This week’s Sony Open marks the first full-field event of the 2021 PGA Tour Season. There will be 144 golfers teeing it up at the Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii. In terms of Golf DFS, I tried to get my feet wet last week at the Sentry Tournament and had the winner Harris English in my lineup, so that was a good start. My strategy for this one will be a tournament one, but I feel like I went conservative on my choices…if that makes sense. Waialae is a shorter course with narrow greens and putting is very important. My formula for creating the best lineup consisted Driving Accuracy, Greens in Regulation, Strokes Gained Tee-to-Green, Strakes Gained Putting and some Scrambling just for those who miss the green, but get it back on track.

Another important factor that I sometimes forget to check is the weather. It just so happens that Honolulu, Hawaii is going to be in the low 80’s all weekend long…not too shabby. Last year’s winner Cameron Smith will be in the field…as well as some big names like Webb Simpson, Collin Morikawa and Harris English. There will also be many names that you have not heard of in awhile like Jim Furyk, Davis Love III and Mike Weir.

Today, I am going to do something a little different than what I have done in the past…my top options will be based off of tiers or pricing points according to DraftKings. Instead of giving out my lineup, I want you to research the formula and go off of who you think is best. One thing I am going to do this year is go by what the numbers tell me…not necessarily what you hear in the media or from experts who they are going with. DFS is all about value and if you can find that value where someone else doesn’t…you’ll win every time.

Tier 1: Webb Simpson ($11,100) & Russell Henley ($8,700)

Do not overthink this one. Webb is top-5 in Driving Accuracy, top-10 in scrambling and top-50 in putting. He is also the favorite for a reason…he is probably the most well-rounded golfer in the field with no glaring weaknesses in my formula. Simpson is also a cut-making machine, so I feel confident on this one. In all fairness though…it wasn’t an “obvious” choice…I just happened to have the salary to get him up top.

Russell Henley was actually my favorite choice. Barely making Tier 1…he is a great value at $8,700. Putting is his weakness…but he does not lose strokes on the field in it. Henley is top-20 in every single category I looked at except SG Putting. Take him at 33/1 to win the Sony Open if you can.

Tier 2: Brendon Todd ($8,200)

To be fair, Todd barely makes this Tier…but he is at the top of it to me. Priced criminally low…Todd is top 5 in Driving Accuracy and Putting. Like many golfers in this range…he does have some holes, but he makes up for it in putting. These Georgia golfers seem to be pretty stout everywhere, so I like Todd in this spot. Lanto Griffin at $8,100 would be another solid option.

Tier 3: James Hahn ($7,300)

Another steal…Hahn is top 65 in all of my formula categories. He did miss the cut in his last event, but this seems like a course made for Hahn. The South Korean native is one of the best drivers in the field and ultimately one of the most well-rounded. James is also at 125/1 to win the Sony Open…I would take that all day long.

Remember folks…stick to your formula. Research the course that is being played…analyze the players that are good at what the course throws at them…and go with them, no matter the price.

References: PGA Tour, Sony Open

Sony Open in Hawaii DFS Preview