PGA First Look: Greenbrier Classic

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The PGA First Look is complete with a course preview, odds, salaries, Official World Golf Rankings, and course history.

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Event Preview

To be completely honest, I wasn’t too excited about the Quicken Loans National heading into last week, but it ended up being my best PGA DFS week ever. The best part is that two of my favorite DFS plays (Kyle Stanley and Charles Howell) carried me to a big week. The tour now heads to West Virginia for the Greenbrier Classic. You may not remember this event from last year because the course was flooded and the event had to be cancelled. With damage across the course, they decided to make some changes to the course. The major changes include an overhaul of the greens (grass type and taking away some of the severe slopes) and moving many bunkers closer to the putting surfaces. They also opened up some sight lines, but overall, it is expected to play similarly to how it did in the past.

OldQ

If you are looking for a strong field, then you may want to consider playing the Irish Open. The Greenbrier Classic doesn’t have a single player in the field that is ranked inside the top 20 in the world rankings. Now, with that said, it should still be a fun event, because PGA DFS is the best. It’s worth noting that three players will earn a spot into the Open Championship this week. The top three finishers that haven’t already qualified will book their ticket to the Open. It’s also worth noting that we are back to a full field this week (156 golfers), so a smaller percentage of golfers will make the cut than last week.

Time to get into the course. The Old White TPC is a Par 70 that measures 7,287 yards. It doesn’t seem too long from a yardage standpoint, but it’s actually quite lengthy for a Par 70. We see quite a few courses that measure less than 7,000 yards. The fairways on this course are the easiest to hit on tour (or close to it). Even though the bombers haven’t dominated this event in the past, I’ll lean distance over accuracy in a tiebreaker situation. I love using the strokes gained ball striking statistic (off the tee + approach) and I always factor in birdie or better percentage. The last stat that I will be looking at is par four scoring since there are only two par fives on the scorecard.

Cut Rule: Top 70 and ties move on after the first two rounds. The MDF is in effect if more than 78 golfers make the initial cut.

Recent Winners of this Event: Danny Lee (2015), Angel Cabrera (2014), Jonas Blixt (2013), Ted Potter (2012)

Key Statistics (In Order of Importance)

1) Strokes Gained Approach
2) Strokes Gained Off the Tee
3) Birdie or Better %
4) Par 4 Scoring
5) Bogey Avoidance

Salaries, Odds, and Course History (2012-2016)

