February 18, 2025
Last year was an impressive coming-out party for Jake Knapp. The now 30-year-old PGA Tour player is in his second year on the circuit and returns to a place seemingly tailor-made for his brand of golf. He's coming off a T17 finish at the Genesis Invitational last week, where he ranked 5th in the field in strokes gained off the tee (+0.59) and 15th in driving distance (297.3). It was also a good week with the irons, as he ranked 15th in strokes gained on approach (+0.67) and 10th in GIR percentage (70.8%). The long irons continue to be the stronger side of his approach game, and Vidanta Vallarta presents players with plenty of opportunities. If his latest performance at Torrey is any indication, Knapp could easily be back in the mix this year.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 18, 2025
Perhaps the biggest question of this week for many DFS players is what to do with Charley Hoffman. He was a flash in the pan for two weeks, however, that flash is bookended by poor performances. Horrific putting has been the story for the 48-year-old in this early season, as he ranks nearly dead-last in strokes gained putting (175th) at an average of -1.130. But aside from that, he is gaining strokes in every other metric at an impressive rate. He ranks 12th in strokes gained tee to green (+1.101), and still moves it off the tee at an average of 313.6 yards. Proximity numbers with the long irons are also some of the best on tour, which have attributed to his 22nd ranking in strokes gained on approach. If the putter can halfway cooperate, Hoffman is dangerous at $9,200 on FanDuel.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
February 18, 2025
Since his T7 finish at the AmEx, Ben Griffin has been battling a sick putter as he ranks 135th in strokes gained putting (-0.346) this season. This current run with the flat stick is the worst of his career and something that should come back around in time. The resort-style putting surfaces at this week's Mexico Open present a good opportunity to gain confidence in that department. They aren't as tricky to figure out, and the paspalum grass creates slower and more manageable conditions. The DNA of this course from tee to green is to hit it far, which Griffin has done fairly well at an average of 304.7 this season at an accuracy percentage of 62.66% (ranked 42nd). Throw in that he's gained over four and a half strokes on approach in his last two events--including last week at Torrey--and he makes a decent case for taking a chance on him this week.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
February 18, 2025
Thursday will be the first round of the second career start for Blades Brown since turning professional in January. His first start came at the AmEx, where other than an impressive 64 on Friday, he didn't do much on his way to missing the cut by two shots. Given the quirky absence of data on its three-course rotation, it's difficult to know exactly where his game stacked up. However, he averaged 288.8 off the tee in the one round of data available. That singular stat could mean trouble at a place as long as Vidanta Vallarta at over 7,400 yards. He is still one of the more intriguing players to watch this week but should be left out of consideration in DFS lineups.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 17, 2025
Erik van Rooyen expects to be one of those trendy golfers to contend this week. The South African golfer will be playing not having to worry about too many Top 50 OWGR golfers (five). So van Rooyen ranks favorably in plenty of course comparison models. He has missed the cut in three of his five appearances in 2025 so far. However, his metrics from 2024 could appear at any time. Overall, van Rooyen drives the ball 308.2 yards on average since 2024. He ranked 35th in driving distance, 38th in Greens In Regulation, and 26th in strokes gained to putting (0.403). DFS wise, van Rooyen, gets slotted in the $7,000 to $7,900 range and could be a worthwhile option. Like Matti Schmid, he is a value longer shot to consider for betting.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
February 17, 2025
Matti Schmid has missed the cut in three of four events in 2025. The German golfer was in contention at the Farmers Insurance Open until a 77 harpooned his hopes. When Schmid is on his game, he is one of the better under the radar golfers. However, when he is off, he is way off. Schmid missed six straight cuts to start off 2024, went on a run, and missed five more. Again, Schmid tends to do well when he sees Round 3. He ranks in the Top 40 when combining driving distance with proximity from 200+ yards. However, the putter has been struggling early in 2025 (114th at -0.175 strokes gained). Schmid ranked 26th last year in that metric. Considering, he missed the cut last year in Mexico, Schmid may be a fade option.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
February 17, 2025
C.T. Pan played pretty well in his two appearances on the PGA Tour in 2025. The golfer from Chinese Taipei finished just outside of the Top 20 at the Sony Open. Even at Scottsdale, Pan looked more comfortable in the final round with a 69. Betting models seem to like Pan because 35% of the approach shots this week come from 200+ yards and he ranks Top 10 in that metric. When comparing courses, Pan ranks favorably here as well. He scrambles well from the rough (54th in 2024) and scrambling ability could be an asset. The rough is tougher in Vallarta this time around. Pan is a reasonable mid-priced solid DFS option and a longer shot from a betting standpoint.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
February 17, 2025
Matt McCarty has had a rough start to 2025. The American golfer has missed the cut three times in five events. That includes the past three events. Unlike the Black Desert Championship in Utah, Vidanta Vallarta is a little longer and does not have the benefit of altitude. McCarty drives the ball an average of 293.4 yards and little has gone right (153rd in strokes gained overall at -1.038). Even his proximity to 200+ yards ranks 115th at 54 feet 5 inches. Anything greater than 225 yards seems to be troublesome for McCarty. The golfer may find the golf course a challenge in his current form.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
