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FedEx St. Jude Championship: Top PGA DFS Picks, Values, and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings

The PGA TOUR starts the FedExCup Playoffs in Memphis, Tennessee, this week at the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind. The name and format of the event have shifted a few times over the last several years, but the course was literally built to hold PGA TOUR tournaments, and it has been a regular stop since 1989. A recent renovation replaced the greens and resurfaced tee boxes, which will add some new, unknown elements to the familiar course this week.

In addition to the battle at the top of the leaderboard, one big storyline to watch this week will be the race for players to advance to the second tournament in the FedExCup Playoffs next week at the BMW Championship in Baltimore. The top 50 in the FedExCup standings qualify for that event and also lock themselves in to all the Signature Events next season. After the BMW, the top 30 will head to the TOUR Championship at the end of the three-tournament playoffs. For more info on the 69-player field, the course, the weather, and some key stats to track, check out this First Look from RotoGrinders.

Especially in large-field GPP tournaments, you’ll want to make sure to target players 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 Strokes Gained Model in FantasyLabs, which is very predictive of results. I also tend to lean toward 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.

Editor’s 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.

Become an All-Access Member Today

Lineup builder and optimizer

Real-time DFS models & projections

Data-driven analysis & tutorials
Become a PRO Member

High-Priced PGA DFS Picks

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 right to your computer with the click of a button.
  • See expert models each week.
 

Scottie Scheffler $13,000

Scheffler is the most expensive player in the field by a wide margin, and building a full roster around his hefty price tag is challenging. As a result, his ownership projection is relatively low at under 30%, even though it’s the highest in the field.

Scottie brings the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections in the field. He also has the highest Perfect% as well and the shortest odds to win and finish in the top 10. Since it’s so likely that he ends up part of the perfect lineup, he projects to be an excellent source of leverage, even though he has the highest ownership projection. He has the highest SimLeverage in the field by a significant margin.

Scheffler will be playing for the first time since his dominant win at The Open Championship. That victory was his fourth win of the season and the 17th of his career. The 29-year-old has an incredible 13 top-10 finishes in his 16 events this season.

Over the last six months, Scheffler ranks at the top of the field in just about all the most meaningful stats, including Strokes Gained: Approach, which is especially critical based on the course layout at TPC Southwind. He leads the field in Total Strokes Gained and Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green as well.

He finished solo fourth at TPC Southwind last year, which was his third top-15 finish at this course in his last five tournaments at this venue. As usual, Scheffler has a great chance to win this week, and if his ownership stays under 30%, he’ll be a great cornerstone to build your GPP lineup around this week.

Ludvig Aberg $9,500

Aberg has the lowest ownership projection of the 10 players with salaries of $9,000 or higher, and he offers the third-highest SimLeverage in the field as a result. He has the third-highest Perfect% in the entire field behind only Scheffler and Justin Thomas ($10,200), and the course should be a good fit for Aberg, who usually plays well on courses that emphasize ballstriking.

While he hasn’t won since February, he still ranks No. 14 coming into the FedExCup Playoffs on the strength of eight top-25 finishes in 17 events, along with his big win at the Signature Event at the Genesis Invitational. He quietly comes in with better form than the public realizes after he finished in the top 25 at the Memorial, the RBC Canadian Open, the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open Championship.

Those four top-25 finishes have all come in his last seven tournaments, and he ranks 12th in the field in both Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and Strokes Gained: Approach over his last 24 rounds.

He’ll be making his second career start at this course after finishing T40 last year in his debut. If his putter cooperates this week on TPC Southwind’s new, fairly flat greens, he could be right in the mix coming down the stretch on Sunday.

If he gets his irons dialed in, the 25-year-old Swede can contend in any field, and his boom-or-bust potential makes him ideal for GPP builds when he has a low ownership projection like this week. Given his good recent results, he could be poised for an impressive playoff performance.

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

Mid-Priced PGA DFS Picks

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Shriners Children’s Open Top PGA DFS Picks, Values and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs THE CJ CUP in South Carolina Top PGA DFS Picks, Values and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings PGA DFS: Top Cash Game Picks and Conviction Plays for the Shriners Children’s Open PGA DFS: Top Cash Game Picks for the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP on DraftKings

The PGA TOUR starts the FedExCup Playoffs in Memphis, Tennessee, this week at the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind. The name and format of the event have shifted a few times over the last several years, but the course was literally built to hold PGA TOUR tournaments, and it has been a regular stop since 1989. A recent renovation replaced the greens and resurfaced tee boxes, which will add some new, unknown elements to the familiar course this week.

