DraftKings RBC Canadian Open Preview

In this week’s DraftKings RBC Canadian Open preview I discuss the merits of the “bounce back” approach in golf, gush on Dylan Meyer, a potential Canadian/American spy and much more! We’ll start off with a couple sleepers–when I say sleepers I’m referring to players priced in the low 7k, or below range that have under told stories/aren’t obvious names in the golf world. I consider making a cut with these selections a victory. Last week, I went one for two with nothing really impressive to mention so I’ll stop now. Click here for my results this season.

(Source: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images North America)

Jared du Toit $6,300

As an amateur two years ago, Canada’s native son was the toast of Glen Abbey when du Toit played his way into Sunday’s final pairing before finishing T-9 in his country’s national championship. Since, he’s turned pro playing on the Mackenzie Tour (PGA Canadian Tour) and made all the weekends in his 11 starts in 2017 including three top 10s. This season, between the Mackenzie and Latin American Tour, du Toit has made eight weekends in 13 starts, and currently ranks 28th on the Order Of Merit.

In the somewhat cheesy video below, the ASU alum discusses his motivation for validating his breakthrough performance from two years ago, and how he wants to ensure that it wasn’t some flash in the pan destined to be his golf legacy. His last time out on the Mackenzie Tour, he missed the cut for just the second time in 18 career starts which makes this a perfect spot for a bounce back (more on this approach to come) opportunity.

Is it a long shot? Of course. But, as we all know, taking and making long shots is what will make the biggest difference in DFS life. Just ask anyone who randomly tossed Michael Kim in a few lineups two weeks ago at the John Deere Classic.

(Getty Images)

Talor Gooch $6,500

I’ve been talking up Gooch’s potential since way back in February. His rookie season has been relatively successful with 12 checks cashed in 24 starts including five top 25s. However, the former OSU Cowboy’s rookie resume still lacks that signature top 10 performance that he’s capable of, and I believe he’ll have before year’s end. Coming into Glen Abbey he’s fired five straight sub 70 rounds before a WD for some undisclosed reason at the JDC two weeks ago. I attempted to solve the mystery via twitter, but Talor has not responded. Either way, I think he stays in Canada for the weekend with some sneaky upside to contend.

Core Players

Before the Valspar Championship, I started including my core players to build around in all my lineups. I try to identify targets before prices are released to stay focused, and avoid editing my lineup 2,000 times ten minutes before lock. These selections are players that I believe have top 25 floors with top 10 upside, and a reasonable case to win. Generally, I select four to five guys each tournament which is somewhat high risk, but also can be very rewarding in DFS if the entire core makes the weekend which generally almost locks in positive ROI for the week. Last week, I went four for five including the Open Championship winner Francesco Molinari. You can also see how these selections have fared on my results page.

(Getty Images)

1. Ian Poulter $9,100

Guess which one of my selections didn’t see Saturday at Carnoustie last week–you got that right–none other perhaps golf’s biggest arsehole, Mr. Ian Poulter! As I stated last week, there was plenty to like about the firey Englishman’s chances heading into last week before he shit the bed with an abominable 81 in his Friday round. I’ll give Poulter the benefit of the doubt chalking that up to some wicked “Carnasty” conditions stuff, and assume he’ll continue his high level play which makes him a classic “run back your misses/bounce back” candidate at Glen Abbey this week where he finished sole third last year in his only RBCCO career appearance.

(Associated Press)

2. Bubba Watson $9,600

Speaking of bouncing back, look no further than this prickly pro. Bubba was one of many big names that never got the feel for Carnoustie last week ultimately forcing him to pack his bags early and head back across the pond missing just his third cut this year. Anyone who’s been following golf this season knows Watson’s entire season has been a career bounce back from health issues where he already has a wildly impressive THREE wins thus far.

He’ll be looking to add to his Player Of The Year resume this week where he has made his last three consecutive cuts including a sole second place finish in 2015. Also, his last win this season came in his next start at the Travelers Championship after missing the cut at the U.S. Open. Now, y’all know Bubba ain’t gon-miss no back-back weekends naw-ya-herr! Just sayin…

(USA Today)

3. Charley Hoffman $8,700

No need to bounce back here. After a rough patch in April and May, Chuckle’s form has been rock solid as of late. In four starts since missing the cut at The Memorial, Hoffman has four straight finishes T-20 or higher including a stellar T-17 at last week’s OC in Scotland. Still, he has yet to net a top 10 (seven last year) this season, and will need to add something to his resume quick if he wants to return to the Tour Championship in September.

Glen Abbey seems like a perfect spot for him to notch his first high place finish of the season where his career appearance resume clearly suggests he enjoys the layout. With tournaments running out this season, look for C-Hoff to be a little extra motivated to contend in Ontario this weekend, and perhaps get his fifth career PGA Tour win.

(REUTERS/Tami Chappell)

4. Brandt Snedeker $8,500

I swear, I’m not trying to play the bounce back card again, but… Sneds is quoted all over in this article last week about loving his chances in the OC before completely bombing out with a smooth 76, 78 en route to an early trip back to the states. Before that, Brandt’s form was just starting sharpen this season with his best finishes, T-6 at the St. Jude Classic, and T-3 at the Greenbrier over his prior four starts.

Considering his track record in this event, and particularly at Glen Abbey, you’d think Sneds might be a Canadian government operative sent to America to pretend to celebrate our holidays while secretly furthering Canada’s agenda in America of being extremely pleasant, polite, reasonable, and easy to work with. I flip flopped a lot here between actual Canadian Adam Hadwin and Sneds. Eventually, Brandt’s recent high place finishes and bushy blonde hair got the better of me. And, the ridiculous fact that a Canadian born player hasn’t won this event since Pat Fletcher in 1954! Besides, it’s BOUNCE BACK WEEK BABY!!! I can’t stop!

(Associated Press)

5. Dylan Meyer (my hero) $6,700

Speaking of not being able to help myself… If you’ve been following me at all, then you know my unwavering support for this glasses wearing 140 lb savage known for his DJ skills off the course, being a staunch #MAGA supporter, and an inability to find one fuck to give on what anyone else thinks about it. Last week, while discussing my Patrick Cantlay selection, I talked about the importance of sticking by your players/teams that you identify when participating in any gambling/fantasy format.

To reiterate, when you have an instinct about a player’s ability/character from what you read about them, the interviews they give, or the individual journey they’ve experienced to get to where they are–trust it! None of us knows what’s going to happen. Otherwise, we’d all be in our Vegas suites sending our lackey’s down to the books to put in our winners for the day while we smoke our Cuban cigars and poor champagne down strippers’ backs consuming it off their ass cheeks all before deciding what to eat for lunch. Wait… I mean… You’d be doing that too, right?…

Anyway, the point is, as much as all the strokes gained stats, course history records, style of player’s game versus course setup analysis any of us want to use it’s our intuition in fake, and real, life that will ultimately set us apart. So far, early is his pro career, my Meyer belief hasn’t been shook with a T-20 in his pro, and major, debut at Shinnecock Hills last month. In his three starts since, he’s made two weekends and added another top 20 finish to his short resume with a T-17 at QLN. The Illinois alum has just the right mix of blissful youth, crazy talent, competitiveness, and cockiness/confidence/arrogance (whatever “he believes in himself/isn’t afraid” description you prefer) to contend in any tournament when he tees it up. I think he cashes his first top 10 sooner rather than later, and I won’t be missing out when he does.

Other Guys

Here’s a quick list of the rest of the guys I like to fill my sixth spot $7,400 and under:

Good luck in Canada! Follow me on twitter @realBobbyAdcock and feel free to mock me when none of this right!