2024 Masters Tournament Preview & Picks

Akshay Bhatia led from start to finish at the Valero Texas Open, securing his spot at the Masters and increasing the field from 88 to 89 players. While Bhatia had previously claimed victory at the Barracuda Championship last season, it didn’t grant him an automatic entry to the Masters as it was an opposite-field event.

Hello Friends, and welcome to the best week of the year, The Masters. Before we’ve even teed off, the storylines have already started.

Let’s begin with none other than Tiger Woods, who made his comeback at The Genesis Invitational in February, marking his first official TOUR start since withdrawing from the 2023 Masters in the third round. However, he withdrew from the second round at Riviera, citing flu-like symptoms, on the seventh hole. Woods had undergone surgery on his right ankle shortly after pulling out from last year’s Masters. He then returned to action at the Hero World Challenge, where he walked 72 holes, and later participated in the PNC Championship alongside his son Charlie, utilizing a cart.

Tiger has an opportunity to set new records this week at Augusta National Golf Club. With 23 consecutive appearances at Augusta National, Woods shares the record with Fred Couples and Gary Player for most cuts made. Additionally, he is currently tied with Sam Snead for PGA Tour victories at 82 and is just one green jacket away from matching Jack Nicklaus’ record of six.

Jon Rahm aims to achieve a rare feat by becoming the first player since Tiger Woods (’02-’03) to secure back-to-back victories at Augusta National Golf Club. After the TOUR Championship last year, Rahm opted to join the LIV Tour, where he established his own team, Legion XIII. Despite finishing within the top 10 in each of the first five events this season, Rahm has yet to clinch a win despite participating in four LIV events.

Scottie Scheffler arrives at Augusta in excellent form, having secured victory in two of his last three events. In his latest outing, the Texas Children’s Houston Open, he finished just one shot behind Stephan Jaeger. Throughout his eight PGA Tour appearances this season, Scheffler has consistently landed within the top 20. Notably, he has maintained this performance trend at Augusta National, securing top 20 finishes in all four of his previous visits, including a triumph in 2022.

Rory McIlroy is set to embark on his sixteenth journey to Augusta National Golf Club, striving to achieve his career Grand Slam. Despite numerous near misses, he has yet to don the coveted green jacket. His most notable performance at the Masters occurred two years ago, securing a second-place finish, trailing Scottie Scheffler by three shots. McIlroy’s last Major Championship triumph dates back to 2014, clinching both The Open Championship and PGA Championship. Building on his momentum from a strong 3rd place finish at the Valero Texas Open, McIlroy enters this week aiming to replicate his best form of the season on the PGA Tour.

Justin Thomas made headlines last week with the announcement of his split from caddie Jim “Bones” MacKay. The duo had teamed up in September 2021, securing their sole victory together at the 2022 PGA Championship. Thomas, now embarking on his ninth journey to Augusta National, has amassed four top-20 finishes during this period. However, his performance at the Masters last season marked a low point, as he missed the cut for the first time in his career.

In light of recent events, Tyrell Hatton will be accompanied by a new caddie this week. His previous caddy, Mick Donaghy, suffered a shoulder injury after a fall during dinner in Miami last weekend. Stepping in for Donaghy will be Hatton’s friend, Hugo Dobson, who has previously caddied for him, including during the 2019 Masters.

Several top-ranked players are still seeking their first Major championship victory. Patrick Cantlay currently ranked No. 7 in the world, achieved his best major finish at the 2019 PGA Championship, securing a T3 position. At Augusta National, he has managed to finish inside the top 10 only once. Xander Schauffele, holding the No. 5 spot in the world rankings, and Viktor Hovland, positioned at No. 6, have both attained runner-up finishes in major championships but have yet to claim a victory.

This week’s field includes several noteworthy debutants, each bringing their recent victories to Augusta. Among them are Wyndham Clark, who clinched the 2023 U.S. Open, Ludvig Aberg, victor of the RSM Classic, Nick Dunlap, winner of The American Express, Grayson Murray, who triumphed at the Sony Open, Matthieu Pavon, who claimed victory at the Farmers Insurance Open, Stephan Jaeger, secured the Texas Children’s Houston Open, Jake Knapp, emerged victorious at the Mexico Open, and Akshay Bhatia, who recently won the Valero Texas Open. However, they face a significant challenge, as a debutant hasn’t claimed the Masters title since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.

The Masters stands out as one of the most remarkable sporting spectacles. From its immaculate course conditions to the vibrant azaleas in full bloom and the melodic chirping of birds, it captivates audiences, even those with a modest interest in golf. While it may lack the extensive history of the Open Championship, The Masters possesses a unique charm and allure that sets it apart from any other tournament in the world.

Tournament Information:

• Dates: April 11th, 2024 – April 14th, 2024
• Location: Augusta, Georgia, United States
• Course: Augusta National Golf Club
• Course Type: Classical/ Technical
• Par: 72 (4x 3’s / 10x 4’s / 4x 5’s)
• Length: 7,545 yards
• Format: 72-hole stroke play
• Greens: Bentgrass .125”
• Fairways: Ryegrass overseed .375”
• Second Cut: Ryegrass overseed 1.375”
• Bunkers: 44
• Water Hazard(s): 6 (In-Play on 5 Holes)
• Average Green Size: 6,486 sq. ft.
• Stimpmeter: 13-14 ft.
• Purse/ Winner: N/A
• FedEx Cup Points: 750
• Field: 89 Players
• Cut: Top 50 and Ties – 36 Holes
• Playoff Format: Sudden-Death (18, 10, 18, 10)
• Course Scoring Average:
  • 2023: 72.96 (+0.96), Rank 6 of 49
  • 2022: 73.95 (+1.95), Rank 3 of 50
  • 2021: 73.06 (+1.06), Rank 7 of 51
• Historic Cut Line:
  • 2023: +3
  • 2022: +4
  • 2021: +3

Course Architect:

• Course Architect: Dr. Alister MacKenzie & Bobby Jones (1933)
• Recent Renovations:
  • 2023: No. 13 – The tee box was moved back
  • 2022: No. 11 & No. 15 – The tee boxes were moved back
  • 2019: No. 5 – The tee box was moved back
• To see all of the renovations completed on each hole, you can click the following link.

