The Cheat Sheet provides DraftKings fantasy golf players with course info, player history, and the most noteworthy trends of the week to help them with their roster selections.
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The Field
The PGA TOUR continues its two-week swing through Mexico with the World Wide Technology Championship, Nov. 5–8 at El Cardonal at Diamante in Cabo San Lucas. This is the sixth event of the FedExCup Fall, with 120 players competing for a $6 million purse and 500 FedExCup points.
Ryan Gerard ($10,200) enters as the betting favorite at +1450 on DraftKings Sportsbook, followed by defending champion Ben Griffin ($10,000, +1550) and Jackson Koivun ($10,400, +1700). Keith Mitchell ($9,600, +1900) and Benjamin James ($9,900, +2250) round out the top five in the outright market.
The field isn’t particularly deep, but several elite players still lead the way. Gerard has recorded eight top-10 finishes this season, while Griffin returns after winning this event at 29-under last year. Koivun has also produced some impressive results in his first season competing regularly against PGA TOUR professionals, including his first win in Minnesota.
A few other interesting names are in attendance, including Marco Penge, Harry Hall, Blades Brown, Johnny Keefer and Michael Kim. Former champions Austin Eckroat and Erik van Rooyen are also in the field.
The cut will take place after Friday’s second round, with the top 65 players and ties advancing to the weekend.
For DFS, the relatively weak field and exceptionally low scoring at El Cardonal should create plenty of opportunities for cheaper players to contend. Birdie-making upside will matter, but I also want players who can avoid mistakes and take advantage of the four par 5s with elite putting or superior driving and approaches.
The Course
El Cardonal at Diamante — Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- 7,452 yards, par 72
- Designer: Tiger Woods
- Greens: Paspalum
The layout features four par 5s, four par 3s, and extremely generous fairways. The par 5s are all reachable for longer hitters, while several shorter par 4s also provide scoring opportunities. Traditional rough is scarce, and the natural hills, sandy waste areas, and bunkers create much of the course’s difficulty.
This will be the fourth year this event is played at El Cardonal, a venue that also marks the very first course designed by Tiger Woods and his TGR design firm. Structurally, the venue is a classic par 72 with four par 5s and four par 3s. The par 5s are all shorter, and the venue clearly emphasizes the need for players to take advantage of these scoring opportunities. At 7,452 yards, there are shorter par 4s in play as well, but expect most of the field to score on the par 5s.
From a setup perspective, here are Tiger’s own words on the layout.
“I set up the golf strategy to make golfers think and make choices… There are going to be different ways to play every hole. Angles of approach are going to be very important and will dictate the type of shots you should consider. I love this kind of golf.”
The venue is very wide open, and the fairways cut through plenty of natural hills and mounds, with sand traps lurking that could bring bogey or worse into play. Traversing these bunkers, and some of the greenside bunkers, is likely what Woods meant when he said this. In some ways, the course looks similar to Riviera in setup, but the fairways at Diamante are far wider, and the course will likely play much firmer. There is also just a distinct lack of rough, specifically around the greens, which makes this a much easier test for the pros.
The greens will also play nowhere near as firm as some traditional California courses; they’re pure paspalum, a softer grass usually used on courses in hotter climates. However, the greens here are also massive and can be approached in numerous ways. Players with good approach play who are aggressive with their irons will have better luck navigating the tiered pin placements, and it’s no shock that the first three winners at this venue (Eckroat, Griffin, and van Rooyen) are also traditionally great iron players who often score well in SG: Approach and proximity.
Overall, the open design and wider setup with creative greens and fairways make this feel almost like a modern links venue. That may make it a good spot for veteran players with more experience managing creative setups, who can gain more on the field with their irons and putting than with power off the tee.
