2017 Masters Preview
By Dan Daly
VegasInsider.com
This is a bittersweet week for me as the Masters is by far and away my favorite sporting event of the year, but unfortunately due to other obligations this will be my last Weekly Waggle. I couldn’t think of a better way to end the column than with one final Masters Preview.
Hello friends, and welcome to the greatest week of the calendar year. The azaleas are in full bloom, the pine needles are in place, the magnolias are spectacular and JD is set up in the Hooter’s parking lot on Washington Ave. The only issue this week may be the weather on tap at Augusta National Golf Club. The good news though, as always, with the help of their sponsors, Augusta National and CBS will continue to bring us 56 minutes of every hour of golf coverage.
Hell, even Snoop Dogg is getting in on the action this year hosting a Wednesday night party in Augusta.
As for the guys actually teeing it up this week, the million dollar question is…who wins? Lucky for you I have that covered. As always, the odds below are as of the time this article is posted and most likely will change throughout the week.
The Winner:
Jordan Spieth (7/1) – The guy has played in three Masters and exactly two people have bettered him in the last three years. That’s insane. He lost in 2014 because he wasn’t quite ready for the stage. He won in 2015 in record breaking fashion and failed to repeat last year with his “C” iron-game and one bad hole. This year, he ranks first in GIR, second in SG approach and fifth in proximity to the hole. In other words, he went ahead and fixed the problem that cost him a Green Jacket in 2016. If his iron game is anywhere close to as solid this week as it has been so far in 2017 this might not be a fair fight. No one, and I mean no one, is better at Augusta on or around the greens than Spieth the last three years, or maybe ever. The MC at Shell last week means literally nothing to me other than he got two extra days to prepare for Augusta. Take Spieth Top 10, Top 5 and to win this week; you can thank me later. When it’s all said and done Sunday afternoon, Spieth wins his second green jacket in three years.
The Dark Horse:
Brandt Snedeker (50/1) – For those of you that like to take the guy with big odds, this is your guy. Sneds has been my dark horse at Augusta for the past three years and I’m not giving up on him now. Sneds has eight top 10s in the majors, including three at the Masters (T-10 in 2016) and is arguably one of the best putters on fast greens in the world. He is also playing well in 2017 with a Top 5 at Pebble and Top 10’s at WGC-Mexico and the Farmers. My biggest concern for Sneds remains that he has openly said how much this tournament means to him and I think when he gets into contention at Augusta that works against him. With that said, taking him in a Top 10 bet this week is safe play.
The Really Dark Horse:
Tyrrell Hatton (100/1) – Who? Most Americans aren’t familiar with Hatton as he has only played four official PGA Tour events so far in 2017, but hasn’t finished worse than 17th in those four events, including Top 5’s at the Honda and Arnold Palmer. This will be his first Masters and he is 100/1 for a reason, but if you only like getting a lot of bang for your buck then Hatton is your guy.
The Contenders:
Dustin Johnson (7/1) – The hottest golfer on the planet, the favorite this week and by far and away the most popular pick to win this week. DJ will be right there late on Sunday afternoon, you can all but be assured of that, but win, no. The biggest thing going against DJ is that he has overpowered courses with his power fade and Augusta requires you to hit a draw more time than not off the tee. Jack made it work 40 years ago, but the tee shots aren’t the same as they were back then and as great as DJ is, he’s not Jack Nicklaus.
Rory McIlroy (17/2) – The second most popular pick this week and another guy that will most likely be there on Sunday afternoon. However Rory won’t complete the career grand-slam this week for one very simple reason, he has one 9-hole stretch every year that keeps him from putting on the green jacket. He will put up something in the 38-40 range and it can come on the front nine Thursday, the back nine Sunday or anywhere in-between, but until he can clean that 9-hole stretch up at Augusta he will continue to post Top 10’s at Augusta without closing the deal entirely.