Comparable Courses & Greens:

• Comparable Courses:
  • Muirfield Village Golf Club – the Memorial Tournament – RESULTS
  • Plantation Course at Kapalua – The Sentry – RESULTS
  • Bay Hill Club & Lodge – Arnold Palmer Invitational – RESULTS
  • Riviera Country Club – The Genesis Invitational – RESULTS
  • Quail Hollow Club – Wells Fargo Championship – RESULTS

• Designer Link (Dr. Alister MacKenzie & Bobby Jones):
  • Royal Melbourne Golf Club (West Course) – 2019 President’s Cup

• Comparable Location (Augusta, Georgia):
  • Sea Island Golf Club – St. Simons Island, Georgia – The RSM Classic
  • East Lake Golf Club – Atlanta, Georgia – TOUR Championship

• Comparable Yardage (7,545 Yards):
  • Grand Reserve Golf Club – 7,506 Yards – Puerto Rico Open
  • Quail Hollow Club – 7,521 Yards – Wells Fargo Championship
  • Muirfield Village Golf Club – 7,533 Yards – the Memorial Tournament
  • Plantation Course at Kapalua – 7,596 Yards – Sentry Tournament of Champions

• Comparable Greens (Bentgrass .125”):
  • TPC Twin Cities – Bentgrass .110” – 3M Open
  • TPC Craig Ranch – Bentgrass .100” – THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson
  • Torrey Pines Golf Course (North) – Bentgrass .100″ – Farmers Insurance Open
  • TPC Deere Run – L-93 Bentgrass .100” – John Deere Classic
  • Muirfield Village Golf Club – Bentgrass .090” – the Memorial Tournament
  • Keene Trace Golf Club (Champions Course) – Bentgrass – Kentucky Championship
  • Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club – Bentgrass – ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP

• Comparable Average Green Size (6,486 sq. ft.):
  • TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course) – 6,400 sq. ft. – Valero Texas Open
  • TPC Twin Cities – 6,500 sq. ft. – 3M Open
  • Grand Reserve Golf Club – 6,500 sq. ft. – Puerto Rico Open

TV Information (all times ET):

• Round 1: Thursday, April 11th, 2024
  • ESPN – 3:00 PM – 7:30 PM
• Round 2: Friday, April 12th, 2024
  • ESPN – 3:00 PM – 7:30 PM
• Round 3: Saturday, April 13th, 2024
  • CBS – 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Round 4: Sunday, April 14th, 2024
  • CBS – 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM

In addition to the TV Coverage, you can also watch select broadcasts on the Masters’ website by clicking the following link.

Weather:

• Thursday: Thunderstorms 79 F, 18 mp/h S, 72% Humidity, 92% Chance of Rain
• Friday: Sunny 74 F, 15 mp/h W, 47% Humidity, 4% Chance of Rain
• Saturday: Sunny 77 F, 7 mp/h WNW, 44% Humidity, 2% Chance of Rain
• Sunday: Mostly Sunny 82 F, 8 mp/h SW, 48% Humidity, 3% Chance of Rain

Course/ Tournament History:

In 1930, Bobby Jones acquired the property and collaborated with course architect Alister MacKenzie to design Augusta National. Two years of meticulous work later, the course was completed and opened for play. The inaugural Masters tournament occurred in 1934 and was claimed by Horton Smith. The only interruption to the Masters’ tradition since then was during the years 1943-1945, coinciding with World War II. Additionally, in 2020, the tournament faced a delay due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

As the course was previously a plant nursery, every hole on the golf course is named after a tree or shrub. Over the years, there have been several instances of holes changing names.

The Masters Tournament, often referred to simply as the Masters, holds the distinction of being the inaugural major championship in professional golf’s annual calendar. While it serves as an official money event for the PGA Tour, it also holds this status for the DP World Tour (European Tour) and the Japan Golf Tour.

Starting in 1949, the tradition of the green jacket was born. Along with the prize money and prestige, every champion becomes an honorary member of Augusta. The green jacket is only allowed to be removed from the Augusta National grounds by the reigning champion.

In addition to the green jacket, there are several awards presented to players who perform exceptional feats during the tournament. The player who has the daily lowest score receives a crystal vase, while players who score a hole-in-one or a double eagle win a large crystal bowl. For each eagle a player makes, they receive a pair of crystal goblets.

In 1952, the tournament began awarding the Silver Cup to the lowest-scoring amateur to make the cut. Some notable players who have won this award include, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw, and Tiger Woods. More recently, Patrick Cantlay won it in 2012 with Viktor Hovland earning the honors in 2019.

All amateurs participating in the event are also welcome to stay in the “Crow’s Nest” which sits atop the Augusta National clubhouse during the tournament. It consists of one room with partitions to create four separate bedrooms. Several famous players to have stayed here include Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw, Tiger Woods, Tom Watson, and Phil Mickelson.

The Par 3 Tournament that takes place on Wednesday is also a highlight of the week that usually produces some great content. It first took place in 1960 when Sam Snead shot a 23 to win it. The course itself was designed by George Cobb and Clifford Roberts in 1958. It’s a par 27 nine-hole course measuring approximately 1,060 yards in length. However, winning this event has proven to be a curse as no winner of the Par 3 Tournament has won the Masters in the same year.

• Most Tournament Wins:
  • 6, Jack Nicklaus (1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986)
• 72-Hole Record:
  • 268, Dustin Johnson (2020)
• 18-Hole Record:
  • 63, Nick Price (Round 3, 1986), Greg Norman (Round 1, 1996)
• Largest Margin of Victory:
  • 12 Strokes, Tiger Woods (1997)

Course Guide/ Scorecard:

Originally crafted by Dr. Alister MacKenzie & Bobby Jones in 1933, Augusta National Golf Club features a traditional Par 72 layout, comprising four Par 3s, ten Par 4s, and four Par 5s.

Augusta National is one of the most consistent courses on the PGA Tour but, there have been some recent renovations lately. In 2022, holes No. 11 ‘White Dogwood’ and No. 15 ‘Firethorn’ were slightly modified adding some additional difficulty. Both tee boxes were pushed back along with the recontouring of the fairways on those holes. Last year, the tee box on No. 13 ‘Azalea’ was moved back approximately 35 yards. Given the most recent change, the course yardage has increased from 7,510 yards to 7,545 yards.

Augusta National is one of the tougher courses on Tour ranking sixth of the forty-nine courses players faced last season. Over the past three editions, the scoring average has been above par each time. In 2023, only one hole played under par outside of the four Par 5’s.

In terms of length, Augusta National is one of the longest courses on Tour measuring 7,545 yards. It ranks 7th out of 44 courses in length. The fairways are on the wider side, ranking 1st of 44, with the average fairway width being 51.0 yards. The average green size is roughly 6,486 square feet which is on the larger side when compared to the other courses on the PGA Tour. Bunkers really aren’t a factor here as there are only 44 which ranks as the 3rd fewest of 54 courses. 

Originally, the green complexes consisted of Bermuda grass. Throughout the 1970s, the greens became slower and they switched to a different strain of Bermuda. In 1978, Augusta National switched their par 3 course to bentgrass. Given the success of that trial run, they decided to change the main course to bentgrass as well before the 1981 Masters. If you’re interested in learning more about the greens of Augusta National, I highly recommend checking this article.

The five Par 3’s range between 155 yards and 240 yards. In terms of stats, the majority (two) of the Par 3’s range between 150-175 yards. In the last edition of this event, all of the Par 3’s had a scoring average over par except for No. 16 ‘Redbud’.

No. 4 ‘Flowering Crab Apple’, 240 Yards, Par 3: “This hole is a stout par three that requires a long iron and is often made harder by deceptive winds. Two bunkers, front right and front left, guard the green, which slopes back to the front. The green was originally shaped like a boomerang. It’s now a bit wider, the bend slightly less extreme. But the hole remains an elusive target.”

