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.
The Field
The PGA TOUR returns to the United States this week for the inaugural Austin Championship at the Fazio Canyons Course in Austin, Texas. This is the second-to-last event of the FedExCup Fall, with 120 players competing for a $6 million purse and 500 FedExCup points. The tournament offers another important opportunity for players to improve their standing before next week’s season-ending RSM Classic.
The field features a mix of rising stars and established veterans. Michael Kim, Andrew Novak, Chris Kirk, Brian Harman and Jordan Smith are among the more experienced players capable of challenging the younger favorites. Blades Brown is near the top of the outright market and his victory at the WWT Championship last week was particularly notable, as the 19-year-old became the youngest PGA TOUR winner since 1938.
Texas also has a strong presence this week, with several players who grew up in the state or have competed extensively on Texas courses. That local experience could matter given the venue’s unfamiliarity. The cut will take place after Friday’s second round, with the top 65 players and ties advancing to the weekend.
For DFS, the biggest challenge will be assessing a course with no previous PGA TOUR tournament history. I’ll be emphasizing recent ball-striking, long-iron play, and success on demanding Fazio designs, rather than relying too heavily on results from the two wide-open Mexican venues where Paspalum grass was in play on the greens alongside easier resort-style setups.
The Course
Fazio Canyons Course — Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin, Texas
Par 72, 7,451 yards
The PGA TOUR heads to a new venue this week, as Fazio Canyons makes its tournament debut. The Tom Fazio design measures 7,451 yards and winds through the rolling hills west of Austin, offering a very different test from the open resort courses we’ve seen over the past two weeks. Fazio Canyons underwent a substantial renovation in 2022, initially focused on improving the bunkers before expanding into a broader restoration. The course features dramatic elevation changes, tree-lined corridors, large greens, 43 bunkers, and water hazards that come into play on six holes.
While the fairways are generally generous, this isn’t a course where players can simply hit driver without considering the consequences. Creeks, ravines, and strategically positioned bunkers will force players to think about angles and landing areas, particularly on holes where elevation changes make distance control harder. At first glance, this will likely put more emphasis on driving and off-the-tee play this week. The one caveat is whether the course is actually “Tour-proof” and set up to challenge players off the tee; we’ll find out soon enough, but based on the setup and Fazio’s other designs, the driver should be a relatively important club.
The layout features four par 5s, four par 3s and 10 par 4s. Several shorter par 4s should offer legitimate birdie opportunities, but the course also includes some demanding longer holes where players will need to hit quality mid- and long-iron approaches. The four par 5s are especially important for DFS. Players who can reach these holes in two will obviously have an opportunity to separate themselves with eagles and birdies, although the longer holes will still require quality second shots. That should again give an advantage to players who combine distance (and good driving) with strong approach play.
The Bermuda greens are another significant change after consecutive weeks on paspalum in Mexico. Players who have traditionally performed well on Bermuda surfaces, particularly throughout the southeastern United States and Texas, may have an advantage over those who rely more heavily on putting on slower coastal greens.
Comparing Fazio Canyons to Other PGA TOUR Courses
One useful starting point is Quail Hollow, where Tom Fazio played an important role in the course’s redesign. Quail Hollow is considerably more established as a TOUR venue, but both layouts emphasize quality approach shots, navigating tree-lined holes and handling demanding par 4s.
Players who have performed well at Quail Hollow often combine strong driving with excellent long-iron play. That profile could translate to Fazio Canyons, particularly if the course plays close to its listed yardage.
Corales Golf Club in the Dominican Republic is another Fazio design worth considering. Corales is more exposed to coastal winds and offers a different visual test, but its length and emphasis on par-5 scoring make it a useful secondary comparison. Conway Farms, which hosted the BMW Championship three times, is another relevant Fazio design. Its emphasis on positioning, approach accuracy, and navigating strategically placed hazards offers a potentially useful comparison.
I’d also look at results from TPC San Antonio, particularly the Oaks Course used for the Valero Texas Open. While it isn’t a Fazio design, it features Bermuda greens, demanding approaches, and the kind of Texas conditions that could make it a useful form reference.
Key Stats to Target This Week
1. SG: Approach
With a new course in play, this should be the main focus this week. Fazio Canyons has also been described as a second-shot course, and the elevation changes, bunkers, and water hazards should reward players who consistently control their iron shots.
