FANTASY GOLF BMW Championship

By James Dalthorp III

BEAST DOME NATION.

If you’re a little concerned about this week in golf, you’ve come to the right place. I know, there are other sports coming back right now. We’re starting to see the light. And with a limited, no – CUT field this week of 70 players and just TWO events left in the season before we start the 2021 Fed Ex Cup on the PGA TOUR (and the 2020 majors), it’s time to capitalize.

This is a course that we haven’t seen any stats on since 2003 – when the US Open was played here. So, technically, this is a new host for the event. Top amateurs have won here at Illinois’ home college event like Matt Wolff and Rickie Fowler. And Jim Furyk famously won the last event here professionally, the 2003 US Open.
What to expect here? The course is a par 70 and if you know Jim Fuyrk’s game, that kind of strategy should serve well here. But the game has changed quite a bit since 2003 – and this course with lighter, summer rough might be vulnerable to another incredible performance like Dustin Johnson had last week. Will the winning score be -30? No. But I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a -19 winning score, given that this is a major championship layout that’s setup for birdies.

5 BEASTS

Justin Thomas

Defending champion and seeming to come back into form at a high level, I think the trickle over effect of playing a US Open practice round with Tiger and knowing that two good weeks here could change the entire outcome of his season regarding player of the year. He was good enough last week to carry over into a big win.

Matt Kuchar

I remember watching with a lot of interest when Jim Furyk won the US Open here. It was hypnotizing. He made great par putts and played smart. I tend to believe that this course favors strategists and players with excellent scrambling. Kuchar needs a good week to advance to next weeks playoff event and I believe it will ignite him to a big finish. He’s coming off an incredibly steady top 20 last week and he’s made over 1.5 mil this year by playing a very consistent game. He reminds me of Furyk’s style.

Xander Schauffele

I picked Xander last week and I think he’s close to capitalizing. This guy’s performance this year has been exceptional. He’s had a body of work over the last 12 months that i would argue is more consistent than any other player. He could sneak into a big payoff with two more weeks that could be determined by just a couple more putts dropping. He’s right there.

Rickie Fowler

Rickie shot 63 on this course in a college event and this layout is a great fit for him. I know Rickie isn’t always a popular fantasy pick but you have to consider the course history he has. Rickie tends to be a factor on certain courses more than others.

Patrick Reed

If scrambling and grinding become an important part of the profile here, Reed has quietly shown promise leading up to this event. In 18 events this year, Reed has a win, a runner-up, and 7 Top 10’s. Quietly, guys like Reed have a chance to make a stamp on the FedEx Cup.

5 SLEEPERS

Si Woo Kim

coming off a decent finish and a solid week over the last 2 events, this course should give Si Woo plenty to love. I really like his chances of putting it all together here. This course may setup similar to the Wyndham, where he caught fire.

Harry Higgs

You could say that Higgs is very inconsistent and I would not disagree. However, the Tour rookie has shown stretches of solid play regardless of what course he’s playing. He has a hot potter, he’s coming off arguably a career-best finish with a T11 (since it’s a playoff event). He’s been a consistent player when he’s on.

Talor Gooch

IT’s a time in the year which is, “make or break” – and Gooch has been a very good consideration throughout the season- and struggled early in the restart. However, he’s showing signs of major life. He’s been top 25 in 3 of his last 4 starts and this course should be a good opportunity for him. I think he’ll advance in the playoffs.

Cameron Smith

Coming off one of his best weeks in a while, Smith’s first tour win came earlier this year on a par 70 layout. A factor in the Presidents Cup last year, I think he’s coming out of a slumpish phase into good form. Great courses bring the best out of great players and I think Smith has the pedigree of a great player.

Ryan Palmer

Not sure what Palmer will be valued at, but he is incredibly solid tee to green. this guy is highly underrated considering his performance this year – and would not be a farfetch’d finisher.