Blog#  130 Masters Preview 

Blog#  130 Masters Preview 

THE MASTERS Apr 11-14, 2024

Augusta National Par 72

Purse 18M same as last year

HISTORY

This is the 88th Masters, with this years field at 89 including 13 members of LIV and 7 amateurs who will stay at the crows nest which is located on the 2nd floor of the clubhouse, above the Champions Locker Room.  There are 4 bedrooms and a game room providing accommodations for the amateurs participating in the Masters each year.  Former occupants include Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw, Craig Stadler, Tommy Aaron, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.

Favorites I think one of the 7 included in the top 5 will win.

1 Scottie Scheffler 4.5/1 If he plays like he has had for the past month he is a shoe in.

2 Rory McIlroy 10/1 He played well at Valero last week, especially the bogie free last RD. He is looking to complete the career Grand Slam.  Hope he wins.

3 Jon Rahm 12/1 Won last year, but may be effected by LIV’s limited schedule.

4 Will Zalatoris 18/1 He has played well after a year long injury, but rated too high.

5 Viktor Hovland 20/1 Has not played up to his 2023 tour Championship.

5 Brooks Koepka 20/1 Great bet as he led last year after RDs 3&4, but faded in Rd 4.

5 Jordan Spieth 20/1 Usually plays well at Augusta but has to stay away from bogies.

8 Xander Schauffele 22/1 It is time for him to win a major.

8 Jaoquin Niemann 22/1 He has won twice this year on LIV, could win.

8 Ludvig Åberg 22/1 One of the best young golfers but still not ready to win a major.

LONGSHOTS

11 Patrick Cantlay 25/1 He has not played well this year,  I don’t think that will change. 

11 Jason Thomas 25/1 Very sporadic play this year, maybe changing caddies will help?

11 Hideki Matsuyama 25/1 He won Genesis on last RD, a great longshot to win his 2nd.

14 Camero Smith 25/1 I think his LIV schedule will hurt him.

14 Wyndham Clark 25/1 First time at Augusta but proved he can win at US Open and AT&T.

16 Dustin Johnson 35/1 He went for the big $ from LIV, his glory days are over. 

One of the most famous Masters Sundays was in 2016 when Jordan Spieth was about to win his 2nd Masters.  He had a 5 stroke lead going into the back 9 but made quadruple bogie hitting into the water twice on the 12th hole.  He lost by 3 strokes to Danny Willett. In Masters history no one has won when scoring a triple bogie or more.