2. SG: Tee-to-Green
With an unfamiliar layout and potentially difficult approaches, you of course want players who are performing well across their entire ball-striking game. Strong tee-to-green players should be better equipped to handle the course’s various challenges and visual demands.
3. SG: Off-the-Tee
Distance should provide an advantage on a 7,451-yard layout, particularly on the par 5s. However, players who combine length with reasonable accuracy will be preferable to those who frequently bring hazards into play.
4. Proximity from 175–225 Yards
Several longer par 4s and par 5s should create demanding approaches from this range. Players who excel with their mid- and long irons are particularly appealing.
5. Bogey Avoidance and Scrambling
The water hazards, elevation changes, and strategically positioned bunkers could punish mistakes. Much like Quail Hollow, which forces players to miss plenty of greens due to demanding tee shots — I’d guess that Conway Farms will force far more missed greens than we’ve seen over the last two weeks.
What Type of Golfer Should We Target?
Overall, I’m leaning toward strong ball-strikers who combine above-average driving distance with reliable approach play. Players who can attack the par 5s while maintaining enough accuracy to avoid hazards (or bring in strong short games) should have the highest upside.
I also like experienced players who have performed well on other Fazio designs or demanding Texas layouts. With no course history available, proven ability on similar architectural setups becomes more valuable.
The biggest mistake may be assuming Fazio Canyons will play exactly like El Cardonal or Vidanta. This venue has considerably more elevation changes and potential trouble, making tee-to-green consistency a more important part of anyone’s DFS strategy this week.
2026 Weather Outlook
The early forecast for the Austin Championship looks excellent over the first two rounds, with some sunny skies and temperatures reaching 78–79°F on Thursday and Friday. It’s Texas, so it won’t be completely calm, but winds should generally remain around 5–10 mph, with gusts potentially reaching 15 mph Thursday afternoon. The Thursday morning/Friday afternoon wave looks marginally preferable, as Thursday’s winds may strengthen slightly later in the day while Friday afternoon conditions appear calmer. However, the projected differences right now are small, so I wouldn’t force a DFS wave stack based on the current forecast.
The weekend could bring more challenging conditions, with temperatures dropping to around 71°F Saturday and even cooler to 64°F Sunday. Saturday also carries a 67% chance of precipitation, although showers are more likely late in the afternoon. Sunday has a 65% chance of rain, with showers possible during the final round. Stronger weekend gusts could also complicate approach shots on Fazio Canyons’ elevated holes and make around-the-green play more important. Overall, the first two rounds should offer the best scoring conditions, while the weekend could place greater emphasis on accurate iron play, scrambling and bogey avoidance.
Course Fit and Winning Trends
With this being the inaugural Austin Championship, there are no previous winners or tournament-specific statistics to analyze. Instead, here are the main characteristics I’ll be targeting based on the course setup and comparable venues.
- Approach play should be essential. Fazio Canyons features demanding second shots, elevation changes, and strategically placed hazards. Windy and poor conditions on the weekend could also make good ball-striking even more vital.
- Distance offers an advantage. At 7,451 yards, with some challenging routing off the tee, longer hitters should have more opportunities to attack the four par 5s.
- Bermuda putting is worth considering. Players who have performed well on southern U.S. courses with faster Bermuda greens may have an advantage.
- Texas and Fazio course history offer useful clues. Results at Quail Hollow, Corales, Conway Farms and TPC San Antonio may help identify suitable players.
- Recent ball-striking should carry extra weight. With no tournament history available, current form becomes one of the most reliable ways to assess the field.
Finding Value at DraftKings Sportsbook
Odds to win are one factor to think about when picking players, but they shouldn’t be the only consideration. This section highlights golfers whose DraftKings DFS salaries look appealing compared with their current outright odds at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Marco Penge (+4300 and $8,200)
Comparables:
- Ricky Castillo (+4600 and $8,500)
- Eric Cole (+4600 and $8,700)
- Seamus Power (+4500 and $8,900)
- Austin Smotherman (+4500 and $9,100)
Penge offers up to $900 in salary savings compared with these players while carrying shorter outright odds. His driving distance should also be an advantage on the longer Fazio Canyons layout, making him a compelling GPP option in the low-8,000 range.
