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PGA DFS: Top Cash Game Picks for the Black Desert Championship on DraftKings

The FedExCup Fall continues this week with the first ever Black Desert Championship, which will be played at the Black Desert Resort (par 71, 7,371 yards, bentgrass greens) in Ivins, Utah. This is the first time since 1963 that the PGA TOUR has hosted an event in Utah, and this week’s field consists of 132 golfers. Following the first 36 holes, there will be a normal top-65 and ties cut.

The PGA DFS Breakdown offers data-driven analysis for each week’s slate, using the FantasyLabs Tools and metrics to highlight notable golfers.

I’ll be highlighting the best cash game/single-entry plays on the DraftKings main slate, but these players are often great options in any contest.

My analysis will frequently reference Strokes Gained, a set of proprietary metrics generated by the PGA TOUR using millions of data points to calculate how many shots, on average, it takes a player to get the ball in the hole from every distance and situation.

Strokes Gained is now available in the FantasyLabs PGA Models.

There are a variety of Strokes Gained-related metrics, but the six main categories you need to know include:

  • Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee (SG: Off-the-Tee)
  • Strokes Gained: Approach (SG: Approach)
  • Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green (SG: Around-the-Green)
  • Strokes Gained: Putting (SG: Putting)
  • Strokes Gained: Ball-Striking (SG: Ball-Striking), which is SG: Off-the-Tee + SG: Approach
  • Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green (SG: Tee-to-Green), which is SG: Ball-Striking + SG: Around-the-Green

Don’t forget to check out two key metrics in our models — Perfect% and SimLeverage. You can find an explainer on those metrics here.

The cliff notes version is that you can use SimLeverage to quickly find leverage plays in tournaments, while Perfect% is great for finding the best price-considered plays for cash games.

And don’t forget to utilize our various PGA DFS tools like our Lineup Optimizer, Lineup Builder, PGA Correlation Dashboard, and our Trends tool.

The following players listed are based on DraftKings scoring and pricing.

Become an All-Access Member Today

Lineup builder and optimizer

Real-time DFS models & projections

Data-driven analysis & tutorials
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PGA DFS Cash Game Thoughts

Note: FantasyLabs has partnered with Betsperts Golf and the Rabbit Hole! Sign up for the biggest database of golf stats available on the internet and get 25% off a yearly sub with our link! 

Unless otherwise noted, all Strokes Gained metrics referenced in this article come via the Rabbit Hole.

Tool Highlights

  • Build unlimited custom stat models with official PGA TOUR data.
  • Hundreds of filters to find the exact data split you’re looking for.
  • Save custom reports and run them again with next week’s field.
  • Download anything you right to your computer with the click of a button.
  • See expert models each week.
 

DraftKings $10,000+ Range

Keith Mitchell ($10,600) – Mitchell heads to Utah in awesome form, finishing T12th, T12th, and T3rd in his last three starts, with that final finish being last week at the Sanderson Farms Championship. The veteran posted an 8-under 64 during the second round of this event, and Mitchell finished in a tie for the most birdies at the Sanderson Farms Championship with champion Kevin Yu. Mitchell has now shot under par in 14 consecutive rounds, and he ranks third in SG: Approach and first in birdies or better percentage when we compare this field’s last 24 rounds. Mitchell is the clear favorite in the betting market and is a strong value this week despite being the most expensive golfer on the slate.

Now available: our PGA DFS SimLabs Lineup Generator that creates advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation.

DraftKings $9,000 Range

Chris Kirk ($9,800) – Kirk, at less than $10,000 in this weak field, is a steal. Despite being the highest-ranked golfer teeing it up this week, the veteran is only the sixth-most-expensive player on DraftKings. Kirk has made seven cuts in a row, most notably with a T9 at the BMW Championship in his second-to-last start. Kirk has produced five top-25 finishes this season and should add another to his resume this weekend.

Ryan Fox ($9,200) – Fox kicked his fall off on a high note last week at the Sanderson Farms Championship with a T11 finish. The professional out of New Zealand gained strokes on approach for the fifth straight start at the CC of Jackson and he has now advanced to the weekend in eight of his last nine starts, with three top-25 finishes during this timeframe. As a former player for the European Tour, Fox has plenty of links experience under his belt and he should thrive at the Black Desert Course, which has similar characteristics to links venues, with the par 71 being a treeless venue that presents large greens.