In 2023, that theory played out as we saw the top of the leaderboard littered with veteran players, some well into their 40s:
1. E. van Rooyen -27
T2. M. Kuchar -25
C. Villegas -25
4. J. Suh -24
T5. R. Palmer -22
The fact that we had a top three of Villegas, Kuchar, and van Rooyen that season (who shot 63 in Round 4) showcases the fact that you don’t need to be a power player around this venue to go low. All three men also finished inside the top five in putts per GIR and were 13th in GIR%. In short, they avoided trouble at all costs and let their putters carry them on this easier course.
Last year’s leaderboard was particularly revealing. Griffin ranked second in putting average and fifth in scrambling, while runners-up Sami Valimaki and Chad Ramey also performed extremely well on the greens. All three ranked outside the top 50 in driving distance.
That makes this a venue where veteran players with strong iron play and reliable putting can compete against more explosive drivers.
2026 Weather Outlook
The early forecast for Cabo San Lucas looks favorable for scoring, with temperatures generally reaching the mid-80s Fahrenheit and relatively manageable winds. Thursday and Friday currently look dry, with sustained winds around 10–13 mph. The weekend forecast is less settled, with some forecasts showing a possibility of showers Saturday, although others expect mostly dry conditions.
El Cardonal is exposed enough that stronger gusts could make approach shots and putting more difficult, but the current forecast doesn’t suggest a significant advantage for either tee-time wave. For DFS, I wouldn’t force any particular Thursday-Friday wave stack yet. Unless the wind forecast changes significantly, I’d keep focusing primarily on players with strong recent form and excellent approach play. The one caveat may be that if the weekend forecast continues to deteriorate, short game might become more of a contrarian angle to focus on.
What Last Year’s Winner Did
Ben Griffin (-29 under; 65, 65, 66, 63)
Ben Griffin entered the 2025 World Wide Technology Championship already enjoying a career-best season, with two PGA TOUR victories and several strong finishes. Unlike some previous winners at El Cardonal, Griffin arrived as an established contender and added a third victory with a tournament-record 29-under performance.
His previous five starts included:
- Procore Championship: 2nd
- TOUR Championship: T10
- BMW Championship: T12
- FedEx St. Jude Championship: T9
- Wyndham Championship: T11
Griffin had been remarkably consistent entering Mexico, recording five consecutive top-12 finishes, including a runner-up finish at the Procore Championship in September. His recent form made him one of the strongest contenders in the field, and he carried that momentum into El Cardonal.
He opened with consecutive 65s before shooting 66 in Round 3. Griffin then closed with a brilliant 9-under 63 on Sunday, finishing at 29-under (259) to defeat Chad Ramey and Sami Valimaki by two strokes. The victory established a new tournament scoring record and gave Griffin his third PGA TOUR title of 2025.
Griffin’s key performance notes:
- Finished 2nd in putting average, converting birdie opportunities throughout the tournament.
- Ranked 5th in scrambling, limiting mistakes when he missed greens.
- Finished 13th in Greens in Regulation, producing consistent scoring chances.
- Ranked 60th in driving distance, demonstrating that power wasn’t essential to winning.
- Shot 63 in the final round, including birdies on his final two holes.
- Recorded 29-under (259), the lowest 72-hole total in tournament history.
The biggest takeaway: Excellent putting, approach play and recent form remain crucial at El Cardonal. Griffin didn’t overpower the course, instead relying on consistent iron play, strong scrambling and a hot putter. His victory also reinforced the importance of targeting players arriving in good form, especially those who can convert birdie opportunities on this relatively straightforward layout.
Last 5 Winners
- 2025 — Ben Griffin (-29): Two shots over Chad Ramey and Sami Valimaki
- 2024 — Austin Eckroat (-24): One shot over Justin Lower and Carson Young
- 2023 — Erik van Rooyen (-27): Two shots over Matt Kuchar and Camilo Villegas
- 2022 — Russell Henley (-23): Four shots over Brian Harman
- 2021 — Viktor Hovland (-23): Four shots over Carlos Ortiz
The tournament moved from El Camaleón to El Cardonal in 2023.
