Underdog Fantasy PGA Best Ball $500K Albatross Expert Survey
Underdog Fantasy is hosting an incredible PGA Best Ball tournament that consists of all four majors. It begins with the Masters in April and ends with the Open Championship in July. In this article, our panel of experts will give some strategy advice and provide some of their favorite picks.
Underdog Fantasy PGA Best Ball Albatross Expert Survey
What is your general strategy for Underdog Fantasy’s $500K Albatross?
Notorious: First of all, I love the idea of this contest. Anytime we can get more sweats for the majors, count me in. The setup of the contest is unique in that every round is different. Round 1 has 6-person groups (top two advance), Round 2 has 10-person groups (top one advances), Round 3 has 6-person groups (top one advances), and Round 4 is a 310-person group. The goal is to make it to Round 4, but we can’t get there unless we advance from Round 1. The simple answer here is to focus on the golfers who play the best at Augusta National. That said, I would also do some research to make sure who already has spots locked up in the other majors. There might be a handful of players in the Masters field that haven’t had their ticket punched to the PGA Championship yet. I’ll also note that you draft 10 golfers, and only the top 6 count toward your score. The scoring system is weighted heavily toward scoring (birdies and eagles), so I much prefer chasing upside rather than safety when it comes to individual golfers.
STLCardinals84: This tournament runs through the four majors of the year, with the field getting whittled down incrementally after each major. Given that the last three majors are useless if you don’t get past the first one, it is imperative to focus on players who tend to play well at Augusta National for the Masters. I’ll also lean on golfers who tend to have good overall results in major championships.
Jbails26: The Masters is the first tournament up for Round 1 of the Albatross on Underdog. My primary focus when drafting is drafting golfers who I think will do well for this specific tournament. I like this strategy because nothing else really matters if you can’t advance out of the first round. That’s not the only thing I am paying attention to, though. I also want to make sure my golfers are qualified for as many majors as possible. For example, you could draft someone who is qualified for the Masters, but they’re not qualified for some (or any) of the other three majors. If you advance out of the first round, drafting guys who aren’t qualified elsewhere will already put you at a disadvantage for the upcoming majors.
Which golfer is your favorite early-round pick?
Notorious: I hear Scottie Scheffler is pretty good at golf. Even when he loses 5 strokes putting, he tends to finish in the top 10 at majors. I think Jon Rahm is interesting as well. I could see him dropping a spot or two in drafts after joining LIV.
STLCardinals84: If you get the first pick, you’re taking Scottie Scheffler. In the middle to later picks, I like Viktor Hovland.
Jbails26: Similar to STL, I am taking Scottie Scheffler if I am picking No. 1. Otherwise, Xander Schaeuffele if he’s still available in my slot.
Which golfer is your favorite late-round pick?
Notorious: Adam Scott
STLCardinals84: Erik Van Rooyen
Jbails26: Cam Davis
Which golfer are you avoiding in the first two rounds?
Notorious: Max Homa
STLCardinals84: Jon Rahm
Jbails26: Jon Rahm
Which golfer are you most comfortable reaching for?
Notorious: Justin Thomas
STLCardinals84: Will Zalatoris
Jbails26: Hideki Matsuyama
Predict the top three finishers of the Masters
Notorious: 1. Thomas 2. Scheffler 3. Rahm
STLCardinals84: 1. Hovland 2. Scheffler 3. Spieth
Jbails26: 1. Scheffler 2. Schauffele 3. Cantlay
Predict the top three finishers of the PGA Championship
Notorious: 1. Hovland 2. Rahm 3. Scott
STLCardinals84: 1. McIlroy 2. Aberg 3. Morikawa
Jbails26: 1. Hovland 2. Conners 3. Aberg
Predict the top three finishers of the U.S. Open
Notorious: 1. Scheffler 2. Koepka 3. McIlroy
STLCardinals84: 1. Scheffler 2. Morikawa 3. Thomas
Jbails26: 1. McIlroy 2. Fleetwood 3. Morikawa
Predict the top three finishers of the Open Championship
Notorious: 1. Smith 2. McIlroy 3. Fitzpatrick
STLCardinals84:: 1. Rahm 2. Cantlay 3. Schauffele
Jbails26: 1. Spieth 2. Cantlay 3. Hovland
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