made cuts at the Masters, but he does have two majors under his belt and is a worthy option at just $7,100. Kiradech Aphibarnrat is making his first start, which likely means he won’t win, but he has come to life with a top-10 at Bay Hill and decent showing at the WGC-Match Play. Finally, O’Meara notched a T22 at last year’s Masters to break a streak of many made cuts, but if he can somehow make the cut he could be a huge differentiator among the masses of teams on DraftKings this week.