Golf One and Done Picks: 2026 Season-Long Strategy & Advice

Golf One and Done Picks: Building a Winning Season

Every golf season, thousands of fantasy players search for the best golf one and done picks, hoping to gain an edge in one of the most challenging fantasy formats. Unlike traditional fantasy golf, One & Done forces you to think long-term — balancing weekly upside with season-long planning.

That’s what makes One & Done so compelling. You’re not just picking who wins this week. You’re deciding when to use elite players, when to pivot to value options, and how to manage risk across majors, elevated events, and weaker fields.

Splash Sports offers One & Done contests built for skill-based competition, where strategy matters just as much as golf knowledge. Whether you’re playing against friends or entering a large public contest, making sharp one and done golf picks for 2026 is the key to staying competitive all season.

Let’s break down how to approach season-long picks, weekly decisions, and winning strategy.

Contests to Join for Golf One and Done 2026

Before locking in your picks, it’s important to choose the right contest. Splash Sports offers multiple One & Done options designed for different play styles — from high-stakes grinders to season-long casual players.

RickRunGood x Splash $1.25M One & Done World Championship - A $250 entry contest featuring $1,250,100 in guaranteed prizes, highlighted by a massive $100,080 first-place payout, $64,500 for second, and $25,000 for third. Players select one golfer for each tournament throughout the season, earning points based on Dollar Winnings, with no golfer allowed to be used more than once. The contest spans six segments and supports up to 25 entries, giving players multiple ways to take a swing at the biggest prize pool in Splash golf.

Splash $10K PGA O&D - A $100 entry contest offering $10,080 in guaranteed prizes, ideal for players wanting a season-long contest at a lighter entry fee. Top payouts include $3,024 for first, $2,016 for second, and $1,512 for third. Standard golf One & Done rules apply: one golfer per tournament, no repeats, and up to 3 entries per player.

One and Done Golf Picks: Full-Season Planner (Updated Weekly)

Planning ahead is one of the biggest edges in golf one and done picks 2026. Even if most selections remain flexible early, having a season-long framework helps you avoid burning elite golfers too soon and positions you to peak at the biggest events.

Below is a full-season One & Done golf strategy. We’re locking in a pick for the opening event and leaving the rest TBD, with updates coming as the season progresses.

1. Sony Open in Hawaii (Jan. 15–18)

Course: Waialae Country Club
Purse: $8,700,000
Defending Champion: Nick Taylor ($1,566,000 winner’s share)

One and Done Golf Pick: Hideki Matsuyama

Matsuyama has a strong history of starting seasons fast and has consistently played well at Waialae, including multiple top finishes and a past win. His elite ball-striking and comfort on this course make him a strong early-season play without sacrificing flexibility for majors later in the year.

For more on why this pick makes sense, check out our Sony One and Done Picks.

2. The American Express (Jan. 22–25)

Course: PGA West (Stadium & Nicklaus), La Quinta Country Club
Purse: $8,800,000
Defending Champion: Sepp Straka ($1,584,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: Patrick Cantlay

When narrowing down the best golf One and Done picks for The American Express, Patrick Cantlay stands out as a high-floor, high-upside option perfectly suited for desert golf and multi-course scoring environments.

Cantlay thrives on shorter desert setups where precision iron play and scoring opportunities are abundant, making him a natural fit for PGA West and La Quinta. A Southern California native, he has consistently performed well during the West Coast swing and on birdie-friendly courses. Using Cantlay here provides a high floor with legitimate win equity while preserving elite, mega-purse options for majors and Signature Events later in the season.

Among all American Express One and Done picks, Cantlay offers one of the safest paths to a top finish while still maintaining legitimate win equity — making him an ideal early-season selection in both small and large pools.

3. Farmers Insurance Open (Jan. 29–Feb. 1)

Course: Torrey Pines (South & North Courses)
Purse: $9,300,000
Defending Champion: Harris English ($1,674,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: Max Homa

Homa has repeatedly proven he can handle the demands of Torrey Pines for the Farmer's Insurance Open picks, with multiple elite finishes at the venue including a signature victory. His comfort on Poa annua greens and ability to consistently strike long irons give him a clear edge on a course that rewards experience and patience. Using Homa here offers strong win equity while allowing players to preserve ultra-elite options for majors and Signature Events later in the season.

4. WM Phoenix Open (Feb. 5–8)

Course: TPC Scottsdale (Stadium)
Purse: $9,600,000
Defending Champion: Thomas Detry ($1,656,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: Xander Schauffele

Schauffele has consistently put himself in contention at TPC Scottsdale, using his balanced tee-to-green game and strong par-4 scoring to thrive on the Stadium Course. He is one of the most pressure-proof players on Tour, a major advantage in the high-energy environment of the WM Phoenix Open. Deploying Schauffele for WM Phoenix Open Picks here captures legitimate win equity while preserving elite options for majors and Signature Events later in the season.

5. AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (Feb. 12–15)

Course: Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill & Monterey Peninsula CC
Purse: $20,000,000
Defending Champion: Rory McIlroy ($3,600,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: Rory McIlroy

McIlroy enters as the defending champion and has shown consistent comfort and control on Pebble Beach’s coastal layout. His improved trajectory management and shot-shaping give him a clear edge on a course where precision matters as much as power. With a $20 million purse and a limited Signature Event field, using McIlroy for AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am one and done picks maximizes elite win equity while capitalizing on one of the highest-value spots of the season.