Hideki Matsuyama (20/1) – For months this guy was my pick at Augusta, but he has since come back to Earth and more importantly his putting has come back to Earth. He is one of the best ball-strikers in the world and when his putter gets going he is almost unbeatable, but I don’t see him putting well enough for 72-holes to win this week. He has back-to-back top 10’s at Augusta and I think he will make that three in a row this year, but finishing in the Top 10 and winning are two very different animals.
Justin Rose (30/1) – Rose has never missed the cut at Augusta and has three Top 10’s in his last five starts at the Masters. I think he has another consistent week again this year but simply lacks the ability to get the ball in the hole on those greens as frequently as he needs to in order to win.
Jon Rahm (40/1) – If DJ is the hottest golfer on the planet, Rahm is a very distant second, but second nonetheless. There literally isn’t a weakness in this guy’s game, and by game I mean his ability to play golf in all facets and the fact that he landed a smoking hot girlfriend. Unfortunately he has only played in two majors in his career (one of which was an amateur). Once he gets more experience under his belt he will win a major, probably even several, but not this week. I think he makes a strong showing in his first Masters but the rookie streak lives on another year.
Adam Hadwin (100/1) – See Rahm above, only if Rahm is 9, Hadwin is about a 6.5.
Zach Johnson (70/1) – It pains me to put him in this category, and at 70/1 it might not be a terrible bet…IF, and only IF the weather predicitions for this week hold up. Zach Johnson won the 2007 Masters because it was under water, it’s that simple. Augusta National turned into a plotters golf course for four days in 2007 and there might not be anyone better in the world at that kind of golf than Zach Johnson. They have lengthened it since 2007 and players are even longer now as well, so the advantage he had back then might not be as applicable, but the guy is a mudder. Don’t be shocked to see his name up there if it gets as messy as they are predicting.
The Pretenders:
Jason Day (15/1) – Yes, Day is a pretender this week. I mean absolutely no disrespect to him or his mom and wish them both the best, but Day has enough issues on his own to prevent him from winning this week without adding the horrible situation his mom is facing on top of it. Day will understandable struggle at Augusta this week.
Henrik Stenson (30/1) – The greens at Augusta + Stenson putting = zero chance to win.
Justin Thomas (30/1) – Has yet to win a PGA Tournament on the Continental United States, has one Top 20 ever in a major (T-18 in the 2015 PGA) and has plummeted back to Earth since he dominated the Hawaii swing. Hawaii is beautiful…Augusta is beautiful. Hawaii is a VERY long way from Augusta.
Adam Scott (30/1) – Since his win in 2013 he has yet to finish in the Top 10 in three trips back to Augusta. I think that trend continues again in 2017.
Phil Mickelson (30/1) – I went back and forth on which category to put Phil in this week for one simple reason, he will contend at Augusta because he almost always does, but he has zero chance to actually win this week.
Rickie Fowler (30/1) – I like Fowler, I really do, I just don’t trust him to win a major…at all. He clearly has the talent, but when it comes down to it the guy simply can’t get it done when it matters most. He may figure it out before it’s all said and done, but until then, Fowler will continue to be more style over substance. And I’m using the word “style” very, very loosely.
Bubba Watson (40/1) – Guys that have won the Masters more than twice include; Jack, Arnie, Tiger, Demaret, Snead, Player, Faldo and Mickelson. Do you really see Bubba Watson adding his name to that list this year…or ever? Me neither. Bubba went off at 9/1 to win the Masters last year, he is 40/1 only 365 days later. His Titanic like fall in the World Golf Rankings has been a selfish pleasure of mine over the last year or so.
Patrick Reed (40/1) – They don’t call him Patrick “The Pretender” Reed for no reason. Wait, what? They don’t call him that? Oh, then they should start. Still anxiously awaiting Patrick “The Pretender” Reed’s first ever Top 10 in a major.
