The PGA Tour heads to the farm this week. Specifically, the Sanderson Farms Championship at the Country Club of Jackson in Mississippi. The par 72 course will play at 7,421 yards and only a handful of the world’s best players will attend so, like last week, we’ll see inflated DFS salaries for guys who can usually be salaried for cheap. The average winner in Jackson usually heads into the clubhouse on Sunday at around 20-under, so expect plenty of birdies this week. Here are five players who I believe are ripe for the picking this week.
Sam Burns ($9,800 on DK, $11,200 on FD)
Burns is coming off a 28th-place finish at the Corales Puntacanta Resort & Club Championship, his third top-30 finish in his past four starts. He played well after the tour came back from hiatus in June, making seven of 10 cuts, and notching six finishes inside the top 30. He’s made three straight cuts at the Sanderson Farms Championship, tying for third in 2018.
Zach Johnson ($9,600 on DK, $10,500 on FD)
Johnson can count a seventh (at the Wyndham Championship) and eighth (at the US Open) among his results in his past three starts. He led the US Open field in putting on the tricky greens at Winged Foot. Known for his skill with a putter, Johnson’s prowess should prove useful in the anticipated birdie fest in Jackson. He tied for 14th here last year.
Carlos Ortiz ($8,300 on DK, $9,600 on FD)
The Mexican player put himself in contention for victory at the Sanderson Farms Championship in each of the past two years, and finished inside the top five both times. He gained more than two strokes putting on the Bermuda greens during those tournaments. Ortiz has also played well lately, making his past two cuts, and four cuts in his past seven events.
Sepp Straka ($7,700 on DK, $9,300 on FD)
Straka plays well on par-72 courses, faring well on tracks with more par 5s. The Austrian has gained nearly a stroke per round on such courses versus the field since 2018, the third-most among players in the Sanderson Farms Championship field. His recent form is also solid, with a 14th and a 33rd in his past two events.
Nick Taylor ($7,400 on DK, $9,100 on FD)
For salary savings, look toward this Canadian player. Although he’s struggled somewhat lately on tour, missing three of his past five cuts, Taylor won here in 2015. He also finished 26th or better in three of his past four visits to the Sanderson Farms Championship since his victory.