Opinion & Analysis
It’s here, your DraftKings lineup for the 2016 Masters
The PGA Tour and best golfers in the world arrive in Georgia this week at the 2016 Masters Tournament, where players will tee it up at Augusta National Golf Club. The year’s first professional major means yet another week of fantasy play, where you’ll have the chance to compete on DraftKings.
In this week’s fantasy contest, you can again enter for absolutely free. Players such as Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson, and Adam Scott, among others are vying for their green jacket this year, so don’t miss out on your opportunity to pick, play, and win; especially since I am here to help by giving you my DraftKings’ lineup for this year’s event.
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The Course
While it needs no introduction, a few words on Augusta National Golf Club are necessary. Designed by Bobby Jones and Alister Mackenzie, and open for play in January 1933, it has played host to the Masters Tournament since 1934. Over 7,400 yards in length (it was 6,985 in the year 2000), and par 72, the golf course is home to the most famous 3-hole stretch in all of golf, “Amen Corner,” a phrase coined by Herbert Warren Wind in 1958.
Starting at the second shot on No. 11, and continuing through the second shot on No. 13, the name was intended to encapsulate the excitement likely to occur in the stretch of golf. It rarely disappoints. Beyond being the home of the Masters Tournament, Augusta National Golf Club has consistently been ranked as one greatest course in the U.S. among Golf Digest, Golfweek, and the like.
My Masters’ Lineup
Kiradech Aphibarnrat ($6,100)
- Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR): 37th
- FedExCup Ranking: N/A
- Strokes Gained: Putting: 1.790 (Not ranked (NR))
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: -1.255 (NR)
- Strokes Gained: Total: 0.534 (NR)
- 3 Putt Avoidance: 0.93% (NR)
- Putting from 4′ – 8′: 86.21% (NR)
- Last Year’s Finish: DNP
Historically, first-time participants have struggled with the intricacies of Augusta National, and in particular, the greens. Aphibarnrat’s style of play suggests he will either flourish or fail. I am counting on flourish, even as a first-timer, and coming off a couple solid weeks of golf in the U.S., he seems ready to tee it up at Augusta National.
That said, part of his appeal is Aphibarnrat’s price of $6,100. The question this week will be whether Aphiabarnrat’s aggressive style is exposed by the dangers continuously lurking around every “corner.” Blessed with a game that seemingly travels, Aphibarnrat brings value to a lineup at a reasonable price.
Chris Kirk ($6,700)
- OWGR: 52nd
- FedExCup Ranking: 81st
- Strokes Gained: Putting: -0.434 (187th)
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 0.455 (61st)
- Strokes Gained: Total: 0.021 (102nd)
- 3 Putt Avoidance: 3.54% (176th)
- Putting from 4′ – 8′: 67.24% (128th)
- Last Year’s Finish: T-33rd
With a T20 in 2014 and a T33 in his two appearances at the Masters, Kirk has demonstrated an affinity for the golf course evidenced by his play. It’s difficult to point to his performance on the course this year on the PGA Tour, as a basis for putting him in this lineup, but he’s played well over the past couple weeks at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and WGC-Dell Match Play.
Don’t forget that Kirk is a four-time PGA Tour winner, three of wins coming in 2014 and 2015. Born in Atlanta, and a graduate of the University of Georgia, Kirk is right at home among the azaleas. Kirk’s fellow bulldog, Bubba Watson, will be a popular pick this week, but you won’t find him on this list, just Kirk. Expect something solid for a great price.
Ryan Moore ($6,800)
- OWGR: 40th
- FedExCup Ranking: 27th
- Strokes Gained: Putting: 0.460 (30th)
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 0.460 (60th)
- Strokes Gained: Total: 0.920 (25th)
- 3 Putt Avoidance: 1.79% (16th)
- Putting from 4′ – 8′: 71.72% (65th)
- Last Year’s Finish: T-12th
Moore’s numbers, to date in 2016, are solid, if not spectacular. With six top-11 finishes so far this year, he’s put together a resume to admire. Tack on a similarly solid, but not spectacular history at the Masters Tournament, Moore makes for an attractive mid-range addition to line-up predicated on balance.
Beyond general notions of solid play, Moore’s 3-Putt Avoidance Percentage is something equally attractive in light of Augusta’s notoriously slick greens. The whole package for Moore ultimately made him one of the couple players around which my lineup was based. At 75-to-1 (or in that neighborhood) in Las Vegas, Moore is a sleeper pick all the way around, but give him a look before finalizing your lineup this week.