DraftKings $8,000 Range

Patrick Rodgers ($8,600) – Rodgers is coming off a missed cut at the Sanderson Farms Championship last week, but before this, he hadn’t finished worse than T37th in seven consecutive starts. Plus, despite missing the cut last week, Rodgers still gained strokes with his driver, irons, and putter at the CC of Jackson, and he ranks fifth in 550-600-yard par-5 efficiency when we compare this field’s last 24 rounds, which is great news for the Black Desert Resort, where all three of the par fives land in this range. At +3000 on the DraftKings Sportsbook, Rodgers is tied for the fifth-best odds to win this weekend, but for DFS, he is only the 17th most expensive golfer.

Andrew Novak ($8,100) – While gaining strokes in every major category, Novak finished T23rd at the Sanderson Farms Championship last week. The 29-year-old has only missed a pair of cuts in his last 17 starts, and he has tallied 10 top-25 finishes during this run. Novak ranks 14th in SG: Approach this season and is a terrific bargain at this salary.

DraftKings $7,000 Range

Doug Ghim ($7,900) – Ghim has advanced to the weekend in seven of his last nine starts, and impressively, he has gained strokes on approach at every event during this nine-tournament run. Ghim ranks first in SG: Approach when we compare this field’s last 24 rounds, and his tremendous ball striking, should lift him to a quality finish this weekend.

Patton Kizzire ($7,700) – Kizzire followed up his impressive five-stroke win at the Procore Championship with a T11 at the Sanderson Farms Championship this past week. The veteran gained strokes on approach and with his flat stick at both these events, and he averaged a score of 67.3 across these eight rounds. These past two high finishes have vaulted Kizzire up 165 spots in the world golf rankings, and he needs to be rostered in this elite form.

Jacob Bridgeman ($7,600) – Bridgeman is on the heels of a T11 at the Sanderson Farms Championship, which marks his third top-20 finish in his last four starts. Ranking fifth in SGP this season, Bridgeman is a wizard on the greens, and his elite work with his flat stick sets him up nicely for the Black Desert Resort, considering the large putting surfaces this course presents.

Austin Smotherman ($7,100) – Smotherman is one of the best values on the board at this low salary. The 30-year-old is a superb ball striker who ranks sixth in SG: Approach over his last 24 rounds, and he has only missed one cut in 12 starts this season. Smotherman has recorded a top-25 finish in two of his last four starts, and he brings that type of upside this week.

Be sure to check out all the pick’ems Sleeper has to offer with Sleeper promo code LABS1 for a $100 deposit match. 

DraftKings $6,000 and Below Range

Lanto Griffin ($6,900) – Griffin has been an efficient cut maker this season, making 13-of-17 cuts, and his irons have been promising, with the veteran gaining strokes on approach at three events in a row. While the 36-year-old lacks upside, Griffin is underpriced for his chances of making the cut and is a solid, cheap target for cash games.  

Seung-Yul Noh ($6,500) – Between the PGA TOUR and Korn Ferry Tour, Noh has made seven of his last eight cuts, including five top-25 finishes. Noh just finished T18 at the Korn Ferry Championship last week, and his +9000 odds to win the Black Desert Championship on the DraftKings Sportsbook are outstanding relative to his low salary. For some perspective, Noh’s odds are the same as Trey Mullinax, who costs $600 more for DFS purposes. Noh is a solid bet to make the cut in Utah this week and is worth considering if you need the salary relief.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

RBC Canadian Open Top PGA DFS Picks, Values and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings PGA DFS: Top Cash Game Picks and Conviction Plays for the Travelers Championship John Deere Classic PGA DFS Stats Preview: Course Fits, GPP Picks, and Values John Deere Classic Top PGA DFS Picks, Values and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings

The FedExCup Fall continues this week with the first ever Black Desert Championship, which will be played at the Black Desert Resort (par 71, 7,371 yards, bentgrass greens) in Ivins, Utah. This is the first time since 1963 that the PGA TOUR has hosted an event in Utah, and this week’s field consists of 132 golfers. Following the first 36 holes, there will be a normal top-65 and ties cut.

