Nate Underdog’s Team:
Rory Mcllroy ($11,100): McIlroy finished top-10 in five of seven events, and he’s comfortable at the Old Course. “Having played the Old Course numerous times, expect to see Rory feeling right at home hitting bombs and sinking putts,” analyst Vincent Pepe said.
X. Shauffele ($9,900): Schauffele is simply on fire with his game and has finally found a way to close the door on wins in consecutive starts. Schauffele posting several top finishes. In the 13 tournaments he has played on TOUR this year, he has missed just two cuts and only had one other finish outside of the top 20. All the other 10 have been finishes have been T18 or better, including four inside the top five and those two recent wins. Simply put he’s playing the best golf of his career.
Tony Finau ($8,400): Finau has finished within the top 30 of every British Open in which he’s competed. we know his style of play suits links golf well. Finau has always had the length off the tee but it’s his short-game form of late which has me confident.
Sam Power ($7,400): It’s hard to ignore what Power has done at the majors this year. Made every major cut and is coming off back-to-back top 20s at the PGA Championship and U.S. Open. At age 35, this is his first Open Championship during a stretch where he’s playing the best golf he’s ever played in his life. Kyle Porter referred to Power as the “best Irish golfer in the world right now.”
P. Harrington ($6,700): The 50-year-old, who won back-to-back Opens in 2007 and 2008 at Carnoustie and Birkdale respectively. “If I could win an Open at the home of golf – I won’t say I’d retire because I wouldn’t – but it is that sort of feeling that you’ve accomplished everything you could in Open golf, to win at the home of golf.” He has played well this year and I think he has 1 more run in him.
J. Kim ($6,500): Finished just two shots behind Schauffele at the Scottish Open. Playing on the Asian, European and PGA tours this season, Kim has racked up a number of strong finishes: 23rd at the U.S. Open, seven top-fives and a win in Singapore in January.
Frase’s Team
First and foremost, let me say I am a firm believer in Rory and Schauffele this tournament as well. That being said, let’s look at my team:
Jon Rahm ($10,800): For someone who destroyed it last year, he seems to be flying under the radar a little bit this year while still playing solid golf. His percent owned may be low, which bodes well.
T. Fleetwood ($8,600): Fairway Jesus playing links. That is all.
R. Macintyre ($7,800): After a disappointing cut miss last week in the Scottish Open I think the native Scotsman will be ready to right the ship.
Adam Scott ($7,700): This feels like a good price point for a savvy vet that has been here before. Playing some pretty good under the radar golf lately as well.
W. Simpson ($7,600): Just a nice reliable pick here of a guy that seems to find himself in the mix often. Good luck this weekend, Webb.
Tiger Woods ($7,500): That’s right I’m taking him. He’s been resting his body and training for this specific tournament. If the legs and the back hold up you know there’s no moment too big for the Tiger man.