Scottie Scheffler headlines a risky 3M Open fantasy week as experts debate burning a start, chasing birdies and betting motivated FedExCup bubble players.
The 3M Open fantasy picks conversation begins with one question ... Do you unleash Scottie Scheffler now, or save the world’s best player for the FedExCup Playoffs?
Scheffler is the obvious hammer at TPC Twin Cities, but PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf’s usage limits make him anything but an automatic selection.
Golfers can only be used three times in each segment, while captains earn double points. That turns a seemingly easy decision into a season-shaping gamble.
Several experts are still handing Scheffler the captain’s badge. It’s hard to blame them.
Through the season’s first three major championships, he posted a runner-up finish, a third and another runner-up. Even when he doesn’t win, he’s routinely near the top of the leaderboard and collecting enough points to rescue an otherwise mediocre fantasy lineup.
But there’s another path ... Fade the superstar and build around birdie-makers with more urgency.
Tom Kim is one of the most intriguing alternatives. In a tournament expected to reward aggressive scoring, Kim offers the streaky upside needed to pile up fantasy points quickly.
Kurt Kitayama also appears across several expert rosters, while Sungjae Im, Hideki Matsuyama and Maverick McNealy provide experienced options for players preserving their remaining Scheffler starts.
Jackson Suber might be the week’s boldest captain choice. He arrives after contending at The Open and still has plenty to play for in the FedExCup race. Form plus desperation can be a dangerous combination this late in the regular season.
The betting board carries similar “prove it now” energy.
Ben James is being backed for a top-20 finish at +210 after an impressive start to his PGA TOUR career and a close call at the Corales Puntacana. Jason Day is priced at +260 for a top 20 as he fights to improve his position near the top-70 playoff cutoff.
Sungjae Im at +400 for a top-10 finish also makes sense in a potential birdie fest. He’s coming off a strong Open showing and has already proven he can handle TPC Twin Cities.
The most entertaining wager may be the tournament winner making birdie on the 72nd hole at +138. The finishing hole is a reachable par 5, and two of the past three champions closed with a birdie.
This week isn’t about finding safe picks. It’s about deciding when to push every chip into the middle.
