The Continues their four game series against the Reds trying to catch the Pirates for first place. Nick Martinez takes the helm for Cincinnati. Martinez has had a rough start with a 7.2 ERA over ten innings, but he is a solid pitcher looking at his last two years ERA in the 3.4 range. As good as Nick is, he isn’t as good as Brewers ace Freddy Peralta who is red hot with a 3.09 ERA and a 2.78 FIP. Peralta is a Cy Young candidate while the Brewers are still a bit hot about their manager leaving for Chicago. Looking at the Bullpens, I really can’t say that I trust either of them both ranked in the 20s in FIP. What I can trust is the Brewers red hot hitting ranking 4th in wRC+ while the Reds sit at 16th in that category. I think that the price is short here for the first five being that the Reds seems to start out so cold in their games as of late. Take the Crew 1st 5.
We have a great show for you today! Our very own Patrick Gates @GatorBetting along with Brady Kannon @LasVegasGolfer from the @PGATour and @Golfbet is back to break down the 88th Masters Tournament! First, Kiev recaps the NCAA tournament with his 10-1 ticket hitting on UCONN. Then, he gets into some NFL with some thoughts on the Houston Texans. After that, Patrick and Brady come on to discuss the Masters! We talk about the field, the course, the contenders and the weather! After that, we talk about some of the favorites that Patrick and Brady are playing as well as some busts that we might be fading in some of the matchups. Finally, the guys talk about how they constructed their cards for this wonderful golf event. Should you have any questions for the podcast, or games that you want us to cap during our shows, please message us at Info@TheOddsBreakers.com. Have a wonderful week!
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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: 96 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
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.”
Hole
Name
Yards
Par
Hole
Name
Yards
Par
1
Tea Olive
445
4
10
Camellia
495
4
2
Pink Dogwood
575
5
11
White Dogwood
520
4
3
Flowering Peach
350
4
12
Golden Bell
155
3
4
Flowering Crab Apple
240
3
13
Azalea
545
5
5
Magnolia
495
4
14
Chinese Fir
440
4
6
Juniper
180
3
15
Firethorn
550
5
7
Pampas
450
4
16
Redbud
170
3
8
Yellow Jasmine
570
5
17
Nandina
440
4
9
Carolina Cherry
460
4
18
Holly
465
4
Out
3,765
36
In
3,780
36
Total
7,545
72
Featured/ Signature Hole(s): 12, 13
For a hole-by-hole overview of the course, you can click the following link.
Key Statistics:
Statistics
PGA Tour Average
Augusta National
Driving Distance (Yards)
283.42
N/A
Driving Accuracy
62%
68%
GIR Percentage
66%
60%
Avg GIR Prox to Hole (Feet)
29.08
N/A
Scrambling Percentage
58%
52%
Avg 3 Putts / Round
0.55
0.93
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:
Masters Tournament Champions (Lifetime)
US Open Champions (Honorary, non-competing after five years)
The Open Champions (Honorary, non-competing after five years)
PGA Champions (Honorary, non-competing after five years)
Winners of The Players Championship (Three years)
Current Olympic Gold Medalist (One Year)
Current US Amateur Champion (7-A) (Honorary, non-competing after one year) and the Runner-up (7-B) to the current US Amateur Champion
Current The Amateur Champion (Honorary, non-competing after one year)
Current Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion (One year)
Current Latin America Amateur Champion (One year)
Current US Mid-Amateur Champion (One year)
Current NCAA Division I Men’s Individual Champion (One year)
The first 12 players, including ties, in the previous year’s Masters Tournament
The first 4 players, including ties, in the previous year’s US Open
The first 4 players, including ties, in the previous year’s The Open Championship
The first 4 players, including ties, in the previous year’s PGA Championship
Individual winners of PGA Tour events that award a full-point allocation from previous Masters to current Masters
Those qualifying and eligible for the previous year’s season-ending Tour Championship
The 50 leaders on the final Official World Golf Ranking for the previous calendar year
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:
The Masters 2024 | PGA Tour + LIV Golf Injury Report
1) Tiger Woods Q (Ankle/Leg/Back) 2) Hideki Matsuyama P (Back/Wrist/Thumb/Knee/Neck) 3) Cameron Smith Q (Surfer's… pic.twitter.com/saDU8CNh1j
— Golf Injury Report (@InjuryReportPGA) April 9, 2024
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.