Sergio Garcia (45/1) – Sergio may finally be in a happy place in 2017 but Sergio sealed his fate forever at Augusta in 2009 when he said, "I don't like it, to tell you the truth. I don't think it's fair. It's too tricky. Even when it's dry you still get mud balls in the middle of the fairway. It's too much of a guessing game. They can do whatever they want. It's not my problem. I just come here and play and then go home." Yeah, you can’t say that at Augusta and ever expect to win. Golf Gods exist and they have long memories…especially at Augusta.
Louis Oosthuizen (60/1) – A popular pick every year as a dark horse but the fact of the matter remains that the guy lost in a playoff in 2012 to Bubba’s rope hook out of the woods after making a two on #2 on Sunday. In other words, if it didn’t happen then, it’s never going to happen for Louis at Augusta.
Brooks Koepka (75/1) - Brooks is due to break through and win a major, I just think that is coming this summer and not this week.
Smylie Kaufman (150/1) – He’s sponsored by Natty Light, is boys with Spieth and pretty much lives the life you wish you had at age 24. I mean none of that has any relevance whatsoever on him winning this week of course but just think of the party this guy would throw if he actually did win.
Tiger Woods (1 Billion/1) - Even though he had absolutely no chance to win anyway, the major story from this past week was that Tiger will miss his third Masters in last four years. It’s painful for me to see arguably the greatest golfer of all-time go out like this, but like I said in February, the dude is done. Not for the year, forever.
And on that note…
Thanks to everyone who has followed the Weekly Waggle over the last five years or even stopped to read it one or two times. I have loved the feedback, both good and bad, and hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.
I also want to thank VegasInsider.com for the opportunity to contribute to their great website over the years and letting me share my crazy thoughts week in and week out. They have graciously offered to leave the window open down the road and I certainly hope to take them up on that if and when the time allows it.
A special thank you to my wife who pretty much hates golf but has read and helped me edit every article I have written for the last five years nonetheless.
Now damn you Jordan Spieth, you better win this week so I can go out a winner. I’m just kidding, there is no pressure there at all…I know he’s going win.
The Masters - Golfers to Bet
By: Zach Cohen
StatFox.com
The world’s top golfers head to Augusta National Golf Club for the prestigious Masters Tournament on Thursday. One name that will be missing from this field is Tiger Woods. The four-time Masters champion is still dealing with an injured back. He did everything he could to be out there this weekend, but he was in too much pain to give it a go. There is, however, a loaded field for this one. Guys like Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day will all be out there come Thursday. That is good news for golf fans, as we have not seen all of these guys playing against one another very often this season. One other player that must be mentioned for this weekend is Phil Mickelson. Mickelson has won this event three times in his career, which is more than any other golfer in this field. With that out of the way, let’s now take a look at the best plays for this event:
Dustin Johnson (11-to-2) - It wouldn’t be right to not suggest putting a unit or two on Johnson this weekend. He is scorching hot coming into this tournament, as he has won each of his past three events. Johnson withdrew from the Shell Houston Open last week, but that was just to keep himself healthy for this weekend. He knows the importance of earning himself a green jacket, which is something he has not yet done in his career. Look for his ability to drive the ball to make a big difference, as he’ll allow himself to play with some wiggle room here.
Jason Day (16-to-1) - Day has taken some time off to be with his sick mother, but he is back for this tournament and represents some tremendous value. This isn’t the first time Day has been a bit cold heading into a tournament, and it has not bothered him very much in the past. He is still one of the most talented players in the world and he’ll definitely be motivated to win his first ever Masters. He was the runner-up back in 2011, and badly wants to know what it’s like to be the winner.
Hideki Matsuyama (22-to-1) - Matsuyama is yet another guy that is being a bit disrespected by the oddsmakers. He might not have any Masters victories, but Matsuyama is definitely one of the top golfers in the world and there are not many players that possess his balanced approach to the game. He is perfectly suited for this golf course and should be able to put on a show this weekend. It also helps a bit that he is desperate for a victory at this point. It only means that he’ll be hungrier when he gets out there.
