2023 Honda Classic DFS Picks & Core Plays: Jhonattan Vegas Has Value

The PGA Tour heads to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida this week for the 2023 Honda Classic, a tournament that features one of the weakest fields on the schedule this year. However, with a challenging course in play, there will be plenty of opportunities for DFS players to find value.

In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at four players who we believe have the potential to outperform their price tags and make a big impact in your DFS lineups this week. Last week, four of our five recommended plays made the cut, with two finishing in the top 20. Let’s continue that momentum this week.

Sungjae Im is the clear top player in this field, but you didn’t come to read about him. We will look past Im to focus on the players who are undervalued and have the potential to make a big impact in your lineups this week. Keep an especially close eye on ownership, as this course is one of the most difficult these guys will play all year. With water in play on 15 of 18 holes, it’s important to make hard stands on guys you believe are going to be over-owned.

Top 2023 Honda Classic DFS Picks & Plays

Aaron Wise – $9,200

Wise has had a rough start to 2023, missing the cut in two of his three starts. However, when we dig a little deeper, there are signs he is playing better than his finishes suggest. He missed the cut by just a single shot at the WM Phoenix Open in Phoenix and only two shots at the American Express in January. He broke even in strokes gained tee to green in those weeks, which provides some optimism heading into Honda, where he has made three cuts in four career starts. Wise ranks fifth in bogey avoidance, 22nd in strokes gained on approach and 11th in birdie or better percentage in this field over the last 50 rounds. Wise has one of the highest ceilings in the field, according to Stokastic’s Top Golfers Tool.

Jhonattan Vegas – $8,600

Vegas has been playing some excellent golf lately, making the cut in each of his last three starts and gaining 19 strokes tee to green on the field. Unfortunately, his dismal putting has led to mediocre finishes, losing 12.2 strokes putting on the field in those events. This week, however, it is back on Bermuda putting surfaces, which is Vegas’s preferred surface. In 10 career starts at the Honda Classic, Vegas has made nine cuts and has three top-16 finishes, including a fourth in 2017. He should be in the mix through the weekend, with a great chance to pay off his price tag.

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Stephen Jaegar – $7,700

Jaegar projects as one of the best value plays on the entire board this week. He has made 13 out of his last 15 cuts, with two top-10 finishes. His entire game is centered around avoiding the big numbers, ranking 18th in bogey avoidance over his last 50 rounds. Combine that with his 24th-ranked birdie or better percentage over that same time frame, and he makes him an intriguing option on a course littered with water hazards and strategically placed bunkers that usually have an over-par cutline.

Historically, hitting the greens at PGA National is about 10% harder than the average PGA course, making around-the-green play a key to success. Jaegar ranks fourth in strokes gained around the green over the last 50 rounds and second over the last 100 rounds. While it is unclear if he has the upside to win this week, a top-20 finish remains a possibility.

Aaron Rai – $7,700

PGA National presents a difficult test, with water hazards and sand traps lurking with every tee shot. Keeping the ball in play will be a major factor for who succeeds and who fails. Look no further than Rai, who is first in this field in fairways gained over both his last 24 and 50 rounds. He is also 24th in strokes gained on approach and 16th in strokes gained around the green over his last 50 rounds.

He is a safe option in this price range, having made 14 of his last 17 cuts. His weakness is easier tracks that turn into birdie fests. That’s not the case this week, making it a tournament where Rai can shine.