No. 6 ‘Juniper’, 180 Yards, Par 3: “This par three features an elevated tee and a large undulating green. The shifting levels of the putting surface from front to back make the pin position very important. In the 1930s, the green was fronted by a stream, and in the 1950s by a pond. But the hazard rarely came into play and was therefore removed in 1959.”

No. 12 ‘Golden Bell’, 155 yards, Par 3: “One of the world’s most famous golf holes, this is Augusta National’s shortest par three. Club selection is often difficult, as varying winds can require anything from a six-iron to a nine-iron for Masters competitors. The daunting presence of Rae’s Creek and three strategically placed bunkers make it imperative that players land their shots on the putting surface. Golfers walk across the Ben Hogan Bridge to reach the green.”

No. 16 ‘Redbud’, 170 Yards, Par 3: “This hole is played entirely over water to a green secured by three bunkers. With the putting surface significantly pitched from right to left, an exacting tee shot is required to set up a reasonable birdie chance.”

There are ten Par 4’s at Augusta National Golf Club with the majority (five) of those holes ranging between 450 and 500 yards. No. 3 ‘Flowering Peach’ is the shortest listed at 350 yards with the longest being No. 11 ‘White Dogwood’, playing 520 yards. In terms of scoring average, the toughest Par 4 on the course last year was No. 18 (+0.307).

No. 5 ‘Magnolia’, 495 Yards, Par 4: “This hole was inspired by the legendary Road Hole at the Old Course at St. Andrews. An uphill, dogleg left to a sloping green. The fairway bunkers are deep and positioned to demand accuracy off the tee. To clear them requires a carry of 315 yards. The green slopes back to the front, and a rear bunker catches balls hit too long.”

No. 10 ‘Camellia’, 495 Yards, Par 4: “This long par four plays steeply downhill and features a nearly 60-yard-long center bunker well short of the green. Players will try to drive the ball to the left-center for the best angle into a green that pitches right to left. Until 1935, this was the first hole. It is traditionally the most difficult hole on the course. Originally, the 10th green was positioned to the right of the huge fairway bunker. In 1937, the putting surface was moved to the rise beyond the bunker, making the hole extremely demanding.”

No. 18 ‘Holly’, 465 Yards, Par 4: “One of the most famous finishing holes in golf, this uphill dogleg right is protected by two bunkers at the left elbow of the fairway. A drive hit down the center will often require a middle iron for a second shot to a deep, narrow green guarded by one bunker short-left and another hard right.”

The four Par 5’s are No. 2 ‘Pink Dogwood’, No. 8 ‘Yellow Jasmine’, No. 13 ‘Azalea’, & No. 15 ‘Firethorn’. They all played under par last season, as they are some of the shorter par 5’s on Tour given their distance. The easiest hole on the course last year was No. 8 with a scoring average of 4.608.

No. 2 ‘Pink Dogwood’, 585 Yards, Par 5: “Originally, the green was guarded by a lone bunker on the right. That bunker was reduced in size in 1966, and a left bunker was added in 1946. No. 2 is a dogleg left which may be reachable in two. Large, deep greenside bunkers demand special attention on the second shot.”

No. 8 ‘Yellow Jasmine’, 570 Yards, Par 5: “An accurate drive is needed to avoid the fairway bunker on the right side on this uphill hole. The long, narrow green is bunkerless. It is guarded instead by a series of mounds, the biggest of which line its left side.”

No. 13 ‘Azalea’, 545 Yards, Par 5: “An accurate tee shot to the center of the fairway on this sweeping dogleg left allows a player to go for the green in two. A tributary to Rae’s Creek winds in front of the raised green, and four bunkers threaten behind. The Byron Nelson Bridge is located just off the tee.”

No. 15 ‘Firethorn’, 550 Yards, Par 5: “A famously reachable par five when the winds are favorable. A well-struck second shot must be played over the pond and away from the bunker that guards the green on the right. Gene Sarazen hit his “shot heard ’round the world” here when he holed a four-wood approach from 235 yards away for a double eagle in 1935.”

Featured/ Signature Hole(s): 12, 13

For a hole-by-hole overview of the course, you can click the following link.

Key Statistics:

• Strokes Gained: Tee to Green
  • In order to win at Augusta National, players will need to do everything right between their play off the tee, on approach, and around the green. Each of the past three winners ranked 2nd or better in SG: Tee to Green amongst the field.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Scottie Scheffler (+67.68 Total, +2.82 Per Round)
    • Xander Schauffele (+43.44 Total, +1.81 Per Round)
    • Hideki Matsuyama (+39.95 Total, +1.66 Per Round)
    • Si Woo Kim (+36.47 Total, +1.52 Per Round)
    • Shane Lowry (+31.57 Total, +1.32 Per Round)

• Strokes Gained: Approach
  • Each of the past three winners ranked 9th or better in SG: Approach amongst the field. Having a strong iron game will be important this week if players want to succeed.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Scottie Scheffler (+32.40 Total, +1.35 Per Round)
    • Cameron Young (+20.11 Total, +0.84 Per Round)
    • Shane Lowry (+20.05 Total, +0.84 Per Round)
    • Tony Finau (+20.02 Total, +0.83 Per Round)
    • Corey Conners (+19.37 Total, +0.81 Per Round)

• Strokes Gained: Around the Green
  • The Greens in Regulation Percentage at Augusta National is lower than the PGA Tour average. Players will undoubtedly miss greens this week so they’ll need to rely on their short game. Each of the past three winners ranked 7th or better in SG: Around the Green amongst the field.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Hideki Matsuyama (+16.25 Total, +0.68 Per Round)
    • Jose Maria Olazabal (+16.25 Total, +0.68 Per Round)
    • Lucas Glover (+13.05 Total, +0.54 Per Round)
    • Scottie Scheffler (+13.01 Total, +0.54 Per Round)
    • Xander Schauffele (+12.47 Total, +0.52 Per Round)

• Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass)
  • The green complexes at Augusta National Golf Club are Bentgrass .125″.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Denny McCarthy (+25.77 Total, +1.07 Per Round)
    • Tyrrell Hatton (+24.95 Total, +1.04 Per Round)
    • J.T. Poston (+22.62 Total, +0.94 Per Round)
    • Viktor Hovland (+21.42 Total, +0.89 Per Round)
    • Matt Fitzpatrick (+21.39 Total, +0.89 Per Round)

• Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass) – Green Speed Lightning
  • The greens at Augusta National are the fastest players will face this season. When factoring in the Lighting fast green speed into the model for the best Bentgrass putters in the past 24 rounds, here are the results.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Harris English (24 Rounds, +25.68 Total, +1.07 Per Round)
    • Cameron Smith (24 Rounds, +21.89 Total, +0.91 Per Round)
    • Denny McCarthy (19 Rounds, +17.80 Total, +0.94 Per Round)
    • Bryson Dechambeau (24 Rounds, +18.49 Total, +0.77 Per Round)
    • Eric Cole (10 Rounds, +11.89 Total, +1.19 Per Round)

