The state of South Carolina gets another spin in the PGA TOUR rotation, as the 2021 Palmetto Championship makes its debut at Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland.  There is limited data on the course, although a lot of TOUR locals chimed in with positive feedback.  Plenty of sand – waste bunker situations like at Kiawah – are in the mix.  The course is quite lengthy for a Par 71 (7,655 yards), but we are not yet sure if that will provide a significant advantage for the bombers.  The field is on the weaker side, at least when it comes to the top names on tour.  That’s ok.  In the end, that will make this dance more fun.  That leads me to my 2021 Palmetto Championship Sleepers.

Obviously, the term “SLEEPER” can be interpreted in a number of different ways.  In this instance, I’m focusing solely on golfers that with a $10 bet can bring back no less than a grand (with a win, at least).

100:1 or bust, baby!

My focus is on the current odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook) and not the DraftKings pricing.  Although, I include that, as well.  For those of you playing PGA DFS, don’t worry, I have content available in that space, too.  You could keep these players in mind for your DK lineups, as well.

Here are my favorite 2021 Palmetto Championship Sleepers, with all stats and data pulled either from Fantasy National or the PGA TOUR website:

20201 Palmetto Championship Sleepers: Five 100:1 Longshots to Consider

Satoshi Kodaira (DK: $7,000, WINNER +16000, Top 5 +2000, Top 10 +1000)

To a degree, we should all be suckers for recent performance.  Kodaira finished T13 at the Byron Nelson and T11 at the Wells Fargo.  That’s nothing to sneeze at.  Over the last 36 rounds played (via Fantasy National), he’s 20th in the field in SG: Off the Tee and 31st in SG: Approach.  He is also 11th in total strokes gained over the last 12 rounds played, hence the solid recent finishes.  His putting on Bermuda greens is ugly (147th in the field over last 36 rounds played), but again, putting grades are tough to hone in on.  One strong putting stretch can lead to an even bigger finish.  

Erik Van Rooyen (DK: $7,500, WINNER +10000, Top 5 +1600, Top 10 +650)

Van Rooyen is a bit of a wild card this week.  The talent is there, but proceed with caution.  That’s considering EVR has missed four straight missed cuts.  Yes, FOUR.  Still, when it comes to statistical models, he ranks fairly high.  Over the last 36 rounds played (via Fantasy National), he’s 39th in the field in SG: Off the Tee and 41st in SG: Around the Green.  He also cracks the top ten (9th) in Proximity.  He’s a fairly long hitter (40th), so if the course’s length is a challenge, Van Rooyen can (and will) hold his own.  A combination of pin seeking and avoiding big numbers could lead to a big week.  

John Pak (DK: $6,900, WINNER +17500, Top 5 +2800, Top 10 +1200)

Like the WIFE staring down a diamond ring, it’s difficult to avoid Pak.  Consider what we saw from Matthew Wolff, Collin Morikawa, and Viktor Hovland in the early stages of their careers, we could also see the same from Pak.  The 22 year-old is a Florida State guy (yes, think Brooks Koepka).  The only data we have on him is landing the low amateur at the 2020 PGA Championship at Harding Park (T51).  Take the numbers with a grain of salt, considering it’s one tournament’s worth of data. Despite that, Pak does rank 29th in SG: Off the Tee, 33rd in SG: Approach and 17th in Proximity.  In a weaker field, who knows?

Joseph Bramlett (DK: $7,100, WINNER +12500, Top 5 +1800, Top 10 +800)

A streaky target, Bramlett statistically pops in stat models and had a recent T7 finish at the Byron Nelson.  He ranks 15th in the field in SG:Off the Tee (via Fantasy National, last 36 rounds played).  Bramlett is also 8th in Driving Distance, which is proof that he could handle this lengthy Par 71 layout, if it proves a safe haven for bombers.  Where Bramlett falters is on the greens, as he is 148th in SG: Putting over the last 36 rounds.  Even a mediocre putting week could lead to a strong run.

John Huh (DK: $6,800, WINNER +14000, Top 5 +2000, Top 10 +1000)

Looking for a fifth name, I landed on Huh.  Model-wise, for the last 36 rounds played (via Fantasy National), Huh is 33rd in SG: Off the Tee, 17th in SG: Approach and 8th in SG: Around the Green.  That’s consistency.  He has also been better on Bermuda greens (63rd on Bermuda versus 138th in overall SG: Putting, also last 36 rounds).  He’s not a long hitter and his recent form isn’t great (three straight missed cuts), but with a weaker field, Huh could surprise some people.

 

Other Names to Consider:

  • Garrick Higgo (+4500 – not a longshot, but few know the name at this point)
  • Ben Martin and Vincent Whaley (both +8500 – also didn’t qualify for the above list)
  • Roger Sloan (+14000, two straight made cuts, but no Top 30 finishes)
  • Kramer Hickok (+12500, 3 of 4 cuts made, including a T14 at the Charles Schwab)
  • Davis Thompson (+30000, another young guy looking to make a splash)

 

For what it’s worth, I recently made the right call on KH Lee (+17500) at the 2021 Byron Nelson Classic.  Yes, these are longshots, but you just never know.

Who do you have as your favorite sleepers for the 2021 Palmetto Championship?  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 FantasyNational.com