Golfer DK Salary FD Salary FDRFT Salary OWGR Odds DK Odds FD Odds FDRFT Odds Cuts 2015 2014 2013 2012
Patrick Reed $11,200 $10,100 $17,800 21 15 0% 0% 0% 2/3 29 26 110 500
Bill Haas $10,800 $8,800 $17,300 36 18 -50% 40% -50% 3/4 92 23 9 33
Kevin Kisner $10,700 $9,500 $17,100 24 16 33% 33% 33% 1/3 2 128 500 139
Phil Mickelson $10,400 $9,700 $16,600 25 24 0% -100% 0% 0/2 500 500 110 97
Webb Simpson $10,100 $8,300 $16,500 61 26 -60% 0% -60% 3/4 128 3 41 7
David Lingmerth $10,000 $7,600 $16,500 93 24 17% 62% 0% 3/3 6 16 9 500
Bubba Watson $9,800 $8,000 $16,100 42 36 -43% 0% 0% 3/3 13 16 30 500
Charles Howell $9,700 $7,600 $15,800 55 38 -50% 8% 0% 1/4 92 52 94 106
Danny Lee $9,500 $8,400 $16,400 81 25 22% 0% 0% 2/3 1 16 500 106
Keegan Bradley $9,400 $7,900 $16,200 95 30 10% 18% -13% 3/3 29 4 500 46
Russell Henley $9,300 $7,700 $15,900 57 37 0% 8% 0% 2/2 5 500 30 500
Tony Finau $9,100 $8,900 $16,200 67 25 50% -50% 25% 1/1 13 500 500 500
Kevin Streelman $8,900 $6,600 $15,400 121 47 -8% 44% -8% 2/2 77 500 500 56
James Hahn $8,800 $6,200 $14,800 68 60 -36% 44% -6% 3/3 6 89 41 500
Jason Kokrak $8,700 $6,000 $14,400 97 56 -13% 60% 29% 2/3 54 500 41 77
Sung Kang $8,600 $7,000 $14,700 84 61 -25% 9% 0% 0/1 500 500 500 149
J.B. Holmes $8,500 $8,600 $15,400 51 47 24% -117% 0% 3/3 22 23 500 27
Graham DeLaet $8,400 $6,700 $14,800 112 62 -28% 4% -28% 3/3 37 500 30 12
Jamie Lovemark $8,300 $7,300 $14,400 98 68 -37% -63% -8% 1/2 500 85 500 134
Nick Watney $8,200 $6,800 $14,000 297 79 -65% -43% -3% 1/3 92 90 23 500
Sean O’Hair $8,100 $7,200 $14,500 72 67 -14% -41% -9% 2/4 13 128 82 7
Geoff Ogilvy $8,000 $5,600 $13,400 207 96 -73% 38% 0% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Xander Schauffele $7,900 $6,600 $14,900 159 59 22% 28% -13% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Jimmy Walker $7,800 $8,100 $15,200 38 49 38% -67% 0% 1/3 500 128 2 106
Johnson Wagner $7,700 $5,300 $14,000 234 61 12% 71% 31% 4/4 32 26 2 64
Si Woo Kim $7,600 $7,100 $14,900 31 61 19% -5% -31% 0/1 500 500 121 500
Gary Woodland $7,500 $7,500 $14,700 49 49 41% -7% 20% 2/3 500 72 62 97
Ollie Schniederjans $7,400 $7,200 $14,100 130 83 -25% -106% -21% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Bryson DeChambeau $7,400 $5,900 $14,200 147 73 0% 39% -4% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Grayson Murray $7,400 $6,200 $13,400 148 113 -57% -29% -16% 0/0 500 500 500 500
David Hearn $7,400 $6,500 $14,300 192 75 -11% -15% -19% 3/4 2 64 141 12
Harold Varner $7,300 $5,800 $12,500 138 148 -97% -26% -3% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Ben Martin $7,300 $6,500 $14,200 193 75 6% -11% -11% 0/1 500 118 500 500
Robert Streb $7,300 $6,200 $13,000 199 136 -72% -62% -20% 3/3 2 71 41 500
Ben Crane $7,300 $5,800 $12,400 405 166 -122% -42% -11% 1/2 111 500 77 500
Jim Herman $7,200 $4,900 $10,400 86 108 -17% 58% 72% 1/3 78 90 30 500
Hudson Swafford $7,200 $5,800 $13,000 88 98 -8% 22% 15% 2/2 67 52 500 500
Chris Stroud $7,200 $5,300 $12,400 424 165 -92% 8% -8% 2/3 37 4 500 121
Ted Potter $7,200 $5,400 $12,800 111 -19% 39% 23% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Morgan Hoffmann $7,100 $6,300 $13,500 158 107 -3% -41% -11% 2/3 13 118 23 500
Patrick Rodgers $7,100 $6,300 $13,800 171 94 8% -28% -6% 2/2 60 45 500 500
JT Poston $7,100 $5,700 $12,500 187 155 -60% -10% -5% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Brian Gay $7,100 $5,400 $12,400 240 160 -68% 4% -5% 0/2 500 500 94 97