Winning Trends
- All three winners at El Cardonal have finished at least 24-under. Players need to make birdies consistently to contend.
- Putting has been especially important. Each winner has finished inside the top five in putting average.
- Driving distance hasn’t been essential. Griffin, Eckroat and van Rooyen all won without ranking among the longest hitters.
- Veterans have performed well. Matt Kuchar, Camilo Villegas, Chad Ramey and Sami Valimaki have all finished runner-up at this venue.
Finding Value at DraftKings Sportsbook
Odds to win are one factor to consider when selecting DFS players, but they shouldn’t be the only consideration. This section highlights golfers whose DraftKings salaries look appealing compared with their outright odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Jordan Smith (+3400 and $8,300)
Comparables:
- Mackenzie Hughes (+3800 and $8,400)
- Chris Kirk (+4100 and $8,900)
- Marco Penge (+4000 and $9,100)
- Jackson Suber (+3600 and $9,200)
Smith offers up to $900 in salary savings while carrying shorter outright odds than all four comparables. That makes him an appealing option for balanced GPP builds, particularly if his approach play translates well to this setup.
Steven Fisk (+4100 and $8,200)
Comparables:
- Mackenzie Hughes +3800 and $8,400
- Johnny Keefer +4400 and $8,700
Fisk provides up to $500 in salary savings compared with these players despite comparable odds. His affordable pricing and scoring upside make him a useful midrange GPP target.
All odds from the updated DraftKings Sportsbook outright market on Nov. 2, 2026, and subject to change.
Recent Form
1. Ryan Gerard ($10,200; T4-T3-T16)
Gerard enters Cabo playing some of the best golf in the field. He’s recorded eight top-10 finishes this season and finished T4 at the Baycurrent Classic in Japan, where he posted four consecutive rounds in the 60s. His recent results also include a T14 on the DP World Tour and a third-place finish earlier in the summer.
2. Keith Mitchell ($9,600; T2-T34-T38)
Mitchell hasn’t played since finishing runner-up at the Baycurrent Classic in Japan on Oct. 11. It was his best result since tying for fourth at the U.S. Open in June, following a quieter stretch that included T34 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship and T38 at the Wyndham Championship. His scoring form has picked up again, making him an intriguing option at El Cardonal, where the generous fairways should let him attack.
3. Kristoffer Ventura ($9,000; T2-T34-T41)
Ventura arrives after finishing T2 at last week’s VidantaWorld Mexico Open, closing with an 8-under 63 to reach 20-under. It was his best individual PGA TOUR finish and continued a season that has also included T5 results at the Rocket Classic and ISCO Championship. He finished T34 in Bermuda, T41 in Japan and T32 in Utah before his latest breakthrough. His ability to go low on resort-style courses makes him particularly interesting this week, especially after another strong performance on Paspalum greens.
4. Pierceson Coody ($8,600; T6-T50-MC-T57)
Coody produced a much-needed T6 at last week’s Mexico Open, shooting 18-under with rounds of 65-69-64-68. It was his first top-10 finish since February, ending a difficult stretch that included a T50 in Japan, a missed cut in Utah, and a T57 at the Biltmore Championship. The result was particularly encouraging given his driving ability, as he ranks 14th on TOUR in driving distance.
5. Doug Ghim ($9,400; T6-T17-2-T17-T19)
Ghim has been one of the fall’s most consistent players, posting five straight top-20 finishes, including a runner-up at the Bank of Utah Championship and a T6 at last week’s Mexico Open. At Vidanta, he finished 18-under with rounds of 65-68-64-69, demonstrating the steady ball-striking and birdie-making needed at El Cardonal. His strong approach play should suit another wide-open Mexican venue, and his recent results make him one of the more dependable options in a relatively weak field.
DraftKings DFS Strategy
Cash Games: Ben Griffin and Chris Kirk
Ben Griffin ($10,000) is an obvious cash-game target. The defending champion finished T4 at last week’s Mexico Open and returns to a course where he shot 29-under last season. He also comes in $400 cheaper than Jackson Koivun, making him an appealing option when building balanced lineups.
