Zurich Classic Daily Fantasy Picks and Predictions: Don’t Pass on Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman at the Top

Zurich Classic Daily Fantasy Picks and Predictions: Don’t Pass on Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman at the Top

I am all for a change of format and pace that helps to break up the lengthy PGA Tour Season. We have exactly that this week for the Zurich Classic, as 80 2-man teams are set to take on TPC Louisiana in New Orleans in an interesting mix of best ball and alternate shot. Once again, we're back on another Pete Dye-designed golf course, but TPC Louisiana traditionally plays as one of the longest Dye layouts we see all year at just over 7,400 yards on the scorecard. Anytime we see a format change on the PGA Tour, it's my opinion that it provides an opportunity for those willing to do the research and adjust their strategy accordingly as it seems many entries in the contest could view this as an "off-week" and will take a lazier than normal approach.

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First things first, you must understand the format and how it is scored for Draftkings lineups. You will be drafting individual players, but both players on any given team will receive the same number of points for the week. This makes lineup construction quite intriguing. On occasion, you can look to isolate certain players who may be paired with a partner that has greater skill and potentially provides a lift in certain areas in which the other player may struggle. My fellow Oddschecker colleague, Rick Gehman, has a great tool on his website that provides combined Strokes Gained data for each team that you can toggle through different timespans to get a better understanding of how a team has been playing as a unit.

In terms of key stats for the week, I'll be focusing more on players' Birdie-or-Better rates. The idea is that you want scoring and I'm willing to overlook some volatility within rounds in hopes that a player's partner can have their back, at least in the best ball portion. As we have seen historically, your team is going to need to go extremely LOW in the best ball portions of the event to succeed. Other stats worth considering in your model are SG: Ballstriking, Tee to Green, Bermuda Grass Putting, and scrambling. Here are my favorite teams in each range!

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$10k+ Range: Cameron Smith & Marc Leishman $10,200

The defending champions have also been the best team in this range in terms of total Strokes Gained over the last 25 rounds played. I believe this type of format can mitigate their only viable weakness which is that they are often erratic off the tee. From that point on, they are the best in the field in Approach, Around the Green, and Putting. I expect a decent bounce back from Cam who has been in fantastic form in general and I love this team's upside in the heat of Sunday competition. The only question is will big Marc rock the mullet wig again?!

$9k+ Range: Shane Lowry & Ian Poulter $9,500

I'm going with a couple of grizzled Ryder cup veterans at $9,500 that should have a familiarity with the intangibles of team golf. Plus, Lowry is flushing it with his irons lately at the best rate of his career. He's been on the verge of breaking through for victory for quite a while. We all know how much Poulter tends to thrive in these environments and I like his chances to make almost any putt once he can see his partner make a run at it. Combined, they are the best-putting team in the event...putt for dough!

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$8k+ Range: Chris Kirk & Brendon Todd $8,200

A couple of ex-roommates during their time as Georgia Bulldogs, these two have teamed up for a couple of years running. They are both extremely consistent from Tee to Green which should help to minimize damage as their is definitely some trouble lurking off the tee in many spots around TPC Louisiana. Ultimately, I just think they compliment each other's game very nicely and both could really use a PGA Tour victory, something I'm certain these two good friends have spoken about coming into this week.

$7k+ Range: Keith Mitchell & Brandt Snedeker $7,900

You're going to have to pick at least one cringe-worthy option this week, for me that is Mitchell & Snedeker. Polar opposites in terms of consistency and form, I'm obviously hopeful I can sneak something out of Sneds because Mitchell has been great. Keith has finished 13th or better in five of his last seven starts. Snedeker on the other hand has missed the cut in six of his last seven! I'm banking on Keith getting them on or around the green, and of course, then keeping my fingers crossed that Brandt can make his fair share of big putts throughout the week!

$6k+ Range: Richy Werenski & Peter Uihlein $6,900

It gets ugly quick in this $6,000 range. This play is purely based on two narratives. First, they finished in third place at this event last season, so hopefully, they have both been looking forward to another crack at it this year. Second, Uihlein should have all the motivation in the world, playing in Louisiana and trying to regain status on the PGA Tour while in decent form playing in Korn Ferry Tour events recently. Click and pray.

Joe Idone's PGA Tour DFS Picks

• Cuts Made: 129/155
• Winners Picked: 8

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