Fantasy Focus: Bubba Watson Makes Trip to Shenzhen

The GM Fantasy Tipster picks who to have for Fantasy Golf week 3

It's the third week of Fantasy Golf - World number 4 Bubba Watson plays in China whilst TPC San Antonio hosts the Valero Texas Open on the PGA Tour.

Bubba Watson makes his first start since The Masters this week in China at the Shenzhen International on the European Tour in the event's second playing.

Kiradech Aphibarnat took the title last year after defeating Chinese teenager Li Hao-Tong in a play-off for his second European Tour victory.

This week on the PGA Tour its the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio.

Last year, Jimmy Walker won by four strokes from Jordan Spieth.

Branden Grace goes into the event as one of the favourites after his win at the RBC Heritage so you may want him as your African player.

Other favourites include defending champion Jimmy Walker and Scottsdale-native Patrick Reed.

GM Fantasy Tipster's picks for Fantasy Golf week 3

USA 1: Bubba Watson - Shenzhen International

Bubba will be by-far the highest ranked player in the field this week at the Shenzhen International. He won the Northern Trust Open in February and followed it up with a 2nd place finish at the WGC-Cadillac Championship.

 

USA 2: Patrick Reed - Valero Texas Open

Patrick Reed

The world number 13 is from San Antonio so will feel at home on the TPC course. His form is good with five top 10 finishes in 2016 already.

 

GB: Luke Donald - Valero Texas Open

Luke Donald

Donald finished T2nd at the RBC Heritage and looks back close to his best after a disappointing week watching The Masters from his 'couch' as the adopted American calls it.

Ireland: Paul Dunne

Dunne finished T16th at Valderrama last week and is yet to miss a cut on the European Tour.

 

Scandinavia: Soren Kjeldsen - Shenzhen International

Soren had a good week at Valderrama, finishing T4th but he took himself out of the tournament with a six-over-par round of 77 on day 2. He also finished T7th at The Masters so is continuing his good form.

 

Rest of Europe: Joost Luiten - Shenzhen International

Joost came second in last week's Open de Espana won by Andrew Johnston.  Luiten finished in 2nd place, one shot shy of the Englishman and parred the par-5 17th when a birdie would have got him into a play-off.

 

Asia: Kiradech Aphibarnrat - Shenzhen International

Kiradech Aphibarnrat Shenzhen International

The defending champion has had a positive start to 2016

 

Africa: Branden Grace - Valero Texas Open

Branden Grace wins RBC Heritage

Last week's RBC Heritage winner Branden Grace is the man in-form and he will be trying to become the third back-to-back winner on tour this year after Adam Scott and Jason Day.

 

Australasia: Scott Hend

Scott Hend wins True Thailand Classic

Scott Hend won the True Thailand Classic last month. Could he make it two wins in Asia in as many months? He also won in Asia in 2014 at the Hong Kong Open.

 

Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV