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PGA DFS: Top Cash Game Picks for The Open Championship

The 153rd Open Championship, which is the fourth and final major of the season, will be played at Royal Portrush Golf Club (par 71, 7,381 yards, fescue greens) in Portrush, Ireland. This venue last hosted The Open Championship in 2019 and that year, Shane Lowry (-15) won by six shots. Royal Portrush also hosted the Irish Open in 2012. At last year’s Open Championship at Royal Troon, Xander Schauffele (-9) won by two strokes. There will be 156 golfers competing this week and a slightly expanded cut, with the top 70 and ties advancing after the first two rounds.

The PGA DFS Breakdown offers data-driven analysis for each week’s slate, using the FantasyLabs Tools and metrics to highlight notable golfers.

I’ll be highlighting the best cash game/single-entry plays on the DraftKings main slate, but these players are often great options in any contest.

My analysis will frequently reference Strokes Gained, a set of proprietary metrics generated by the PGA TOUR using millions of data points to calculate how many shots, on average, it takes a player to get the ball in the hole from every distance and situation.

Strokes Gained is now available in the FantasyLabs PGA Models.

There are a variety of Strokes Gained-related metrics, but the six main categories you need to know include:

  • Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee (SG: Off-the-Tee)
  • Strokes Gained: Approach (SG: Approach)
  • Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green (SG: Around-the-Green)
  • Strokes Gained: Putting (SG: Putting)
  • Strokes Gained: Ball-Striking (SG: Ball-Striking), which is SG: Off-the-Tee + SG: Approach
  • Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green (SG: Tee-to-Green), which is SG: Ball-Striking + SG: Around-the-Green

Don’t forget to check out two key metrics in our models — Perfect% and SimLeverage. You can find an explainer on those metrics here.

The Cliffs Notes version is that you can use SimLeverage to quickly find leverage plays in tournaments, while Perfect% is great for finding the best price-considered plays for cash games.

And don’t forget to utilize our various PGA DFS tools like our Lineup Optimizer, Lineup Builder, PGA Correlation Dashboard, and our Trends tool.

The following players listed are based on DraftKings scoring and pricing.

Become an All-Access Member Today

Lineup builder and optimizer

Real-time DFS models & projections

Data-driven analysis & tutorials
Become a PRO Member
 

PGA DFS Cash Game Thoughts

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

DraftKings $10,000+ Range

Rory McIlroy ($11,500)

For the second week in a row, dropping down from Scottie Scheffler to McIlroy is the best way to begin your cash game lineup, especially with Scheffler’s salary at an out-of-sight $14,200. McIlroy finished runner-up at last week’s Genesis Scottish Open, while Scheffler finished T8th and McIlroy has now finished inside the top seven in seven of 13 of his starts this season, including three wins. McIlroy missed the cut at Royal Portrush in 2019, but he only did so by one stroke and he finished T10th at this links course for the 2012 Irish Open. McIlroy is arguably having the greatest season of his storied career and the Irishman should be highly motivated to hoist the Claret Jug in his home country this week. Including a win in 2014, McIlroy has produced seven top-six finishes in 15 starts at The Open Championship.

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

DraftKings $9,000 Range

Xander Schauffele ($9,700)

Schauffele hasn’t been priced under $10,000 on DraftKings for seven straight events and the defending Open Championship winner is fresh off a T8 at the Genesis Scottish Open last week, in which Schauffele led the field in SG: Approach. The 31-year-old ranks seventh in SG: Approach this season, which is excellent news for Royal Portrush, as Lowry led his field in SG: Approach when he convincingly won at this par 71 in 2019. Schauffele has never missed a cut in seven starts at The Open Championship and he has generated five top-20 finishes at the major, with last year’s victory at Royal Troon being the most notable. Including two wins, Schauffele has six top-10 finishes in his last 10 major starts and he is a terrific target for cash games at this discounted price.

