Fantasy Golf Tournament Preview- Australian PGA Championship

OVERVIEW

The final tournament for the European Tour is this week. I’m shocked that there aren’t more bigger names sticking around Australia after the President’s Cup debacle for the International team, but with the holidays looming it makes sense. The super big news this week that everyone is talking about is of course the return of DFS and Twitter darling Steven Bowditch. There’s a bit of sarcasm in there, but Bowdo is a friend, and I genuinely hope he can get things back to where they were when he was healthy and while I don’t think it would be in my best interest to tout him in his first start back, he’s one to keep an eye on this week for sure. The Australian PGA Championship has been held at RACV Royal Pines for six years now and a lot of the same players continue to show up. Cameron Smith attempts the three peat having won the last two editions and Adam Scott (the event favorite) attempts to “get back” at the course that kicked him when he was down two years ago. The course is protected by blustering winds as it’s just off the coast and while the wind is unpredictable, it usually has a hand in controlling scores to par. Sunday’s on the European Tour are usually the host for miraculous rounds which end up in securing victories from those charging up the leaderboard, but I don’t think that’ll be the case this week as we’ve seen Sunday’s prove to be a tough task and the leader coming in should be wary of coming back to the pack. The course can’t be overpowered by long drivers off the tee, instead the course better suits those who methodically plot their way around the course, specifically off the tee. A strong all-around game is required to play well at Royal Pines and those who can do it the cleanest will come out on top come Sunday.

TOURNAMENT BACKGROUND
o The Course
• RACV Royal Pines Resort
• Par: 72
• Yardage: 7,300 yards
• Greens: Bermuda
o Location: Australia
o Past Champions:
• 2018: Cameron Smith -16 over Marc Leishman
• 2017: Cameron Smith -18 in a playoff over Jordan Zunic
• 2016: Harold Varner III -19 over Andrew Dodt
• 2015: Nathan Holman E in a playoff over Dylan Frittelli & Harold Varner III

KEY STATS TO TARGET
o Strong Emphasis – SG: APP, Par 5 scoring, Birdies or better, Scrambling
o Important – Par 4 Scoring, Driving Accuracy, Course History

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