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.
The most comprehensive list of the highest % trends for the most predictive course – Augusta National.
TAKEAWAYS ⛳️Past history matters here more than anywhere else ⛳️A longshot winner is very unlikely ⛳️Recent winning experience is significant ⛳️Current form, especially T2G is… pic.twitter.com/Bc0uHnhqhi
Also, credit to Ron Klos (@PGASplits101) for this list as well
Recent Horses for Courses
The Masters
The Masters
The Masters
The Masters
The Masters
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club
EventsPlayed
Scoring Avg.(per round)
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Jon Rahm
7
70.50
WON
T27
T5
T7
T9
Will Zalatoris
2
70.50
–
T6
2
–
–
Scottie Scheffler
4
70.69
T10
WON
T18
T19
–
Xander Schauffele
6
72.32
T10
MC
T3
T17
T2
Collin Morikawa
4
71.44
T10
5
T18
T44
–
Cameron Smith
7
71.61
T34
T3
T10
T2
T51
Brooks Koepka
8
71.46
T2
MC
MC
T7
T2
Dustin Johnson
13
71.52
T48
T12
MC
WON
T2
Sungjae Im
4
71.64
T16
T8
MC
T2
–
Viktor Hovland
4
71.69
T7
T27
T21
–
T32
Justin Thomas
8
71.70
MC
T8
T21
4
T12
Corey Conners
6
71.85
MC
T6
T8
T10
T46
Russell Henley
7
72.12
T4
T30
–
–
–
Patrick Reed
10
71.89
T4
T35
T8
T10
T36
Matthew Fitzpatrick
9
72.24
T10
T14
T34
T46
T21
Shane Lowry
8
72.62
T16
T3
T21
T25
MC
Recent Donkeys for Courses:
The Masters
The Masters
The Masters
The Masters
The Masters
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club
EventsPlayed
Scoring Avg.(per round)
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Jose Maria Olazabal
20
74.46
MC
MC
T50
MC
MC
Mike Weir
22
73.98
MC
MC
MC
T51
MC
Vijay Singh
22
73.57
MC
MC
MC
WD
MC
Fred Couples
21
73.06
T50
MC
MC
MC
MC
Sergio Garcia
21
72.97
MC
T23
MC
–
MC
Previous Winners Scores, Prices, and Strokes Gained (Rank at Tournament):
2023: Jon Rahm (-12)
Price: 9-1
SG: Off the Tee
SG: Tee to Green
SG: Approach
SG: Around the Green
SG: Putting
Jon Rahm
2nd
1st
6th
7th
22nd
2022: Scottie Scheffler (-10)
Price: 16-1
SG: Off the Tee
SG: Tee to Green
SG: Approach
SG: Around the Green
SG: Putting
Scottie Scheffler
9th
2nd
6th
3rd
13th
2021: Hideki Matsuyama (-10)
Price: 45-1
SG: Off the Tee
SG: Tee to Green
SG: Approach
SG: Around the Green
SG: Putting
Hideki Matsuyama
21st
2nd
9th
3rd
18th
2020: Dustin Johnson (-20)
Price: 9-1
SG: Off the Tee
SG: Tee to Green
SG: Approach
SG: Around the Green
SG: Putting
Dustin Johnson
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2019: Tiger Woods (-13)
Price: 16-1
SG: Off the Tee
SG: Tee to Green
SG: Approach
SG: Around the Green
SG: Putting
Tiger Woods
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
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
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Jon Rahm
T27
T5
T7
T9
4
T27
2022: Scottie Scheffler
2021
2020
Scottie Scheffler
T18
T19
2021: Hideki Matsuyama
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2012
2011
Hideki Matsuyama
T13
T32
19
T11
T7
5
MC
T54
T27
2020: Dustin Johnson
2019
2018
2016
2015
2014
2013
2011
2010
2009
Dustin Johnson
T2
T10
T4
T6
MC
T13
T38
T38
T30
2019: Tiger Woods
2018
2015
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
Tiger Woods
T32
T17
T4
T40
T4
T4
T6
2
T2
T3
WON
T22
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.
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.
