Here we go then, the first Major of the year, The Masters, probably one of the most iconic course on the Tour, and one that every player just dreams about winning i would say, outside our Open of course...!! I always find with this tournament that you need proven CD players, those who can score low on multiple rounds, and avoid putting up a big number on some of these holes and rounds. Sounds easy, but some players do take to the course, as they say, it suits their eye. I found a web site that showed some stats to narrow down your selection and Scottie Scheffler suits every one of those stats bar the one of winning it back-2-back, ole Tiger the last back in 2001 & 02, Faldo before him in '89 & '90. So i have gone with a few of them who over the past 3 seasons have scored well at the course and are at a decent price, though one of them might get booed if he wins it...!! Sung-Jae Im @ 33/1 Has good form round here, runner up 3 years ago, shooting -15 under, still some 5 shots back from the winner Dustin Johnson. The reason for the low scoring was that it was played in November due to Covid, and the greens played soft. Last year, after the 2nd round was completed, he was in 2nd place on the leader board but Scottie had already flown the nest and held a 5 shot lead after 36 holes. Hung around long enough to finish T8th on -1 under, his second top 8 finish in three years Corey Connors @ 66/1 Finished T8th back in 2021, a last round 74 ending his chances of a higher position but did score heavily on the par 5's which is a must round here. Corey has a T6, T8 and T10 to show for his last 3 attempts, so his knowledge is there. Plus he has shot 6 rounds sub 70, making par or better on 4 other occasions. Patrick Reed @ 80/1 This one would hurt, not just on him leaving the Tour to go to the LIV Tour, but he is a bit divisive within the ranks of the Tour players. The 2018 Champion has obviously got what it takes to win around here and his stats do stack up with what is required again this time. His Masters crime sheet reads Played 9, Won 1x in 2018 with 3x Top 10's, so he has a chance, even if the majority of the fans, sorry patrons, wouldn't want it...!!. I will pick another one to add to the above just before the opening tee off on Thursday, but these are my opening selections so far... Good luck to all...
Have done Scheffler, Smith and Day. Might have a few Bob on Homa too. Hard to predict how the LIV players will play back in proper tournament golf, but Smith loves Augusta and must surely go well. Day has been playing some great stuff for a few months now and is trending nicely towards a victory. Scheffler, well he's just Scotty and I'm not gonna stop backing him now. As I hate Rory and don't really like Rahm, they're easily passed over for me !
Collin Morikawa @ 25-1 with eight places Already a major winner and getting more comfortable each time he plays Augusta, top 5 finish last year
Just a few stats for the betting... Par-5 Scoring: The last five Masters champions feasted on the par 5s, continuing a trend that’s lasted decades. Scheffler was 8-under par on the par 5s last year; Matsuyama was 11 under in 2021 as was Dustin Johnson on a softer, gentler Augusta National in November 2020. Tiger was 8 under in 2019 and Patrick Reed accounted for 13 of his 15 shots under par on Augusta’s longest holes in 2018. Best in field in par-5 scoring: Patrick Cantlay, Rory McIlroy, Joaquin Niemann, Tony Finau, Jordan Spieth, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Sungjae Im, Justin Thomas, Shane Lowry, Bryson DeChambeau, Jason Day. Top of the Putting stats isnt needed: Last years top 10 finishers only had Cameron Smith, Shane Lowry & Will Zalatoris feature in the top 10 of the putting rankings for the week. Scottie was 13th, Rory 34th, Morikawa and Connors 22n & 23rd on the list. So when you hear the commentators mention you need to putt really well around here, you simply don't. An average week on the greens will do should your long game play to a different tune. It can be stats for stats sake, nad some just go with who they want regardless, but it is a line I always look in to when making a bet on the golf...
I've had a go on Chris Kirk as well because the 100/1 odds are just so appealing to me for a man of his talent...!!
200/1 for Bubba Watson ! A 2 time winner here. His leg must've fallen off lol. Seriously though, no matter how his form had been for last 2 seasons that price is a liberty
Jon Rahm 10/1 Sung-Jae Im 40/1 Sung-Jae Im Top 5 13/2 Edit: I wrote the name wrong. I almost put John Rambo.
Hey red, thanks for the post Once again I am ignoring those to the fore (excuse the pun) in the betting, for all I think that it will be hard to beat the likes of Scheffler and Rahm this week, I just can't be with them from a punting perspective. I've gone for; Cameron Young 28/1 - In good form this season so far, hits a draw which is always a favourable shot to have around Augusta and he is beginning to get comfortable around the big setting. Sure to go well. Mito Perreira 80/1 - threw away the PGA last year when all set to win but he's a really good golfer. Won't be the most popular after jumping ship to the LIV tour and making his 1st Masters appearance he won't be phased at all by the rookie tag. Good place chance if his nerves hold up. Abraham Ancer 80/1 - not at his best here last year but he had a T26 and T13 finsih the previous years and he certainly has the quality to become a challenger to the main men at the head of affairs. Can contend on his best form for sure but his dedication to winning a major has to also be questioned since he also joined the dark side. Harris English 250/1 - he's having a Jekyll and Hyde time of it lately, from having nice placed finishes to missing cuts which is a little unusual for a golfer to he so up and down over a short period of time. Has the talent to shoot low scores and I'm hoping he has a good 1st day, as when he does he usually continues to play well. Confidence is a big thing to him. All each way top 10 with Patrick Power. Best of luck lads, as usual. May one of us have the winner and hopefully it is a good competitive tournament through the 4 days.
Finau Morrikawa Conners MW Lee Also took EVENS about Tiger making the cut. One of the highlights of my year is watching this. Good luck everyone
Some great stuff played in the opening tound , but you'll never see Augusta play that easy again. No wind and soft conditions, personally can't wait for the filthy weather to hit especially Saturday, it will be a real test then !
Watching early play today, Koepka looks in ominous form. His iron play and impressive par saves at hard holes 3 and 4 mark him as a big danger.
Augusta playing like a brute and now the horn has sounded and play has been stopped for the day and the course evacuated. It could've been complete carnage if the wind had got to 30mph. Weather meant to be better tomorrow but could well be a Monday finish. Looking like it could be a 2 horse race as I don't see either of them completely collapsing, but round here you never know !
Thanks. If Rahm plays at his best, there is no player who can beat him at the moment, but we all know that this happens very rarely during the season. On the other hand, a nice tribute to Severiano, who would have turned 66 yesterday.
Yeah, he's almost impossible if he's at his best and his approach play stats were off the charts for shots gained all week so it looked omnoius enough even when he was 3 or 4 shots back. Roll on next month now in New York where we will see a lovely course at Oak Hill for the PGA championship.
