We have a bit of déjà vu this week, as the PGA Tour is at Muirfield Village Golf Club for the second week in a row. However, a few things will be different this time around. The Memorial Tournament field consists of 133 players instead of 150+, and all of the world’s top nine players, including Tiger Woods, are competing. As for the course, the rough is longer and the greens are stomping in the 13-14 range. We can expect a winning score around -14.
As we did last week, we’re focusing on players who are dialed in with their irons, especially from 150-200 yards. Also, the slightly juicier rough will place a slightly greater importance on driving. Here are a few players to consider for your DraftKings and one-and-done leagues:
DraftKings
Jon Rahm $9,300
In my opinion, Rahm is the most underpriced player this week. He’s No. 2 in the world yet the 10th most expensive player in the Memorial Tournament field. On Sunday at the Workday Charity Open, he found his swing: he had the best statistical ball-striking round of his career en route to a 64. If he can maintain that form, he will be on the first page of the leaderboard. $9,300 is dirt cheap for a player who, in the past 14 months, has 10 top-three finishes and just two missed cuts.
Abraham Ancer $8,500
Ancer has been flushing it with his irons since the restart, gaining 21 strokes on approach in 12 rounds, and posting finishes of 11th, 2nd and 14th. He now heads to Muirfield Village, which is one of the best fits for him on the PGA Tour schedule. While he isn’t overly long off the tee, he’s accurate enough to still be 12th in overall driving. So in Ancer, we have a player who can avoid the rough and hit small targets with his irons. And yes, he’s only $8,500.
One-and-Done
Patrick Cantlay
This is arguably the best spot to use Cantlay this year for one-and-done leagues. Last week, he seemed to work out some kinks, and on Sunday he shot 65, gaining nearly five strokes on approach. He has finished first and fourth at the past two Memorial Tournaments.
Viktor Hovland
Hovland’s stellar tee-to-green play continued last week, as he made the final group and notched a solo third at the Workday. If, as expected, Muirfield Village is tougher this week, it will suit him even better. In the past five events, Hovland has gained 27 strokes on approach and 16 off the tee. That’s over two strokes gained per round gained in ball-striking! His worst finish since the restart is 23rd. So if the young bomber finds any semblance of a short game, he’ll win.