2021 BMW Championship Fantasy golf rankings, picks: Back Jon Rahm, fade Dustin Johnson in FedEx Cup Playoffs

Fans are hoping for another epic battle as the 2021 FedEx Cup Playoffs continue with the 2021 BMW Championship, which tees off Thursday at Caves Valley Golf Club. The event at Olympia Fields last season ended in dramatic fashion, with Jon Rahm winning with a 66-foot putt to beat Dustin Johnson on the first extra hole. Johnson had forced the playoff on the previous hole with a snaking 43-foot putt and went on to win the FedEx Cup crown. Rahm comes in off a third-place finish at the Northern Trust, but it was an event he dominated most of the way and he will be seeking redemption — and a FedEx title of his own.      

Rahm has been dominant all season, and the world’s No. 1 player is the 13-2 favorite in the latest 2021 BMW Championship odds from Caesars Sportsbook. The 2021 BMW Championship field also features Olympic gold medalist Xander Schauffele (18-1) and former FedEx champions Johnson (20-1), Justin Thomas (20-1), Jordan Spieth (20-1) and Rory McIlroy (28-1). Will perennial contender Schauffele finally get another tour victory and provide a strong foundation for your 2021 BMW Championship Fantasy golf picks? Or can McIlroy find some magic in a tough season and put you in a strong position to win? Before setting any Fantasy golf lineups, or betting the 2021 BMW Championship, be sure to see the Fantasy golf rankings from PGA expert Riley Gates.

Gates is a writer for 247Sports and has covered a range of sports for nearly five years. He has followed golf closely for much longer and has a profound knowledge of the sport. He also knows what it takes to win, on the course and in Fantasy sports.    

Now, Gates has revealed his top 20 players for the BMW Championship 2021. Be sure to head over to SportsLine so you can cash in big with your Fantasy golf picks. 

2021 BMW Championship Fantasy golf picks

Rahm has been the best player on tour all season, and Gates sees no reason to keep him out of your picks this week. He should be even more hungry after losing his lead in Jersey City, and the FedEx Cup crown would be a great cap for his amazing run. Monday’s finish was his third straight in the top five, and he has 13 in the top 10 this season. He sits second in the FedEx Cup standings and will want to grab the edge heading to East Lake, and he certainly has the skill to do it. He leads the tour in scoring average (69.335) and is second in greens in regulation (71.98 percent).  

On the other hand, Gates isn’t expecting a lot from Johnson at Caves Valley. The second-ranked player in the world has been off his game since his Masters win in November. He has four top-10 finishes in 16 events since then and hasn’t really been in contention, with a T-8 at the Open Championship his best. The 37-year-old was almost unbeatable at the end of last season, and he shows those flashes, but he has failed to break par in two of the past three events. That includes the Northern Trust, where he hit just 57 percent of his greens in regulation, well below his 66.5 percent for the season, which ranks 81st on tour.

How to set your 2021 BMW Championship Fantasy golf lineups

For this week’s FedEx Cup Playoffs event, has unearthed a massive long shot who comes in at well over 100-1. This veteran has quietly posted a couple of top-fives this season, including a major, and comes in off consecutive strong finishes. Be sure to see who it is and check out the picks before you enter any Fantasy golf picks.

Who wins the BMW Championship 2021? Who are the top players to target? And which overlooked players can help you win your league this week? Visit SportsLine now to get Riley Gates’ Fantasy golf rankings, all from the Fantasy golf expert with his finger on the pulse of the game, and find out.