We have a great show for you today! Kiev O’Neil goes solo to break down the College Basketball national championship game between Purdue and UConn. Gonna be a banger! Should you have any questions for the podcast, or games that you want us to cap during our shows, please message us at Info@TheOddsBreakers.com. Have a wonderful week!
Use Promo Code Baseball24 TO GET $100 OFF EVERY MLB BASEBALL PACKAGE or 50% OFF ANY MONTHLY PACKAGE for the rest of the 2024 season! Click here: https://theoddsbreakers.com/premium-plays/ Offer expires August 30th 2024
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Let’s have some fun today betting the ponies. Gonna key in on a few horses in each race and try to hit some small scores. I will write down my thoughts on each one below.
For the Santa Anita, I honestly think Baffert chalk is the only way to go here. This is his home track and good ole Bob has a chip on his shoulder serving out his last year of Churchill suspension. The 4 horse “Imagination” is a rightful favorite who has been running extremely well winning two out of his last three races with Brisnet speed figures in the 90s. I also think that Baffort’s 5 horse “Wynstock” is in play and at a much nicer 8-1 price due to his last race being a disaster. Hoping for him to pull it out.
Trifecta
2024/04/06
Santa Anita Park Race #10 USD 1 Trifecta (4, 5 / 2, 3, 4, 5 / 2, 3, 4, 5)
Ticket total
12.00
0.00
0.00
Confirmation #: 15152691
Ticket time: 2024/04/06 01:22:47 PM
Exacta
2024/04/06
Santa Anita Park Race #10 USD 4 Exacta (5 / 2, 3, 4)
Ticket total
12.00
0.00
0.00
Exacta
2024/04/06
Santa Anita Park Race #10 USD 8 Exacta (4 / 2, 3, 5)
Ticket total
24.00
0.00
0.00
Santa Anita total investment: $48
This brings us to the Wood Memorial where I think that this is a two horse race between “Deterministic” who has shown great speed in his only two races winning them both and “Tuscan Sky.” Deterministic has the biggest speed figures here, but is going off at a rough 7/5. I am hoping he is bested by a Pletcher horse in Tuscan Sky. This horse also only has two races winning them both with a nice speed of 97 from Brisnet. This horse is at a better 4-1 price. Small investment here.
We are finally at the Blue Grass Stakes where I see more opportunity with the larger handle and a 10 horse field. Hoping to make some good money. No pun intended. The 11 horse Encino is scratched. I truly believe that everyone is going to be on the 6 horse “Just a touch” due to his sire being the only and only Justify. I am gonna try and not let the favorites beat me yet key on the number 5 horse “Good Money.” This is a one of three Chad Brown horses that is lightly raced, and part of the photo finish at the Tampa Bay Derby where he had the lead and ended up fourth. Good money will have an experienced Jockey in Javier Castellano pushing him to try and close out this race. If this horse hits, we should be looking pretty good.
We have a great show for you today! Our very own Shawn Knoche @TheGreatKnoche joins us to talk about the huge prep races for the Kentucky derby! First, Kiev talks about some NFL and a way too not too early season win total that he likes. After that, Kiev gets into college basketball final 4 and a play that he has made with some other thoughts. Then, Shawn comes on and the guys get right into the Wood Memorial, The Blue Grass Stakes and the Santa Anita Derby with some horses that they will be keying in on for the big show. Finally, Shawn and Kiev talk some more final four. Should you have any questions for the podcast, or games that you want us to cap during our shows, please message us at Info@TheOddsBreakers.com. Have a wonderful week!
Use Promo Code Baseball24 TO GET $100 OFF EVERY MLB BASEBALL PACKAGE or 50% OFF ANY MONTHLY PACKAGE for the rest of the 2024 season! Click here: https://theoddsbreakers.com/premium-plays/ Offer expires August 30th 2024
If you want to subscribe to support us and get some very frequent winners please Click Here to become a member of The OddsBreakers and gain access to premium plays BEFORE the line moves! Or, you can visit theoddsbreakers.com and click shop and pick one of our great handicappers including Kiev O’Neil @OBKiev at only $84 per month on a 1 year subscription! You could also support us at Patreon.com for only $10 a month to help us out and thank us for some free plays as well as get some extra benefits and merchandise.