• 3-Putt Avoidance
  • Three-putting is much more common at Augusta National than a standard PAG Tour event as seen by the chart above.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Cameron Smith (+8.60 Total, +0.36 Per Round)
    • Xander Schauffele (+7.39 Total, +0.31 Per Round)
    • Patrick Reed (+6.16 Total, +0.26 Per Round)
    • Russell Henley (+5.97 Total, +0.25 Per Round)
    • Adam Scott (+5.83 Total, +0.24 Per Round)

• Driving Distance
  • Looking at the list of the past few winners, Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, and Sergio Garcia all ranked in the top 20 in Driving Distance for the week.
  • Leaders in this category this season:
    • Bryson DeChambeau (321.9 Avg. Yards)
    • Joaquin Niemann (315.7 Avg. Yards)
    • Rory McIlroy (312.2 Avg. Yards)
    • Jon Rahm (311.9 Avg. Yards)
    • Wyndham Clark (309.2 Avg. Yards)

• Par 4 Scoring: 450-500 Yards (x5)
  • Five of the ten Par 4’s at Augusta National Golf Club range between 450-500 Yards.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Scottie Scheffler (+22.44 Total, +0.93 Per Round)
    • Viktor Hovland (+20.58 Total, +0.86 Per Round)
    • Hideki Matsuyama (+18.75 Total, +0.78 Per Round)
    • Xander Schauffele (+15.89 Total, +0.66 Per Round)
    • Bryson DeChambeau (+15.68 Total, +0.65 Per Round)

• Par 5 Scoring: 550 – 600 Yards (x3)
  • Three of the four Par 4’s at Augusta National Golf Club range between 550-600 Yards.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Corey Conners (+10.43 Total, +0.43 Per Round)
    • Nick Dunlap (+10.33 Total, +0.43 Per Round)
    • Scottie Scheffler (+10.15 Total, +0.42 Per Round)
    • Sahith Theegala (+9.84 Total, +0.41 Per Round)
    • Harris English (+9.65 Total, +0.40 Per Round)

• Proximity Gained: 200+Yards
  • Below is the approach shot distribution chart from last year’s event (via DataGolf). Most approach shots come from the 200+ yard range at a volume much higher than the PGA Tour average.

• Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
  • Xander Schauffele (+847.28 Total, +35.30 Per Round)
  • Corey Conners (+581.57 Total, +24.23 Per Round)
  • Tony Finau (+573.62 Total, +23.90 Per Round)
  • Thorbjorn Olesen (+555.36 Total, +23.14 Per Round)
  • Denny McCarthy (+476.32 Total, +19.85 Per Round)

• Event History
  • Looking at the Data Golf Course History Tool, course history is most predictive at Augusta National GC. Having prior experience at Augusta National has proven to be advantageous. As I mentioned before, only one debutant has won at the Masters before.

• Leaders in this category (Multiple Events Played):
  • Jon Rahm (7 Events – 70.50 Scoring Average per Round)
  • Will Zalatoris (2 Events – 70.50 Scoring Average per Round)
  • Jordan Spieth (10 Events – 70.66 Scoring Average per Round)
  • Scottie Scheffler (4 Events – 70.69 Scoring Average per Round)
  • Tiger Woods (18 Events – 71.19 Scoring Average per Round)

The Field:

This year’s Masters Tournament will feature a total of 89 competitors. Remarkably, 58 of the top 60 Official World Golf Ranking players will be contending, with only Tom Hoge and Christiaan Bezuidenhout absent from the list. The field is composed of 66 PGA Tour Players, 12 LIV Tour Players, 5 Amateurs, 4 Past Champions, and 1 DP World Tour Player.

Fred Ridley, Augusta National Golf Club, and Masters Chairman has extended three special invitations for the 2024 tournament to Thorbjørn Olesen of Denmark, Ryo Hisatsune of Japan, and Joaquin Niemann of Chile. Olesen, a member of both the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR, boasts an impressive three consecutive victories on the DP World Tour and achieved a notable T6 finish in his Masters debut in 2013. Hisatsune, named last year’s DP World Tour Rookie of the Year, has demonstrated his talent by making seven cuts out of ten on the PGA TOUR this season, marking his inaugural appearance at the Masters. Meanwhile, Niemann, set to compete in his fifth Masters, brings a wealth of experience to the prestigious event.

Leading the amateur contingent at this year’s Masters is Christo Lamprecht, the top-ranked amateur from South Africa. Lamprecht, reigning British Amateur champion, captured attention by seizing the first-round lead at The Open. Additionally, he holds the No. 2 spot in PGA TOUR University rankings. Joining Lamprecht are Santiago de la Fuente of Mexico, winner of the Latin America Amateur Championship, Neal Shipley of the United States, U.S. Amateur finalist, Australia’s Jasper Stubbs, Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship victor, and Stewart Hagestad, U.S. Mid-Amateur champion. Except for Hagestad, all amateurs are making their debut at the Masters. Hagestad, appearing for the third time, previously claimed the low amateur title in 2017.

The four Senrior past Champions competing are Fred Couples, Vijay Singh, Mike Weir, and Jose Maria Olazabal.

Leading the pack among the 66 PGA Tour players at this year’s Masters are Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Wyndham Clark. Scheffler, a former Masters Champion, arrives with momentum, having secured victory in two of his last three events. McIlroy, fresh from his season-best performance at the Valero Texas Open, is determined to achieve his career Grand Slam. Meanwhile, Wyndham Clark, winner of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am earlier this season, is set to make his Masters debut. Despite being a newcomer to Augusta, Clark already boasts a Major Championship title, having clinched the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club last season.

Leading the contingent of 12 LIV Players in this year’s tournament is defending champion Jon Rahm. Joining him are renowned players such as Brooks Koepka, who narrowly missed victory last season but boasts an impressive five Major Championships, including 2 U.S. Open titles and 3 PGA Championships. Also in the mix is Cameron Smith, victor of the 2022 Open Championship. Additionally, the field features past Masters Champions Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, and Bubba Watson, all of whom add to the star power of the LIV Tour members competing this week.

Here is the current basis of qualification for each entrant this week:

1. Masters Tournament Champions (Lifetime)
2. US Open Champions (Honorary, non-competing after five years)
3. The Open Champions (Honorary, non-competing after five years)
4. PGA Champions (Honorary, non-competing after five years)
5. Winners of The Players Championship (Three years)
6. Current Olympic Gold Medalist (One Year)
7. Current US Amateur Champion (7-A) (Honorary, non-competing after one year) and the Runner-up (7-B) to the current US Amateur Champion
8. Current The Amateur Champion (Honorary, non-competing after one year)
9. Current Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion (One year)
10. Current Latin America Amateur Champion (One year)
11. Current US Mid-Amateur Champion (One year)
12. Current NCAA Division I Men’s Individual Champion (One year)
13. The first 12 players, including ties, in the previous year’s Masters Tournament
14. The first 4 players, including ties, in the previous year’s US Open
15. The first 4 players, including ties, in the previous year’s The Open Championship
16. The first 4 players, including ties, in the previous year’s PGA Championship
17. Individual winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation from previous Masters to current Masters
18. Those qualifying and eligible for the previous year’s season-ending Tour Championship
19. The 50 leaders on the final Official World Golf Ranking for the previous calendar year
20. The 50 leaders on the final Official World Golf Ranking published during the week prior to the current Masters Tournament