Shane Lowry ($9,300)

Lowry takes competing in his homeland very seriously and is a great option for cash games this week. Not only did he win at Royal Portrush by six shots in 2019, but he also won the Irish Open as an amateur in 2009. Lowry has racked up 10 top-25 finishes in 14 starts this season and he has been gearing up for his return to Royal Portrush this week, as he told the media Monday that he has played at least six different famous links courses in Ireland over the last two weeks to prepare for The Open Championship. Lowry ranks third in SG: Approach this season and him producing a high finish in his quest for his second Open Championship win at Royal Portrush is likely this week.

DraftKings $8,000 Range

Tyrell Hatton ($8,900)

Hatton finished T6th at Royal Portrush in 2019, which is one of his three top-12 finishes in his last eight starts at The Open Championship. Hatton has carded four top-15 finishes in his last 10 major starts – including a T4 at last month’s U.S. Open – and he has finished T5 in two of his last five starts on the LIV Golf Tour. Hatton ranks fourth on the circuit in greens in regulation and his impressive play at majors should continue this week.

Viktor Hovland ($8,300)

Hovland finished T11th at last week’s Genesis Scottish Open, which is his seventh top-25 finish in 14 starts this season. Hovland was right in the mix for his first major win at the U.S. Open last month, finishing T3rd and only three strokes back of the winner, and he is just a few months removed from his win at the Valspar Championship in April. Hovland ranks second in SG: Approach this season and he has tallied three top-15 finishes in his four starts at The Open Championship. Hovland hasn’t been this cheap on DraftKings in 11 starts and he is a steal at this affordable salary.

DraftKings $7,000 Range

Matt Fitzpatrick ($7,800)

Fitzpatrick finished T20th at Royal Portrush in 2019 and the Englishman is playing his best golf of the season right now. Fitzpatrick has improved in each of his last three starts, finishing T17th, T8th, and T4th, in that order. That latter finish came at last week’s Genesis Scottish Open and Fitzpatrick gained strokes in every major category at the Renaissance Club. Additionally, he carded a 7-under 63 in the second round. Fitzpatrick has shot under par in 10 straight rounds and he ranks sixth in Total Strokes Gained when we compare this field’s last 24 rounds. In this type of form, Fitzpatrick is a real threat to contend for his second major win.

Jordan Spieth ($7,700)

Spieth makes a ton of sense for cash games at this sub-$8,000salary. The 2017 Open Championship winner has never missed a cut in seven tries at this major and five of these finishes have been top-10 results. Spieth finished T20th at Royal Portrush in 2019 and he ranks sixth among this field in Strokes Gained per round at The Open Championship. Spieth has made 14 of 18 cuts this season with eight top-25 finishes and he gained a whopping 8.6 strokes on approach at the U.S. Open in his last start, resulting in a T23 finish at Oakmont CC.

Corey Conners ($7,200)

While Conners missed the cut at Royal Portrush in 2019, this was his first attempt at an Open Championship. Since then, Conners has made four straight cuts at this major and three of these finishes have been top-30 results. The veteran has finished T26th or better at five consecutive majors and Conners has been extremely reliable this season, missing only one cut in 17 starts with 10 top-25 finishes. The Canadian ranks 21st in Total Strokes Gained and he ranks 30th in par four performance this season, which is an encouraging sign for Royal Portrush. When Lowry ran away with a six-shot win at this par 71 in 2019, he led his field in Par-4 Efficiency.

Cameron Young ($7,200)

Young has been superb at The Open Championship. In his three starts at this major, the 28-year-old has finished runner-up, T8th, and T31st, in that order. When we analyze this field’s histories at Open Championships, Young impressively ranks first in Strokes Gained per round. On top of his prowess for The Open Championship, Young has been great as of late. The Wake Forest product arrives in Ireland riding an eight-made-cut streak and three of these finishes have come inside the top seven, including a T4 at last month’s U.S. Open.

