The PGA TOUR continues the Opening Drive of 2025 by island-hopping from Maui to Oahu for this year’s version of the Sony Open in Hawaii. Last week’s big win for Hideki Matsuyama set the new standard for low scoring, but this week, the pros will face a much stiffer test at Waialae Country Club. This week is the first “normal” event of the new season, with a full field of 144 golfers ready to go with a typical cut after the second round.
For more info on the field, the course, the weather, and some key stats check out this First Look from RotoGrinders.
The focus of this post is strong GPP options who have lower ownership projections than their potential performance. Finding high-leverage plays is critical for GPP success, so the picks here go against the grain, looking for under-owned options.
All Strokes Gained metrics referenced are from the Rabbit Hole.
Usually, I rely heavily on the Stroked Gained Model in FantasyLabs, which is very predictive of results. I also tend to lean into players who excel in Strokes Gained: Approach, which is more sustainable week-to-week than a hot putter.
Since these are GPP picks, we can accept more risk in exchange for getting a higher ceiling. High-risk, high-reward options with low ownership create the “boom-or-bust” style lineups that often lead to large-field success. To find guidance for all contest types, check out our full Daily Fantasy Golf coverage each week.
No matter what type of format you prefer, be sure to use the FantasyLabs PGA Models to help you make the best choices. These models use stats and simulations to highlight different players’ strengths and weaknesses. A few critical new stats for GPP play are Perfect% and SimLeverage, which are further explained here.
As you dig into the numbers, you can enjoy the many tools FantasyLabs offers, including the Lineup Optimizer, which effortlessly creates up to 300 lineups. Alternatively, you can use the Lineup Builder if you prefer a more hands-on approach.
Check out my top picks in each price range listed below.
Editors note: SimLeverage and Perfect% numbers may change after this piece is published. Be sure to check the PGA Models for any updates to the sims.
High-Priced PGA DFS Picks
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Unless otherwise noted, all Strokes Gained metrics referenced in this article come via the Rabbit Hole.
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Keegan Bradley $9,500
Hideki Matsuyama had an amazing week last week and is an obvious option this week at Waialae, where he has an exceptional history. He definitely deserves to be in some of your lineups, but since these are GPP picks, I’ll focus on a pivot play at the top of the salary structure that also brings a good ceiling and a lower ownership projection.
Throughout his career, Bradley has the kind of game that works for GPP lineups since he can be very boom or bust from week to week. He was dialed in last week at Kapalua, starting with a 69-64 before fading a bit on Saturday and finishing T15.
Last year, Bradley picked up his seventh career PGA TOUR win at the BMW Championship in August and added a fifth-place finish at the unofficial Hero World Challenge in his only appearance after the TOUR Championship. Overall, the 38-year-old had a resurgent season with three top 10s and nine top 25s in his 22 events.
Bradley has the fifth-highest ceiling and median projections in the field and the sixth-highest Perfect%. He’s one of the few in the field who comes close to matching Matsuyama’s course history. He has seven career tournaments at Waialae and has three top 12s, including last year’s playoff loss to Grayson Murray. His game is a good fit for the course, and he ranks third in the field in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green and fourth in Strokes Gained: Approach over the last 12 rounds.
Maverick McNealy $9,200
McNealy broke through for his first PGA TOUR win last fall at The RSM Classic, which was a great way to finish a strong comeback season for the 29-year-old after a shoulder injury. His ownership projection is barely in the top 10 for this week, but he matches the fourth-most Pro Trends and is a very solid option just over $9,000.
Last week, McNealy finished T8 and looks ready to pick up where he left off in the FedExCup Fall. McNealy had 12 top 25s in 28 events overall last year, but he pushed to the finish with three straight top 20s (aside from a withdrawal due to illness at the ZOZO) before getting his win in Sea Island.
McNealy’s success has been built on his ball striking, and he ranks second in the field in Total Strokes Gained and in the top five in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green and Strokes Gained: Approach over his last 16 rounds.
He also has had good success in his previous appearances in this tournament, making the cut all three times, highlighted by a T7 in 2023. Eleven of his 12 career rounds at this course have been in the 60s.
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Mid-Priced PGA DFS Picks
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