• Previous Winners in the Field (Event):
  • Jon Rahm (’23), Scottie Scheffler (’22), Hideki Matsuyama (’21), Dustin Johnson (’20), Tiger Woods (’19, ’05, ’02, ’01, ’97), Patrick Reed (’18), Sergio Garcia (’17), Danny Willett (’16), Jordan Speith (’15), Bubba Watson (’14. ’12), Adam Scott (’13), Charl Schwartzel (’11), Phil Mickelson (’10, ’06, ’04), Zach Johnson (’07), Mike Weir (’03), Vijay Singh (’00), Jose Maria Olazabal (’99, ’94), Fred Couples (’92)

• Debutants in the Field (Event):
  • Adam Schenk, Austin Eckroat, Christo Lamprecht, Denny McCarthy, Eric Cole, Grayson, Murray, Jake Knapp, Jasper Stubbs, Lee Hodges, Ludvig Aberg, Matthieu Pavon, Neal Shiply, Nick Dunlap, Nicolai Hojgaard, Peter Malnati, Ryo Hisatsune, Santiago De la Fuente, Stephan Jaeger, Wyndham Clark

• Players with Georgia ties in the Field:
  • Birthplace:
    • Brian Harman – Savannah, Georgia
    • Russell Henley – Macon, Georgia
    • Harris English – Valdosta, Georgia
  • College:
    • Patrick Reed – University of Georgia/ Augusta State University
    • Bubba Watson – University of Georgia
    • Brian Harman – University of Georgia
    • Russell Henley – University of Georgia
    • Sepp Straka – University of Georgia
    • Harris English – University of Georgia
    • Chris Kirk – University of Georgia

• Injury Report:

• Notable Withdraws/ Changes:
  • IN: Akshay Bhatia (WON the Valero Texas Open)

To see the full field for this event and how they qualified, you can click the following link.

The Odds:

Here are the current favorites in this week’s event and a summary of their recent form and course history.

Scottie Scheffler (+450) has maintained an impressive streak, securing top-20 finishes in all eight of his PGA Tour starts this season, with two victories to his credit. Notably, he claimed his sole Major Championship title at Augusta in 2022, underscoring his prowess at the iconic venue. Additionally, in his four previous visits to Augusta National, Scheffler has consistently landed within the top 20, highlighting his consistency and comfort on the prestigious course.

Rory McIlroy (+1000) arrives at the Masters following his strongest showing of the season, securing a third-place finish at the Valero Texas Open. Prior to this, he notched four consecutive top-25 finishes, showcasing consistent form. However, McIlroy faced a setback at last year’s Masters, missing the cut for the first time since 2009. Despite this, he boasts an impressive record at Augusta National Golf Club, with seven top-10 finishes in his fifteen previous visits.

Jon Rahm (+1100) returns as the defending champion at the Masters, marking his eighth appearance at the prestigious event. With four top-10 finishes to his name, aside from his victory last year, Rahm has consistently performed well at Augusta National. However, despite his strong start on the LIV Tour this season, where he finished inside the top 10 in each of his first five events, Rahm has yet to secure a victory on the tour.

Xander Schauffele (+1600) boasts an impressive record at the Masters, with three top-10 finishes in his six prior appearances. His standout performance came in 2019 when he finished tied for second, just one shot behind Tiger Woods. Throughout the current PGA Tour season, Schauffele has made eight starts, securing six top-10 finishes. Notably, in his two most recent events, he finished tied for second at THE PLAYERS Championship, despite holding the 54-hole lead and tied for fifth at the Valspar Championship.

Brooks Koepka (+2000) has achieved runner-up status twice at Augusta National, in 2019 and 2023, among his eight prior appearances. Participating in all five LIV Tour events this season, Koepka managed a solitary top-10 finish at LIV Mayakoba. However, his recent performances have been challenging, finishing 28th at LIV Hong Kong and tied for 45th at LIV Miami in his last two starts.

Jordan Spieth (+2500) is set to embark on his eleventh journey to Augusta National Golf Club. With a Masters victory in 2015 and four additional top-5 finishes, he brings a wealth of experience to the event. Kicking off the 2024 season on a strong note, Spieth secured a third-place finish at The Sentry and followed up with a T6 finish at the WM Phoenix Open. Although he faced some challenges in subsequent events, Spieth rediscovered his form with an impressive T10 finish at the Valero Texas Open last week.

Hideki Matsuyama (+2500) claimed the Masters title in 2021, adding to his impressive record of seven other top-20 finishes in twelve prior appearances at Augusta National. His victory at The Genesis Invitational earlier this season ignited a streak of strong performances. In his three most recent events, Matsuyama secured a T12 finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, a T6 finish at THE PLAYERS Championship, and a T7 finish at the Valero Texas Open.

Joaquin Niemann (+2800) has showcased his prowess on the LIV Tour this season with two victories under his belt. He emerged victorious in a playoff against Sergio Garcia at LIV Mayakoba and secured another win, this time by four strokes, at LIV Jeddah. Adding to his impressive resume, Niemann also clinched the ISPS Handa Australian Open title back in December 2023. In his recent performances, he achieved a tied-fourth finish at LIV Hong Kong and a tied-ninth finish at LIV Miami. Niemann will be making his fifth trip to Augusta National Golf Club, with his best finish to date coming last year, where he tied for 16th place.

Ludvig Aberg (+2800) is set to make his debut at both the Masters and Major Championships this week. After clinching his maiden PGA Tour victory at the RSM Classic in 2023, Aberg faced a sluggish start to the 2024 season. Nevertheless, he has rediscovered his form, securing top-20 finishes in five of his last six starts on the PGA Tour.

Viktor Hovland (+3500) boasts four prior appearances at Augusta National Golf Club, consistently finishing within the top 40 each time. His strongest showing at this event occurred last year, where he tied for seventh place. However, in his initial five PGA Tour starts this season, Hovland has yet to secure a top-20 finish. His recent performances saw him finish tied for 36th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and tied for 62nd at THE PLAYERS Championship. Notably, the latter marked his poorest finish on Tour since the 2022 Genesis Scottish Open.

Tony Finau (+3500) enters the Masters on the back of his strongest showing in the 2024 season, securing a tied-second finish at the Texas Children’s Houston Open. This will mark his seventh appearance at Augusta National Golf Club, where he has previously clinched three top-10 finishes.

Patrick Cantlay (+3500) has accumulated three top-20 finishes in his seven previous appearances at the Masters. However, in his initial seven PGA Tour starts this season, Cantlay has managed only one top-10 finish, which occurred at The Genesis Invitational.

Matt Fitzpatrick (+3500) enters the Masters on the back of his strongest performances of the season, securing a fifth-place finish at THE PLAYERS Championship and a tied-10th finish at the Valero Texas Open. This week marks his tenth appearance at the Masters, where he has achieved just two top-10 finishes during that time.