The PGA DFS Breakdown offers data-driven analysis for each week’s slate, using the FantasyLabs Tools and metrics to highlight notable golfers.

I’ll be highlighting the best cash game/single-entry plays on the DraftKings main slate, but these players are often great options in any contest.

My analysis will frequently reference Strokes Gained, a set of proprietary metrics generated by the PGA TOUR using millions of data points to calculate how many shots, on average, it takes a player to get the ball in the hole from every distance and situation.

Strokes Gained is now available in the FantasyLabs PGA Models.

There are a variety of Strokes Gained-related metrics, but the six main categories you need to know include:

  • Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee (SG: Off-the-Tee)
  • Strokes Gained: Approach (SG: Approach)
  • Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green (SG: Around-the-Green)
  • Strokes Gained: Putting (SG: Putting)
  • Strokes Gained: Ball-Striking (SG: Ball-Striking), which is SG: Off-the-Tee + SG: Approach
  • Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green (SG: Tee-to-Green), which is SG: Ball-Striking + SG: Around-the-Green

Don’t forget to check out two key metrics in our models — Perfect% and SimLeverage. You can find an explainer on those metrics here.

The cliff notes version is that you can use SimLeverage to quickly find leverage plays in tournaments, while Perfect% is great for finding the best price-considered plays for cash games.

And don’t forget to utilize our various PGA DFS tools like our Lineup Optimizer, Lineup Builder, PGA Correlation Dashboard, and our Trends tool.

The following players listed are based on DraftKings scoring and pricing.

Become an All-Access Member Today

Lineup builder and optimizer

Real-time DFS models & projections

Data-driven analysis & tutorials
Become a PRO Member
 

PGA DFS Cash Game Thoughts

Note: FantasyLabs has partnered with Betsperts Golf and the Rabbit Hole! Sign up for the biggest database of golf stats available on the internet and get 25% off a yearly sub with our link! 

Unless otherwise noted, all Strokes Gained metrics referenced in this article come via the Rabbit Hole.

Tool Highlights

  • Build unlimited custom stat models with official PGA TOUR data.
  • Hundreds of filters to find the exact data split you’re looking for.
  • Save custom reports and run them again with next week’s field.
  • Download anything you right to your computer with the click of a button.
  • See expert models each week.
 

DraftKings $10,000+ Range

Keith Mitchell ($10,600) – Mitchell heads to Utah in awesome form, finishing T12th, T12th, and T3rd in his last three starts, with that final finish being last week at the Sanderson Farms Championship. The veteran posted an 8-under 64 during the second round of this event, and Mitchell finished in a tie for the most birdies at the Sanderson Farms Championship with champion Kevin Yu. Mitchell has now shot under par in 14 consecutive rounds, and he ranks third in SG: Approach and first in birdies or better percentage when we compare this field’s last 24 rounds. Mitchell is the clear favorite in the betting market and is a strong value this week despite being the most expensive golfer on the slate.

Now available: our PGA DFS SimLabs Lineup Generator that creates advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation.

DraftKings $9,000 Range

Chris Kirk ($9,800) – Kirk, at less than $10,000 in this weak field, is a steal. Despite being the highest-ranked golfer teeing it up this week, the veteran is only the sixth-most-expensive player on DraftKings. Kirk has made seven cuts in a row, most notably with a T9 at the BMW Championship in his second-to-last start. Kirk has produced five top-25 finishes this season and should add another to his resume this weekend.

Ryan Fox ($9,200) – Fox kicked his fall off on a high note last week at the Sanderson Farms Championship with a T11 finish. The professional out of New Zealand gained strokes on approach for the fifth straight start at the CC of Jackson and he has now advanced to the weekend in eight of his last nine starts, with three top-25 finishes during this timeframe. As a former player for the European Tour, Fox has plenty of links experience under his belt and he should thrive at the Black Desert Course, which has similar characteristics to links venues, with the par 71 being a treeless venue that presents large greens.