Patrick Reed ($8,300)
- OWGR: 10th
- FedExCup Ranking: 15th
- Strokes Gained: Putting: -0.199 (151st)
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 0.971 (17th)
- Strokes Gained: Total: 0.773 (36th)
- 3 Putt Avoidance: 1.80% (176th)
- Putting from 4′ – 8′: 65.85% (18th)
- Last Year’s Finish: T-22nd
In 2016, Reed’s posted seven top-10 finishes, two more than his nearest competitor, Rickie Fowler, with three of those finishes coming in his last three events at the Valspar Championship, WGC-Dell Match Play, and Shell Houston Open. Like Moore, Reed’s 3-Putt Avoidance is seemingly a valuable metric when evaluating the potential for success at Augusta National Golf Club.
Regardless of how you feel about Reed, he often plays fearlessly and always believes he can win. Further, it is undisputed that Reed is now a top-10 player statistically. He plays with a chip on his shoulder, however, and at Augusta, a clear head seems to be a prerequisite to success. Reed has been on my radar for this event for months and his play in 2016 simply made it an easy choice, given his relatively modest price.
Phil Mickelson ($10,500)
- OWGR: 18th
- FedExCup Ranking: 19th
- Strokes Gained: Putting: 0.756 (6th)
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 1.486 (9th)
- Strokes Gained: Total: 2.242 (2nd)
- 3 Putt Avoidance: 1.71% (12th)
- Putting from 4′ – 8′: 75.64% (21st)
- Last Year’s Finish: T-2nd
A three-time Masters champion (2004, 2006, and 2010), Mickelson steps into this year’s event with six top-25 finishes in just eight PGA Tour events. Despite not winning (yet) on the PGA Tour this year, Mickelson’s numbers suggest he’s building toward this year’s professional majors. And nothing seems to bring the best out in Mickelson like the Masters.
There’s little doubt that Mickelson will be in thick of things come Sunday, and at age 45, he brings experience unlike any one else in this year’s field with a realistic chance of winning. Patient, yet aggressive when it’s necessary, Mickelson is worth every penny and was an absolute must for my 2016 Masters lineup.
Jason Day ($11,600)
- OWGR: 1st
- FedExCup Ranking: 2nd
- Strokes Gained: Putting: 0.970 (2nd)
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 0.583 (47th)
- Strokes Gained: Total: 1.553 (12th)
- 3 Putt Avoidance: 1.85% (21st)
- Putting from 4′ – 8′: 72.73% (49th)
- Last Year’s Finish: T-28th
There are valid reasons to add any of the top-3 players in the world to your roster this week. It’s true, Spieth has the green jacket and McIlroy was once 9 holes from winning the same, but for my money, Day is the guy to beat this week. Long off the tee and accurate enough to handle Augusta’s wide fairways, Day’s short game, inclusive of his putting, will be the difference this week.
With two wins already on the PGA Tour in 2016, both coming in the latter part of March (that missed cut at the Farmers Insurance Open in January seems like a lifetime ago), I’ve previously suggested that Day may ultimately become the crown jewel of the Big 3. A win in 2016 at the most visible golf tournament in the world would be an important step in what seems more and more like his destiny. At 6-to-1 odds (or thereabouts) in Las Vegas, Day isn’t quite considered an absolute. Take your chances, I guess, but I would.
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A Dedication
While it may seem trivial to do so here, I wanted to take this chance to dedicate this article to my late father, Barry Auten, who passed away peacefully at the age of 73 on March 26, 2016. My father took up the game at a late age and decided it made sense to involve his children in golf at a fairly early age. It was a gift, among many, that would ultimately be valuable beyond words. His favorite professional golf tournament was the Masters and this Sunday, among others, I will miss talking about what happened on the back nine with him.
Opinion & Analysis
AVL: My U.S. Amateur local qualifying experience
This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.
I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.
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Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.
With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.
Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!
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Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast
The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.
Brian also heads into the workshop to discuss several putter projects currently on the bench. From head options and shaft choices to build ideas and testing plans, he shares what he’s working on and which putters could become serious contenders for the bag this season.
If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.
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Club Junkie
Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie
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I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.
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Danny
Apr 5, 2016 at 2:14 pm
RIP to your pops. Enjoy your articles