🏛️ The Rahm-an Empire
Ryder Cup Preview | Stats, Trends & More!
The plan was to release a quick YouTube video when the DraftKings pricing was released but thanks to some anemic wifi in the Amalfi Coast (tough life), I’m going to drop some thoughts below in written form.
Enjoy
Rick
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🥊 Xander vs. Cantlay
It’s rare when we pit these two against each other but there seems to be a big difference in the way that DraftKings is treating these two this week.
Cantlay is sporting a $9,000 price tag — the 4th most expensive golfer on the slate and notably more expensive than Viktor Hovland.
Schauffele is $8,200 and the 8th most expensive golfer. Are these two really that different?
Over the last 36 rounds, Xander is gaining 1.71/rd to Cantlay’s 1.64/rd.
Over the last 50 rounds, Xander is one of only three golfers who is gaining 2+ strokes per round while Cantlay is at 1.87/rd.
The are likely to be tied together throughout, making their fantasy output identical until Sunday Singles.
Schauffele is 2-1 in singles across the Ryder Cup & Presidents Cup with his only loss coming to Rory McIlroy. Cantlay is 3-0 across his singles matches.
They should have been priced identically and possibly with Schauffele being a hair more expensive.
🌶️ The Sam Burns X-Factor
The disrespect being laid on Sam Burns at $5,200 with four Ryder Cup rookies being priced below him. His record at the Presidents Cup was sour (0-3-2) but go back and watch that again. He carried the limp body of Scottie Scheffler to a half a point and played much better than the record indicates.
He won the match play in March and could be handcuffed to the #1 player in the world. Imagine going 0-3-2 at the Presidents Cup and still getting run in all five matches!
Time to let Sam Burns cook.
🧧 Value Options
The bottom of the board doesn’t necessarily strike fear in the hearts of opponents but does offer a few intriguing options depending on how things play out.
Brian Harman — widely loved by his teammates and captains has the pole position to be the “breakout star” in Rome. He has an elite skill-set, being one of the best putters on Earth. Additionally, the accuracy over distance set-up by the Europeans will play right into his hands. Let me see a Koepka/Harman team please!
Nicolai Hojgaard — the bottom of the European team has a ton of question marks. Combine that with the fact that Marco Simone is a grueling walk and there’s a chance that there are less five-match players than we anticipate. That would open the door for the hot hand to make his presence known. He’s a stunning approach player who has won and finished T5 in two of his trips to Marco Simone.
🏋️ The Juicy Middle
The middle of the board is likely where the money will be won. Finding that reasonably priced golfer who exceeds expectations. For the Europeans, it feels like Fleetwood and Hatton are the best candidates. Both with plenty of experience and, for Fleetwood specifically, he won the largest share of points available to him of anyone on this European team.
Hatton is incredibly fascinating and he drew a monster pod in Tuesday’s practice alongside Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg. That’s some serious firepower.
📺 Open Your Eyes!
It’s here, it’s finally here! The Ryder Cup DFS Preview is linked below. Remember, I made this inital video before salaries were released but it’s a nice overview on the format and golf course.
🍵 On The Brink of History
There is a presumption that when Jordan Spieth’s name is called, Justin Thomas’ name will be right behind. When they play their first match together, it’ll tie the US record for most frequent partnership at seven matches.
Even more amazing, that means Jordan Spieth will now own each of the two most frequent partnership records thanks to the seven matches he has played with Patrick Reed.
🪙 Tuesday Practice Groups
This is how the teams went off on Tuesday morning.
Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka
Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Ludvig Aberg
Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Robert MacIntyre, Nicolai Hojgaard
Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele
Collin Morikawa, Max Homa, Brian Harman, Rickie Fowler
Scottie Scheffler, Sam Burns, Brooks Koepka, Wyndham Clark
Anaylsis: For the Europeans, this could be another indication that Lowry will get some level of run with Rory as outlined in last week’s newsletter. There has been speculation that the Europeans will use “power pairings” — putting their best players together instead of spreading them out. The idea of a Rahm/Hovland group is terrifying for the Red, White and Blue. If these groups are indications of partners and playing time, Fitzpatrick might be the odd man out — relegated to shepharding a pair of rookies.
For the Americans, literally no surprise in that first group — two of the most common pairings in team history. Harman sneaking his way into the Morikawa/Homa/Fowler realm should be good news for him. As expected, Burns seems to be linking up with Scheffler while Koepka/Clark will be the “bash bros”.
🔢 The Records!
Historic Ryder Cup records, sorted by most matches.