Justin Thomas (+3500) has participated in the Masters eight times, achieving four top-20 finishes in that duration. However, he experienced his lowest performance at Augusta National Golf Club last season, missing the cut for the first time in his career. While JT commenced the season strongly, his recent form has faltered somewhat, as evidenced by missing the cut in two of his last four starts on the PGA Tour. In his latest outing, he finished tied for 64th at the Valspar Championship.

Dustin Johnson (+3500) secured victory at LIV Las Vegas earlier this season. However, he has not managed to break into the top 20 in his three most recent starts on the LIV Tour. Despite winning the Masters in 2020 and boasting four other top-10 finishes in his thirteen previous trips to Augusta, Johnson’s performance at the Masters has seen a downturn since his victory in 2020, with no top-10 finishes since then.

Bryson DeChambeau (+3500) has showcased strong performances recently, although he has yet to secure a victory on the LIV Tour this season. Over his last four starts, he has consistently finished inside the top 20. However, despite his recent form, DeChambeau has faced challenges at Augusta National Golf Club, failing to break into the top 20 in each of his seven prior visits. Moreover, in his two most recent appearances at the Masters, he missed the cut on both occasions.

Will Zalatoris (+3500) boasts a remarkable course history at Augusta, securing a second-place finish in 2021 and a sixth-place finish in 2022. Despite a slow start to the 2024 season following his return from back surgery, Zalatoris showcased his potential with a strong performance at The Genesis, finishing as the runner-up, and a tied-fourth finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. However, in his two most recent starts, he missed the cut at THE PLAYERS Championship and finished tied for 74th at the Texas Children’s Houston Open.

Collin Morikawa (+4000) boasts a consistent record at the Masters, having finished inside the top 20 in each of his last three appearances. His strongest showing came in 2022, where he tied for fifth place, while also securing a solid tied-10th finish last year. Despite a promising start to the 2024 PGA Tour season, Morikawa has encountered challenges in recent tournaments. Notably, he missed the cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, finished tied for 45th at THE PLAYERS Championship, and most recently tied for 75th at the Valero Texas Open.

Cameron Smith (+4000) has demonstrated his prowess at Augusta National, securing four top-10 finishes in his seven previous appearances. Participating in all five LIV Tour events this season, his standout performance came at LIV Hong Kong, where he finished as the runner-up. However, in the most recent LIV Tour event, Smith was forced to withdraw before the second round due to food poisoning.

To see the most up-to-date odds, you can click the following link.

Projected Final Score:

• 72 Hole Winning Score: 276.5 / -11.5 (Over -110/ Under -110)

In the past three editions of the Masters Tournament, the winning score has been above 276.5 (-11.5) twice. However, in the most recent edition of this event, Jon Rahm posted a winning score of -12 (276).

From 2018 to 2020, the winning score was below 276.5 each time. During that stretch, Dustin Johnson set the course record in 2020 posting a -20.

To place a bet at Sportsbook on the Projected Final Score of the Winner, you can click the following link.

Playoff Props:

• Will There Be A Playoff? (Yes +350/ No -500)

Since 2013, the Master’s has not ended in a playoff.

In 1976, the Masters adopted the sudden-death playoff format. It was then revised in 2004 with the first playoff hole being the 18th instead of the 10th. There have been 11 playoffs at the Masters since the format was changed with four being decided on the first hole, and seven being decided on the second hole.

Before 1976, the playoff was another 18 holes, except for 1935, which was 36 holes. There were 6 full 18-hole playoffs with none requiring an additional round.

To place a bet at DraftKings on the Playoff Prop, you can click the following link.

Facts and Figures:

• Each of the last 10 winners were ranked in the OWGR top 30 (8 were in the top 20)
• Eight of the last 10 winners had played in at least three Masters prior
• Seven of the last 10 champions had posted a previous top five at the Masters
• Nine of the last 10 Masters winners had posted a top six in a major in one of the previous two seasons

All credit goes to Dave Tindall, be sure to check out his 10-year trends article here.

Recent Horses for Courses

Recent Donkeys for Courses:

Previous Winners Scores, Prices, and Strokes Gained (Rank at Tournament):

• 2023: Jon Rahm (-12)
  • Price: 9-1

• 2022: Scottie Scheffler (-10)
  • Price: 16-1

• 2021: Hideki Matsuyama (-10)
  • Price: 45-1

• 2020: Dustin Johnson (-20)
  • Price: 9-1

• 2019: Tiger Woods (-13)
  • Price: 16-1

Previous Winners Incoming Form (Last 5 Starts):

• 2023: Jon Rahm
  • T31 – WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (PGA)
  • WD – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)
  • T39 – Arnold Palmer Invitational (PGA)
  • WON – The Genesis Invitational (PGA)
  • 3 – WM Phoenix Open (PGA)

• 2022: Scottie Scheffler
  • WON – WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (PGA)
  • T55 – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)
  • WON – Arnold Palmer Invitational (PGA)
  • T7 – The Genesis Invitational (PGA)
  • WON – WM Phoenix Open (PGA)

• 2021: Hideki Matsuyama
  • T30 – Valero Texas Open (PGA)
  • T42 – WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (PGA)
  • MC – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)
  • T18 – Arnold Palmer Invitational (PGA)
  • T15 – WGC-Workday Championship (PGA)

• 2020: Dustin Johnson
  • T2 – Vivint Houston Open (PGA)
  • T6 – U.S. Open (MAJ)
  • WON – TOUR Championship (PGA)
  • 2 – BMW Championship (PGA)
  • WON – THE NORTHERN TRUST (PGA)

• 2019: Tiger Woods
  • T30 – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)
  • T10 – WGC-Mexico Championship (PGA)
  • T15 – Genesis Open (PGA)
  • T20 – Farmers Insurance Open (PGA)
  • 17 – Hero World Challenge (PGA)

Previous Winners Finishes at Event:

2023: Jon Rahm

2022: Scottie Scheffler

2021: Hideki Matsuyama

2020: Dustin Johnson

2019: Tiger Woods

Picks (Outrights):

• Xander Schauffele (+1800) – DraftKings
  • Risk 0.45 to win 8.10 Units

Xander Schauffele has been in exceptional form this season, securing six top-10 finishes in his first eight starts on the 2024 PGA Tour. Among his notable performances at comparable courses are a T10 at The Sentry (Kapalua), T4 at the Genesis Invitational (Rivera CC), and T25 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational (Bay Hill). Schauffele also showcased his talent with strong showings at THE PLAYERS Championship, where he finished T2, and The American Express, where he landed T3.

In terms of his Masters’ history, Schauffele has demonstrated his prowess with three top finishes in his six prior appearances at Augusta National. Although his standout performance came in 2019, he still managed a commendable T10 finish last year. Furthermore, Schauffele has shown consistency in Major Championships, finishing inside the top 20 in each of his last seven Majors.

