Sia Nejad said he prefers Shane Lowry to Russell Henley in the $10k range for the Cognizant Classic, praising Lowry’s strong ball striking and favorable course history. Sia acknowledged that certain European Tour metrics might not fully translate, yet he still trusts Lowry’s consistency off the tee, especially compared to Henley’s recent struggles in that category. With many DFS builds likely starting in the 9k range this week, Sia believes Lowry remains a standout high-salary option with strong upside.

Sia Nejad emphasized Daniel Berger’s appeal in the 9k range, highlighting his all-around gains in the key strokes-gained categories. Nejad noted that Berger’s consistent ball striking and Florida roots position him well for strong play at the Cognizant Classic. Sia added that Berger’s ability to rack up birdies while avoiding big numbers is especially valuable on a difficult course set-up, suggesting he could vie for a title in this field.

Sia Nejad touted Sepp Straka’s strong profile in ball striking and overall consistency as a reason to include him in DFS lineups for the Cognizant Classic. Nejad pointed out that Straka is gaining off the tee and on approach, has respectable around-the-green play, and can close events out under pressure. In a challenging tournament setup, Sia believes those well-rounded skills give Straka real upside at an attainable salary.

Sia Nejad labeled Denny McCarthy a potential winner at the Cognizant Classic, underscoring broad improvements in McCarthy’s ball striking and a reliably elite short game. While long-iron play remains a modest question, Nejad pointed to McCarthy’s gains on approach in three of his last four starts and believes he has the profile to thrive on a tougher layout. Sia sees McCarthy as an under-the-radar DFS option with true upside.

Sia Nejad said he likes Denny McCarthy quite a bit for $9,300 in DFS, pointing to McCarthy's recent form that includes a T5 at the Genesis Invitational and T16 finishes at both the Waste Management Phoenix Open and the Sony Open. Nejad emphasized that McCarthy’s solid approach play and strong short game should flourish on a course where distance off the tee is less critical. He added that the weaker field also justifies paying the elevated price, despite the potential risk in switching to a new putting surface.

Sia Nejad recommended looking at Keith Mitchell in DFS lineups if his ownership is projected to be low. Nejad highlighted Mitchell’s strong course history—he won here in 2019 and has posted back-to-back top-10 finishes more recently. He also noted Mitchell’s steady ball striking and passable putting, emphasizing that a lower-owned Mitchell could create a valuable contrarian upside in tournaments.

Sia Nejad identified Kurt Kitayama as a lower-owned DFS pivot, especially after Kitayama’s recent run of disappointing results that has burned many bettors. Nejad pointed out that Kitayama’s ball striking remains strong, and he placed third here on his previous visit. He also noted a large drop in salary from $10,200 to $8,300, which creates value for those willing to take a chance on the bounce-back potential.

Sia Nejad endorsed Nicolai Hojgaard at $7,400, calling him a superior talent compared to similarly priced golfers. While acknowledging potential accuracy off the tee and short game concerns, Nejad pointed to Hojgaard’s strong overall form. He believes that the upside justifies any risks, making Hojgaard a worthwhile DFS option.

Sia Nejad highlighted Ryan Gerard as a strong DFS pick, pointing to his T4 finish at the 2023 Honda Classic and a string of top-20 results. Nejad praised Gerard’s ball striking and noted that his putter has been hot since November. He expects Gerard’s recent consistency to continue, providing a high-floor, high-upside option in this salary range.

Sia Nejad said Jacob Bridgeman is a potential DFS flier at $7,000. He highlighted Bridgeman’s elite middle-to-long iron play and strong Bermuda putting as key reasons for potential success, even though he acknowledged the possibility of a missed cut. Nejad believes Bridgeman’s ball-striking upside outweighs the risk in a weaker field for the Cognizant Classic.

Sia Nejad said Lee Hodges is underpriced at $7,400, given his excellent ball-striking and a putter that can heat up quickly. Nejad noted Hodges has shown the ability to win, referencing his success at the 3M Open and strong showings at events like the Farmers, RSM, and Sony. He believes Hodges’ form makes him a great DFS option.

Sia Nejad said Adam Svensson could be a strong DFS pick at $6,900, despite a recent cold streak with the putter. Nejad emphasized Svensson’s continued ball-striking and medium-to-long iron strength, noting the Canadian’s overall talent might be undervalued in this field. The proximity to his home base in Palm Beach Gardens could also be an advantage.