Luke Donald $7,000 $6,200 $13,000 85 119 -5% -35% 0% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Harris English $7,000 $7,100 $14,500 104 73 39% -35% -23% 0/1 500 500 500 97
Jonas Blixt $7,000 $5,600 $12,800 273 141 -36% 2% -7% 2/3 78 35 1 500
Curtis Luck $7,000 $6,300 $13,800 307 81 23% -17% 3% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Stewart Cink $6,900 $7,200 $14,100 156 74 40% -71% 0% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Chad Campbell $6,900 $5,800 $13,900 174 68 48% 50% 26% 2/3 37 90 41 500
Jonathan Randolph $6,900 $5,100 $12,400 316 172 -56% 15% -17% 0/1 92 500 500 500
Ryan Blaum $6,900 $5,300 $11,600 359 267 -119% -40% -7% 0/1 500 500 82 500
Willy Wilcox $6,900 $5,800 $12,300 416 175 -58% -52% -6% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Julian Etulain $6,900 $5,200 $11,500 436 283 -127% -31% -6% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Angel Cabrera $6,900 $5,000 $11,600 650 261 -110% -9% -3% 1/2 128 1 500 500
Braden Thornberry $6,900 $5,000 $13,400 679 123 -2% 47% -29% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Roberto Castro $6,800 $4,700 $11,300 126 299 -102% -2% -4% 2/3 500 73 82 7
Scott Brown $6,800 $6,300 $12,900 136 130 7% -79% -2% 3/3 37 75 72 500
Kelly Kraft $6,800 $5,300 $12,000 185 199 -45% -8% 1% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Matt Jones $6,800 $6,100 $14,100 217 79 43% 16% -10% 1/2 500 500 2 91
John Huh $6,800 $5,200 $12,000 225 199 -45% 2% 1% 2/3 54 99 500 46
Tyrone Van Aswegen $6,800 $5,300 $12,300 298 171 -30% 3% -1% 1/2 78 57 500 500
Greg Owen $6,800 $4,600 $11,400 418 265 -84% 13% 2% 2/3 6 500 23 97
Sebastian Munoz $6,800 $4,600 $11,100 333 -111% 1% -3% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Smylie Kaufman $6,700 $6,100 $12,900 141 137 13% -47% -10% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Nick Taylor $6,700 $5,600 $13,400 194 106 38% 34% -5% 0/1 92 500 500 500
Seung-Yul Noh $6,700 $6,100 $12,700 200 139 11% -50% 2% 2/3 37 500 121 27
Michael Kim $6,700 $5,500 $12,500 215 144 5% 9% 0% 1/1 500 500 38 500
Ricky Barnes $6,700 $5,900 $13,100 261 121 27% -2% -12% 2/4 67 90 110 38
Richy Werenski $6,700 $4,500 $10,700 304 488 -113% -6% -3% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Brian Campbell $6,700 $4,600 $11,000 452 362 -94% -4% -5% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano $6,700 $4,900 $11,200 637 297 -75% -13% -1% 2/2 37 64 500 500
Chris Kirk $6,600 $6,300 $12,900 122 125 31% -72% 2% 1/2 500 45 500 143
Patton Kizzire $6,600 $5,300 $11,400 210 287 -53% -47% -5% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Zac Blair $6,600 $5,700 $12,400 257 169 0% -24% -13% 0/1 78 500 500 500
Boo Weekley $6,600 $5,500 $13,100 288 132 25% 19% -29% 0/2 500 500 133 121
Troy Merritt $6,600 $5,200 $12,300 290 159 8% 20% 8% 1/2 138 16 500 500
Andres Gonzales $6,600 $4,500 $11,700 315 259 -39% 22% -4% 2/2 37 500 54 500
Brett Stegmaier $6,600 $4,800 $11,400 407 278 -47% -2% -1% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Zack Sucher $6,600 $4,500 $10,700 611 517 -96% -10% -7% 0/1 92 500 500 500
J.J. Spaun $6,500 $5,800 $12,200 135 200 -4% -66% -8% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Cheng-Tsung Pan $6,500 $5,400 $12,700 153 131 34% 24% 9% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Vaughn Taylor $6,500 $6,000 $12,400 168 156 19% -55% -2% 0/2 500 500 121 106
