Paulie’s Picks: 2019 Rocket Mortgage Classic

This week the PGA Tour heads to a new event in Michigan at Detroit Golf Club. Players should have a shot at a lot of birdies. The course will have four par 5s and play around 7,200 yards, short for a par-72 tour venue. This Donald Ross design is slightly narrow off the tee, and the greens have strong undulations, which will put a premium on iron play. From players who can leave themselves below the hole on iron shots and attack the four par fives 5s, we can expect a birdie-fest.

Let’s look at some players we can use for DraftKings and One-and-Done leagues this week:

DraftKings

Dustin Johnson $12,000

In a weak field, Johnson is the heavy favorite at 6/1 to win this event. Whenever a top-level star plays in an event like this, DraftKings’ algorithm simply doesn’t price that player high enough. DJ’s game fits this course perfectly; he should be able to feast on the four par 5s and manage his game around the rest of the course. He is pretty much a lock for 100+ DK points this week with upside for even more.

Brian Stuard $7,100

Stuard is one of the few players in the field with a local connection. He grew up in Michigan and played golf at Oakland University, just outside Detroit. He has played the course multiple times and would love nothing more than to put on a solid performance in front of friends and family. Stuard has five top 20s and two top 10s in 2019. In a weak field, he is the perfect value play to allow us to pay up for DJ.

One-and-Done

By this time of year, you have most likely used the top players in the field this week (DJ, Fowler and Matsuyama). Here are two others to consider:

Kevin Streelman

Streelman has finished in the top 15 in four of his last six starts and has had three top-six finishes. An Illinois native, he should feel comfortable this week at Detroit Golf Club, as the course is similar to those he grew up playing in the Chicagoland area. Over his last six starts, he has gained a massive 36 strokes on the field on approach and off the tee. If he brings that leve of ball-striking again this week, he should be in the mix for another high finish.

Sungjae Im

Im has quietly had a very solid rookie season, with 11 top-21 finishes and six top 10s. He comes into this event on the heels of 21st- and seventh-place finishes. In a weak field, Im makes a great choice if you are running low on options.