It’s that time of the year again, as the world’s top golfers descend upon Georgia for that nearly mystical trip down Magnolia Lane. Damien Kayat takes an in-depth look into the Masters taking place at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia between 11 and 14 April 2019.
2019 US PGA Tour | The Masters
Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia
Thursday 11 April - Sunday 14 April 2019
The Masters is - alongside Wimbledon - perhaps the most instantly recognisable sporting event in the world: it clearly benefits from being the only major held at the same venue every year. And there are so many intriguing facets to the mythos of Augusta. The famed Green Jacket is emblematic of the idiosyncratic qualities of this event. You also have some downright elitist baggage to contend with; fans are referred to as patrons at Augusta National, allowing even the most boorish golfing enthusiast a sense of barely deserved entitlement. Having said that, the recent completion of their first all-women’s event does at least show some capacity to evolve with the times. And this promises to be one of the most fiercely contested Masters in recent memory.
Augusta National was officially opened in 1933 and was the brainchild of Rees Jones. He and investment banker Clifford Roberts initiated the project, with Alister Mackenzie helping Rees Jones in course design. The first edition was contested in 1934, with Horton Smith winning. Augusta only had 76 paid up members at that stage. Needless to say, the event has gone from strength to strength and has undergone a litany of serious facelifts over time. Tom Fazio’s 2002 overhaul tightened the fairways considerably and added length to the course. The greens were once Bermuda but are now bentgrass and remain notoriously slick. The tree-lined fairways are tight but stats seem to suggest that driving distance trumps accuracy in this event: six of the last twelve winners have finished inside the top six for driving distance.
Research by far cleverer people than me suggests that this is certainly a course that favours familiarity. Rookies perform a fair degree worse when comparing their expectant outcomes and actual outcomes top those of players with experience at Augusta. Outside of the first two winners, only Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 won this event in his first attempt. Par 5 performance has proved pivotal of late, with the 2nd, 13th and 15th all reachable in two. This is an event that caters perfectly to a draw, with a host of dog-legged holes in play. Patrick Reed had that draw on a string last year as he held off the challenges of fellow Americans Jordan Spieth and Ricky Fowler. But Reed and Spieth have no real form to speak of entering this event, with Ricky Fowler perhaps something of a dark horse amongst last year’s contenders. But Augusta is strange and can offer solace to those who understand its mysteries.
Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson are understandably the market leaders and will both be looking to capture their maiden Green Jacket. Rory McIlroy’s quest for a famed career Grand Slam enters yet its latest incarnation on the back of a terrific victory at TPC Sawgrass. But Rory has a few demons to exorcise around Augusta, though top 10’s in his last five Augusta starts highlights his brilliance around this course. Johnson tends to work a fade though his recent results here have shown improvement: he has course finishes of 6-4-10 in his last three starts - notwithstanding pre-event stairway tumbles. And then you have the Tiger carnival, with Woods heading to Augusta with a legitimate chance of adding to his 14 Majors.
But there are just so many possible contenders this week - it’s frightening. The English charge looks most intriguing, with Justin Rose leading the likes of Paul Casey and Tommy Fleetwood in a very strong group - I haven’t even mentioned Ian Poulter and Eddie Pepperell. Brooks Koepka and Justin Thomas have both been a bit flat of late while Francesco Molinari has probably been the most consistent golfer in the world over the last eight months: his added yardage should make him a stronger contender this season as compared to the past. Then you have those pesky lefties: Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson are Augusta specialists with a penchant for the sublime. I’m sure there’s also a name I haven’t even considered who will move into strong contention on Sunday. With the return of Tiger and the relative strengths of players on both sides of the Atlantic, I think that this could prove to be one of the most fiercely fought battles in Augusta history.
Past Winners - Last Ten Years
2018: Patrick Reed (-15)
2017: Sergio Garcia (-9)*playoff
2016: Danny Willett (-5)
2015: Jordan Spieth (-18)
2014: Bubba Watson (-8)
2013: Adam Scott (-9)*playoff
2012: Bubba Watson (-10)*playoff
2011: Charl Schwartzel (-4)
2010: Phil Mickelson (16)
2009: Angel Cabrera (-12)*playoff
Betting Favourites (To Win)
Rory McIlroy (6/1)
Dustin Johnson (10/1)
Justin Rose (25/2)
Tiger Woods (15/1)
Jon Rahm (16/1)
Value Bets
Louis Oosthuizen - To Win (40/1), To Place (8/1)
King Louis falls into that distinct bracket of Augusta aficionados. He has finished inside the top 20 in three of his last four appearances, not to mention a runner-up finish in the past. The 2010 Open Champion now possesses the Grand Slam of 2nd place finishes, which at least shows his aptitude for the grand stage. He drove the ball magnificently in Austin, and that length and ball-striking ability makes him deadly around here: who can ever forget the fourth double eagle in Augusta history. He would lose that year to Bubba Watson in a sudden-death playoff. He ultimately lost in a gruelling quarter-final to eventual champion Kevin Kisner at the Match-Play. But that also came on the back of a solid runner-up showing at the Valspar. I think that Louis is lurking as a real dark horse in a pack of more flashy opponents.
