Masters
We're doing the full field again folks. I love this shit. Bolded players are the ones I have backed each way at the price. Probably need to back another shorter priced player for a proper position, but oh well. These are all Skybet 8 places E/W.
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Rory McIlroy 7/1: Nine years since his last major. Although Scheffler has been in joke mood again (as he was before I backed him heavily to win here last year), I feel the stars may have aligned for McIlroy and he may just have timed his run a fraction better.
Scottie Scheffler 7/1: I feel sick not being on this man, who is a complete machine and has played the world's best golf in the last six weeks or so. I'm just not sure if he will have enough to do it yet again. Golf doesn't tend to work that way. I mean, if he wins it, he'll probably win it by six, and fair fucks.
Jon Rahm 9/1: An almighty contender with several top fives here, but I just think he might have peaked a fraction soon. That said, if one of the above two didn't win then I think he will. I will genuinely be quite shocked if the winner isn't from the Big Three, and that's a big statement in golf, which can be won by whoever most weeks.
Jordan Spieth 16/1: I have very rarely backed Spieth (to be honest, I don't think he's been much value for at least five years, maybe longer) and cannot justify it here. Fourth favourite here reflects some signs of life and a formidable record here to the point where he should have won at least three times but only has one jacket. I wanted to back him but not at this price.
Patrick Cantlay 18/1: Dour personality and painfully slow around the greens, but a serious contender. That said, has a weirdly bad major record so probably short.
Justin Thomas: 20/1: Coley always backs him here (not sure if he has this year), and you can see why - amazing variety of shots in his game. Wouldn't rule him out.
Cameron Smith 22/1: The top LIV player in the market, and not surprising given his record at Augusta, but I just can't see the sharpness being there. Also, his whole aesthetic is awful. Admit it, Aussies.
Tony Finau 22/1: God I'd love to see it, but a touch short against this field.
Collin Morikawa 25/1: Many tout him as a dark horse this week, but I don't think he has the creativity for this layout. Usually such opinions of mine will end with him slipping on the coat.
Dustin Johnson 25/1: Won here in 2020 when it was in November in different conditions. Not sure he gives enough of a shit to win it again.
Jason Day 25/1: Aussie who has experienced a renaissance this year. Has the game to win here and came close a lot around a decade ago. Can't see him having the firepower this time.
Xander Schauffele 25/1: Could well have pinched it the year Matsuyama won, but for a blowout on 16. Little form of late but could show at this price.
Cameron Young 28/1: Second in the matchplay and second in the most recent major, last year's Open behind Smith (how long ago that seems). Essentially a bomb-and-gouge man so likely to be found out by Augusta.
Max Homa 30/1: On fire so far this year, and unfortunate only to win once. That said, he has a poor record both here and in majors generally, so the price isn't tempting enough.
Brooks Koepka 33/1: Absolutely no form for a year, until winning LIV Orlando last week. How much a LIV win counts as 'form' I don't know, but I guess it's better than not winning. Check out the state of his marriage in Full Swing.
Viktor Hovland 33/1: A fine player, but serious doubts about him here thanks to his very questionable abilities around the green.
Sungjae Im 33/1: A bit of an enigma. You never quite know when he's going to have a good week and when not. Hasn't won for a while, though did finish 2nd to DJ here in the autumn edition.
Sam Burns 35/1: Won the Matchplay, his first win against a really top field after several wins in half-decent events last year. Also is either a local boy or seems like he should be, I'm not looking it up. With another year's experience I'd be interested at this price, but may not know all the tricks yet.
Will Zalatoris 35/1: Possesses the tragic combination of an unbelievable approach game and the most horrendous short putting yips in top level golf. The latter may hold him back from finally winning a major, after a ludicrous 3 runners-up in his first 8 pro majors.
Hideki Matsuyama 40/1: I'm glad he won here in 2021, because he's such a bad joke with the putter that I suspect, despite his phenomenal golf game, that it'll be the only major he wins.
Matt Fitzpatrick 40/1: Short of form and, truth be told, probably short of the pizzazz to win here.
Corey Conners 45/1: Twenty years on from Canada's last winner, he arrives off the back of Texas victory and so definitely won't win the Masters.
Shane Lowry 50/1: I've always fancied him to do well here, principally because I have a theory about Augusta and Wentworth being a match and he has a phenomenal record at the latter. T3 at Augusta last year was his best but has little form since winning Wentworth in September.
