Most-selected players: CIMB Classic

We’re only two weeks into 2017-18 but we may already have our runaway candidate for the season’s most shocking group decision. How Justin Thomas isn’t populating 100 percent of the rosters submitted for the CIMB Classic defies explanation. Sure, there’s the contrarian angle, but then there’s just flat-out foolishness. With no cut, only 78 golfers in the field, the imbalanced benefit of bonus points due to the absence of ShotLink and virtually zero chance of needing more than three starts in Segment 1 for any golfer, there isn’t a reason to at least stash the two-time defending champion on your bench. Elsewhere, you’ve tiptoed into scuffling Thomas Pieters, who slots 16th overall at 11.5 percent. That aversion is unlikely to last long, but he’ll be more valuable when all shots are measured, anyway. Remember, only the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open remains as a full-fantasy scoring event in Segment 1. PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO NOTE: Rob’s Rating refers to where our Fantasy Insider slotted a golfer in his Power Rankings (“PR”) and other preview material. Golfers in the Power Rankings and outside the top 10 in most owned Other notables PGA TOUR Fantasy One & Done presented by SERVPRO It would have been understandable if Justin Thomas didn’t pace the field of 78, but why mess with a sure thing? In fact, as loyal readers of this space have come to learn, chalk almost always leads ownership percentages regardless of common sense or strategic influence. Saying nothing of JT at the CIMB Classic (because he’s my selection), I’ve come to accept the phenomenon as circumstantial piece of evidence that not all gamers play in every event. Naturally, when you’re a sometimer, the most notable and potent options will get the love. However, take note of that devotion to Anirban Lahiri in second with 9.4 percent! That speaks to the crafty gamers who know that they’re guaranteed FedExCup points at TPC Kuala Lumpur where Lahiri placed T3 last year. He also finished T9 in his last individual competition (BMW Championship) and you’re not going to miss him in this format. Bravo.

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