Sports Betting

Amateurs in the Masters: Which Ones Can Shake Up Bets and DFS

Most bettors ignore amateurs until one cheap name makes the cut and flips a slate. This quick guide covers the six amateur invitees in the 2026 Masters, how they got in, and the smartest ways to use them in betting props and DFS.

Hogan Hogsworth

April 9, 2026

Every April, most bettors scan the board, see a few unknown amateurs in the masters field, and keep scrolling. That’s normal. An amateur isn’t supposed to win Augusta. The smart play is using them in the small, sneaky spots.

If you want the quick answer: Ethan Fang is the one I’d watch first. Brandon Holtz is the steadier cut-bet type. The rest are mostly price-and-salary darts.

This isn’t a hype piece. It’s a simple guide to top amateur props, make-or-miss cut bets, round matchups, and cheap lineup builds that let you pay up for studs. For the full menu, start with PGA Tour Golf: Masters Betting Guide 2026.

Why amateurs in the masters matter more than most bettors think

Most fans know the stars. They bet the favorites, sprinkle a longshot, and forget the bottom of the tee sheet. That’s where the amateur names live.

That blind spot shows up in side markets and DFS pricing. One amateur who makes the cut gives you four rounds of scoring and four rounds of chances to beat a fringe pro in matchups. And if books post a top amateur market, you’re basically betting a tiny six-man race, not a full Masters field.

Keep it simple: amateurs are not headline bets. But they can mess with ownership, create cheap lineup builds, and turn a boring weekend sweat into real value. You don’t need them in every bet. You just need the right one, at the right price.

Want better bets?‍Check out Shurzy’s Live Odds, Player Props, and Predictions for real-time insights and smarter wagering decisions.

The 2026 amateur class at a glance

Here are the six amateur invitees on the official 2026 Masters Tournament invitees list (qualified as of 4/2/2026): Mason Howell, Jackson Herrington, Ethan Fang, Brandon Holtz, Fifa Laopakdee, and Mateo Pulcini.

Mason Howell: U.S. Amateur champion.
Jackson Herrington: U.S. Amateur runner-up.
Ethan Fang: The Amateur Champion.
Brandon Holtz: U.S. Mid-Amateur champion.
Fifa Laopakdee: Asia-Pacific Amateur champion.
Mateo Pulcini: Latin America Amateur champion.

Those paths are straight from the Masters invitees PDF.

They’re only six names inside the bigger pool of 2026 masters players, but they’re a clean little group of masters qualified players for props, matchups, and DFS punts. Re-check the final field before lock in case anything changes.

The amateurs who can actually shake things up

Not all amateurs are equal. A few can help. A few are just fun lottery tickets.

Ethan Fang

Verdict: top overall amateur target. He’s here by winning The Amateur Championship, so the resume and upside are real. Best betting use: top amateur first, plus a tiny make-the-cut sprinkle if you like the number. Best DFS use: strongest cheap upside play when salary fits. Caution: don’t sell him as safe over four rounds at Augusta.

Brandon Holtz

Verdict: the safer betting-style amateur. As the U.S. Mid-Amateur champ, he screams steady more than flashy. That plays well in cut bets. Best betting use: small make-the-cut sprinkle or a round matchup look against a fringe pro. Best DFS use: deeper-field punt only if the salary is truly low. Caution: you’re buying survival, not fireworks.

Fifa Laopakdee

Verdict: the sneaky low-owned DFS flyer. He qualified by winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur, and casual players may skip the name. Best betting use: longshot top amateur look if the price is big. Best DFS use: tournament-only dart throw to be different. If he makes the cut, you’ll feel like a genius. Caution: keep it hopeful, not overconfident.

Mateo Pulcini

Verdict: underrated deep sleeper with more betting juice than DFS safety. He got in via the Latin America Amateur, so he’s already won a win-and-you’re-in week. Best betting use: top amateur or make-the-cut stab if the number is big enough. Best DFS use: last-man-in value only. He’s a sprinkle, not a build-around. Caution: don’t treat him like a must-play.

Mason Howell

Verdict: boom-or-bust talent play. As the current U.S. Amateur champion, he’s got real upside, but talent is not the same as safety at Augusta. Best betting use: tiny exposure only if the price is huge. Best DFS use: pure ceiling dart in big-field contests. He’s fun when you’re chasing chaos. Caution: be ready for a missed cut.

Jackson Herrington

Verdict: deepest punt in the group. He’s in as the U.S. Amateur runner-up, which is cool, but the jump to Masters pressure is real. Best betting use: mostly pass unless a top amateur or matchup number pops. Best DFS use: salary saver only. If he’s not cheap, move on.

Shurzy Tip: One cheap amateur making the cut can matter way more than one cute outright ticket.

Best betting markets for amateurs in the Masters

If you want to bet this group, keep it boring. The edge is in the mini-markets, not in calling your shot on a miracle win. If books offer these options, here’s the order I check first:

Top amateur (if offered): Cleanest bet because it’s basically a six-man race.
Make/miss the cut: Simple yes/no sweat, and the price can be fair.
Round 1 or 72-hole matchups: Look for weak fringe pros, not stars.
Finishing position darts: Only if the number is truly big.
Outright winner: Fun bucket only. Keep it tiny.

When you shop masters full field odds, don’t stop at the favorites. And yes, masters upset picks are fun to talk about, but amateurs are better used as props than as outright winner tickets. Best use: amateurs are side-angle bets, not main-card bets.

How to use amateurs in DFS without wrecking your lineup

Amateurs are mostly tournament darts, not safe cash-game anchors. One amateur in a lineup is usually enough. Two amateurs in one build is only for readers chasing chaos and trying to be different.

Shurzy Tip: If an amateur lets you jam in two Augusta studs, now we’re talking.

What can change before Thursday

This article needs a final check right before publish. Watch field status, withdrawals, tee times, and DFS salaries. Late news matters more with cheap players, because one small pricing change can swing a lineup build. If you’re still learning how players qualify for the masters, this is where it bites. And if you’re asking is the masters field set, the honest answer is not yet until the final tee sheet posts.