PGA Tour
Golf Tips
Date: April 11–14, 2024
It’s that time of year again! Masters week has arrived, and golfers are preparing to compete at the legendary Augusta National for the coveted green jacket. The course is a sight to behold, with vibrant azaleas in full bloom and meticulously manicured fairways and greens, setting the stage for the world’s most talented players. Augusta National has witnessed countless memorable moments in golf history, from Jack Nicklaus’s first win in 1963 to Tiger Woods’s record-breaking 12-shot victory in 1997 and Gene Sarazen’s iconic “shot heard round the world.” It is undeniably one of the must-watch events on the golf calendar.
A notable change at this year’s Masters is the increased yardage at the renowned Azalea hole, number 13. It now plays 35 yards longer than last year, totaling 545 yards. Although it may seem insignificant for a relatively short par 5, it’s worth considering that a similar lengthening at hole 15 in 2022 resulted in no eagles being made that year. Thus, the additional yardage could have a more significant impact than anticipated.
Course history carries substantial weight at the Masters. When examining the leaderboards in recent years, familiar names consistently appear. While this is partly due to the presence of the world’s top players on the grandest stage, it also stems from their familiarity with the course. Knowing when to take calculated risks, when to play for pars, and understanding the intricacies of Augusta National are essential. Tiger Woods was particularly skilled at mastering these aspects, choosing when to attack and when to play strategically. Based on recent years, we can anticipate a winning score in the range of 11 to 13 under par.
Now let’s delve into the fairways and greens. Generally, the fairways are more forgiving compared to the tour average, while the greens prove to be more challenging, with a GIR% (Greens in Regulation) that is over 5% lower than average. What makes it truly intriguing is the considerably higher number of three-putts per round compared to the tour average. This can be attributed to the extreme undulations and slopes of the greens, which are known to be lightning-fast. Consequently, it is crucial to focus on players who excel in putting specifically on this course.
Strokes Gained: Approach is another key aspect to consider. Given the trickiness of the greens, players who can consistently hit accurate approach shots and leave themselves with shorter putts have a significant advantage. Statistics indicate that winners and high finishers gain a considerable edge over the field in approach shots and GIR%. Since the fairways are relatively easy to hit, players who possess distance off the tee and subsequently enjoy shorter approach shots will fare well. While scoring opportunities on the par 5s may be affected by the lengthening of holes 13 and 15, capitalizing on these holes remains important, making Strokes Gained: Par 5 scoring a valuable metric.
Based on the course layout, it is anticipated that many approach shots will be taken from the distances of 150-175 yards and 175-200 yards. The latter range will be particularly critical on the two short par 5s mentioned earlier. Lastly, Strokes Gained: Short Game deserves attention. Given the intricate nature of Augusta National’s greens, expertise and proficiency in the short game are vital. Reading chips around the greens can be equally, if not more challenging than reading putts.
Key Stats:
- Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, with an emphasis on distance
- Strokes Gained: Approach, with a focus on proximity from 150-175 and 175-200 yards
- Strokes Gained: Par 5 Scoring
- Strokes Gained: Short Game
- 3-putt avoidance
- Course History
Our Picks – Each Way Advised on High Odds as Most Bookmakers Paying 6+ Places:
Rory Mcilroy – 10/1 EW (8 place market)
Rory McIlroy, an accomplished golfer from Northern Ireland, has been a member of both the European and PGA Tours. He has spent over 100 weeks as the world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking throughout his career. He’s made a solid start this year and always plays well at Augusta.
Tommy Fleetwood – 40/1 EW (8 place market)
Tommy Fleetwood is an English professional golfer who has achieved success on both the PGA Tour and European Tour, securing six victories on the latter. We believe he is worth considering for a place bet in this tournament. For Tommy as the season goes on he grows into it and where better to shine then at the masters.
Other Picks:
Jon Rahm – 10/1 EW (8 place market)
One of the most consistent players on the tour, always to be considered.
Jason Day – 50/1 EW (8 place market)
Outside pick at 50/1 but can pull off special rounds in special tournaments.
The Course:
The 2023 Masters Tournament will be the 87th edition of the Masters Tournament and the first of the men’s four major golf championships held in 2023. It is scheduled to be played from April 6–9 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.
Image Credit: cbssport.com
0 Comments