Be sure to check out all the pick’ems Sleeper has to offer with Sleeper promo code FL55. 

DraftKings $6,000 and Below Range

Aaron Rai ($6,900)

Rai has been consistent this season, advancing to the weekend in 14 of his 17 solo starts and he has produced eight top-25 finishes. At The Open Championship, Rai has made 2 of 3 cuts, including a T19 in 2021. The Englishman has never competed at Royal Portrush before, but Rai is a former DP World Tour player who won twice on the circuit, so he has plenty of experience on links courses. Rai also ranks 13th in par four performance this season, which bodes well for Royal Portrush, where scoring on the par 4s is most important for success.

Hary Hall ($6,400)

While this will be Hall’s Open Championship debut, he is difficult to overlook at this low salary. The Englishman has been awesome, carding seven straight top-25 finishes, including a T19 at the PGA Championship and a T17 at last week’s Genesis Scottish Open. Hall posted a 6-under 64 during the second round of that latter start and he has magnificently shot under par in 35 of his past 40 rounds. The 27-year-old ranks ninth on the PGA TOUR in Total Strokes Gained this season, but Hall is only the 58th most expensive golfer on DraftKings this week.

Interested in more PGA action? Check out the pick’ems on Underdog Fantasy with Underdog promo code LABS.

Pictured: Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry

Photo credit: Imagn

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

THE CJ CUP in South Carolina Top PGA DFS Picks, Values and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings The RSM Classic Top PGA DFS Picks, Values and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Top PGA DFS Picks, Values, and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings Butterfield Bermuda Championship: Top PGA DFS Picks, Values, and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings

The 153rd Open Championship, which is the fourth and final major of the season, will be played at Royal Portrush Golf Club (par 71, 7,381 yards, fescue greens) in Portrush, Ireland. This venue last hosted The Open Championship in 2019 and that year, Shane Lowry (-15) won by six shots. Royal Portrush also hosted the Irish Open in 2012. At last year’s Open Championship at Royal Troon, Xander Schauffele (-9) won by two strokes. There will be 156 golfers competing this week and a slightly expanded cut, with the top 70 and ties advancing after the first two rounds.

The PGA DFS Breakdown offers data-driven analysis for each week’s slate, using the FantasyLabs Tools and metrics to highlight notable golfers.

I’ll be highlighting the best cash game/single-entry plays on the DraftKings main slate, but these players are often great options in any contest.

My analysis will frequently reference Strokes Gained, a set of proprietary metrics generated by the PGA TOUR using millions of data points to calculate how many shots, on average, it takes a player to get the ball in the hole from every distance and situation.

Strokes Gained is now available in the FantasyLabs PGA Models.

There are a variety of Strokes Gained-related metrics, but the six main categories you need to know include:

  • Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee (SG: Off-the-Tee)
  • Strokes Gained: Approach (SG: Approach)
  • Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green (SG: Around-the-Green)
  • Strokes Gained: Putting (SG: Putting)
  • Strokes Gained: Ball-Striking (SG: Ball-Striking), which is SG: Off-the-Tee + SG: Approach
  • Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green (SG: Tee-to-Green), which is SG: Ball-Striking + SG: Around-the-Green

Don’t forget to check out two key metrics in our models — Perfect% and SimLeverage. You can find an explainer on those metrics here.

The Cliffs Notes version is that you can use SimLeverage to quickly find leverage plays in tournaments, while Perfect% is great for finding the best price-considered plays for cash games.

And don’t forget to utilize our various PGA DFS tools like our Lineup Optimizer, Lineup Builder, PGA Correlation Dashboard, and our Trends tool.

The following players listed are based on DraftKings scoring and pricing.

