Tour News
The 7 most overvalued players at the 2015 CIMB Classic
The PGA Tour’s 2015-2016 season continues this week at the 2015 CIMB Classic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. As you probably already know, that means DraftKings weekly fantasy golf returns to test your mettle and skill!
In this week’s fantasy contest, $125,000 is on the line with $10,000 in winnings for the steadfast champion. A few of the best professional golfers on Earth are headed to Southeast Asia; do not miss out on the chance to play and win, especially since I am here to help you make your picks, and who to avoid.
The Course
Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, which is located in the capital city of Malaysia, measures 6,951 yards in length, plays to a tournament par of 72. The course originally opened in 1991 and was subject to a complete re-design finished in 2008. Ryan Moore is returning as two-time defending champion and he will compete against a strong field that includes Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott, Patrick Reed, and Henrik Stenson. The CIMB Classic is the third event for the 2015-2016 season on the PGA Tour; an already unique season that has thus far seen two rookies in Emiliano Grillo and Smylie Kaufman win.
Below are the players I believe to be overvalued this week at the 2015 CIMB Classic.
Matt Every ($6,400)
2014-2015 PGA Tour season
- All-Around Ranking: 182nd
- Ball-Striking: 182nd
- Par 5 Birdie or Better Leaders: 172nd — 35.53%
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 178th — 1.107(-)
- Strokes Gained: Putting: T86 — 0.077
- Official World Golf Ranking: 94th
Admittedly, Every is a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, having won the Arnold Palmer Invitational (API) in both 2014 and 2015. Further, he participated last year in Kuala Lumpur, finishing T49 in this particular no cut event. Apart from his victory at Bay Hill back in March, however, Every posted no other top-10s and only posted one additional top-25 at the RBC Heritage in April 2015.
In 2014-2015, he missed 10 cuts overall, withdrew three times, and after Every’s win at the 2015 API, he either missed the cut or WD in 11 of his final 16 events of last season. Even with only four players this week that cost less, Every’s recent play and statistics overall from last season do not warrant spending $6,400 to put him on your roster at the CIMB Classic. Every started this 2015-2016 season by withdrawing at the Frys.com Open after an opening 76.
Chesson Hadley ($6,500)
2014-2015 PGA Tour season
- All-Around Ranking: T108
- Ball-Striking: 163rd
- Par 5 Birdie or Better Leaders: 114th — 40.74%
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 163rd
- Strokes Gained: Putting: 62nd — 0.169
- Official World Golf Ranking: 178th
Hadley is a former PGA Tour winner, having won the 2014 Puerto Rico Open, but last season did not post a top-10 beyond April when he finished T8 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Further, in his final three events of last season, Hadley missed two cuts and finished 74th at the Deutsche Bank Championship, which is a no cut event.
With two events already logged in 2015-2016 on the PGA Tour, Hadley missed the cut at the Frys.com Open and finished T62 last week at the Shriners Hospitals for Childrens Open, making the weekend right on the cut line. Statistically, Hadley’s struggles in Par 5 Birdie or Better Leaders and Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green suggest an inability to realistically contend for a title this week in Kuala Lumpur. Best case scenario would be a top-25, but Hadley finished T65 last year at this same event.
Padraig Harrington ($6,800)
2014-2015 PGA Tour season
- All-Around Ranking: 179th
- Ball-Striking: 180th
- Par 5 Birdie or Better Leaders: 148th — 38.62%
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 141st — 0.358(-)
- Strokes Gained: Putting: 162nd — 0.492(-)
- Official World Golf Ranking: 125th
Harrington is not only a winner last season on the PGA Tour at The Honda Classic, having beat Rookie of the Year, Daniel Berger, in a playoff, but a three-time major winner (2007/2008 Open Championship and 2008 PGA Championship). Despite an incredible professional career, at age 44, Harrington is a constant liability on PGA Tour greens, regardless of speed or type of grass, and suffers long bouts of inconsistency with his ball-striking, all of which is evidenced by last season’s statistics.
Even with a PGA Tour win in 2014-2015, Harrington missed 12 out of 21 cuts (including, 7 of 12 after his win in Florida), and only posted one other top-25 (T20) at the Open Championship at St. Andrews. He has yet to play in 2015-2016, but despite a modest price tag, there seems to be virtually no chance, Harrington will post a top-10, let alone find his way to such an unlikely victory.
