Most-Picked Players: John Deere Classic

PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO If you ever wanted a litmus test for course history, you got one. Even though Daniel Berger is an accomplished and dynamic two-time PGA TOUR winner, he’s a first-timer at the John Deere Classic. Yet, he’s as clear-cut the most-owned in any tournament in recent memory. Chosen by 64.9 percent of gamers who set lineups, that’s 18 percent greater than runner up Charley Hoffman, who himself hasn’t made the trip to TPC Deere Run since missing the cut in 2013. The attention and love overlooks the fact that Berger is just 24 years of age. More powerful and poised than polished, he embodies exciting possibilities for gamers in every format every time he laces up the spikes. And while investors are no doubt hoping for a continuation of form that yielded a playoff loss in his last start at the Travelers Championship, the chip on his shoulder placed there by Jordan Spieth doesn’t hurt. Rounding out the top five, recent winners Kyle Stanley (Quicken Loans National) and Brian Harman (Wells Fargo Championship) flank JDC defending champion Ryan Moore, who’s returning from a strained tendon in his left shoulder. You need to lower your focus to sixth and 10th to see tournament heroes Zach Johnson and Steve Stricker, respectively. Them changes. Notables not shown below include Bubba Watson (12th, 12.4 percent), Nick Watney (16th, 9.0 percent), William McGirt (18th, 7.6 percent) and Robert Streb (21st, 6.3 percent). NOTE: Rob’s Rating refers to where our Fantasy Insider slotted a golfer in his Power Rankings. Golfers in the Power Rankings and outside the top 10 in most owned PGA TOUR Fantasy One & Done presented by SERVPRO Once upon a time, well, actually several times not long ago, Steve Stricker and Zach Johnson were the 1 and 1a at the John Deere Classic. Theirs was (still is?) a combination of talent and timing as the majority of one-and-done worthies prepped elsewhere for The Open Championship. That both are relative locals is forever convenient, but their success at TPC Deere Run was never guaranteed, either. It’s 2017, however, and One & Dones don’t wait for anyone. Brian Harman prevailed both here in 2014 and two months ago at the Wells Fargo Championship. He loves to go low and you’re not going to find another in the field who’s as confident with a putter in his left-handed grip. So, he represents the No. 1 slot properly. Tournament debutant Daniel Berger ranks second. As conveyed above for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO, it’s a sign of confidence from gamers, but it also can’t go overlooked that he may not value as strongly the rest of the way, or at least as obviously. Now, and finally, we arrive at ZJ in third and Stricker in fourth. It’s more impressive that the all-time earnings leader of the tournament was selected by 8.9 percent of you because he’s 50 years old. He’s owned by nearly three times as many gamers who plucked Charles Howell III at 10th. CH3 opened with a bogey-free, 8-under 63, two strokes lower than anyone else in Thursday’s morning wave. Notables outside the top 10 include Kevin Kisner (11th, 2.8 percent), Kevin Na (12th, 1.4 percent), Bubba Watson (15th, 0.8 percent), Daniel Summerhays (16th, 0.7 percent) and William McGirt (T20, 0.4 percent). Danny Lee, who slots sixth, withdrew after a first-round 74. PGA TOUR Champions One & Done presented by SERVPRO If the Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship opened the season, would there be any doubt that Bernhard Langer would either threaten or even establish the record for highest ownership percentage in the history of fantasy gaming at PGATOUR.com? He’s the three-time defending champion (on different courses to boot) and the tournament ranks T2 among all events in total prize money. Instead, this is the 13th event contributing to the One & Done and the U.S. Senior Open Championship contested two weeks ago boasted the largest purse. So, Langer is way down – way down! – at sixth in ownership percentage at just 6.1. I can’t confirm it, but I wouldn’t rule out that gamers’ commitment at Caves Valley Golf Club equals all of the remaining gamers who have submitted a pick every week and have yet to burn Langer. In my preseason primer in January, I angled at using him this week. While tempted to deviate at Salem Country Club (where he placed T18), he paid off my patience in the opening round of the SENIOR PLAYERS. Langer carded a bogey-free, 7-under 65. Larry Mize leads after a nine-birdie 64, but he was not chosen by any gamer this week. Notables outside the top 10 include Kevin Sutherland (12th, 2.5 percent), local favorite Fred Funk (14th, 2.0 percent), Joe Durant (T16, 1.5 percent) and Colin Montgomerie (T16, 1.5 percent). Preston McClellan, the digital communications manager for the PGA TOUR and member of the Experts panel for PGA TOUR Champions One & Done presented by SERVPRO was the only gamer who selected Wes Short, Jr.

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