DraftKings $8,000 Range

Patrick Rodgers ($8,600) – Rodgers is coming off a missed cut at the Sanderson Farms Championship last week, but before this, he hadn’t finished worse than T37th in seven consecutive starts. Plus, despite missing the cut last week, Rodgers still gained strokes with his driver, irons, and putter at the CC of Jackson, and he ranks fifth in 550-600-yard par-5 efficiency when we compare this field’s last 24 rounds, which is great news for the Black Desert Resort, where all three of the par fives land in this range. At +3000 on the DraftKings Sportsbook, Rodgers is tied for the fifth-best odds to win this weekend, but for DFS, he is only the 17th most expensive golfer.

Andrew Novak ($8,100) – While gaining strokes in every major category, Novak finished T23rd at the Sanderson Farms Championship last week. The 29-year-old has only missed a pair of cuts in his last 17 starts, and he has tallied 10 top-25 finishes during this run. Novak ranks 14th in SG: Approach this season and is a terrific bargain at this salary.

DraftKings $7,000 Range

Doug Ghim ($7,900) – Ghim has advanced to the weekend in seven of his last nine starts, and impressively, he has gained strokes on approach at every event during this nine-tournament run. Ghim ranks first in SG: Approach when we compare this field’s last 24 rounds, and his tremendous ball striking, should lift him to a quality finish this weekend.

Patton Kizzire ($7,700) – Kizzire followed up his impressive five-stroke win at the Procore Championship with a T11 at the Sanderson Farms Championship this past week. The veteran gained strokes on approach and with his flat stick at both these events, and he averaged a score of 67.3 across these eight rounds. These past two high finishes have vaulted Kizzire up 165 spots in the world golf rankings, and he needs to be rostered in this elite form.

Jacob Bridgeman ($7,600) – Bridgeman is on the heels of a T11 at the Sanderson Farms Championship, which marks his third top-20 finish in his last four starts. Ranking fifth in SGP this season, Bridgeman is a wizard on the greens, and his elite work with his flat stick sets him up nicely for the Black Desert Resort, considering the large putting surfaces this course presents.

Austin Smotherman ($7,100) – Smotherman is one of the best values on the board at this low salary. The 30-year-old is a superb ball striker who ranks sixth in SG: Approach over his last 24 rounds, and he has only missed one cut in 12 starts this season. Smotherman has recorded a top-25 finish in two of his last four starts, and he brings that type of upside this week.

Be sure to check out all the pick’ems Sleeper has to offer with Sleeper promo code LABS1 for a $100 deposit match. 

DraftKings $6,000 and Below Range

Lanto Griffin ($6,900) – Griffin has been an efficient cut maker this season, making 13-of-17 cuts, and his irons have been promising, with the veteran gaining strokes on approach at three events in a row. While the 36-year-old lacks upside, Griffin is underpriced for his chances of making the cut and is a solid, cheap target for cash games.  

Seung-Yul Noh ($6,500) – Between the PGA TOUR and Korn Ferry Tour, Noh has made seven of his last eight cuts, including five top-25 finishes. Noh just finished T18 at the Korn Ferry Championship last week, and his +9000 odds to win the Black Desert Championship on the DraftKings Sportsbook are outstanding relative to his low salary. For some perspective, Noh’s odds are the same as Trey Mullinax, who costs $600 more for DFS purposes. Noh is a solid bet to make the cut in Utah this week and is worth considering if you need the salary relief.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

RBC Canadian Open Top PGA DFS Picks, Values and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings PGA DFS: Top Cash Game Picks and Conviction Plays for the Travelers Championship John Deere Classic PGA DFS Stats Preview: Course Fits, GPP Picks, and Values John Deere Classic Top PGA DFS Picks, Values and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings

About the Author

Alex Hunter is an avid DFS player who produces NFL and NBA content for FantasyLabs. He has been playing DFS for nearly a decade, dating back to the DraftStreet days and has been in the fantasy/betting content business for over eight years. Alex earned his bachelor’s degree in communications at Worcester State University and has contributed content for some of the biggest outlets in the industry, such as DraftKings Network, Stokastic (formerly Awesemo) and RotoWire, covering NBA, NFL and PGA. Alex is a data-driven analyst that has multiple wins and high finishes in GPPs on his DFS resume, as well as years of being a successful cash-game player. If you have any questions or need any lineup advice, Alex can be found @Hunta512 on Twitter.