From one tough course to another, the PGA Tour heads to Doral, Florida for this week’s World Golf Championships Cadillac Championship. The top 50 players in the world plus top money-winners from various world tours converge on the TPC Blue Monster at Trump National Doral. The course is an extremely challenging par 72 course measuring 7,528 yards, which ranks as the second longest track on tour and last season was the third toughest. The Monster gets its name from its famed 18th hole, where water along the entire left side torments golfers both off the tee and with the approach shot. Donald Trump plowed over $250 million dollars into renovating the course in 2013 and the renewed Blue Monster gets its second test from the world’s best golfers. The new design brought a tremendous amount of water into play and last year was proof of that with 318 balls reaching the water over the four day event. Last year was also complicated by nasty winds, which looked a lot like last week at The Honda Classic. We will pay close attention to the weather reports and see if wind and/or rain is in the forecast for this week and plan accordingly with those players who have shown the ability to overcome nasty conditions.

Last year Patrick Reed came away victorious as the youngest winner of a WGC title, going wire-to-wire in the final round for a one-shot triumph over Bubba Watson and Jamie Donaldson. He finished with an even-par 72, and his four-day total of 4-under 284. Of course you will remember the headlines focused on Reed’s comment that he is one of the best five players in the world. People were up in arms about the comment, but we actually really liked it. What is wrong with some confidence and swagger, especially when you can back it up like Reed has done over the past two seasons. He is currently ranked in the Top 20 and it won’t be long until he cracks the Top 10.
As far as statistics go, this week we are going to focus on driving distance and Par 5 scoring. The course features four par 3s and four par 5s, but the par 5s are not just any par 5s, they are mammoth. Hole #8 is 549 yards, #1 is 590 yards, #12 is 601, and #10 is 614 yards. Last year three out of the four leaders in driving distance were Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, and Patrick Reed, who finished T4, T2, and winner respectively. As for par 5 scoring the two leaders in that stat were Patrick Reed and Bubba Watson. In addition, out of the Top 14 players ranked in par 5 scoring, seven of them placed in the Top 10. Those are powerful statistics and ones that we need to factor into our strategy this week.

We will continue to out-work everybody in the industry to make our members successful and profitable in season long and daily fantasy golf. All of the nights we have been up at 3:00 am watching golf in Europe is going to pay off this week with all of the European guys coming over. I know, we are hardcore fantasy golf guys.

A key factor that we analyze every week is Tournament History. Check out our Tournament History page to see exactly who has had success in the past in this tournament. Overriding importance will be on last year’s performance as it was the only year we have seen after the renovations to Doral.

A-List

Bubba Watson & J.B Holmes – A great fit to play well at Doral this week. Bubba is playing really well lately with a T14 at the Northern Trust, T2 at WM Phoenix Open, a 10th at Hyundai, and the winner at the WGC HSBC in November. In addition, his last three years at this tournament have been outstanding with a runner up finish last year, 18th in 2013, and a runner up finish in 2012. Bubba is currently ranked 14th in driving distance on the PGA Tour, 9th in strokes gained tee-to-green, and 4th in total strokes gained. All of these things add up to what should be a great performance again at Doral. J.B Holmes is long hitter as well, which will cut down the length of these long holes as he is currently ranked 23rd in driving distance on the PGA Tour. Holmes has been playing outstanding lately with a T22 at the Northern Trust, T10 at Pebble Beach, and T2 at Farmers, The only thing that Holmes does not have is much tournament history as he has only played here twice, but it has been a while (18th in 2010 and 40th in 2008). Holmes is also ranked 15th in Strokes Gained Tee-To-Green.

A-List Others: Webb Simpson and Marc Warren.

B-List

Matt Kuchar & Dustin Johnson – There are several great things about Matt Kuchar this week. 1. His current form- T30 at Phoenix Open, T2 at Humana, T3 at the Sony Open, T17 at Hyundai. 2. His tournament history here at Doral- 13th last year, 35th in 2013, 8th in 2012, 5th in 2011, an 3rd in 2010. His statistical rankings- 15th in scoring, 32nd in strokes gained tee-to-green, 24th in total strokes gained. Many people are going to jump off the Dustin Johnson train, but we expected him to struggle at the Honda Classic, he usually does. This week however is a new week and Johnson played really well last year with a T4. His current form before last week was good and we think he gets back to that this week.

B-List Others: Matsuyama, Fowler, Spieth, and Kaymer

C-List-

Jamie Donaldson & Patrick Reed– Here is a guy who fits all of the criteria this week. His current form is great with a 6th place finish last week at The Honda Classic, T19 at Farmers, T46 at Phoenix Open, and a T24 at the WGC HSBC in November. He has two years of experience in the Cadillac with a T2 last year. He also fits the statistical criteria this week as he ranks 8th in Par 5 scoring and 31st in Total Strokes Gained. He is currently ranked in the middle of the pack in driving distance on the PGA Tour. He however shines in putting as he is currently ranked 4th in Strokes Gained Putting. He has been consistently good so far this year and fits all the criteria we are looking for this week so we look for him to perform nicely. Reed has been hot lately and we are going to continue to ride his streak.

C-List Others: Henley and Lowry
Good luck to all of you this week, we hope you continue to be successful. Remember, be sure to let us know of your successes via email or Twitter. There may just be a t-shirt in it for you.