The best thing about an event with such a stacked field? Anyone can win. The worst thing about a stacked field? Anyone can win. And this week's field for the 2019 Northern Trust is about as deep as it gets.
The top 125 players in the world are eligible for the event, though only 122 of them are teeing it up as Henrik Stenson, Paul Casey and Sam Burns have pulled out.
There should be plenty of opportunities to build unique DFS lineups this week by taking a different approach to roster construction while mixing in high-end golfers who the market seems to have forgotten.
Usually players in the "Mid-Tier" end up getting hammered in these types of events as DFS speculators look to go with a "balanced build."
Now let’s dive in to which golfers are getting the most industry buzz for The Northern Trust according to FanShare Sports:
Justin Thomas
Odds: 18-1
DFS Price: DraftKings $10,000; FanDuel $11,400
This is the second event in a row in which JT has soaked up the most buzz as the industry anticipates his scoring to eventually catch up to his strong approach play.
Thomas’ recent DraftKings results have been solid, but not necessarily as strong as we’d like from a Top-10 player, especially since he's been dialed in with his ball-striking.
The market clearly expects this trend to change. Combine this sentiment with a price dip since his last time out, and conditions are ripe for high ownership.
Patrick Cantlay
Odds: 20-1
DFS Price: DraftKings $9,200; FanDuel $11,300
Cantlay has cooled off slightly since putting together three-straight top-10 finishes beginning with The Masters, but the perception is that Cantlay remains one of the safest plays week in and week out.
The 27-year-old also has some "Vegas value" as his odds to win are shorter than other golfers with the same price point at DraftKings.
Brooks Koepka
Odds: 10-1
DFS Price: DraftKings $12,000; FanDuel $12,200
In such a deep field, it’s rare to see the market pay up for the most expensive golfer, which probably explains the mixed sentiment around Brooks this week.
Having said that, we all know Koepka is a big-game hunter and he’s coming into Liberty National in peak form. Fade the World No.1 at your own risk.
Gary Woodland
Odds: 60-1
DFS Price: DraftKings $7,800 FanDuel $9,700
Woodland is a really interesting case this wee. He and his wife just had twins last week which is driving up the “fatigue” narrative. There is also plenty of discussion about how the U.S. Open winner is a "great play" because of his price.
This is likely a case of everyone overthinking it and I think Woodland will come in higher-owned than everybody thinks he will.
Xander Schauffele
Odds: 25-1
DFS Price DraftKings $8,900; FanDuel $10,800
Schauffele is not priced like the World's No. 11 golfer this week.
He has a history of showing up in big events and will likely be a staple of many cash lineups. Buyer beware though.
Xander has only finished inside the Top 10 on DraftKings once since his T2 at the Masters.