Chris Kirk ($8,900) is another strong player to consider this week, with three top-21 finishes in his last three starts, including T6 at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, T21 at the Bank of Utah Championship, and T10 at the Biltmore Championship. The veteran has also recorded a T8 at the Rocket Classic this season, showing he can still produce strong results in lower-scoring events.
GPP Targets
Haotong Li ($7,100) is an interesting option after finishing T6 at last week’s Mexico Open. The former DP World Tour winner has a strong international résumé and has shown he can produce excellent results on exposed courses. His ability to get hot with his irons and make birdies makes him appealing at El Cardonal, particularly given the affordable salary.
Ben Silverman ($6,700) offers excellent salary relief for GPP lineups after finishing T19 at last week’s Mexico Open and T3 at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. The Canadian also finished T3 at the ISCO Championship earlier this season, showing he can contend in weaker fields. His accurate iron play and putting should translate well to El Cardonal, where distance isn’t essential.
GPP Differentiator
Mackenzie Hughes ($8,400) is an interesting GPP pivot at El Cardonal, where his excellent short game and putting can offset his lack of distance off the tee. The Canadian has a strong history on coastal and resort-style courses, including his 2016 win at the RSM Classic at Sea Island, and his strong play on the paspalum greens last week makes him a name I’d be willing to chase for DFS for at least one more week.
MY PICK: Chris Kirk ($8,900)
With a course that seems suited for veterans and some emerging form, Chris Kirk ($8,900) is a name I’m more than interested in this week. The American enters with three consecutive top-21 finishes, including a T6 at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, T21 at the Bank of Utah Championship and T10 at the Biltmore Championship. He also finished T8 at the Rocket Classic in July, giving him three top-10 finishes in his recent starts.
The biggest attraction is Kirk’s iron play, which has improved significantly over the past couple of months. He ranks 15th on TOUR in SG: Approach (+0.539 per round) and was gaining over 1.0 stroke per round on approach across his previous five starts entering Bermuda. He also ranks 31st in Greens in Regulation (69.65%) and 30th in proximity to the hole. Those are encouraging numbers for El Cardonal, where the wide fairways should allow Kirk to attack pins and create plenty of birdie opportunities.
Kirk also has a strong record on lower-scoring layouts, including his victory at the 2024 Sentry and his win at PGA National, which aligns with former WWT winner Austin Eckroat’s course form (Eckroat also won at PGA National). His putting remains the biggest concern, as he ranks outside the top 150 in SG: Putting this season. With his irons trending upward, even a modest improvement in putting could see him post a monster week.
MY SLEEPER: Ben Silverman ($6,700)
With El Cardonal rewarding strong putting and steady ball-striking over pure power, Ben Silverman ($6,700) looks like an intriguing sleeper this week. The Canadian has posted encouraging results of late, including a T19 at last week’s Mexico Open and a T3 at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. He also finished T3 at the ISCO Championship earlier this season, showing he has the upside to contend when the scoring conditions are favorable.
Silverman’s biggest strength is keeping the ball in play and creating opportunities with his irons. He isn’t one of the longest hitters on TOUR, but that’s less concerning at El Cardonal, where wide fairways and relatively little rough let players attack without relying on exceptional driving distance. His recent success in Mexico and Bermuda is particularly encouraging given the similar emphasis on scoring and putting.
The putter is another reason to consider Silverman. He’s gained about 0.28 strokes per round putting this season, and his ability to convert birdie chances could be especially valuable on El Cardonal’s softer paspalum greens. At just $6,700 on DraftKings, he offers significant salary relief without giving up much upside. His recent form, putting ability, and experience on coastal layouts make him an appealing low-owned GPP target who could significantly outperform his price. He’s also a great longshot for top-10-and-ties bets on DraftKings Sportsbook, where he’s currently +600.