Stephan Jaeger (+4300 and $7,900)
Comparables:
- Beau Hossler (+4800 and $8,000)
- David Ford (+4700 and $8,300)
- Ricky Castillo (+4600 and $8,500)
- Ben Kohles (+4600 and $9,200)
Jaeger is one of the more interesting values in the field, with outright odds that compare favorably to players priced as much as $1,300 higher. His combination of driving ability and scoring upside makes him particularly appealing on a longer par-72 layout.
Max Homa (+5100 and $7,500)
Comparables:
- Mac Meissner (+5200 and $7,800)
- Davis Thompson (+5500 and $7,700)
- Neal Shipley (+5700 and $7,600)
- Rico Hoey (+4300 and $8,100)
Homa offers a substantial discount from his historical DFS pricing and has shorter odds than several higher-priced players. His results have been inconsistent, but his experience on demanding courses makes him an interesting GPP target if his ball-striking improves.
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook as of Nov. 9, 2026, and available at the time of writing.
Recent Form
1. Blades Brown ($9,900; WIN)
Brown arrives in Austin after claiming his first PGA TOUR victory at last week’s World Wide Technology Championship, defeating Benjamin James in a playoff. The 19-year-old closed with a brilliant 9-under 63 to reach 23-under then prevailed on extra holes. His combination of driving ability and aggressive scoring makes him one of the field’s most dangerous players, though his salary and likely ownership have increased significantly after the breakthrough victory.
2. David Ford ($8,300; 5th)
Ford continued to show big upside with a fifth-place finish at the World Wide Technology Championship, shooting 20-under with rounds of 67-68-67-66, just a month after his T5 in Utah. His consistent scoring throughout the week was particularly encouraging, and his driving performance was one of the strongest in the field.
3. Doug Ghim ($9,800; T6-T17-2-T17-T19)
Ghim has been one of the most consistent players throughout the fall, recording five consecutive top-20 finishes entering last week’s event, including a runner-up at the Bank of Utah Championship. His approach play has been particularly strong, and he remains one of the more reliable ball-strikers in this field.
4. Kensei Hirata ($6,500; 4th-T11-T34)
Hirata has emerged as one of the hottest players in the field after finishing fourth at last week’s World Wide Technology Championship and T11 at the Mexico Open. The Japanese golfer shot 21-under at El Cardonal, closing with a 6-under 66, and has now posted consecutive top-11 finishes after a difficult stretch earlier in the fall. His approach play has improved considerably, averaging +0.636 SG: Approach per round over his last five starts.
5. Seamus Power ($8,900; T8-2-T21-T7)
Power has quietly become one of the most consistent players on TOUR this fall, recording four consecutive top-21 finishes, including a runner-up at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship and T8 at last week’s World Wide Technology Championship. He also finished T7 at the Biltmore Championship and T21 at the Bank of Utah Championship. Power also finished T11 at the Corales Puntacana Championship, another Tom Fazio design, making him an appealing course-fit target.
Draftkings DFS Strategy
Cash Games: Doug Ghim and Brian Harman
Doug Ghim ($9,800) has strong recent results, and his consistent approach play makes him particularly appealing at a new venue where ball-striking should carry more weight than course history. He’s recorded multiple top-20 finishes throughout the fall, including a runner-up finish in Utah, and his ability to generate scoring opportunities with his irons should translate well to Fazio Canyons.
Brian Harman ($9,300) is another veteran worth considering for cash games. The former Open champion has a strong history of performing well on demanding courses where accuracy, approach play, and scrambling are important. He isn’t among the longest hitters in the field, but his ability to avoid mistakes and manage difficult conditions makes him appealing at a venue with elevation changes and strategically positioned hazards.
GPP Targets
Taylor Pendrith ($6,800) offers considerable upside at a discounted salary, especially on a 7,451-yard course where driving distance and par-5 scoring should matter. One of the TOUR’s longer hitters, the Canadian has the power to attack Fazio Canyons’ four par 5s. His 2024 CJ CUP Byron Nelson victory also showed he can contend in Texas. An inconsistent short game adds risk, but at just $6,800, Pendrith has the birdie-making potential to significantly outperform his salary in larger-field GPPs.
