SO MANY NAMES are floating around for Augusta, and several very nearly made it into the stable. Past champions that have been overlooked, LIV golfers that do not have sufficient data to back, and players that have operated under the radar, subdued and waiting for their week in the sun.
The following group are in the ‘nearly’ section, and I may still be swayed. The main components I track for a Masters bet is general scoring average at Augusta, form in recent (last 3 years) majors, and form this season so far. A solid game with a weighting towards T2G, and a good stat on bogey avoidance spits out a solid bet.
The 2023 Masters champion is by no means finished with his golfing career. Defending champions rarely do well at Augusta, so we can allow the T45 in 2024.
- Before his convincing win in 2023, Rahm had posted 4th, 8th, 7th and 5th since 2018 at Augusta
- Since February, Rahm has posted T2, 6, T6, T5 and T9 at LIV. The guy is golfing his ball and feels almost underrated going into this major, especially given that he finished T7 at the last men’s major in Troon last summer.
Min Woo is in the winner’s circle on the PGA Tour, cranking 195mph ball speed and generally putting on a show.
- A T14, MC, T22 in 3 Masters appearances does look tempting, given his 3 T25s in majors in 2024 and a T5 at the US Open in 2023.
- 4 Top-20s this year including a win in Texas.
Bobby Mac said in an X Q&A that Augusta was his favourite course in the world. If it rains, or the wind blows, he is your man. I like the way he conducted himself around here in 2021.
- Has quietly plotted two Top-10s this season on the PGA Tour, one of which was at the Players Championship.
- Bobby has posted a T12 and a T23 in two appearances here.
- 3 Major Top-10s, one of which was last year at the PGA Championship
‘Table for One’ was his nickname during his time on the PGA Tour. Everyone’s least favourite major champ, you cannot deny the flair with the mid irons, and the world-class short game. I am seriously considering a Reed bet.
- FOUR Top-12s in the last five showings at Augusta, after his win in 2018, including T4 in 2023.
- T10,T25,T7 in his last 3 showings on the LIV Tour.
- Reed came 2nd out in Macau on the International Series, posting -19.
The miniscule left-hander is on a roll, and his shot-shaping will bode well at Augusta. Only a T35 to go off in 2024, which is a decent start for the two-time PGA Tour winner. A T16 at Pinehurst last year shows he is trending the right way in the Big 4.
- 3 Top-10s in 2025 already
- A T3 at The Players
- Left-handers get an extra bonus point! Despite short odds, I don’t mind it.
Some extra takeaways to bear in mind:
The course bears little resemblance to the course we saw in 2015-era. It has changed significantly, lengthened a lot, and I doubt we will see a Zach Johnson plotter succeed here, save for a bad week from the big hitters!
The LIV Dozen have a point to prove - don’t sleep on those mentioned above!
Weather forecast looks good
Bogey avoidance, a good T2G game, and decent major form are strong indicators of a decent run.
Perhaps we are all looking for reasons not to back Scottie. Good luck!
Pat
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