Paulie’s Picks: 2020 Tour Championship

The 2019-20 PGA Tour season comes to a close this week with the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club. The format for this event is unique: based on FedEx Cup standings, players start at scores varying from -10 to even par. The net winner is the FedEx Cup winner.

For fantasy golf, this format isn’t great. In a field of 30 players starting at varying scores, there aren’t many edges to find, especially in DraftKings. So I would suggest betting smaller amounts than normal. Save your funds for the U.S. Open later this month and the Masters this November.

But if you still choose mix it up this week, here are a few players to target:

DraftKings

Xander Schauffele $8,900

All signs are pointing to a strong Schauffele performance. He has gone first, second, and seventh in his three appearances at the Tour Championship. Lately, his consistency has been first-rate; he has finished 25th or better in 14 of his past 15 events. In this field, he ranks in the top third off the tee, around the greens, on the greens, in birdies, and in approaches from 150-175 yards. At almost half the price of Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffele is a staple in my lineups this week.

Billy Horschel $5,700

This is way too cheap of a price for another player who has accumulated finishes of first, second, and seventh in three starts at East Lake. Horschel is in the top third of the field in putting and approaches from 150-75 and 175-200 yards. Although he starts at the back of the pack at even par, Horschel can easily rack up enough points to pay off his low price tag, and you’ll have the freedom to buy up some more expensive players.

One-and-Done

The Tour Championship is the final event of the season for a lot of leagues, so your pick should be based more on strategy than on the individual player. If you’re leading your league, take the best available guy. If you’re trailing, look for the best available player that the leaders in your league can’t pick.