WGC Cadillac Championship - Power Rankings
This week marks the first World Golf Championship of 2016, and it will have a certain “presidential” feel. While he likely will not have the same presence as he did last year, Republican candidate Donald Trump will serve as this week’s host, as the event returns to Trump Doral Golf Resort. In 2015, “the Donald” could be seen throughout the grounds, and was constantly in front of the cameras during the event. It will be interesting to see if he makes an appearance at this year’s event, but regardless, it can be assumed that he will be in front of a camera somewhere this weekend - but for different reasons.
Could it be that the 2017 playing of this event could actually be hosted by the President of the United States? With each passing day, this seems to become a more realistic possibility.
Enough about politics, let’s examine this week’s event.
Adam Scott - A great win at the Honda, and a T2 the week prior (Northern Trust). The last two weeks on Tour have shown that he is in peak form and is showing no signs of slowing down. Going to a non-anchored putter hasn’t seemed to bother him in the least. Finished T4 at this event in 2015.
Bubba Watson - Win two weeks ago at Riviera moved him up to number 4 in the Official World Golf Rankings. Finished two shots back in 2015, and just one shot back in 2014.
Rickie Fowler - Don’t let his struggles on the weekend last week at PGA National fool you. Rickie is playing great golf, and since last year’s Players Championship, he has shown that he can get the job done on the big stage.
Jordan Spieth - Uncharacteristic play at the Northern Trust, easily missing the cut. I refuse to become a doubter after one poor performance. I expect him to come back this week rested, and motivated.
Rory McIlroy - Missed cut last week at PGA National. Has struggled with consistency over the last couple events, but his game has shown that it’s close, and I expect him to find the winner’s circle in the very near future.
Henrik Stenson - First Tour event in a while, but over the past year, has been one of the most underrated performers on Tour. His T4 performance at Trump Doral last year was one of many top 10’s he posted in 2015.
Justin Rose - He continues to be a threat in each event that he plays, and has done so for quite a while.
Dustin Johnson - Defending champion at this week’s event. He plays well on this course having also finished T4 in 2014. This week serves as a great opportunity for him to get back into the winner’s circle, having just posted a 4th place finish at Riviera two weeks ago.
Phil Mickelson - It’s been fun to watch “vintage Phil” over the last month. Returning to Trump Doral, a course he knows well, and bringing his A-game along with him.
Hideki Matsuyama - A great win a few weeks ago at the Phoenix Open, and continues to make the argument that he is one of the games most consistent performers.
Sleepers
Branden Grace - While he missed the cut last week at the Honda Classic, he has been playing some of the best golf of his career. Having posted multiple wins on the European Tour, I would not be the least bit surprised to see him claim a title on U.S. soil in the very near future. I wouldn’t even be surprised to see him take a major this season.
Jason Day - It may seem weird to see him as a sleeper pick, but I’m considering him one due to his play of late. Has started 2016 slowly. It may have something to do with the fact that he and his wife have a newborn child - a terrific reason not to be as focused on your golf game. I expect to see him return to form soon.
And now my DraftKings lineups for the week.
This week I’ve focused on trying to find players that I feel are due for big weeks. My hope is that if I can in fact find them, I will myself have a big payday. Players such as Kisner, Willett, Dufner, Holmes, Knox & Streb seem to me to be due for an attack at a leaderboard. While I expect Watson, Scott, Kaufman & Grace to continue their solid play of late. You could almost put Branden Grace in a category all on his own, for he hasn’t performed as one might expect on U.S. soil this year, but his play in Europe has been stellar.
Starting Lineup:
Bubba Watson - $11.400
Kevin Kisner - $8,000
Danny Willett - $7,800
Zach Johnson - $7,500
Jason Dufner - $7,200
Smylie Kaufman - $6,500
Alternate Lineup:
Adam Scott - $11,600
JB Holmes - $9,400
Branden Grace - $8,300
Russell Knox - $7,600
Robert Streb - $6,800
K. Aphibamrat - $6,200
This article was written by Jonathan Carr (@jonathanwcarr) as part of our weekly #FantasyGolf series. Each week we preview the upcoming PGA Tour event and highlight some of the players we'll be keeping an eye on. As a scratch golfer himself, Jonathan has a keen eye for what it takes to be successful on and off the golf course. His passion for golf is surpassed only by his passion for his faith and his family.
Read some of Jonathan's other articles here.
