The 2020-21 PGA TOUR season continues with another shifted location due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Zozo Championship is the “first event ever sanctioned by the PGA TOUR in Japan” and it features 60 top players on the PGA TOUR (from last year’s FedEx Cup standings), as well as seven players on the Japan Tour.  As a result of the pandemic, it was moved to the USA, taking place at Sherwood Country Club, a Jack Nicklaus design.  Like last week’s CJ Cup, it is a 78-player no cut event that will feature a number of big names (that come with big price tags).  That leads me to my PGA DFS 2020 Zozo Sleepers, which will suggest cheap alternatives to couple with the top names.

Oh, and obviously, the term “SLEEPER” can be interpreted in a number of different ways.  In this case, it’s the lower cost players that stand out in key statistical areas, specifically the 6K Range on DraftKings.

Before I present this week’s sleepers, a few quick side notes:

  • Dustin Johnson (positive for COVID-19 prior to the CJ Cup) will miss this week
  • Tony Finau returns following two missed events due to a positive COVID-19 result
  • Adam Scott tested positive for COVID-19 and has withdrawn from the Zozo Championship
  • There is no recent tournament data for Sherwood Creek, which removes a layer of analysis

The course itself has five Par 3’s and five Par 5’s, an obvious unique layout.  It’s a Jack Nicklaus design, which as always, will require precision iron play and smart work around the greens.

Now that we have that out of the way, this is no time for FORE-play at The Wife Hates Sports, but time to focus on a list of PGA DFS Zozo sleepers.

I ran a few models on Fantasy National featuring my favorite stats for this event (last 36 rounds played for the field).  Based off that data, here are my top 6K range sleepers on DraftKings:

PGA DFS 2020 Zozo Sleepers: Top 6K Range Picks on DraftKings

Brendan Steele (DK: $6,500 – Model Rank: 16)

Steele landed on this list for the CJ Cup.  Not a great showing at last week’s no cut event, but here I am again.  He is 10th in the field in SG: Approach, which is a key stat, especially for Nicklaus courses.  Also, with five Par 5’s, Driving Distance could be an added bonus here, where he’s 22nd in the field of 78.  Overall, at this cost, Steele is worth a shot.

Byeong Hun An (DK: $6,700 – Model Rank: 21)

An is so likable on Twitter and in general.  His putting… not so much.  Despite that, there are enough stats that pop here and I’m curious to run with An in some of my lineups, especially at this price.  The aforementioned SG: Putting is ugly (75 of 78), but in other key areas, he ranks well.  He’s 18th in SG: Around the Green, 25th in Driving Distance and 28th in Scrambling.

Jordan Spieth (DK: $6,900 – Model Rank: 26)

Why am I picking Jordan?  Well, for one, so many owners have soured on him and seeing him sub-7K is actually kind of insane.  Yet, intriguing.  Spieth is 16th in the field in SG: Around the Green.  He’s the master at finding ways to stick around.  Whether he breaks through, it depends on his game off the tee.  Over the last 36 rounds against the field, he’s 36th in SG: Approach and 33rd in Driving Distance.  He isn’t great on the Par 5’s (52nd), but better on Par 3’s (25th).  There are five of each here.    

Mackenzie Hughes (DK: $6,500 – Model Rank: 37)

There are a number of options for my fourth selection, but Hughes stands out for a few reasons.  His SG: Approach numbers are not great (73rd), but he makes up for that in a number of ways.  He is 7th in SG: Around the Green, 14th in Scrambling Gained, 3rd in SG: Putting and 7th in strokes gained on Par 3’s.  He’s also 4th in DraftKings points over the last 12 rounds on Nicklaus courses like the Memorial.  Strong putting and scrambling will keep him in the hunt (if not more).

 

Last Week’s Sleeper Picks: 2020 CJ Cup (By DraftKings 6K Range)

  • Brendan Steele – T65
  • Kevin Streelman  – T21
  • Corey Conners – T61
  • Ryan Palmer – T17

For this week, who do you have as your favorite PGA DFS 2020 Zozo Sleepers on DraftKings?  Chime in with your favorite plays below.  Either that or stop by to praise or poke fun at mine.

Best of luck and as always, thank you for visiting The Wife Hates Sports!

All stats and data via PGATour.com and Fantasy National