Over the last 24 rounds, Schauffele ranks 3rd in SG: Tee to Green, 4th in SG: Around the Green, 13th in SG: Putting (Bentgrass), and 16th in SG: Approach. Additionally, he ranks 1st in Proximity Gained 200+ Yards, 5th in Par 4 Scoring 450-500 Yards, and 20th in Par 5 Scoring 550-600 Yards. Schauffele’s recent performances have showcased a game without notable weaknesses. However, the main question surrounding Schauffele pertains to his mentality. Despite his consistent performance, he has yet to secure a victory since his back-to-back triumphs in 2022 and has faced challenges in closing out tournaments. Nevertheless, his confident demeanor in his recent press conference suggests a potential turning point, and there’s hope that he can clinch his first Major Championship title.

• Hideki Matsuyama (+2500) – DraftKings
  • Risk 0.32 to win 8.00 Units

Hideki Matsuyama has been on a remarkable streak since his triumph at The Genesis Invitational, a tournament often viewed as a precursor to success at the Masters. Following his victory at Riviera Country Club, he continued to impress with a T12 finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational (course comp), followed by T6 at THE PLAYERS Championship and T7 at the Valero Texas Open last week.

Having already demonstrated his ability to thrive under the spotlight of the Masters by claiming victory in 2021, Matsuyama enters this year’s event with a wealth of experience. With twelve prior appearances at Augusta National, he boasts an impressive record, finishing inside the top 20 in eight of those events. Following his win in 2021, he maintained his momentum with a T14 finish in 2022 and T16 in 2023. Notably, Matsuyama arrives in much better form than during his victorious campaign in 2021, which adds another layer of confidence heading into this year’s tournament.

Over the last 24 rounds, Hideki ranks 2nd in SG: Tee to Green, 1st in SG: Around the Green, and 12th in SG: Approach. Additionally, he ranks 17th in Proximity Gained 200+ Yards, 3rd in Par 4 Scoring 450-500 Yards, and 13th in Par 5 Scoring 550-600 Yards. Matsuyama’s prowess in these key areas underscores his ability to navigate Augusta’s challenging layout effectively. However, his Achilles’ heel has been his putting, a factor that significantly impacts his overall performance. Yet, recent events suggest an encouraging trend, with Matsuyama gaining strokes on the green in three of his last five outings. Even in the instances where his putting faltered, he managed to secure top-10 finishes—a testament to his resilience and ability to contend regardless of challenges. With his recent form and impressive course history, Matsuyama is poised to be a formidable contender this week if he can maintain consistency on the greens.

• Joaquin Niemann (+3000) – FanDuel
  • Risk 0.27 to win 8.10 Units

Joaquin Niemann faced challenges in his inaugural season on the LIV Tour last year, failing to secure a top-five finish despite a few appearances in the top ten. However, this season has witnessed a resurgence of the elite ball striker we’ve known in the past. Commencing his campaign on the DP World Tour, Niemann delivered impressive performances, clinching fifth place at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, tying for fourth at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, and triumphing at the ISPS Handa Australian Open. Transitioning to the LIV Tour, he continued his winning streak by outdueling Sergio Garcia in a four-hole playoff to claim victory at LIV Mayakoba, the season’s inaugural event. Subsequently, he secured a third-place finish on the Asian Tour at the International Series Oman, triumphed at LIV Jeddah, and concluded with strong showings at LIV Hong Kong (T4) and LIV Miami (T9) last week.

This week marks Niemann’s fifth appearance at the Masters. His debut as an amateur in 2018 ended with a missed cut, followed by a T40 finish in 2021, which marked his first appearance as a professional. In subsequent years, his performance at Augusta National steadily improved, culminating in a T16 finish last season, his best showing in any Major Championship to date.

Over the last 24 rounds, Joaquin ranks 15th in SG: Tee to Green and 7th in SG: Approach. Additionally, he ranks 7th in Proximity Gained 200+ Yards, 38th in Par 4 Scoring 450-500 Yards, and 11th in Par 5 Scoring 550-600 Yards. Niemann’s strength off the tee positions him advantageously, aligning with the profile of previous Masters champions. While his short game has been inconsistent in the past, notable improvements have been observed this season. His previous triumph at Riviera further amplifies his appeal for this week’s event. Displaying exceptional form and renowned for his ball-striking prowess, Niemann presents a formidable contender for his maiden Major Championship victory, particularly given his familiarity and past success at Augusta National.

• Tony Finau (+4000) – FanDuel
  • Risk 0.20 to win 8.00 Units

Tony Finau has maintained a solid performance throughout the 2024 season, securing four top-20 finishes in his nine starts. His recent highlight includes a commendable T2 finish at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, marking his best performance of the season thus far.

With six appearances at the Masters under his belt, Finau has achieved three top-10 finishes at Augusta National, with his standout performance occurring in 2019, where he secured a T5 finish. Despite encountering challenges with his putting and accuracy off the tee in the past, Finau has demonstrated resilience, consistently delivering strong performances at this prestigious venue.

Over the last 24 rounds, Tony has showcased remarkable prowess in various aspects of his game, ranking eighth in SG: Tee to Green, sixth in SG: Approach, and 26th in SG: Around the Green. Additionally, he excels in specific scoring categories, ranking third in Proximity Gained 200+ Yards, twelfth in Par 4 Scoring 450-500 Yards, and twenty-first in Par 5 Scoring 550-600 Yards. Finau’s strength off the tee, coupled with his length, presents a notable advantage, aligning with the profile of previous Masters champions.

While Finau’s putting has posed challenges in the past, directly impacting his success, recent signs of improvement are evident, with him gaining strokes on the green in two of his last three events. With his overall game appearing to be in excellent form, as demonstrated by his performance two weeks ago, Finau enters the Masters with confidence and potential for a strong showing.

• Shane Lowry (+6000) – DraftKings
  • Risk 0.14 to win 8.40 Units

Shane Lowry kicked off the season on a challenging note, missing the cut at The American Express. However, he gradually found his stride with a series of respectable performances, culminating in a notable T4 finish at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches. Building upon this momentum, he secured an impressive third-place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. In his two most recent outings, he achieved a T19 finish at THE PLAYERS Championship and a T29 finish at the Porsche Singapore Classic on the DP World Tour.

As a former Major Champion, having clinched the 2019 Open Championship, Lowry boasts a distinguished career, marked by several near misses. Regarding Augusta National, he boasts eight previous appearances. Initially encountering struggles with three missed cuts in his first four outings, he notably reversed this trend in 2020 with a T25 finish. Since then, he has consistently improved, posting a T21 finish in 2021, a third-place finish in 2022, and a T16 finish in 2023.

Over the last 24 rounds, Lowry has demonstrated prowess in various aspects of his game, ranking seventh in SG: Tee to Green, fifth in SG: Approach, and 32nd in SG: Around the Green. Additionally, he excels in specific scoring categories, ranking eighth in Par 4 Scoring 450-500 Yards, and ninth in Par 5 Scoring 550-600 Yards. While he exhibits exceptional ball-striking skills, his putting consistency has been a recurring challenge. However, he has shown signs of improvement, gaining strokes on the green in two of his last three events. Furthermore, he has proven his capability to navigate Augusta’s challenging greens, evidenced by his putting performances in 2022 and 2021.

