This article is part of our DraftKings PGA DFS Picks series.
DEUTSCHE BANK CHAMPIONSHIP
Purse: $8.25M
Winner's Share: $1.485M
FedEx Cup Points: 2,000 to the Winner
Location: Norton, Mass.
Course: TPC Boston
Yardage: 7,242
Par: 71
Defending Champion: Chris Kirk
Tournament Preview
The FedEx Cup race makes a pit stop near Boston for the second leg of the playoffs in a unique Labor Day finish at the Deutsche Bank Championship. Just 100 remain in the FedEx Cup playoffs and players on the bubble will again need to step up to make the 70-player cut for the BMW Championship. TPC Boston has been the host of the Deutsche Bank Championship since 2003 and has been part of the FedEx Cup playoffs since its inauguration in 2007. The par-71 layout had its fairways and greens revamped to bentgrass in 2008, and sports three par-5s, 11 par-4s, and four par-3s, including the exciting par-5 18th finish that can produce anything from eagle to double-bogey. Sergio Garcia is again opting to sit out for a second straight leg of the playoffs but is guaranteed a spot in the BMW Championship, while Rory McIlroy will be teeing it up in hopes of improving his position on the road to the Tour Championship.
Key Stats to winning at TPC Boston
• Par-4 Scoring Average
• Strokes Gained Tee-to-Green
• Recent Form
Past Champions at the Deutsche Bank Championship
2014 - Chris Kirk
2013 - Henrik Stenson
2012 - Rory McIlroy
2011 - Webb Simpson
2010 - Charley Hoffman
2009 - Steve Stricker
2008 - Vijay Singh
2007 - Phil Mickelson
2006 - Tiger Woods
2005 - Olin Browne
Champion's Profile
With plenty of history at TPC Boston, the past champs showcase a knack for tee to green play and favor players who hit it above average length or better. With 11 par-4 holes there is an emphasis on par-4 scoring, much like last week. As we've seen in the past, it's very possible for a trending player to reel off multiple wins in the FedEx Cup playoffs, as Vijay Singh, Camilo Villegas, Henrik Stenson, Billy Horschel, Rory McIlroy, and Tiger Woods have all done it since 2007. This signals a great chance for Jason Day to continue his late-season tear, but with a strong field it won't necessarily be given to him.
DRAFTKINGS VALUE PICKS (Based on Standard $50K Salary Cap)
DraftKings Tier 1 Values
Jason Day - $11,800 (Odds: 6/1)
Jordan Spieth - $11,300 (15/2)
Rory McIlroy - $11,200 (15/2)
DraftKings Tier 2 Values
Dustin Johnson - $10,800 (Odds: 14/1)
Henrik Stenson - $10,500 (16/1)
Bubba Watson - $9,800 (20/1)
DraftKings Tier 3 Values
Rickie Fowler - $8,900 (Odds: 35/1)
Brooks Koepka - $8,700 (40/1)
Louis Oosthuizen - $8,600 (45/1)
DraftKings Long-Shot Values
Robert Streb - $8,000 (Odds: 50/1)
Tony Finau - $7,700 (70/1)
Danny Lee - $7,600 (80/1)
Jason Bohn - $7,300 (100/1)
Kevin Kisner - $7,300 (90/1)
Chris Kirk - $7,100 (150/1)
Pat Perez - $6,800 (150/1)
Carlos Ortiz - $6,500 (200/1)
MY PICKS THIS WEEK
Lower-Risk Cash Game Lineup ($50K Salary Cap)
Henrik Stenson - $10,500
Jim Furyk - $9,000
Paul Casey - $8,300
Webb Simpson - $8,100
Jason Dufner - $7,600
Jason Kokrak - $6,500
The safe lineup is a solid crew of two former Deustche Bank champions that head a strong list of ballstrikers. Stenson, Furyk, Casey, and Simpson are all top 10 on the year in strokes gained tee-to-green which fits the mold for champions here at TPC Boston, while Dufner (ranked 19th) and Kokrak (ranked 50th) aren't too far behind from a ballstriking standpoint. Another commonality is each has at least one top-25 at this event, providing further evidence they'll play well again.
Higher-Risk Tournament Lineup ($50K Salary Cap)
Jason Day - $11,800
Rory McIlroy - $11,200
Chris Kirk - $7,100
Russell Knox - $6,900
Charles Howell III - $6,500
George McNeill - $6,500
Jason Day has figured out in the last month something very special, and with three impressive wins the last month it would be foolish to exclude him from the majority of your lineups. Former Deutsche Bank champ Rory McIlroy has rested his ankle a couple more weeks and is quickly back to World No.1 after Jordan Spieth missed the cut last week. Chris Kirk returned from a broken thumb last week and put up 1-of-2 rounds in the 60s, so it appears the 2014 Deutsche Bank champion is somewhat prepared to defend his title. Russell Knox jumps off the page in strokes gained tee-to-green and par-4 scoring average and tied for 26th in his first trip here a year ago. Charles Howell III possesses the recent form and ballstriking ability to navigate TPC Boston, while George McNeill has a decent record here and has quietly played solid golf since April with nine top-30s the last five months.