Cameron Tringale $6,500 $5,900 $13,000 239 128 36% -11% -11% 3/4 111 4 23 56
Alex Cejka $6,500 $4,900 $11,300 243 294 -39% -12% -2% 1/1 60 500 500 500
Spencer Levin $6,500 $5,500 $12,900 296 140 28% 13% -14% 1/3 92 128 500 63
Ken Duke $6,500 $4,800 $10,700 442 431 -65% -27% 0% 2/4 148 73 121 7
Ryan Armour $6,500 $4,600 $11,000 511 336 -49% 0% -1% 1/1 22 500 500 500
Max Homa $6,500 $4,500 $10,600 664 605 -85% -16% -7% 0/1 92 500 500 500
Davis Love $6,500 $4,700 $10,900 717 429 -64% -18% -7% 4/4 54 35 9 17
Michael Putnam $6,500 $5,600 $12,200 751 196 1% -30% -3% 2/2 60 35 500 500
Joaquin Niemann $6,500 $4,900 $10,600 279 -35% -9% 22% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Luke List $6,400 $6,100 $13,100 134 84 61% 5% 14% 1/1 500 500 59 500
Trey Mullinax $6,400 $6,000 $13,100 244 117 51% -7% -7% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Vijay Singh $6,400 $4,800 $11,600 271 261 -11% 2% -4% 1/4 92 99 121 33
Scott Stallings $6,400 $5,700 $13,000 284 122 48% 17% -4% 4/4 67 35 23 56
Seamus Power $6,400 $6,000 $12,400 325 166 24% -67% -9% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Steve Wheatcroft $6,400 $4,600 $11,800 463 237 -3% 20% -2% 1/2 128 500 500 22
Mark Hubbard $6,400 $4,700 $11,200 601 323 -26% -5% -5% 1/1 54 500 500 500
Bobby Wyatt $6,400 $4,500 $10,600 683 486 -47% -5% 2% 0/1 500 90 500 500
Steven Bowditch $6,400 $4,500 $10,600 940 533 -54% -11% -3% 3/4 13 79 2 77
Dru Love $6,400 $5,000 $10,600 568 -59% -57% -6% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Shane Bertsch $6,400 $4,500 $10,500 679 -63% -17% -2% 0/1 500 500 500 77
Bobby Gates $6,400 $4,500 $10,500 636 -62% -16% -1% 0/2 500 500 82 132
Mackenzie Hughes $6,300 $5,900 $12,600 111 146 40% -35% -3% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Blayne Barber $6,300 $4,800 $11,700 233 238 8% 8% 0% 0/1 78 500 500 500
Robert Garrigus $6,300 $5,000 $12,000 251 201 19% 10% -2% 1/1 37 500 500 500
Bryce Molder $6,300 $5,300 $12,000 282 211 15% -17% -7% 2/3 6 140 17 500
Greg Chalmers $6,300 $4,500 $10,800 329 488 -31% -6% -5% 1/4 128 82 121 97
Andrew Loupe $6,300 $4,600 $11,400 338 237 10% 21% 10% 1/1 500 26 500 500
Mark Anderson $6,300 $4,500 $10,700 401 445 -28% -4% -1% 0/2 111 500 500 143
Joel Dahmen $6,300 $5,200 $12,300 402 194 25% 6% -8% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Rick Lamb $6,300 $4,700 $12,100 431 208 17% 23% -8% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Carl Pettersson $6,300 $4,800 $10,800 1003 414 -24% -24% 0% 3/4 78 35 68 17
Sung Joon Park $6,300 $5,000 $10,800 463 -29% -44% -4% 1/1 37 500 500 500
Christian Brand $6,300 $4,500 $10,600 533 -37% -11% -3% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Billy Hurley $6,200 $5,800 $12,900 129 141 49% -18% -16% 2/3 37 4 500 121
Dominic Bozzelli $6,200 $5,600 $11,900 161 209 25% -43% 0% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Kyle Reifers $6,200 $5,400 $12,300 222 171 37% -4% -1% 2/2 67 500 500 56
K.J. Choi $6,200 $5,100 $11,200 274 313 2% -30% -3% 2/3 500 148 23 69
Brandon Hagy $6,200 $5,100 $12,100 292 198 31% 9% 0% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Shawn Stefani $6,200 $5,100 $12,200 479 213 23% -1% -16% 3/3 13 35 59 500
Brad Fritsch $6,200 $4,600 $10,900 502 375 -8% -5% -2% 1/2 500 109 41 500
Rory Sabbatini $6,200 $4,500 $11,000 593 358 -6% 4% -4% 1/4 111 109 9 77
Tag Ridings $6,200 $4,700 $11,600 626 278 9% 5% -8% 1/2 500 152 9 500