Total Risk on Outrights: 1.38 Units

Picks (Top 20):

• Matthew Fitzpatrick (+115) – BetMGM
  • Risk 1.00 to win 1.15 Units

Fitzpatrick’s journey in the 2024 season has been marked by fluctuations, but he arrives at the first Major of the year with momentum, securing a commendable 5th finish at THE PLAYERS Championship and a T10 finish at the Valero Texas Open. Additionally, he also had another notable performance at The Sentry (comp course) finishing T14.

This week marks his milestone tenth appearance at Augusta National Golf Club. His Masters debut occurred back in 2014 as an amateur, albeit with a missed cut. However, since then, he has demonstrated remarkable consistency, having avoided missing the cut in his last eight appearances. While his pinnacle performance during this period was a seventh-place finish in 2016, he also performed admirably last year, securing a tied-tenth finish. Fitzpatrick has proven his ability to triumph in significant events, exemplified by his victory at the 2022 U.S. Open at Brookline.

Contrasting with his form last year, where he struggled with two missed cuts in his three prior events, Fitzpatrick’s game appears to be in a stronger position heading into this year’s tournament. His recent performances highlight solid approach play and putting. Over the last 24 rounds, Fitzpatrick ranks an impressive fifth in SG: Putting (Bentgrass) amongst the field. While his short game has shown occasional inconsistency, he notably ranked 14th in SG: Around the Green at the Valero last week. Moreover, he possesses the necessary distance off the tee to contend this week, ranking 31st in Driving Distance gained over the last 24 rounds.

• Corey Conners (+170) – BetMGM
  • Risk 1.00 to win 1.70 Units

Throughout the initial nine events of the season, Corey Conners has maintained a flawless record without missing a single cut. He enters this week’s competition riding a wave of strong performances. In his recent three outings, he secured a tied-18th finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, a T13 finish at THE PLAYERS Championship, and a T25 finish at the Valero Texas Open. Additionally, he notably attained a T24 finish at The Genesis Invitational.

This week marks his seventh appearance at Augusta National Golf Club. His Masters journey commenced back in 2015 as an amateur, albeit with a missed cut. However, Conners has displayed remarkable consistency in recent years, with top-10 finishes at Augusta National in three of the past four years: a T10 place in 2020, a T8 place in 2021, and a T6 place in 2022.

Over the last 24 rounds, Conners stands out, ranking 10th in SG: Tee to Green and an impressive 2nd in SG: Approach. Renowned for his exceptional iron play, Conners has showcased phenomenal form in this area throughout the season. Despite his tied-25th finish at the Valero Texas Open last week, he notably ranked 4th in SG: Approach amongst the field. While he may not be the longest off the tee, he has consistently gained strokes in this category in eight out of his nine starts this season.

Conners does face challenges with his play on and around the green. However, his short game has shown marked improvement compared to previous years. Although putting remains an area of concern, he has demonstrated the ability to putt well at this course, as evidenced by his performance in 2022.

• Patrick Reed (+175) – BetMGM
  • Risk 1.00 to win 1.75 Units

Patrick Reed faced challenges at the onset of the LIV Tour season, managing just one top-20 finish in the first four events. However, his performance has seen improvement recently, evidenced by a fourth-place finish at the International Series Macau on the Asian Tour and a tied-ninth finish at LIV Miami last week.

As a previous champion at Augusta National (2018), Reed has demonstrated a fondness for this course. Reed has finished inside the top 10 at Augusta National in three of the past four years with a T-10 in 2020, T-8 in 2021, and T-4 in 2023.

In his last two outings, Reed gained 1.20 strokes and 2.03 strokes, respectively. His proficiency on and around the greens has consistently been the strongest aspect of his game. While he may not be the longest hitter off the tee, he demonstrated an increase in distance relative to the field at LIV Miami. Should his iron play remain relatively solid, Reed stands a chance of contention. Even if he encounters challenges in that aspect of his game, his past performances indicate that his short game prowess can compensate for any shortcomings.

• Si Woo Kim (+175) – BetMGM
  • Risk 1.00 to win 1.75 Units

Si Woo Kim has kicked off the 2024 PGA Tour season impressively, maintaining a flawless record with no missed cuts in each of his first nine events played. Over this period, he has secured four top-twenty finishes, with two of them occurring in his most recent events. In the lead-up to the Masters, Si Woo delivered a strong performance with a T6 finish at THE PLAYERS Championship, followed by a T17 finish at the Texas Children’s Houston Open.

Si Woo is set to embark on his eighth Masters appearance this week. Although he missed the cut in his tournament debut back in 2017, he has since displayed consistent improvement, making the weekend in his last six appearances. Throughout this stretch, Si Woo has accumulated five top-30 finishes, with his strongest performance coming in 2021 when he tied for 12th place.

Over the last 24 rounds, Kim stands out with impressive statistics: ranking 4th in SG: Tee to Green, 19th in SG: Approach, and 11th in SG: Around the Green. Additionally, he holds the 19th position in Par 4 Scoring for 450-500 Yards, and the 11th spot in 3-putt Avoidance. Despite some struggles with putting this season, Kim has shown improvement, gaining strokes on the green in each of his last three visits to Augusta. While he may not possess the longest drives on the Tour, Kim’s exceptional accuracy off the tee has consistently enabled him to gain strokes, showcasing his current strong form.

Total Risk on Top 20s: 4.00 Units

Matchups:

• Shane Lowry (-135) over Sam Burns (+115)
  • Risk 1.35 to win 1.00 Units

Sam Burns had an impressive start to the 2024 season, securing top-10 finishes in four of his first five events. However, his performance has since taken a downturn. He finished tied for 30th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, tied for 45th at THE PLAYERS Championship, and missed the cut at the Valspar Championship. The decline in Burns’s game hasn’t been confined to a single area but rather encompasses his overall performance. His performance off the tee, approach play, and short game have all experienced a decline. Burns has competed at Augusta twice, missing the cut in his tournament debut and finishing tied for 29th last year. Notably, in his previous top-30 finish, he was coming off a victory at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play event and a sixth-place finish at the Valspar Championship.

• Joaquin Niemann (-130) over Viktor Hovland (+110)
  • Risk 1.30 to win 1.00 Units

Since his victory at the TOUR Championship last season, Hovland has struggled to maintain consistency in his game. Out of his five starts this season, he has managed to finish inside the top 20 only once. His recent performances include a tied-36th finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and a tied-62nd finish at THE PLAYERS Championship, marking his worst finish on Tour since the 2022 Genesis Scottish Open. Although Hovland has performed well at Augusta in the past, his current form raises doubts about his ability to replicate last season’s success. Despite showing improvements in his short game last season, recent issues have resurfaced, particularly in play around the green. Given the importance of this aspect of the game at Augusta, I have more confidence in Niemann’s game this week.

Total Risk on Matchups: 2.65 Units

As always, all of my placement bets are through BetMGM as they’re one of the only books without dead-heat rules. If you’d like to bet these placements at BetMGM, you can get up to $1500 in Bonus Bets if you don’t win if you’re a first-time user. Must Be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call or Text 1-800-GAMBLER.

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Total Risk on the Masters Tournament: 8.03 Units 

Best of luck, and as always you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting. Any feedback whether positive or negative is always encouraged.