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2023 MLB Season 146-123-7 up 11U
2023/2024 College Basketball up 9U
63% for 2022/2023 NBA sides and totals! 22-13 up 6.5 units. 14% ROI
55% All Time NFL Sides, Teasers, Parlays, Props and Totals! 5.21% ROI
56% 2022/2023 NFL Season 136-109-11 in Sides/Totals/Teasers/Season props up 38.5U
55% All Time College Football Sides, Teasers, Parlays, Props and Totals! 4.75% ROI
63% FOR 2022 COLLEGE BOWL SEASON UP 27 UNITS!
54% Lifetime All Plays in College Basketball 3% ROI
38% Lifetime UFC On All Plays 3% ROI
62% 2022 March Madness College Basketball Plays at 30% ROI!!!
Rangers vs Rays -122 O/U 8
Early April baseball usually sets itself up nicely for some unders in the betting market. While this is true across most of the nation, it doesn’t always bode well for warm places like Tampa Florida. In early spring the humidity is usually down and the temperatures are up. Today, two solid pitchers face of in Nathan Eovaldi who had a solid 3.63 ERA last year and a 3.88 FIP for the Rangers. He faces off against Aaron Civale who boasted a 3.47 ERA last year and a 3.57 FIP. There are a few reasons why I like the over today. For one, neither bullpen ranked in the top ten last year in performance. My next issue is that both teams ranked in the top for when it comes to wRC+ which means weighted runs created adjusted for ballparks. They also were top 4 in total runs. Lastly, the wind is blowing towards center field at over 22 miles per hour today. I could see a lot of fly balls that will make it over the fence as well as some stress on the pitching staff. Take the over.
Saturday: AM Showers 80 F, 14 mp/h SSE, 75% Humidity, 35% Chance of Rain
Sunday: AM Clouds/ PM Sun 83 F, 9 mp/h NE, 40% Humidity, 23% Chance of Rain
Course/ Tournament History:
The Valero Texas Open, also known as the Texas Open dates back over 100 years, founded in 1922. This event is the sixth-oldest professional golf tournament worldwide and the third-oldest on the PGA Tour.
This event has always been held in the San Antonio area. The Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio became the host course for this tournament in 2010 replacing La Cantera Golf Club which hosted the event from 1995 to 2009. TPC San Antonio has two courses on the property with The Canyons course being the other. In total, this event has been hosted by eight different courses.
The Valero Energy Foundation took over the naming rights in 2002 and has retained the rights ever since. Before the Valero Energy Foundation, Westin was the sponsor of this event.
Most Tournament Wins (Event):
3, Arnold Palmer (1960, 1961, 1962) & Justin Leonard (2000, 2001, 2007)
72-Hole Record (Event):
254, Tommy Armour III (2003 at La Cantera)
72-Hole Record (TPC San Antonio):
268, Corey Conners (2019)
18-Hole Record (Event):
60, Bart Bryant (Round 3, 2004 at La Cantera), Zach Johnson (Round 3, 2009 at La Cantera)
18-Hole Record (TPC San Antonio):
62, Trey Mullinax (3rd round, 2018)
Course Guide/ Scorecard:
Originally crafted by Greg Norman in 2010, the Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio features a traditional Par 72 layout, comprising four Par 3s, ten Par 4s, and four Par 5s.
TPC San Antonio is highly susceptible to winds, posing a significant challenge for approach shots.
The four Par 3’s range between 171 yards and 241 yards. In 2023, all of the Par 3’s had a scoring average over par except for No. 16.
No. 3, 171 yards, Par 3: “Welcome to the first par 3 on The Oaks course at TPC San Antonio. This 213 yard beauty is one of only two holes on the course which require carry over water. This hole is not for the faint of heart. A confident swing is required with a medium or long iron to carry the water and reach the green. The only miss for the player on this hole is long. It is a must for players to land their tee shot on the appropriate level of the green. Players who find themselves on the opposite side of the pin, will have to summon their best touch to avoid a three putt. Once again, par is a good score here.”
No. 16, 183 yards, Par 3: “Arguably and soon to be known as one of the most unique par 3’s in golf, the short 16th hole features a creative green defined by beautiful bunkers on both sides and the unique feature of a bunker in the center which divides the green into 3 smaller targets. An assortment of teeing areas offer the player, not only different yardages, but different angles into the green. Put it on the right spot of green and birdie or par is almost a certainty. Put it on the wrong side of the bunker and anything goes.”
