*In case you missed it, here is an excellent discussion on strategies, and favorite plays for every pricing tier for the DraftKings slate.
Narratives and Important Metrics
Unique Model Weights
- SG: Easy Scoring Conditions
- SG: Weak Fields
- SG: Courses With Long Rough
for the course and what it will take to win this week, there will definitely be a premium on hitting the fairway. Whether it’s the tree-lined sloping fairways or the thick penal rough, golfers who are in the best position off the tee to attack some potentially tricky pin placements on the greens will have the best chance for success. Not only do numerous fairways pinch tighter near the landing zones, the slopes often tilt toward the rough or fairway bunkers making it difficult to control accuracy.
One area the players won’t have to worry about as much is shaping their drives. With only two slight doglegs, most holes are straight with everything right in front of them. Golfers do have options off the tee. Players can club down on almost any hole and still reach most greens with longer irons. They can also choose to blast away with driver and attempt the “bomb and gauge” method by leaving themselves wedges into the greens. This is especially true on the back nine where the fairway landing zones are a bit wider. Similar to the last few events at Oak Hill and Muirfield Village, Good Drive % on other courses with long rough should be a quality metric to analyze this week.
With the greens at Oakdale having multiple difficult options for pin placements thanks to the numerous crowns and tiers on many of the putting surfaces, proximity to the hole and precision on approach will be crucial as always. Other greens slope sharply from back to front making it key for players to hit their approach shots beyond the false fronts to the proper quadrant.
Whether using driver or clubbing down off the tee, approach play from inside 150 yards, and especially from the 75-125 yard range will be pivotal for generating the most scoreable birdie opportunities. Players should have ample opportunities, especially on the back nine, to attack greens with a wedge in their hands.
Players that miss the green will mostly have to deal with rough areas along with the numerous bunkers that surround each putting surface. Other than the aprons and false fronts on certain holes, there are not many “short-grass” chipping opportunities.
Greens are expected to run around a 12 on the stimpmeter with the potential for higher speeds on the weekend. Greens are a mixture of 80% bentgrass and 20% Poa annua. These are the same greens at Oakdale that will have been used over the past century. Many are full of character, and their sloping will test the patience and putting skills of golfers, especially with some of the unique pin placements that will be utilized.
Most Important Stats For Success at Oakdale Golf & CC
*In order of importance
- SG: APP
- Fairways Gained
- Good Drive % (Rough)
- SG: Par 4
- Proximity 100-175 yds
- Birdie or Better %
- SG: Putting (Bentgrass)
- SG: Total (Easy Scoring Courses)
- SG: ARG
- 3-Putt Avoidance
Weather Forecast – Toronto, Ontario
RBC Canadian Open – DraftKings Picks
Each week along with presenting my top choices for each of the categories below, I will include each of the pertinent stats for the specific event that comes directly from my model. Except for the “Core Plays,” which most weeks will typically be somewhat on the chalky side, I will include at least one player I am positive on who is forecast to be lower-owned and who will present a good pivot from some of the higher-owned options. In essence, the players you see below make up the majority of my player pool for this event.
Core Plays
Upper-Tier Plays
Mid-Range Plays
Value Plays