Become an All-Access Member Today

Lineup builder and optimizer

Real-time DFS models & projections

Data-driven analysis & tutorials
Become a PRO Member
 

PGA DFS Cash Game Thoughts

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

DraftKings $10,000+ Range

Rory McIlroy ($11,500)

For the second week in a row, dropping down from Scottie Scheffler to McIlroy is the best way to begin your cash game lineup, especially with Scheffler’s salary at an out-of-sight $14,200. McIlroy finished runner-up at last week’s Genesis Scottish Open, while Scheffler finished T8th and McIlroy has now finished inside the top seven in seven of 13 of his starts this season, including three wins. McIlroy missed the cut at Royal Portrush in 2019, but he only did so by one stroke and he finished T10th at this links course for the 2012 Irish Open. McIlroy is arguably having the greatest season of his storied career and the Irishman should be highly motivated to hoist the Claret Jug in his home country this week. Including a win in 2014, McIlroy has produced seven top-six finishes in 15 starts at The Open Championship.

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

DraftKings $9,000 Range

Xander Schauffele ($9,700)

Schauffele hasn’t been priced under $10,000 on DraftKings for seven straight events and the defending Open Championship winner is fresh off a T8 at the Genesis Scottish Open last week, in which Schauffele led the field in SG: Approach. The 31-year-old ranks seventh in SG: Approach this season, which is excellent news for Royal Portrush, as Lowry led his field in SG: Approach when he convincingly won at this par 71 in 2019. Schauffele has never missed a cut in seven starts at The Open Championship and he has generated five top-20 finishes at the major, with last year’s victory at Royal Troon being the most notable. Including two wins, Schauffele has six top-10 finishes in his last 10 major starts and he is a terrific target for cash games at this discounted price.

Shane Lowry ($9,300)

Lowry takes competing in his homeland very seriously and is a great option for cash games this week. Not only did he win at Royal Portrush by six shots in 2019, but he also won the Irish Open as an amateur in 2009. Lowry has racked up 10 top-25 finishes in 14 starts this season and he has been gearing up for his return to Royal Portrush this week, as he told the media Monday that he has played at least six different famous links courses in Ireland over the last two weeks to prepare for The Open Championship. Lowry ranks third in SG: Approach this season and him producing a high finish in his quest for his second Open Championship win at Royal Portrush is likely this week.

DraftKings $8,000 Range

Tyrell Hatton ($8,900)

Hatton finished T6th at Royal Portrush in 2019, which is one of his three top-12 finishes in his last eight starts at The Open Championship. Hatton has carded four top-15 finishes in his last 10 major starts – including a T4 at last month’s U.S. Open – and he has finished T5 in two of his last five starts on the LIV Golf Tour. Hatton ranks fourth on the circuit in greens in regulation and his impressive play at majors should continue this week.

Viktor Hovland ($8,300)

Hovland finished T11th at last week’s Genesis Scottish Open, which is his seventh top-25 finish in 14 starts this season. Hovland was right in the mix for his first major win at the U.S. Open last month, finishing T3rd and only three strokes back of the winner, and he is just a few months removed from his win at the Valspar Championship in April. Hovland ranks second in SG: Approach this season and he has tallied three top-15 finishes in his four starts at The Open Championship. Hovland hasn’t been this cheap on DraftKings in 11 starts and he is a steal at this affordable salary.

DraftKings $7,000 Range

Matt Fitzpatrick ($7,800)

Fitzpatrick finished T20th at Royal Portrush in 2019 and the Englishman is playing his best golf of the season right now. Fitzpatrick has improved in each of his last three starts, finishing T17th, T8th, and T4th, in that order. That latter finish came at last week’s Genesis Scottish Open and Fitzpatrick gained strokes in every major category at the Renaissance Club. Additionally, he carded a 7-under 63 in the second round. Fitzpatrick has shot under par in 10 straight rounds and he ranks sixth in Total Strokes Gained when we compare this field’s last 24 rounds. In this type of form, Fitzpatrick is a real threat to contend for his second major win.