There are ten Par 4’s on the Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio with the majority of those holes ranging between 400 and 450 yards. No. 17 is the shortest listed at 347 yards with the longest being No. 4, playing 481 yards. In terms of scoring average, the toughest Par 4 on the course last year was No. 4 (+0.246).
No. 4, 481 yards, Par 4: “Hole #4 on the The Oaks course at TPC San Antonio is possibly the most difficult par 4 on the front 9. This hole was the first hole to be grassed during construction and has a stately and majestic feel about it. The tee shot requires power and precision as the fairway is one of the narrowest on the course. Finding the fairway is a must. A well struck tee shot leaves the player with a long iron or fairway wood second shot to a beautiful but devilish green. This green site is one of the most picturesque on The Oaks course at TPC San Antonio with old gnarly oak trees clearly evident around it, along with the artistic bunkers featuring a rock out cropping along the back edge. This green has significant movement in it and two putts for the player will be considered a success. Par on this hole is like a birdie.”
No. 11, 405 yards, Par 4: “The eleventh is one of the most striking holes on the The Oaks course at TPC San Antonio. Players face a decision off the tee, to challenge the cross bunker which requires a 220 yard carry from the back tee or play safely laying up short of the bunker. This hole rewards heroism because a great tee shot leaves only a short pitch to the green. A short drive on the right side means carrying a deep greenside bunker on the approach. Once on the green, the player’s work is not done. The green features some interesting pitch and roll to catch your attention. The player may be rewarded with a birdie for playing aggressively.”
No. 12, 410 yards, Par 4: “The 12th hole is short, but dangerous. The player may choose any club off the tee. The key is being straight and in the fairway. Playing from the rough will almost assure the player a bogey. The second shot will only be a short iron but is played uphill and downwind to an elevated green protected by a set of enormous twin bunkers which are the deepest on the golf course. The green, while quite large is segregated into several levels which forces the player to have precise control with the second shot. Believe it or not the best miss on this hole is long, leaving the player a simple chip back. Miss it short, right or left, and you will be busy. It’s only 410 from the back tee, but 4 is a great score.”
There are four Par 5s on the course, No. 2, No. 8, No. 14 and No. 18. All of these holes had a scoring average under par in 2022. The easiest hole on the course last year was No. 14 with a scoring average of 4.648.
No. 8, 604 yards, Par 5: “The second Par 5 on the front nine is the exact opposite of its neighboring Par 5 Hole #2. This hole plays uphill and downwind, stretching more than 600 yards in length from the back tees. Try to avoid the left side off the tee and the beautiful specimen Oak that was transplanted to this hole from the 14th. A good tee shot will find the player at the crest of the hill. The second shot can be anything from a mid-iron to a fairway wood, depending on your preferred approach shot. It is vital the player’s second shot ends up in the fairway, allowing for a controlled approach to this split level, heavily contoured and well protected green. Finding the right level on the green is important to ensure you don’t spend too much time putting around.”
No. 18, 591 yards, Par 5: “A fantastic final hole for our fantastic finish. The 18th hole is a long, uphill par 5. The tee shot should be shaped left to right in order to remain in a fairway sloping from right to left. After the tee shot, players should play up the right side, being cautious to avoid the creek which bisects the fairway and the spectacular bunkers on the right. The third shot will be played with a short iron uphill to a green which is segregated into 3 levels and is well protected by a hill country creek and three bunkers. Players may have visions of making a final birdie to win the Valero Texas Open on this one.”
Featured/ Signature Hole(s): 16-18
For a hole-by-hole overview of the course, you can click the following link.
Key Statistics:
Statistics
PGA Tour Average
TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course)
Driving Distance (Yards)
283.41
286.33
Driving Accuracy
62%
56%
GIR Percentage
66%
59%
Avg GIR Prox to Hole (Feet)
29.08
30.50
Scrambling Percentage
58%
59%
Avg 3 Putts / Round
0.55
0.54
Strokes Gained: Approach
Four of the past five winners ranked 4th or better in SG: Approach amongst the field. Having a strong iron game will be important this week if players want to succeed.
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bermudagrass)
The green complexes on the Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio are Champion Bermudagrass with Poa trivialis overseed .110”.
