Fantasy : Fantasy Golf Preview: Pebble Beach National Pro-Am : Fantasy Golf Strategies

Pebble Beach National Pro-Am:

Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, Poppy Hills

Monterey, California

Defending Champ: Arron Oberholser

It was a tough week at the FBR Open for most fantasy golfers. Aaron Baddeley came out of the woodwork and took advantage of Jeff Quinney's colossal choke job to win the championship. It was nice to see Bubba Watson and Fred Funk put together some good rounds. Many of the players chosen in my league missed the cut and picking Funk and Watson made me high point man for the week. I'm basically to the point where I'm trying to pick guys who I think will make the cut. Not having your players around for the weekend is lethal and from the looks of the Yahoo rankings, many people struggled. Less than 5% picked Baddeley out of the "B" class.

This week...

I'll tell you who I'm not picking and his name is Phil Mickelson. He'll probably finally end up winning now that I'm taking a stand so keep that in mind. What a disappointment he has been. He makes Rex Grossman look precise. To miss the cut on a course he could play in his sleep has to leave Lefty questioning his game. The defending champion, Arron Oberholser, isn't even in the field and neither is Tiger. Looks like the makings for another tough week for the fantasy golf faithful.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This tournament is played on three different courses. Poppy Hills is traditionally the easiest of the three. Luke Donald and Phil Mickelson have both shot 62 at Spyglass Hill. If you have the freedom to change your lineup round by round, remember this and act accordingly.

MY PICKS...

"A" Players: With Mickelson struggling and Tiger sitting out, the "A" class has been diminished. Vijay Singh has been the most steady of the pack, making the cut in all four of his starts. Vijay finished in a tie for seventh last year at Pebble, as did Luke Donald who has been very strong the two times he has been in the field. He tied for second at the Sony Open and seventh at the Mercedes, but more importantly shot 62 last year at Spyglass Hill. Donald fluttered down the stretch though. Mike Weir did the same. He had three rounds in the 60's but shot a final round 78. In my eyes, its a toss-up between these three... Singh, Donald, and Weir.

Final "A" Picks: Mike Weir and Luke Donald

"B" Players: The "B" class has taken a big hit this week because of no shows. Charles Howell III, who has been on everyone's fantasy roster, isn't playing this week. Justin Rose has been a reliable start but he isn't playing either. John Rollins played very well at the FBR and is built like a barn and John Senden has made four cuts in four events...BUT, you guessed it, they won't be playing either. So who is playing? Aaron Baddeley is playing again, if you think he can duplicate the magic of last week. Charley Hoffman is playing and he won the Bob Hope a few weeks back. Charlie Wi and Chris Dimarco both played well last week. Other than that, its a crapshoot.

Final "B" Picks: Padraig Harrington, Charlie Wi, Ted Purdy, Bo Van Pelt

"C" Players: Two of the better "C" class members, Will Mackenzie and Trevor Immelman, have joined many others in opting out of this tournament. In their absence leaves a decision to make. I'd pick the "C Class King" Troy Matteson for sure. As for the other, you could go with Sony Open winner Paul Goydos. Dean Wilson and Brett Wetterich have been playing better every week. Hunter Mahan has made the cut in all three events he has entered.

Final "C" Picks: Troy Matteson and Dean Wilson

Good Luck!

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