This article is part of our FantasyDraft PGA series.
British Open
Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland
Carnoustie Golf Links - Par 71 - 7,402 yards
Field - 156 Entrants
Purse - $10.5M
The Preview
Avid stateside golf aficionados will be setting our alarm clocks a bit earlier this week in order to catch the entirety of 2018's third major as the beast of Carnoustie plays host to a plethora of the world's top talent across the pond. Exploring just how difficult the 7,402 yard, par-71 layout can be, in 1999 the scoring average at Carnoustie was an ugly 76.82. Excelling tee-to-green along with bogey avoidance will be key this week, while the weather always plays a major role as well. The morning/afternoon stack could see a bit of an advantage as showers are expected throughout Friday morning.
Past Champions
2017 – Jordan Spieth
2016 – Henrik Stenson
2015 – Zach Johnson
2014 – Rory McIlroy
2013 –Phil Mickelson
2012 – Ernie Els
2011 – Darren Clarke
2010 – Louis Oosthuizen
2009 - Stewart Cink
FantasyDraft Value Picks - based on $100,000 salary cap
Cream of the Crop
Dustin Johnson - $17,300
The betting favorite and top-ranked player in the world will be fresh this week following a month of rest from tournament action after placing third at the U.S. Open, which was preceded by his win at the FedEx St. Jude Classic. Johnson leads the Tour in SG: Tee-to-Green and SG: Off-the-Tee, a lethal combo at Carnoustie.
Justin Rose - $16,900
Rose has finished top-12 in each of the first two majors this year, while the Englishman has also posted four consecutive top-10s dating back to his win at the Fort Worth Invitational. Showcasing a stellar all-around game this season, he's 11th or better in SG: Tee-to-Green, SG: Putting and birdie average.
Brooks Koepka - $16,000
The two-time U.S. Open champ has been an absolute monster in major tournaments throughout the past few years, finishing top-25 in 11 consecutive starts on the grander stages. Much like Johnson, Koepka possesses the length to hit a wide array of shots off the tee as driver won't always be necessary on these bouncy, dry fairways.
Next Best
Alex Noren - $15,600
Fresh off his first win of 2018 at the HNA Open de France, Noren has exhibited solid recent form with five straight top-25s since the PLAYERS Championship. He's placed top-10 in two of his last four Open Championship appearances and ranks top-15 on Tour in both SG: Approach and SG: Putting.
Hideki Matsuyama - $14,900
An injury earlier this year caused Matsuyama to slide down to his current standing of 16th in the OWGR, but he's finished top-20 in four of his last seven starts and is too talented to pass up below the $15,000 mark in cost. He's notched a trio of top-20s throughout the past five Opens, while he'll be looking to bounce back from a missed cut at last week's Scottish Open.
Marc Leishman - $14,900
This major across the pond sets up nicely for Leishman, who's known as one of the best wind players in the world and has finished top-six in three of the last four Opens. The Aussie doesn't have the best recent results with just one top-25 in his past four starts, which could help limit potential ownership percentages.
Bargain Bin
Zach Johnson - $14,000
The 2015 British Open champion has racked up six finishes of T16 or better since 2011 at The Open, while he most recently posted a final-round 64 at the John Deere Classic to notch his third straight top-20. Johnson is top-30 on Tour in SG: Approach and SG: Around-the-Green.
Haotong Li - $12,600
Li made himself known on an international scale with his third-place finish at last year's British Open, while he's now up to 42nd in the OWGR and has four top-25s in his last five starts.
Emiliano Grillo - $11,900
Grillo has surged to eighth on Tour in SG: Total thanks to improvements with the flat stick, while he's also top-10 in terms of GIR percentage and driving accuracy. He's coming off a T19 at the Travelers Championship and owns three top-25s in his last four starts.
