The Power Fade 2024 pga Championship
The Approach to fading big names for the 2024 PGA Championship
What’s going on TJ Nation! Ann Arbor's Own Good Ol' AK Allen Klutts here bringing you another edition of the Power Fade: The Fades 8K and Above You Need to Smash Your DraftKings GPP's!
Rory McIlroy's pure dominance at Quail Hollow continued last week, and showed why he has the talent only a few athletes on earth have. Did we have Rory as a Power Fade? Yes we did, but that will happen from time to time. Max Homa back-doored his way into the Top 10 giving the PF a poor performance. We will get back on the horse and ride into battle for the PGA Championship.
It is time. Our second major of the season is upon us as the world's best descend on the bluegrass state and Valhalla Golf Club.
Valhalla G.C., a daunting Par 71 at roughly 7,600 yards will be a true test of golf. A Jack Nicklaus designed golf course, Valhalla has seen some changes since Rory McIlroy conquered in 2014. New tee boxes and a switch to Zoysia grass await the players in what is sure to be a great major championship.
Weather should play a huge factor this week as rain is scheduled to hit the greater Louisville area. Should this rain come to fruition, it will make Valhalla play even longer then the 7,600 yards on the card. This will put an emphasis on bombers and driving distance and the key range of approach over 200 yards. Winning scores this week should hover between -10 to -12 in soft conditions.
As we take the field of battle at Valhalla, let us take a look at who will not be hoisting the Wannamaker Trophy on Sunday Evening. Bring on the Power Fades!
Scottie Scheffler ($13,200)
Our First Power Fade of the week is as risky as it gets. Scottie Scheffler, the Masters Champion and new father who comes in at $13,200 makes a rare Power Fade appearance.
Why The Fade Works:
We will get into the humanistic side of this fade shortly, but there are some stats that incredibly lend itself to fading Scottie at over 13K on DraftKings.
Looking at the stats, Scottie surprisingly comes in ranked 55th in Greens in Regulation over 200 yards. Greens in Regulation will be key this week, and compared to his counter parts in the upper 10K range he is actually last. Brooks, Xander, Rory and Rahm rank better than Scottie.
On a course that will put a premium on Driving Distance, Scottie is also last among the upper 10K range. With ranks of 47th in Driving Distance, and 49th in Ball Speed, we have to nitpick somewhere if we are to make a bold fade.
From the humanistic side of things, there is no way Scottie is completely focused on golf. Many will say, "AK these players are a special breed and have the resources to take care of real life matters".
Scottie Scheffler is a different breed, considering he was ready to WD from the Masters should his wife go into labor.
Those of us that have children remember how much of a blur those first few days with a newborn can be. Scheffler is the most relatable golfer to us "normals". At some point a let down has to happen, and in a major we get high variance/ high leverage opportunities. Is it risky, yes, but we have to take bold stances in a Major Championship.
Justin Thomas ($9,300)
Our second Power Fade of the week is another major champion, and a man who has won the Wannamaker Trophy twice. Justin Thomas is our second Power Fade of the week at $9,400.
Why The Fade Works:
Justin Thomas has been a mystery wrapped in an enigma this season. JT, a noted good long iron player, has been atrocious from the key range of over 200 yards this season. Ranking 81st in Approach from over 200 yards and 90th in GIR over 200 yards gives us pause to playing JT on a course where iron play will be key.
Thomas also has struggled with scrambling this season, ranking 69th and 67th in Bogey Avoidance.
That's it folks for this week's edition of the Power Fade! We will be returning to you next week for the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial!
Follow me on X @AllenKlutts and on Instagram @Allen_Klutts906
Until then Be Bold, Be Brave, and Let's Ride the Power Fade!
"Those of us that have children remember how much of a blur those first few days with a newborn can be. Scheffler is the most relatable golfer to us "normals". At some point a let down has to happen, and in a major we get high variance/ high leverage opportunities. Is it risky, yes, but we have to take bold stances in a Major Championship."
— AK
Meet the Author:
Allen Klutts
A long time Tour Junkies fan and Nut Hut Member, Allen has always been an enthusiastic PGA DFS player and is looking to bring that passion to his writing. A frequent participant on the Wednesday Night Live Stage Chat, who DB once compared to Norm from the TV show "Cheers" for always kicking off the live stage segment, Allen lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with his wife and two year old son.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and commentary in this post belong to its author and do not necessarily represent the Tour Junkies as a whole.