So here it is. The greatest show on turf. Augusta, The Masters, my favourite tournament, which brings together the world's best players at last. It's quite clear the The PGA and LIV have become almost unwatchable these days, as the best players are split into two tournaments, neither of which hold much appeal. In recent weeks, since the Players my interest has been almost zero, and although that has led to less time watching, it won't affect this week, as like a local football derby, form goes out the window here. So many players who love it here, so many in with chances, unbelievable place value around and 4 days of golf porn, it is SOOOO exciting.
The course, which has lengthened over the years due to players now able to hit over tress rather than hit around them, still remains almost the same, totally Iconic, and the wind and firmness that can be managed via their sub-air system, dictates scoring and difficulty. 7545 Yards, Par 72, firm, fast conditions and sloping lies with fast undulating greens provides a test, that has needed experience, historically. History is made to be broken......however this week, we load up with course form and some serious course and distance performers at huge prices. Form, where someone plays, and how they are placing, means nothing here and here we go with some familiar names and some whopping odds.
It may not be a huge price in a sense, but in terms of who and what this guy is, his price this week is an absolute joke. Surely 2nd fav and 10/1 shot BROOKS KOEPKA is on everyone's radar, after last year going so close, and then winning the PGA? In fact Brooks is down the list and the same price as Speith and Matsuyama!!!! 20/1, yes 20/1 for THE major champion of this era, 5 times a major winner, and absolute hard as nails mental champion, I am so hot for Brooks this week. He should have won last year, but he had lost that mental strength after his LIV move and full swing. 1 month later he pissed up at the PGA and was back to his best. He has his sights set on 10 overtaking Hogan and Player and he will contend it is almost a certainty. Just pile in, we are 40pts this week and 9pts are going on Brooks e/w at 20/1 8 places with Bet365, I cannot see past him contending.
I'm absolutely gutted we have no Charley Hoffman this week as he would have been my first outsider, but we head to LIV golf for picks 2 and 3, with course winners and course form horses. The highest earner at the Masters in history is PHIL MICKELSON, and the 3 time winner showed no signs of LIV rust and competitive rust in Majors last year, and he had a great run here finishing 3rd. I'm not a fan of the bloke anymore. For someone who racked up the gambling debts he did, he lacks the humility of his own mistakes and his fall from grace until the Saudis bailed him out. Sometimes I'd love him to at least show some common decency, but regardless, pocket talk can't get around the excitement of this man's game. Phil the Thrill is somehow 175/1 this week, and for 8 places it's another head scratcher. We invest 2pts e/w with Bet365 at 175/1 and boy what a price!
If there is a bigger twat in world sport, and a more hated man, by his own peers and fans alike, known (but alleged) cheat, thief and cockwomble PATRICK REED has a record here that rivals the absolute best. A winner in 2018, he has 4 top 10s in the last 6 years and came 4th last year. His short game is perfect for here as is that strong draw shape and he is another incredible price at 66/1 with bet365. It will be hard to cheer him on, but this is a betting blog not a popularity contest and we invest 3pts e/w 8 places on him this week.
I have to issue a huge apology here, because I could have put up a myriad of juicy players but instead I've had to double down on that one player I am yet to give up on. We have the likes of Fitz, Harman, Connors, Clark and especially Bryson who are all of huge interest, but there is reason for this next madness, more that pure stubbornness. CAMERON YOUNG (yes I know sorry), absolutely binned the Valspar 3 weeks ago and broke our hearts on that 72nd hole, but despite this, I remain stoic that he will win, and I think it is more likely to be something bigger than a B event. This is his 3rd visit here and after two 77s saw him miss his first cut, he came back last year and finished 7th, if that isn't a positive I don't know what is. His main weakness is his putter, but although putting is such a huge necessity for this place, traditionally poor putters do well here. Rather than having to hole huge levels of footage, a need for touch and imagination is the key. Lag putting, getting the ball close and 3-6 footers are the catch of the day, and all you have to do is look through the winners list to see the method here. Matsuyama, Scheffler, Garcia, Scott, Bubba (twice) and Schwartzel have all won here in the last 13 years, and every one of those lads have been well below average throughout their careers (apart from early Adam Scott). I like him this week, and we go 5pts e/w at 45/1 with Bet365.
The last point is from another Blog winner and previous favourite. EMILIANO GRILLO is making his first appearance here since 2019 and has made the cut on all 3 of his previous appearances. His game is still trending after last years successes and his putting again, will be heightened but these slick surfaces. A 17th place finish in 2016, he has the short game and iron play to suit and he has never been in a better mindset to tackle this place. At a whopping 225/1 we invest our final 1pt on him again with Bet365 8 places.
Enjoy the week TEWT