6. The Genesis Invitational (Feb. 19–22)

Course: Riviera Country Club
Purse: $20,000,000
Defending Champion: Ludvig Åberg ($4,000,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: TBD

7. Mexico Open at Vidanta (Feb. 26–Mar. 1)

Course: Vidanta Vallarta
Purse: $7,000,000
Defending Champion: Brian Campbell ($1,260,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: TBD

8. Cognizant Classic (Mar. 5–8)

Course: PGA National Resort (Champion)
Purse: $9,200,000
Defending Champion: Joe Highsmith ($1,656,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: TBD

9. Arnold Palmer Invitational (Mar. 12–15)

Course: Bay Hill Club & Lodge
Purse: $20,000,000
Defending Champion: Russell Henley ($4,000,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: TBD

10. THE PLAYERS Championship (Mar. 19–22)

Course: TPC Sawgrass (Stadium)
Purse: $25,000,000
Defending Champion: Rory McIlroy ($4,500,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: TBD

11. Valspar Championship (Mar. 26–29)

Course: Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead)
Purse: $8,700,000
Defending Champion: Viktor Hovland ($1,566,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: TBD

12. Texas Children’s Houston Open (Apr. 2–5)

Course: Memorial Park GC
Purse: $9,500,000
Defending Champion: Min Woo Lee ($1,710,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: TBD

13. Valero Texas Open (Apr. 9–12)

Course: TPC San Antonio (Oaks)
Purse: $9,500,000
Defending Champion: Brian Harman ($1,710,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: TBD

14. Masters Tournament (Apr. 16–19)

Course: Augusta National Golf Club
Purse: $21,000,000
Defending Champion: Rory McIlroy ($4,200,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: TBD

15. RBC Heritage (Apr. 23–26)

Course: Harbour Town Golf Links
Purse: $20,000,000
Defending Champion: Justin Thomas ($3,600,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: TBD

16. Zurich Classic of New Orleans (Apr. 30–May 3)

Course: TPC Louisiana
Purse: $9,200,000
Defending Champion: Andrew Novak & Ben Griffin ($1,329,400)

One and Done Golf Pick: TBD

17. THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson (May 7–10)

Course: TPC Craig Ranch
Purse: $9,900,000
Defending Champion: Scottie Scheffler ($1,782,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: TBD

18. Truist Championship (May 14–17)

Course: The Philadelphia Cricket Club (Wissahickon)
Purse: $20,000,000
Defending Champion: Sepp Straka ($3,600,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: TBD

19. PGA Championship (May 21–24)

Course: Quail Hollow Club
Purse: $19,000,000
Defending Champion: Scottie Scheffler ($3,420,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: TBD

20. Charles Schwab Challenge (May 28–31)

Course: Colonial CC
Purse: $9,500,000
Defending Champion: Ben Griffin ($1,710,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: TBD

21. The Memorial Tournament (Jun. 4–7)

Course: Muirfield Village GC
Purse: $20,000,000
Defending Champion: Scottie Scheffler ($4,000,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: TBD

22. RBC Canadian Open (Jun. 11–14)

Course: TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley
Purse: $9,800,000
Defending Champion: Ryan Fox ($1,764,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: TBD

23. U.S. Open (Jun. 18–21)

Course: Oakmont Country Club
Purse: $21,500,000
Defending Champion: J. J. Spaun ($4,300,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: TBD

24. U.S. Jude Championship (Jun. 25–28)

Course: (fall event overlap)
Purse: $7,000,000
Defending Champion: Sami Valimaki ($1,260,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: TBD

25. TOUR Championship (Aug. 20–23)

Course: East Lake Golf Club
Purse: $40,000,000
Defending Champion: Tommy Fleetwood ($10,000,000)

One and Done Golf Pick: TBD

One and Done Golf Picks This Week: Weekly Decision-Making

When searching for one and done golf picks this week, it’s tempting to simply choose the odds-on favorite. But that approach ignores the most important question:

Will I need this golfer later?

Each weekly decision should factor in:

• Field strength
• Course fit
• Purse size
• Ownership trends in your contest
• Future tournament value

Some weeks call for safety. Others reward aggression. Understanding which weeks deserve your best assets separates winning players from average ones.

Managing Multiple One and Done Entries

If you’re entering multiple contests on Splash Sports, your approach should change.

Instead of duplicating picks:

• Spread elite golfers across entries
• Mix safe and aggressive strategies
• Use different golfers in the same tournament

This diversification increases your chances of having at least one lineup positioned to win as the season unfolds.

Final Thoughts: Golf One and Done Picks

If you’re searching for golf one and done picks, you’re already thinking like a serious fantasy player. The key to long-term success isn’t just picking winners — it’s knowing when to use them.

By combining weekly research with season-long planning, you give yourself a real edge in any One & Done contest. You should also check out new features coming to golf one and done in 2026.

This page will continue to serve as a hub for one and done golf picks this week, strategy insights, and season-long advice — helping you stay competitive from the opening tournament through the final major on Splash Sports.