In addition to the battle at the top of the leaderboard, one big storyline to watch this week will be the race for players to advance to the second tournament in the FedExCup Playoffs next week at the BMW Championship in Baltimore. The top 50 in the FedExCup standings qualify for that event and also lock themselves in to all the Signature Events next season. After the BMW, the top 30 will head to the TOUR Championship at the end of the three-tournament playoffs. For more info on the 69-player field, the course, the weather, and some key stats to track, check out this First Look from RotoGrinders.

Especially in large-field GPP tournaments, you’ll want to make sure to target players 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 Strokes Gained Model in FantasyLabs, which is very predictive of results. I also tend to lean toward 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.

Editor’s 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.

Become an All-Access Member Today

Lineup builder and optimizer

Real-time DFS models & projections

Data-driven analysis & tutorials
Become a PRO Member

High-Priced PGA DFS Picks

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 right to your computer with the click of a button.
  • See expert models each week.
 

Scottie Scheffler $13,000

Scheffler is the most expensive player in the field by a wide margin, and building a full roster around his hefty price tag is challenging. As a result, his ownership projection is relatively low at under 30%, even though it’s the highest in the field.

Scottie brings the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections in the field. He also has the highest Perfect% as well and the shortest odds to win and finish in the top 10. Since it’s so likely that he ends up part of the perfect lineup, he projects to be an excellent source of leverage, even though he has the highest ownership projection. He has the highest SimLeverage in the field by a significant margin.

Scheffler will be playing for the first time since his dominant win at The Open Championship. That victory was his fourth win of the season and the 17th of his career. The 29-year-old has an incredible 13 top-10 finishes in his 16 events this season.

Over the last six months, Scheffler ranks at the top of the field in just about all the most meaningful stats, including Strokes Gained: Approach, which is especially critical based on the course layout at TPC Southwind. He leads the field in Total Strokes Gained and Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green as well.

He finished solo fourth at TPC Southwind last year, which was his third top-15 finish at this course in his last five tournaments at this venue. As usual, Scheffler has a great chance to win this week, and if his ownership stays under 30%, he’ll be a great cornerstone to build your GPP lineup around this week.

Ludvig Aberg $9,500

Aberg has the lowest ownership projection of the 10 players with salaries of $9,000 or higher, and he offers the third-highest SimLeverage in the field as a result. He has the third-highest Perfect% in the entire field behind only Scheffler and Justin Thomas ($10,200), and the course should be a good fit for Aberg, who usually plays well on courses that emphasize ballstriking.

While he hasn’t won since February, he still ranks No. 14 coming into the FedExCup Playoffs on the strength of eight top-25 finishes in 17 events, along with his big win at the Signature Event at the Genesis Invitational. He quietly comes in with better form than the public realizes after he finished in the top 25 at the Memorial, the RBC Canadian Open, the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open Championship.

Those four top-25 finishes have all come in his last seven tournaments, and he ranks 12th in the field in both Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and Strokes Gained: Approach over his last 24 rounds.

He’ll be making his second career start at this course after finishing T40 last year in his debut. If his putter cooperates this week on TPC Southwind’s new, fairly flat greens, he could be right in the mix coming down the stretch on Sunday.

If he gets his irons dialed in, the 25-year-old Swede can contend in any field, and his boom-or-bust potential makes him ideal for GPP builds when he has a low ownership projection like this week. Given his good recent results, he could be poised for an impressive playoff performance.

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

Mid-Priced PGA DFS Picks

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Shriners Children’s Open Top PGA DFS Picks, Values and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs THE CJ CUP in South Carolina Top PGA DFS Picks, Values and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings PGA DFS: Top Cash Game Picks and Conviction Plays for the Shriners Children’s Open PGA DFS: Top Cash Game Picks for the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP on DraftKings

About the Author

Zach Thompson writes NBA, MLB, NFL, golf and soccer content for Fantasy Labs. Zach's fantasy experience dates all the way back to high school when he would manually tabulate fantasy football scores using Tuesday morning's newspaper. Even though he was raised on the island of Guam on the opposite side of the world, Zach is a hardcore Boston sports fan who loves playing fantasy sports in almost any format. He's always in search of a great bargain play and keeps a close eye out for rising talent that can provide leverage. Zach joined the FantasyLabs team in 2022 and is also a contributor for DraftKings Network.