The 2021 PGA TOUR calendar year continues with its second consecutive event in Hawaii. Or is it Hawai’i? Either way, it’s golf with scenic views and beautiful weather, so we should be jealous having to watch it all unfold on our TV screen (or maybe movie-size screens – but we’ll get to that in a second). This leads me to my PGA DFS Sony Open Sleepers, which will suggest cheaper DraftKings alternatives to include as contrarian picks with the more expensive players.
Back to the movies, where maybe I’m dating myself a bit, but I love the Grumpy Old Men flicks. This Hawaii-centric line by Grandpa Gustafson in Grumpier Old Men makes me laugh every… freaking… time.
Back to the tournament, where names like Webb Simpson, Harris English, Collin Morikawa, Joaquin Niemann and Daniel Berger will be tempting to use. With price tags at $10,000 or higher, it will be equally as important to find some diamonds in the rough.
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 additional notes:
- Waialae Country Club is a shorter course (7.044 yards), leaving “bombers” a bit out of the equation, with more focus on placement and setting up key approach shots (psst, SG: Approach)
- The Bermuda greens and coastal feel bring up comparisons to other venus such as Harbour Town
- Studying past results on Fantasy National, there is a stronger emphasis on SG: Approach and SG: Putting, with less focus on Off the Tee and Around the Green game
- We are looking at a Par 70, so if you focus on stats in this realm, Par 4 Efficiency (SG: Par 4) is something to keep an eye on, but I wouldn’t weigh it that high
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 Sony Open sleepers.
I ran a handful of models on Fantasy National featuring my favorite stats for the event (mostly covering the last 24 rounds played). Based off that data, here are my top 6K range sleepers on DraftKings:
PGA DFS Sony Open Sleepers: Top 6K Range Plays on DraftKings
Brian Stuard (DK: $6,900 – Primary Model Rank: 9)
I ran three models on Fantasy National, with Stuard cracking the top ten in the first one. While his SG: Putting numbers aren’t great, he has been strong in a number of other key areas. That includes four straight made cuts at the Sony Open, with a T8 finish in 2019 and a T4 finish in 2018. The recent performance is not as great, making 2 of 4 cuts, with nothing better than a T50 finish. Despite that, he is 5th in SG: Total at Waialae Country Club, 11th in Good Drives Gained (a Fantasy National stat – last 24 rounds played) and 15th in SG: Approach (also last 24 rounds). If his putter can get hot this week, there is a good chance at a very strong showing.
Wesley Bryan (DK: $6,300 – Primary Model Rank: 24)
Bryan is 3rd in SG: Approach over the last 24 rounds, a key stat in this tournament (and most events). While he ranks 116th in SG: Putting on Bermuda greens, his performance putting has been much stronger for the 2021 season (26th). He finished T32 in his last attempt tackling this course (in 2018), but is 0 for 2 in cuts made over the last six PGA TOUR tournaments.
Doug Ghim (DK: $6,900 – Primary Model Rank: 26)
Ghim appears to be a popular sleeper selection. That’s not surprising considering his recent form that includes two top 20 finishes in his last three events. Over the last 24 rounds played, Ghim also cracks the top ten in SG: Approach (9th) and Good Drives Gained (7th). He is also 21st in SG: Par 4’s – and let’s remember this a Par 70 that features mostly Par 4’s and just two Par 5’s.
Finally, am I seriously down to considering either “Baker” or “Cook”? Is this real life? Is anyone else hungry just reading these names?
No? Cool.
Austin Cook (DK: $6,900 – Secondary Model Rank: 30)
I picked Cook over Chris Baker (27th in model) for a few different reasons. For one, Cook has a T18 finish in his only recent appearance here (back in 2018). I also prefer his 11th rank in SG: Par 4 over the last 24 rounds, which is much better than Baker’s ranking of 41. Baker lands ahead in the model due to cracking the top ten in SG: Approach (7th), so if you want to keep him in mind, he’s also a decent cheap option. However, Baker ranks low in SG: Putting (101st in 2021 and 131st over the last 24 rounds on Bermuda greens), while Cook is 29th in the field this year. (and 65th on Bermuda). Cook also cracks the top 30 in SG: Approach and is 41st in Good Drives Gained.
Lower 7K Range Players to Consider on DraftKings (w/ Price and Model Rank)
Henrik Norlander ($7,000), Matthew NeSmith ($7,400) and Russell Knox ($7,400)
Who do you have as your favorite PGA DFS Sony Open 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
