TG Fantasy Golf Preview: HP Byron Nelson

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TPC Four Seasons hosted the Byron Nelson singularly in 1986-1993 and again since 2008. The par-70 course has measured 7,166 yards since a redesign in 2008. 

The par-5s serve as the antepenultimate holes on each nine and the players will want to make the most of them as the duo averaged 4.64 in 2012. Especially as the 528-yard third has ranked annually among the most difficult par-4s on Tour, with last year’s scoring average of 4.320 ranked T28 of 526.

Overall, TPC Four Seasons averaged the fourth-highest among 13 par-70s in non-majors and inside the top-10 in fewest fairways hit in each of the last five years. Meanwhile, last year’s GIR clip of 62.40 ranked 17th-lowest among all courses last.

Once again, it’s expected to be windy, with sustained breezes approaching 20 mph throughout the week.

So, in short, look for accurate players who can play in a breeze.

Here’s TG’s fantasy team: 

Louis Oosthuizen £4.0m

At number seven in the Official World Golf Ranking, he’s highest among the 156 in the field. He tied for 19th at The Players for his third top-20 in his last four starts and led the field at TPC Sawgrass in distance off the tee and ranked ninth in GIR.

Matt Kuchar £3.6m

Tied for 48th at TPC Sawgrass, but he’s survived 14 straight cuts, four of which going for a top-10 this year. Sits 36th in strokes gained-putting and 17th in adjusted scoring. He’s also made all his cuts at this event, including a T6  in 2011.

Jason Day £2.2m

The 2010 champion chased had a solo fifth (2011) and a T9 (2012). He finished T19 at last week’s Players and has amde 14 consecutive cuts, with four top 10s this season.

Marc Leishman £1.1m

Since sharing fourth at the Masters, he finished T9 at Harbour Town and a T8 at TPC Sawgrass. Repeated success in the breeziest of conditions is supported by a T8 (2009), T12 (2010) and T3 (2012) at TPC Four Seasons.

Ryan Palmer £1.1m

Comes off a T5 at The Players and has good course form after losing in a playoff in 2011 and placed T9 last year after holding the 18-hole lead.

D.A. Points £0.8m

Six consecutive cuts made dating back to his victory in Houston. Points also finished second in New Orleans. His course form includes top-20s in three of his last four appearances at TPC Four Seasons, including a solo third in 2009 and a T7 in 2010.

 

 

 

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