Brendon De Jonge $6,200 $11,100 811 350 -4% -5% 4/4 60 64 17 52
Tommy Gainey $6,200 $4,500 $10,500 598 -27% -15% 0% 2/4 78 145 41 72
Charlie Beljan $6,200 $4,500 $10,700 502 -20% -9% -5% 2/4 142 11 121 3
Whee Kim $6,100 $5,800 $12,400 172 164 47% -36% -6% 1/1 67 500 500 500
D.A. Points $6,100 $5,200 $11,900 221 220 30% -8% -3% 3/4 120 86 54 46
Derek Fathauer $6,100 $4,800 $11,500 237 265 19% 0% -1% 1/1 75 500 500 500
Ryan Brehm $6,100 $5,000 $11,800 299 247 23% -5% -5% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Camilo Villegas $6,100 $5,300 $11,900 360 183 40% -3% 11% 1/2 500 26 500 121
Cameron Percy $6,100 $4,800 $12,000 365 222 29% 13% -11% 2/2 60 500 30 500
Tim Wilkinson $6,100 $4,700 $11,800 371 243 24% 13% -4% 1/2 142 57 500 500
Nicholas Lindheim $6,100 $4,500 $10,900 460 398 0% 0% -5% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Peter Malnati $6,100 $5,100 $10,900 477 386 1% -44% -4% 0/1 500 145 500 500
Steven Alker $6,100 $4,500 $10,600 694 505 -9% -9% -1% 0/1 120 500 500 500
Hunter Mahan $6,100 $5,600 $11,900 739 208 34% -39% 2% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Alan Cooke $6,100 $4,500 $10,500 721 -18% -18% -3% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Martin Flores $6,000 $4,600 $11,000 289 352 13% -3% -3% 4/4 67 75 54 6
Sam Saunders $6,000 $5,400 $11,900 320 224 34% -31% -6% 0/1 120 500 500 500
Chad Collins $6,000 $4,700 $11,200 368 318 18% -4% -4% 2/2 6 68 500 500
J.J. Henry $6,000 $11,600 451 249 29% -1% 2/4 13 57 82 77
Jason Bohn $6,000 $4,700 $11,100 487 329 16% -5% -2% 2/4 13 11 110 97
Tom Hoge $6,000 $4,900 $11,900 516 232 34% 6% -7% 1/1 37 500 500 500
Stuart Appleby $6,000 $4,500 $10,900 539 379 10% 2% -3% 0/3 500 118 94 106
Miguel Angel Carballo $6,000 $4,500 $10,600 596 536 -3% -13% -4% 0/1 500 109 500 500
Brett Drewitt $6,000 $4,500 $10,900 668 418 7% -2% -7% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Tyler Aldridge $6,000 $4,500 $10,600 792 540 -4% -13% -5% 0/0 500 500 500 500
Matt Every $6,000 $4,500 $10,900 900 343 14% 6% 2% 1/1 500 500 38 500
John Daly $6,000 $4,600 $10,700 495 1% -16% -5% 2/3 78 79 500 12
Kevin Shields $6,000 $4,500 $10,400 1071 -9% -19% -1% 0/2 147 500 141 500

Color Coding
Course history in BLUE indicates a top ten finish.
Course history in GREEN indicates a top 25 finish.
Course history in YELLOW indicates a made cut with a finish outside of the top 25.
Course history in RED indicates a missed cut.

Legend

Term Description
Site Odds The percentage differential between a golfer’s salary rank and odds rank. The higher the %, the better.
OWGR Official World Golf Ranking
Cuts Cut record of each golfer at this course in the last five seasons.
2012 – 2016 Columns Course history at this event in the last five seasons.

About the Author

Notorious
Derek Farnsworth (Notorious)

Derek Farnsworth (aka Notorious) is a lead RotoGrinders Expert and one of the most recognizable names and faces in all of DFS. Before joining the RotoGrinders team, Derek received a Master’s Degree from the University of Utah. When he’s not busy providing content, he’s dominating the DFS industry as evidenced by his consistent top rankings in several sports and multiple Live Final appearances. Noto provides expert NBA, NFL, MLB, and PGA analysis for RotoGrinders Premium members on a daily basis and has also been nominated for five different Fantasy Sports Writer’s Association (FSWA) awards. Follow Noto on Twitter – @RG_Notorious