February 17, 2025
Thriston Lawrence is one of those golfers who has won some events internationally. The South African golfer has won seven times outside the PGA Tour. However, in 17 PGA events, Lawrence has made the cut a mere six times. So far in 2025, Lawrence entered two events (Farmers and the WM) and left after two days both times. He has one round under par in four rounds so far. However, he can catch lightning in a bottle as evidenced by a T-4th at The Open Championship in 2024. Lawrence is a big hitter and can hit balls routinely in the 310-315 yard range. With how wide open Vidanta Vallarta is, if the golfer can make a few shots, he might see the weekend.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
February 17, 2025
Beau Hossler has not had that breakthrough performance in 2025 yet. The American golfer did contend for a while at The American Express (ended T-12). Hossler ranked inside the Top 25 in several putting metrics in 2024 including strokes gained to putting (14th - 0.496). He was 45th with GIR (Greens In Regulation) at 69.54%. Early in 2025, Hossler stands at 64.58%. Now, 5% does not sound like a lot but things like this add up. His driving accuracy has dipped by a little over 5% too. On the bright side, he is 4-for-4 in making cuts. This week, Hossler drives okay but not with the big hitters (302.7 yards - 73rd). He may not be the most ideal option for DFS or betting at Vidanta Vallarta, but could be effective.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
February 17, 2025
Lanton Griffin is the definition of an up-and-down golfer. The veteran American on the PGA Tour did tie for ninth at the Farmers Insurance Open in January. However, that was buoyed by a scintillating opening round 66. The problem for Griffin is each round got progressively worse. Even at The American Express, Griffin started and ended okay with better middle rounds (71-67-66-71). One of the more volatile metrics for the golfer is approaching the green. In 2022, he ranked inside the Top 30. The next year he was 178th. Griffin. Birdie average is also low early at 3.67 (121st). Griffin can put it together and be a great DFS option or an averse one.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
February 17, 2025
Frankie Capan III is learning the rigors of the PGA Tour the hard way. The American golfer has gotten off to poor start in his last two events (73 at the Farmers, 77 at Scottsdale). This culminated in Capan III missing the cut at the WM Phoenix Open. Vallarta typically is more birdie friendly with an average winning score of 264 (2022-2024). Capan III has shown a solid putter early in 2025 but everything else has been off. His driving accuracy is a mere 40.91% (181st). Around the greens have not been much better as Capan III ranks 148th in greens in regulation (64.68%). Small samples can skewer things but the last six rounds have been less than ideal. Capan III may have a challenge trying to keep up with the birdies.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
February 12, 2025
Gary Woodland has started 2025 in great form, recording three straight top-25 finishes to begin the year. He now looks ahead to the Genesis Invitational, which will be held at Torrey Pines. Woodland has an extensive history at this course with five top-20 finishes in his last 12 appearances here. He has driven the ball at a ridiculous average of 326.0 yards, the second-best mark on tour. He also ranks 13th in strokes gained from tee to green, 18th off the tee, and 30th on approach. Over the last 12 months, Woodland is also in the 92nd percentile in proximity from 150-200 yards, a range that accounts for 39.6% of all approach shots at Torrey Pines. Given his great form and extensive course history, Woodland is a strong option for fantasy managers at his $6,600 price tag on DraftKings.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
February 12, 2025
After a T12 in the desert, Cameron Young is carrying momentum into this week at Torrey Pines, a place that hasn't been the kindest to him in three career starts. His most recent appearance was a T20 in 2022 at the Farmers Insurance Open but he missed the two previous cuts at the 2021 U.S. Open and the 2021 Farmers. His strength off the tee gives him a distinct advantage here, but if the rest of his game fails, then it doesn't much matter. Both of his good finishes this year have come by way of gaining over a stroke and a half on the greens, as his -0.932 strokes gained on approach average this season is nearly the worst on tour. At $9,000 on FanDuel, there are significant drawbacks to playing Young in DFS, but if there is one place that approach play takes a bit of a backseat, it's Torrey Pines.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
February 12, 2025
Akshay Bhatia has been in sneaky good form to start the year with finishes of T32, T22, T37 (Dubai Desert Classic), and T32 again. Now he turns his attention to the Genesis Invitational, which is being held at Torrey Pines. Bhatia's most recent trip here was in 2024 at the Farmers Insurance Open, where he finished T13. This week, golfers will need to perform well off the tee, and while Bhatia isn't known for his distance, he ranks 42nd in driving accuracy and 88th in strokes gained off the tee. Bhatia has also been one of the best putters on tour this year, gaining 8.144 strokes with his flat stick, ranking 16th on tour. He is also in the 75th percentile over the last 12 months in proximity from 150-200 yards, a range that accounts for 39.6% of all approach shots at Torrey Pines. Given his recent form and accurate play, Bhatia is worth strong consideration by fantasy managers at his $7,100 price tag on DraftKings.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
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