Par 4 Scoring: 400-450 Yards (x5)
Five of the ten Par 4’s on the Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio range between 400-450 Yards.
Par 5 Scoring: 550-600 Yards (x2)/ 600-650 Yards (x2)
Two of the four Par 5’s on the Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio range between 550-600 Yards. The other two Par 5’s range between 600-650 Yards.
Proximity Gained: 75-100 yards/ 200+Yards
Below is the approach shot distribution chart from last year’s event (via DataGolf). Most approach shots come from the 75-100 Yard/ 200+ yard range at a volume much higher than the PGA Tour average.
Comparable Courses and Event History
Looking at the Data Golf Course History Tool, a good course history is very indicative of success at TPC San Antonio.
The Field/ Odds:
There will be 156 players competing in this year’s Valero Texas Open. Nine of the top twenty players in the Official World Golf Ranking are in the field. Here are the current favorites in this week’s event:
Rory McIlroy (+900)
Ludvig Aberg (+1100)
Jordan Spieth (+1800)
Hideki Matsuyama (+1800)
Max Homa (+2000)
Previous Winners in the Field (Event):
Corey Conners (’23, ’19), J.J. Spaun (’22), Jodan Spieth (’21), Andrew Landry (’18), Kevin Chappell (’17), Charley Hoffman (’16), Jimmy Walker (’15), Martin Laird (’13), Adam Scott (’10), Zach Johnson (’09, ’08)
Debutants in the Field (Event):
Adrien Dumont de Chassart, Alejandro Tosti, Alexander Bjork, Ben Willman, Blaine Hale, Jr., Chan Kim, Christopher Gotterup, Collin Morikawa, Davis Thompson, Erik Barnes, Hayden Springer, Jacob Bridgeman, Jimmy Stanger, Joe Highsmith, Joe Sullivan, Jorge Campillo, Kevin Dougherty, Kevin Yu, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Max Greyserman, Norman Xiong, Parker Coody, Patrick Fishburn, Philip Knowles, Raul Pereda, Rico Hoey, Ryan McCormick, Ryo Hisatsune, Thorbjorn Olesen, Tom Kim, Tom Whitney, Tommy Fleetwood, Trace Crowe, Tyson Alexander, Victor Perez, Webb Simpson, Wilson Furr
In three of the last five editions of the Valero Texas Open, the winning score has been below 271.5 (-16.5). However, in the two most recent editions of this event, the winning score has been above 271.5.
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 +300/ No -400)
There has not been a playoff at the Valero Texas Open since 2009 when Zach Johnson defeated James Driscoll. Four of the past five winners of this tournament have won by two strokes or more.
To place a bet at DraftKings on the Playoff Prop, you can click the following link.
Horses for Courses
Valero Texas Open
Valero Texas Open
Valero Texas Open
Valero Texas Open
Valero Texas Open
TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course)
TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course)
TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course)
TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course)
TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course)
Events Played
Scoring Avg. (per round)
2023
2022
2021
2019
2018
Corey Conners
5
69.50
WON
T35
T14
WON
T26
Charley Hoffman
17
69.86
T22
MC
2
2
T64
Lucas Glover
6
70.45
45
T18
4
T14
–
Aaron Baddeley
13
70.25
–
T18
–
T30
T16
Kevin Streelman
9
70.58
T46
T18
–
6
T8
Rickie Fowler
4
70.50
T10
MC
T17
T17
–
Matt Kuchar
16
70.64
T3
T2
T12
T7
T51
Brandt Snedeker
5
70.25
–
T18
T6
–
15
Jordan Spieth
7
70.69
–
T35
WON
T30
–
Donkeys for Courses:
“Horses for Courses” is a phrase that is widely used and describes the best course/tournament fits. These are players that have had success at the particular course/event. “Donkeys for Courses” is something I came up with that highlights the players who have struggled at a specific course/tournament.