Tommy Fleetwood 50/1: Arrives in his best form for some time and with a number of decent finishes here without really threatening, he is a very tempting back but I've decided against it in the end.
Tyrrell Hatton 50/1: Should be much shorter on recent form, but his horrendous record here counts against him.
Justin Rose 50/1: This is the Englishman I favour. At 42, he won't have many races left to run and this is the one he's always wanted. Very nearly got it in 2017, wasn't far off in 2021 either and after regaining form with victory at Pebble Beach will be gearing his year towards one more run at a green jacket, which, sartorially, I think would suit him.
Minwoo Lee 55/1: Young Aussie with a good game but isn't going to win on debut.
Joaquin Niemann 66/1: Oh, Joaco. Such a talent, but also one of the thickest blokes going which has resulted in him signing for LIV at 23.
Patrick Reed 66/1: Of all the LIV players, there is no one who suits this challenge more than Reed. The ultimate fuck-you golfer, who has spent his life raining on parades and pissing on everyone's chips. I mean, today he played a practice round on his own, which is unheard of and proper serial killer stuff. Other than Reed, his family and his employers all being genuinely reprehensible human beings, there would be nothing funnier than the look on Fred Ridley's face if Reed were to double his tally. For this alone, I'm in.
Tiger Woods 66/1: I've tried to talk myself into it, but it's not happening. The man can barely walk. Despite this - partially because of this, actually - watching him play top level golf at this stage of his career is appointment TV.
Tom Kim 70/1: Hugely likeable young player for whom this comes much too early.
Adam Scott 90/1: Suave Australian (there's a rare combination of words) with a sweet swing, unlikely toadd to his 2014 jacket.
Bryson DeChambeau 100/1: lol.
Louis Oosthuizen 100/1: Body is wrecked and he's more usually seen having uncharismatic barbecues on LIV promo videos.
Mito Pereira 100/1: Also on LIV with his mate Niemann, I had him at 175/1 for the PGA and we all know what happened there, goodnight sweet prince.
Sahith Theegala 100/1: Another very likeable youngster who I can very well see winning here one day, but on debut is too much to ask.
Si Woo Kim 100/1: Was in contention a few years back until he snapped his putter in rage and had to putt with a 5 wood or something.
Tom Hoge 110/1: TTH favourite, think it's his debut, no chance.
Abraham Ancer 110/1: LIV Mexican who is probably still the same solid player but too short to win here.
Keegan Bradley 110/1: Having his best season for a long time, but never made top 20 here and it's hard to see him starting now.
Keith Mitchell 110/1: Lovely 90s golfer vibe from Keith, in name, hair and clothes. Not a threat.
Kurt Kitayama 110/1: Won impressively at Bay Hill recently for his big time breakthrough, but this is an Augusta debut - if you fancy taking the debutant bonus for a top 10 then he might not be a bad shout, but not for me Clive.
Danny Willett 125/1: His win in 2016 was one of the great sporting occasions, which American fans still cry about to this day. Popped up on the leaderboard last year on the way to finishing T12, and you can imagine him doing something but a full place is perhaps beyond him.
Seamus Power 125/1: Had a creditable T27 finish on debut last year, it's not impossible to see him repeat that or perhaps inch a fraction better, but I'm not on board.
Sergio Garcia 125/1: I feel really stupid for willing him on to his 2017 win. Absolute prick and hope he dies.
Talor Gooch 125/1: Reportedly signed for LIV while not understanding that he couldn't also stay on the PGA Tour. With that kind of brain power it's hard to see him featuring.
Chris Kirk 150/1: Although I don't think anyone at these odds can realistically beat this field, if you're going to take one each way it's got to be Kirk. He's been in red-hot form at the start of this year, he managed a T5 in last year's PGA, and he's played here three times before. Also a local from his college days.
Russell Henley 150/1: Another TTH favourite, not really suited to this layout.
Ryan Fox 150/1: Likeable Kiwi who gives it a bash and has made his way well up the world rankings. These odds are probably a bit long given his form over the last couple of years, but has no course experience.
Thomas Pieters 150/1: Gone to LIV recently basically because he doesn't want to play full time in America, which is an interesting commentary on what golf is as a sport - it's much more international than Americans want from their sports leagues. Too sulky to win.