Jordan Spieth ($7,700)

Spieth makes a ton of sense for cash games at this sub-$8,000salary. The 2017 Open Championship winner has never missed a cut in seven tries at this major and five of these finishes have been top-10 results. Spieth finished T20th at Royal Portrush in 2019 and he ranks sixth among this field in Strokes Gained per round at The Open Championship. Spieth has made 14 of 18 cuts this season with eight top-25 finishes and he gained a whopping 8.6 strokes on approach at the U.S. Open in his last start, resulting in a T23 finish at Oakmont CC.

Corey Conners ($7,200)

While Conners missed the cut at Royal Portrush in 2019, this was his first attempt at an Open Championship. Since then, Conners has made four straight cuts at this major and three of these finishes have been top-30 results. The veteran has finished T26th or better at five consecutive majors and Conners has been extremely reliable this season, missing only one cut in 17 starts with 10 top-25 finishes. The Canadian ranks 21st in Total Strokes Gained and he ranks 30th in par four performance this season, which is an encouraging sign for Royal Portrush. When Lowry ran away with a six-shot win at this par 71 in 2019, he led his field in Par-4 Efficiency.

Cameron Young ($7,200)

Young has been superb at The Open Championship. In his three starts at this major, the 28-year-old has finished runner-up, T8th, and T31st, in that order. When we analyze this field’s histories at Open Championships, Young impressively ranks first in Strokes Gained per round. On top of his prowess for The Open Championship, Young has been great as of late. The Wake Forest product arrives in Ireland riding an eight-made-cut streak and three of these finishes have come inside the top seven, including a T4 at last month’s U.S. Open.

Be sure to check out all the pick’ems Sleeper has to offer with Sleeper promo code FL55. 

DraftKings $6,000 and Below Range

Aaron Rai ($6,900)

Rai has been consistent this season, advancing to the weekend in 14 of his 17 solo starts and he has produced eight top-25 finishes. At The Open Championship, Rai has made 2 of 3 cuts, including a T19 in 2021. The Englishman has never competed at Royal Portrush before, but Rai is a former DP World Tour player who won twice on the circuit, so he has plenty of experience on links courses. Rai also ranks 13th in par four performance this season, which bodes well for Royal Portrush, where scoring on the par 4s is most important for success.

Hary Hall ($6,400)

While this will be Hall’s Open Championship debut, he is difficult to overlook at this low salary. The Englishman has been awesome, carding seven straight top-25 finishes, including a T19 at the PGA Championship and a T17 at last week’s Genesis Scottish Open. Hall posted a 6-under 64 during the second round of that latter start and he has magnificently shot under par in 35 of his past 40 rounds. The 27-year-old ranks ninth on the PGA TOUR in Total Strokes Gained this season, but Hall is only the 58th most expensive golfer on DraftKings this week.

Interested in more PGA action? Check out the pick’ems on Underdog Fantasy with Underdog promo code LABS.

Pictured: Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry

Photo credit: Imagn

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

THE CJ CUP in South Carolina Top PGA DFS Picks, Values and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings The RSM Classic Top PGA DFS Picks, Values and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Top PGA DFS Picks, Values, and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings Butterfield Bermuda Championship: Top PGA DFS Picks, Values, and Sleepers for Large-Field GPPs on DraftKings

About the Author

Alex Hunter is an avid DFS player who produces NFL and NBA content for FantasyLabs. He has been playing DFS for nearly a decade, dating back to the DraftStreet days and has been in the fantasy/betting content business for over eight years. Alex earned his bachelor’s degree in communications at Worcester State University and has contributed content for some of the biggest outlets in the industry, such as DraftKings Network, Stokastic (formerly Awesemo) and RotoWire, covering NBA, NFL and PGA. Alex is a data-driven analyst that has multiple wins and high finishes in GPPs on his DFS resume, as well as years of being a successful cash-game player. If you have any questions or need any lineup advice, Alex can be found @Hunta512 on Twitter.