This article is part of our FanDuel PGA DFS Picks series.
The Northern Trust – Old Westbury, NY
Glen Oaks Club (7,350 yards, par 70)
$8.75M Purse
$1,575,000 and 2,000 FedEx Cup points to the winner
Tournament Preview
After 43 FedEx Cup events in the 2016-17 wraparound season, it's time to put on the rally caps as the top 125 point-earners of the season compete for the coveted FedEx Cup title along with a cool $10M prize. The FedEx Cup playoffs kick off with new sponsor Northern Trust on a fresh course, Glen Oaks Club, which fills the void after previously slotted Liberty National was awarded this year's President's Cup. The course was designed by Joe Finger in the late 1960s and later renovated in 2011, which ultimately got the attention and prestigious spot as the first leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs. Little known to the PGA Tour players, the composite design will draw from parts of all three nines of the 27-hole layout, and play quite long for a par 70. As one of the most manicured-looking courses you'll see on the PGA Tour, look for this year's cream of the crop to create plenty of drama as they look to crack the top 100 and continue to leg two of the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Prior Decade Champions
2016 – Patrick Reed
2015 – Jason Day
2014 – Hunter Mahan
2013 – Adam Scott
2012 – Nick Watney
2011 – Dustin Johnson
2010 – Matt Kuchar
2009 – Heath Slocum
2008 – Vijay Singh
2007 – Steve Stricker
Key Stats to Winning at Glen Oaks Club
• FedEx Cup ranking
• Strokes Gained: Total
• Strokes Gained: Putting
Champion's Profile
Drawing comparisons to Augusta National when it comes to its manicured grasses and elegant white sand bunkers, Glen Oaks' one major difference lies in its greens. Augusta's are made from bentgrass, but Glen Oaks greens are seeded with poa annua, the notoriously bumpy strain found mostly on the West Coast. What's more, tournament officials expect the greens to run at 12.5 feet on the Stimpmeter, further complicating the challenge. Playing as a straightforward "open canvas" with some longer holes, look for long hitters who rank well in Strokes Gained: Putting to emerge in the playoffs' first leg.
FanDuel Value Picks
The Chalk
Jordan Spieth, $9900 – Though it wasn't the putting year he had in 2015, Spieth upped his ball striking in a big way this season as he ranked third in Strokes Gained: Total. Furthermore, he won thrice, including his third major at the Open Championship.
Hideki Matsuyama, $9600 – The current FedEx Cup points leader ended the season in style with a win at Firestone and a top-5 at the PGA. Matsuyama is more than qualified to win the FedEx Cup this season, but he'll need to continue his strong late-season play to nab the monster annuity.
Rory McIlroy, $9500 – Despite looming injury concerns about his rib fracture that flared up at the PGA, Rory will tee it up this week as he looks to defend his FedEx Cup title of yesteryear. Though Rory didn't log enough rounds for official PGA Tour stats, the talented Irishman would have led the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green. He's currently 44th in the FedEx Cup.
Rickie Fowler, $9400 – The PGA Tour leader in both Strokes Gained: Total and Strokes Gained: Putting, Fowler is a no-brainer pick this week. Fowler's ability to produce in great fields and aggressive putting style should fare well at Glen Oaks this week.
Longer Shots Worth a Risk
Jon Rahm, $8900 – The powerful youngster made his name known this season with a win at Torrey Pines, another long layout with poa annua greens. Rahm ranks fifth in Strokes Gained: Total on the PGA Tour and can easily find himself in contention should he keep his emotions in check.
Louis Oosthuizen, $7800 – A tie for second at the PGA proves Oosthuizen is in good form. His top-10 rank in Strokes Gained: Total speaks to his talent. At just $7800, Oosthuizen is a great value buy this week.
Kevin Kisner, $7700 – The 54-hole leader at the PGA Championship, Kisner learned a hard lesson on Sunday. However, it's apparent his game is on point and his stats this season prove that. Though he hasn't proved a good frontrunner yet, Kisner isn't afraid of strong-fielded events.
Brian Harman, $6100 – Playing with confidence in a breakout year, Harman's prowess on the greens (fifth in Strokes Gained: Putting) pairs well with his strong mental game. Despite his lack of length, he's found ways to compete on longer tracks, such as Erin Hills at the U.S. Open.
Strategy Tips for this week (based on 60k standard salary cap)
With many unknowns about the course, the best route is to seek out the players who sit atop the FedEx Cup rankings, as they have obviously showed consistent success all season. If you're stuck between two players, pick the longer hitter, as Glen Oaks is fairly open and bomber-friendly.