Billy Horschel 175/1: Very little form over the last six months, and best known at the Masters for falling down a hill with his trousers rolled up to his knees.
Brian Harman 175/1: Small left hander who I have backed a lot over the years, with some ROI, but his lack of distance hurts him at the real big events.
Alex Noren 200/1: Fine player from Sweden, but a Masters record of MC-MC-62nd doesn't bode amazingly well.
Bubba Watson 200/1: Two-time winner and complete lunatic, now captain of the Range Goats. Won't be completing his hat-trick.
Gary Woodland 200/1: Despite being named after an Augusta course feature he has never cracked the top twenty in 10 attempts.
Harold Varner III 200/1: Went to LIV 'for the money', which puts him very much into the 'at least he's honest' category. Won't figure.
J.T. Poston 200/1: Solid grinder.
Jason Kokrak 200/1: Would have been at probably 40s last year. A crashing decline, and yes, you guessed it, he went to LIV.
Phil Mickelson 200/1: Very short price here for a 52 year old crisis actor who blew up the sport a year ago and hasn't even challenged for a LIV title yet.
Taylor Moore 200/1: There's something dodgy about him, from memory: either he hit a woman, or covered up a rape, or some shit like that. Won recently.
Cameron Champ 250/1: Bit of a comedy golfer name, and can't chip for shit.
Charl Schwartzel 250/1: Won here in 2011, now cruises the fairways on the PIF's time.
Francesco Molinari 250/1: A crashing decline since he challenged here in 2019, and you'd imagine the PTSD will hurt him.
Harris English 250/1: At this point in the list it's just, you know, some golfers.
Kevin Na 250/1: Captain of the Ironheads. Can't believe that's a real and true golf sentence.
Mackenzie Hughes 250/1: Canadian, quite good at golf, what do you want.
Adam Svensson 300/1: As above.
Adrian Meronk 300/1: The first Polish player to play in the Masters. Well done him.
KH Lee 300/1: A lovely back at certain small scale events, but he's not doing shit at Augusta.
Sepp Straka 300/1: Honestly can't think how he qualified for this.
Gordon Sargent 400/1: Guessing he's an amateur.
Kevin Kisner 400/1: Time was when the Kis was the thinking man's pick at this sort of event, especially way down south in Dixie. These days, less so.
Scott Stallings 400/1: Furniture.
Kazuki Higa 500/1: There are several young studs coming up from Japan who are going to make waves in the game. Higa isn't one of them.
Zach Johnson 500/1: This guy having won at Augusta and St Andrews is a tick in the column for 'You can do it too, if you put your mind to it'.
Sam Bennett 750/1: US Amateur champion, and from memory I think an absolute Trumpbucket, could be wrong.
Aldrich Potgieter 1000/1: A teenage amateur from South Africa, he's very highly thought of. Would be my pick in any low am markets that might be floating around.
Ben Carr 1000/1: I'm not looking this up but I think he lost to Bennett in the US Am final.
Bernhard Langer 1000/1: Now 65 years old, I recently watched him win a 45th senior tour title while in a hotel in Bogota. Probably the most German man ever to live. If you made him manager of Energie Cottbus, I'd believe you.
Harrison Crowe 1000/1: Australian amateur.
Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira 1000/1: Think he's a Chilean, but again, I'm not looking it up. Won the South American am.
Fred Couples 1500/1: Made a big effort a few weeks ago to call Mickelson a twat in the press, which I found entertaining. Love Freddie, everyone's favourite uncle.
Matthew McClean 1500/1: Not sure who this is, by process of elimination probably the mid-am winner, which is like the US Am but for people who have jobs and mortgages.
Mike Weir 2000/1: Genuinely hilarious that he's spun 20+ years of entries out of his ludicrous 2003 victory, especially as that was during peak Tiger.
Vijay Singh 2500/1: Sued the PGA Tour before it was fashionable. Recently turned 60, how time flies.
Jose Maria Olazabal 5000/1: Ever since Seve died he's been like a sad bear pacing the fairways. Made the cut a couple of years ago, which was insane.
Larry Mize 6000/1: The 1987 winner, before I was born, and I'll soon be 35.
Sandy Lyle 6000/1: Genuinelyastonishing that this man is still playing golf.
Originally Posted by Lofty
Real Madrid tasty too.
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