Valero Texas Open
Valero Texas Open
Valero Texas Open
Valero Texas Open
Valero Texas Open
TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course)
TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course)
TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course)
TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course)
TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course)
Events Played
Scoring Avg. (per round)
2023
2022
2021
2019
2018
Justin Lower
2
74.67
70
MC
–
–
–
Austin Eckroat
2
74.00
MC
–
MC
–
–
Alex Smalley
2
74.00
MC
MC
–
–
–
Bronson Burgoon
4
73.78
–
MC
MC
–
MC
Garrick Higgo
2
73.67
T64
MC
–
–
–
Michael Kim
5
73.36
T46
–
MC
–
MC
Ryan Brehm
3
73.13
–
MC
MC
–
–
Paul Barjon
2
73.00
–
MC
–
MC
–
Austin Cook
5
73.00
MC
MC
MC
MC
T30
Previous Winners Scores, Prices, and Strokes Gained (Rank at Tournament):
2023: Corey Conners (-15)
Price: 20-1
SG: Off the Tee
SG: Tee to Green
SG: Approach
SG: Around the Green
SG: Putting
Corey Conners
8th
1st
1st
29th
41st
2022: J.J. Spaun (-13)
Price: 200-1
SG: Off the Tee
SG: Tee to Green
SG: Approach
SG: Around the Green
SG: Putting
J.J. Spaun
10th
5th
23rd
13th
17th
2021: Jordan Spieth (-18)
Price: 16-1
SG: Off the Tee
SG: Tee to Green
SG: Approach
SG: Around the Green
SG: Putting
Jordan Spieth
38th
3rd
4th
3rd
6th
2020: Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Price: N/A
2019: Corey Conners (-20)
Price: 200-1
SG: Off the Tee
SG: Tee to Green
SG: Approach
SG: Around the Green
SG: Putting
Corey Conners
4th
2nd
1st
58th
26th
Previous Winners Incoming Form (Last 5 Starts):
2023: Corey Conners
T17 – WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (PGA)
MC – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)
T21 – Arnold Palmer Invitational (PGA)
61 – The Genesis Invitational (PGA)
T50 – WM Phoenix Open (PGA)
2022: J.J. Spaun
T27 – Valspar Championship (PGA)
MC – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)
T52 – Arnold Palmer Invitational (PGA)
T30 – The Honda Classic (PGA)
MC – The Genesis Invitational (PGA)
2021: Jordan Spieth
T9 – WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (PGA)
T48 – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)
T4 – Arnold Palmer Invitational (PGA)
T15 – The Genesis Invitational (PGA)
T3 – AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (PGA)
2020: Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2019: Corey Conners
MC – Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship (PGA)
T41 – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)
MC – Arnold Palmer Invitational (PGA)
MC – Puerto Rico Open (PGA)
MC – AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (PGA)
Previous Winners Finishes at Event:
2023: Corey Conners
2022
2021
2019
2018
Corey Conners
T35
T14
WON
T26
2022: J.J. Spaun
2021
2019
2018
2017
J.J. Spaun
MC
MC
T26
T49
2021: Jordan Spieth
2019
2015
2014
2013
2012
Jordan Spieth
T30
2
10
MC
T41
2020: Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2019: Corey Conners
2018
Corey Conners
T26
Picks (Outrights):
Alex Noren (+3300) – FanDuel
Risk: 0.25 to win 8.25 Units
Byeong-Hun An (+3500) – DraftKings
Risk: 0.23 to win 8.05 Units
Harris English (+4000) – DraftKings
Risk: 0.20 to win 8.00 Units
Christiaan Bezuidenhout (+4500) – FanDuel
Risk: 0.18 to win 8.10 Units
Maverick McNealy (+6600) – BetMGM
Risk: 0.13 to win 8.58 Units
Total Risk on Outrights: 0.99 Units
Picks (Top 20):
Corey Conners (+115) – BetMGM
Risk: 1.00 to win 1.15 Units
Billy Horschel (+160) – BetMGM
Risk: 1.00 to win 1.60 Units
Total Risk on Top 20s: 2.00 Units
Picks (Top 40):
Andrew Novak (+130) – BetMGM
Risk: 1.00 to win 1.30 Units
Matti Schmid (+150) – BetMGM
Risk: 1.00 to win 1.50 Units
Total Risk on Top 40s: 2.00 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.
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.
We have a great show for you today! Kiev O’Neil @OBKiev goes solo to talk about the Final 4 from a sports betting perspective! Should you have any questions for the podcast, or games that you want us to cap during our shows, please message us at Info@TheOddsBreakers.com. Have a wonderful week!
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