Tony Finau - To Win (40/1), To Place (8/1)
Tony Finau is yet to register a top 10 this season and makes for great value at 40/1. Because his results suggest that he is one errant round away from tasting victory again. He had top 15 finishes at the Framers and Genesis Open, while a top 25 at the Players showed that his game isn’t too far away from clicking. Clearly, his biggest asset around Augusta is his length and sensational ability to render par 5’s helpless. Last season he captured top 10’s in three Majors, including his debut visit to Augusta. What is more remarkable is that he actually dislocated his ankle in the par 3 contest prior to the vent. So he finished in a tie for 10th despite a dislocated ankle in his first trip to Augusta. Enough said. With places paying up to six places, both he and Louis look like amazing value in the place markets.
Paul Casey - To Win (25/1), To Place (5/1)
Speaking of dark horses teetering on the brink of something special, surely it is about time for Paul Casey to make a real charge at Augusta: he and Matt Kuchar must be the most consistent players on tour to not taste a Major victory. He is a magnificent ball striker who has slowly emerged as an Augusta contender in recent years. Finishes T6, T4, 6th and T15 in the last four editions highlights his ability to handle this course. And his recent defence of the Valspar Championship saw him hold off Dustin Johnson on Sunday. He also showed some impressive form in Austin, further bolstering his chances this week. Butch Harmon fancied him last year, but I think he will feel even more comfortable on the back of Valspar and that epic Ryder Cup victory. Paul Casey is now big time and I really like him for a deep run this year.
First Round Leader - Charley Hoffman (33/1)
This one is both and old favourite and trending item. Hoffman enjoyed a dismal start to the year, battling injury and poor form on his way to three missed cuts prior to Valspar. He then recorded a decent top 20, slowly bringing his game around to Augusta level. He then finished two shots back in the runner-up spot at last week’s Valero Texas Open. Hoffman is in hot form and loves Augusta. He finished in a tie for 9th in 2015, though it was his 2017 exploits that make him attractive as a first-round leader pick. He carded nine birdies en route to a four-shot lead in the first round: that was the biggest round one lead since 1941 at Augusta. He is a fast starter but tends to waver as events progress, always liable to let silly mistakes enter the fray.
Top Spaniard - Rafa Cabrera Bello (4/1)
This is one I found which just screams value. There are four Spaniards competing at Augusta. Two-time champion Jose Maria Olazabal shouldn’t be a factor at 80/1. It’s Jon Rahm and 2016 champion Sergio Garcia that will clearly be the favourites. But Garcia has slowly turned into a bit of a villain on tour, losing his concentration in critical moments and allowing his temper to hamper his recent results. I don’t see him being too much of a factor this week. On paper, Rahm’s game suits Augusta to a tee. But he is still yet to show the ability to close on the biggest stage. Rafa Cabrera Bello is a solid ball striker who reminds me a bit of 2011 Champion Charl Schwartzel. He finished in a tie for 3rd at Bay Hill and has generally been extremely consistent tee-to-green. 4/1 to beat Rahm and Garcia looks very appealing.
Written by Damien Kayat for Hollywoodbets.
from Hollywoodbets Sports Blog http://bit.ly/2UsX1p1
best mesothelioma law firms, mesothelioma attorneys, mesothelioma
lawyer, mesothelioma lawsuits, mesothelioma lawyers, mesothelioma
lawsuit, mesothelioma attorney, mesothelioma settlement, mesothelioma
lawsuit settlements, mesothelioma settlements, mesothelioma law firm,
lawyer mesothelioma, get a online mesothelioma law firm today,
mesothelioma claims, mesothelioma claim, malignant mesothelioma,
mesothelioma law, mesothelioma law firm california, mesothelioma
compensation, mesothelioma law firms, asbestos settlement, asbestos
claim, mesothelioma, asbestos lawsuit, asbestos lung cancer,
mesothelioma law suit, asbestos claims720, asbestos attorney,
mesothelioma lung cancer, mesothelioma causes, asbestos lawyer390,
mesothelioma cancer, asbestos lawsuits, asbestos lawyers, causes of
mesothelioma, asbestos cancer, mesothelioma law suits, what is
mesothelioma, law offices, mesothelioma symptoms
Terimakasih anda telah membaca artikel tentang PGA Tour: The Masters Preview. Jika ingin menduplikasi artikel ini diharapkan anda untuk mencantumkan link https://viralsport.blogspot.com/2019/04/pga-tour-masters-preview.html. Terimakasih atas perhatiannya.