This article is part of our FanDuel PGA DFS Picks series.
Greenbrier Classic – White Sulphur Springs, WV
The Old White TPC (7,287 yards, par 70)
$7.1M Purse
$1,278,000 and 500 FedEx Cup points to the winner
Tournament Preview
After all-out flooding forced officials to cancel the 2016 Greenbrier Classic, the tournament returns in 2017 to resume its annual TOUR stop. As host of the event since 2010, The Old White TPC has seen victors range from a tooth-pulling 10-under all the way up to 22-under, where Stuart Appleby closed with an epic 59 to win. The legendary course was opened in 1914 and aptly named after the Old White Hotel that once stood on its property for six decades until 1922. As expected of a typical par-70, the layout features just two par-5 holes and a unique par-3 finishing hole that draws polarizing views and plenty of drama.
Prior Champions
2016 – Canceled due to flooding
2015 – Danny Lee
2014 – Angel Cabrera
2013 – Jonas Blixt
2012 – Ted Potter, Jr.
2011 – Scott Stallings
2010 – Stuart Appleby
Key Stats to Winning at The Old White TPC
• Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green
• Par-4 Scoring
• Birdie-or-better percentage
Champion's Profile
Removing the inaugural year where the course was noticeably shorter, the underwhelming list of champions reflects the typically diluted fields seen at this venue. Following yesteryear's floods, much of the course was restored to its previous form, but the greens were completely rebuilt with new grass varietals introduced. This is important to note, as many previous attendees of this event will notice subtle differences in the greens, neutralizing course knowledge and/or short-game advantages. This will indeed tilt the odds toward tee-to-green ball strikers, especially those excelling in par-4 scoring and birdie-or-better percentage. This holds true for two reasons: one, because there are 12 par fours -- two more than a standard par 72 -- and two, because the course has proven to be vulnerable to PGA pros. With links-inspired fairways, long hitters can bomb it off the tee with low risk and set up plenty of birdie looks. In a weaker field, don't be surprised to see some lesser-known Web.com graduates push for their first victory since the venue plays more like a "go low" Web.com event.
FanDuel Value Picks
The Chalk
Patrick Reed, $10100 – Reed has posted top-20s in his last three events and is the best player in the field as world No. 21. In his last two starts at The Old White TPC he posted top-30s but never contended.
Kevin Kisner, $9500 – Kisner lost a playoff in the last iteration of this tournament in 2015, but has emerged as a respected pro with one career win since then. He makes a great fit this week as the 10th ranked player in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green this season, and also owns the 31st-ranked scoring average on par-4s.
Bill Haas, $8800 – With top-25s over his last four starts, including a T5 at the U.S. Open, Haas enters with good form. Haas also has strong par-4 scoring and Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green stats this season, along with a historical affinity for The Greenbrier Classic (T2 in 2011, T9 in 2013).
Danny Lee, $8400 – The 2015 champion will defend this week due to the 2016 cancellation, and enters with three top-6 finishes in his last six events.
Webb Simpson, $8300 – Simpson has enjoyed three top-10s at The Old White TPC since 2011, and checks all the statistical boxes for par-4 scoring (14th), Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green (22nd), and birdie-or-better percentage (81st). Simpson is primed to make the cut and perform well in a diluted field.
Longer Shots Worth a Risk
David Lingmerth, $7600 – Lingmerth held the lead for three rounds last week prior to struggling Sunday to cede victory to Kyle Stanley, but don't overlook this trending and capable player. With a course fit much like last week, Lingmerth will enter in form and hungry for redemption.
Charles Howell III, $7600 – Last week's runner-up and ball-striking virtuoso will again find a course to his liking this week.
Kevin Streelman, $6600 – Streelman posted top-20s in his last four starts and provides a good value boost to any lineup this week.
Jason Kokrak, $6000 – The long-hitting Kokrak has made his last four cuts and represents a great option to make the cut on the links-style TPC course.
Johnson Wagner, $5300 – Wagner may not jump off the page statistically, but his rock-bottom price and ironclad record of five straight made cuts (including a runner-up in 2013) at The Old White TPC make him a more-than-suitable option under $6000.
Strategy Tips for this week (based on 60k standard salary cap)
This week's course falls into the same mold as last week at TPC Potomac. Pack your lineup with plenty of trending ball-strikers and stay open-minded with what is essentially a rebuilt course this week. A sound strategy is to secure either Reed, Mickelson (more risk with new caddy), or Kisner and fill in from there.