Patrick Rodgers ($6,700) is another intriguing value option, as his driving distance and experience should suit Fazio Canyons. He has traditionally been a strong driver, giving him chances to attack the longer holes and create valuable birdie opportunities. His approach play can be inconsistent, but his experience on demanding PGA TOUR courses makes him appealing.
Luke Clanton ($7,200) offers excellent value after posting finishes of T7, T11, T29, and T33 in his last four starts. He’s shot under par in all 15 rounds during that stretch and has gained strokes on approach and putting in three of those four events. Clanton also finished runner-up at the 2024 RSM Classic, which features the Fazio-designed Seaside Course.
Emiliano Grillo ($7,000) is another lower-priced player worth considering. He’s made 11 of his last 13 cuts and finished T21 in Mexico last week, ranking fifth in SG: Approach for the tournament. Grillo has also gained more strokes on approach than almost anyone in this field over his last 24 rounds and won the 2023 Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas. His iron play and experience on demanding layouts make him a strong value option.
GPP Differentiator: Stephan Jaeger ($7,900)
Stephan Jaeger is an interesting tournament pivot at Fazio Canyons, where his driving ability and aggressive scoring should provide plenty of opportunities. The German has shown he can contend on demanding Texas layouts, including his victory at the 2024 Houston Open, where he held off Scottie Scheffler. His combination of length and experience on Bermuda greens makes him an appealing option at this price.
Best Bet: Kris Ventura ($8,400)
With Fazio Canyons looking like a course where strong driving, long-iron play and bogey avoidance will be essential, Ventura ($8,400) stands out as one of my favorite targets this week. The Norwegian has shown considerable upside throughout the summer and fall, including a T2 at the Mexico Open, T5 at the Rocket Classic, and T5 at the ISCO Championship. He also finished T15 at the Corales Puntacana Championship, another Tom Fazio design, giving him some encouraging course-comparison results heading into Austin.
Ventura’s biggest strength this week will be his off the tee performance. He ranks sixth on TOUR in SG: Off-the-Tee (+0.615 per round), averaging 313.9 yards while hitting nearly 67% of fairways. That combination of distance and accuracy should be particularly valuable on Fazio Canyons’ 7,451-yard layout. He also ranks sixth in Greens in Regulation (71.90%) and ninth in proximity from beyond 200 yards, suggesting he has the long-iron ability to handle the course’s more demanding approaches.
Another encouraging statistic is Ventura’s fifth-place ranking in bogey avoidance, which should be especially useful on a layout featuring elevation changes, water hazards, strategically positioned bunkers, and potentially poor weekend weather. His approach play has been inconsistent overall, but he’s gained an average of 0.159 strokes per round with his irons across his last five starts.
At $8,400 at DraftKings Sportsbook, Ventura offers an appealing combination of salary flexibility, elite driving statistics, and legitimate top-five upside. I like his combination of course fit, scoring potential, and improving form as a core GPP target this week.
Sleeper: Gordon Sargent ($6,700)
With Fazio Canyons stretching over 7,400 yards and featuring four par 5s, Sargent’s ($6,700) is a young player whose combination of elite driving distance and improving short-game numbers could make him a strong fit. The former Vanderbilt standout finished T2 at the Corales Puntacana Championship in July, shooting 19-under on another Tom Fazio design. He also posted a T21 at the Bank of Utah Championship and a T34 at the Mexico Open this fall, providing encouraging results heading into Austin.
Sargent’s biggest advantage is his power off the tee. He ranks 10th on TOUR in SG: Off-the-Tee (+0.579 per round) and 10th in driving distance at 321.7 yards, giving him the ability to attack Fazio Canyons’ longer holes. He’s also surprisingly effective around the greens, ranking 24th in SG: Around-the-Green (+0.259), an important asset on a course featuring elevation changes, bunkers and demanding recovery shots.
His approach play remains a concern, but his recent ball-striking has shown improvement. His runner-up finish at Corales is particularly relevant given the similarities in course length, par-5 scoring opportunities, and Fazio’s design philosophy. While he may not have the approach consistency yet needed to actually close out an event like this, at just $6,700 on DraftKings, Sargent offers considerable salary relief and legitimate top 10 upside if his irons cooperate.