The Power Fade: 2024 Valero Texas open
The Approach to fading big names for the 2024 Valero Texas open
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!
Fresh off the heels of Stephen Jaeger's first PGA TOUR win, we stay in Texas this week as we head to San Antonio.
TPC San Antonio plays as a Par 72 at 7,400 yards. With beefy Par 4's and only one Par 5 reachable in two by most of the field, we should see Strokes Gained OTT and Strokes Gained Approach play a major factor in who is victorious.
We are one stop away from a drive down Magnolia Lane, and with that being said let us see who are Power Fades will be for the Valero Texas Open!
Rory McIlroy ($12,300)
Our First Power Fade of the week is at the top of the board. Rory McIlroy, who classes this field at a lofty $12,300 on DraftKings makes for an interesting fade.
Why The Fade Works:
The oddsmakers have said that Rory is the favorite in this field. I am hard pressed to believe this. Rory has hardly looked like an 8/1 golfer let alone someone who should be 20/1.
When you look at the stats, Rory ranks 86th in SG Approach. This is shocking, even with Rory's average (Poor by his standards) results.
As mentioned in previous instances where McIlroy was the Power Fade, he has rounds where he simply cannot move himself up the leaderboard. At $12,300 on DraftKings, we cannot have these stuck in neutral rounds.
These stuck in neutral rounds might be a bit more tolerable if it wasn't for the fact that Rory has been abysmal in Bogey Avoidance. Ranking 63rd in Bogey Avoidance this week, Rory has a knack for finding himself a big number, and doing it at times where it really stifles his march up the leaderboard.
Furthermore, one would think that Rory's elite length off the tee would help him on the Par 5's. When you delve into the stats however, this is not the case. McIlroy ranks 42nd in Par 5 scoring this week.
Compare this to others in the 10K range (Hideki 6th, Aberg 11th) and I think the wise move is to eat the chalk and start our lineups down the board and fade Rory.
Harris English ($8,300)
Our second Power Fade of the week is a man who has been silently playing better but has now creeped out of the shadows. Harris English is Power Fade number two on the week at an $8,300 price tag on DraftKings.
Why The Fade Works:
When you delve into the stats on Harry English this week, you notice that his iron play is something that can hold him back. Ranking 66th in Strokes Gained Approach is concerning for someone who is starting to creep into potential chalk in the 8K range.
English is rather bland on the Par 5's coming into the week. Statistically he ranks 58th in Par 5 scoring, and this week we need guys who can score on the Par 5's.
If we need scoring on the Par 5's, we also need birdies all across the course as well. English's Birdie Average ranking comes in a timid 60th in this field. At $8,300 on DraftKings, we need scoring.
English could easily finish inside the Top 30, but not come inside the Top 40 of DraftKings scoring. Pivoting to players such as Adam Scott and Brian Harman at lesser ownership and better upside is the better play for Valero.
That's it folks for this week's edition of the Power Fade! We will be returning to you next week as we head to Augusta, for that special tournament in the first full week of April: The Masters.
Follow me on X @AllenKlutts and on Instagram @Allen_Klutts906
Until then Be Bold, Be Brave, and Let's Ride the Power Fade!
"As mentioned in previous instances where McIlroy was the Power Fade, he has rounds where he simply cannot move himself up the leaderboard. At $12,300 on DraftKings, we cannot have these stuck in neutral rounds."
— 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.