Ryo Ishikawa ($6,900)
2014-2015 PGA Tour season
- All-Around Ranking: T78
- Ball-Striking: 135th
- Par 5 Birdie or Better Leaders: 92nd — 42.35%
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 100th — 0.009
- Strokes Gained: Putting: 133rd — 0.103(-)
- Official World Golf Ranking: 165th
Ishikawa was once-labeled as “can’t miss,” and while his success at the professional level in his native Japan with 12 official wins is not in doubt, he has consistently struggled on the PGA Tour. Last season, he posted just two top-10s with the latter coming back in August at the Quicken Loans National (QLN). In 22 overall events, Ishikawa missed 11 cuts and finished 122nd in the final FedExCup rankings.
Be aware that Ishikawa posted one of his stronger finishes at the CIMB Classic last year, having finished T26. Notwithstanding that fact, since his T8 at The Players Championship back in May 2015, Ishikawa missed five cuts and only posted two top-25s in 13 events (one being the aforementioned finish at QLN). With the likes of Alex Cejka (T2), Rory Sabbatini (T25), and Chad Campbell (T8) available at similar cost after strong play last week in Las Vegas, strongly consider someone other than Ishikawa.
Keegan Bradley ($7,900)
2014-2015 PGA Tour season
- All-Around Ranking: 38th
- Ball-Striking: T21
- Par 5 Birdie or Better Leaders: 6th — 50.74%
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 14th — 1.022
- Strokes Gained: Putting: 126th — 0.070(-)
- Official World Golf Ranking: 59th
Bradley is a well-known PGA Tour personality and three-time winner, including the 2011 PGA Championship, but has failed to notch a victory since August 2012. Earlier this calendar year, Bradley made the switch from his belly putter, a constant companion since his rookie year on the PGA Tour, in anticipation of the anchoring ban going into effect on Jan. 1, 2016. To that end, Bradley’s game has seemingly been trending down as compared to other younger players, like that of Rory McIlroy and Jason Day.
Further, despite missing just four cuts in 24 events in 2014-2015, Bradley only posted three top-10s with his last top-10 coming back in June 2015 at the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. Bradley opened his 2015-2016 campaign last week in Las Vegas and missed the cut by three shots. At what may seem like a bargain price, instead consider players like Nick Watney (T11), Cameron Tringale (T2), and Kevin Kisner (T25), all of whom not only made the cut, but finished in the top-25.
Adam Scott ($9,700)
2014-2015 PGA Tour season
- All-Around Ranking: 26th
- Ball-Striking: 8th
- Par 5 Birdie or Better Leaders: 21st — 47.97%
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 35th — 0.601
- Strokes Gained: Putting: 158th — 0.396(-)
- Official World Golf Ranking: 16th
Scott is a former Masters winner (2013), No. 1-ranked player in the world, and 11-time PGA Tour winner. While his ball-striking numbers demonstrate that Scott’s golf swing remains textbook, his struggles on PGA Tour greens are well-documented. Further, Scott recently made the switch from a broom-stick putting style, a form of soon-to-be illegal anchoring, to a regulation length putter.
One cannot deny Scott’s success with the short putter on the final day of the 2015 Presidents Cup beating Rickie Fowler 6 and 5, but that appears, by all accounts, to the exception and not the rule. Last season, Scott did, in fact, make 20 out of 24 cuts on the PGA Tour, but only posted three top-10s, finishing 106th in the final FedExCup rankings. At $9,700, Scott is the ninth highest salary for the CIMB Classic. Rather than Scott, add two-time defending champion, Ryan Moore, or young studs, Patrick Reed and Justin Thomas to your roster and spend your money wisely.
Sergio Garcia ($10,700)
2014-2015 PGA Tour season
- All-Around Ranking: 32nd
- Ball-Striking: 41st
- Par 5 Birdie or Better Leaders: 40th — 45.45%
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 12th — 1.061
- Strokes Gained: Putting: 112th — 0.016(-)
- Official World Golf Ranking: 11th
A popular villain in the United States, as far as PGA Tour players go, for his ongoing success at the Ryder Cup and other comments of the past, Garcia has a total of eight wins on that tour and over $40 million in career earnings. Irrespective of his success, Garcia has not won on the PGA Tour since 2012, having finished runner-up twice last season, including, in Kuala Lumpur at the CIMB Classic.
Undoubtedly, Garcia will land on many fantasy insider “must-pick” lists for this week because of that finish, but his cost, as compared to his lack of recent success and frequent inability to close, fail to justify Garcia’s selection. Garcia’s greatest PGA Tour triumph came in 2008 at The Players Championship, shortly after some heartbreaking losses at professional majors. He is far removed from that resounding and seemingly rehabilitative success, but Garcia’s consistent putting woes coupled with better bets like Kevin Na and Hideki Matsuyama for similar cost, make him an investment to avoid.
Don’t forget to enter the $125K contest here!
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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marcel
Oct 29, 2015 at 8:44 pm
Sergio does not count – he is not a golf player