Jimmy Walker (85-to-1) - When looking for a dark horse to win this tournament, Walker is a guy that really stands out. Walker has had a bit of a down year in 2016-17, but he is also a very good golfer and he will not let himself get too down. Walker is also a guy that plays a smooth game, so he is not going to rely on his driver only this weekend. At 85-to-1, there is not much better one can do than grabbing Walker. His PGA Championship victory last year shows what he is capable of.
The Masters Preview
By Matt Fargo
Covers.com
Russell Henley played steady all week and posted a Sunday 65 to win at the Shell Houston Open, his third PGA Tour victory. Now we hit what many golfers have been anticipating for a while, The Masters. This is considered by many as the unofficial start of spring and while avid golf fans live for this weekend, even non-golf enthusiasts know about this epic tournament and what it means. Its beautiful simplicity is what makes it the greatest golf tournament in the world.
Famed Augusta National plays host to its 81st Masters. Back in the day, hitting the ball a mile would be the greatest asset a player could have. And even though the yardage has increased from 6,985 yards in 2001 to 7,435 yards today, bombing it is no longer the edge. Ball striking is now a big factor as hitting greens in the right spots can lead to easier putts. Only three times in the last 15 years has the winner finished outside the top 26 in driving accuracy, and only twice have they finished out of the top 10 in greens in regulation.
Unless you have seen Augusta National in person, you cannot appreciate the enormous elevation changes which means getting a flat lie is a rarity. Basically, it is a 'second shot' course which means the approaches are important just to get into position. Hitting an approach shot to the wrong place in some cases means not even being able to go after the pin, whether it be a chip shot or putt. That brings big scores into play so the thought process of shots is just as important as the physical part of the game.
Even though the course is much longer, it does not take the small hitters out of play as we have seen many contend and even win recently. Because the course has been tightened, it actually brings every player to an almost even playing field and that is what the goal has been since redesigns started taking place. The setup has made the goal pretty simple actually - hit fairways and then hit the correct side of the green and there is a good chance of being on the first page of the leaderboard on Sunday.
The most shocking fact is that the European contingent has struggled at Augusta. Granted, it is a totally different experience but with the huge amount of world class players, a European had not won since 1999 (Jose Maria Olazabal) until last year when Danny Willett was the surprising winner. In total, the green jacket has been given to only seven European players (Nick Faldo 3 times, Jose Maria Olazabal 2 times, Seve Ballesteros 2 times, Bernhard Langer 2 times, Ian Woosnam, Sandy Lyle and Willett).
Americans dominated here early on with Gary Player being the only non-American to win through the first 43 years and he actually did it three times. Since then, it has been up for grabs as over the last 37 years, Americans have won the green jacket 19 times (nearly half of those by just three players) with the rest of the world not far behind with 18 wins. Past history plays a big part as you will see names near the top that you rarely see in other events as successful players here are usually successful a few times.
How do first time participants fare at Augusta? Not very well as a Masters rookie has not won here since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979. There have been numerous close calls along the way but experience, even if it is just a little, has prevailed. Last year was not the debut for Willett as he finished T38 in 2015. This year, there are 19 players making their Masters debut which was the same as last year. The most notable is Jon Rahm who at this point last year was not even a professional and now is No. 12 in the world.
It will not be four days of perfect golf conditions this year. While rain showers could affect the Par-Three Contest on Wednesday, the rain is expected to move out by the time the tournament gets into full swing on Thursday, leaving cloudy and windy conditions for the first two rounds of the tournament. Winds are expected to be between 15-20 MPH on Thursday and Friday with gusts reaching 30 MPH. Sunny skies and less wind are expected for the weekend.
Dustin Johnson, winner of his last three starts, is the favorite at +560 followed by Rory McIlroy at +690 and Jordan Spieth at +725. Jason Day will be playing this week after his WD from the WGC-Dell Match Play and is listed at +1,625. Hideki Matsuyama and Rickie Fowler are next at +2,000 followed by Jon Rahm and Justin Rose at +2,360. Phil Mickelson at +2,625 and Henrik Stenson at +2,875 round out the top ten.