THERE'S not much that can be added to what has already been said about Augusta. All I can say is I get goosebumps around this time of year thinking about the upcoming Masters.
If like me you must think you know every blade of grass, where to land the ball off the tee and every burrow of those beautifully manicured greens on the back nine. For years we never knew what the front nine looked like as the Augusta National didn’t allow TV stations to show any of the action there. Presumably to keep the mystique of the course.
I have mentioned two of my selections over the past few weeks and I stick by them. Dustin Johnson is without doubt the form golfer at the moment (although is fall down stairs on Wednesday could change everything).
Since he won the US Open title last year it was like a weight being lifted from his shoulders and he has gone from strength to strength. He is just blowing his opponents away. When you look at his recent record here he has been getting closer, with the exception of 2014 when he missed the cut.
In the last four years he has finished T13, M/C, T6 and last year T4. His stats are unreal with 2nd in SG:Off the Tee, 6th in SG:Around the Green, 29th SG:Putting, and 1st in SG Tee-to-Green, SG:Total and 6th in Birdie Average. The man is a machine.
My other long-term selection is Hideki Matsuyama – why you might ask? Well, over the autumn and winter months, when I suggested him he was unbeatable.
On the PGA Tour he won twice and was runner-up twice in six outings. Unfortunately his putting seems to have disappeared. He is 6th in SG:Off-the-Tee, 13th in SG:Around-the Green, 7th SG:Tee-to-Green and his putting, well let’s just say that his approach shots are going to have to be red-hot to get him close to the pins. I still think he has the game to keep him in the hunt come Sunday. He’s too good to ignore and I stand by him.
Another form man is Rickie Fowler. WIth four top 10s, including a win at the Honda Classic, from seven outings this season he is in good form going into Augusta. He was really on song last week when tying third.
He had 27 birdies in his four rounds and yes he had three double bogeys but his overall play was really good. He is third in SG:Approach to the Green, 9th SG:Putting, 4th SG:Tee-to-Green and 2nd in SG:Total. This is his seventh appearance at Augusta and he hasn’t really set the heather (or should that be azaleas) alight. He missed the cut last year but he has had T5 and T12 finishes and is playing consistently this year. Well worth a wager.
In 11 tries at the Masters Justin Rose has had four top 10s and another five top 25s. His best finish was two years ago when he finished behind Jordan Spieth and tied with Phil Mickelson for second. I’ve been thinking about picking Justin for a while and he hasn’t done anything to put me off.
This season he has three top fives with another two top 15s and although his putting isn’t the greatest I think he has the overall game to be among the leaders come Sunday. His is 8th in SG:off the tee, 19th SG:Around-the-Green, 11th SG:Tee-to-Green and SG:Total.
Although Bill Haas hasn’t threatened at August he has made the cut in his seven appearances. He was impressive in the Match Play two weeks ago two weeks ago and although he’s only had two top-10 finishes in nine outings this season he is consistent.
He hasn’t missed a cut in seven months and with his consistently good scoring at Augusta I’m backing him to have a decent tournament. He is 22nd in SG:Approach to Green, 4th SG:Around the Green, 16th SG:Tee-To-Green, and 17th SG:Total. He is also first in scrambling which could be important round this beautiful course.
Masters Tips
1.5pts ew Dustin Johnson (Betfair, 13-2)*
1.5pts ew Hideki Matsuyama (Ladbrokes, 25-1)
1.5pts ew Rickie Fowler (Ladbrokes, 25-1)
1.5pts ew Justin Rose (Betfred, 28-1)
1pt ew Bill Haas (Betfred 100-1)
*Tipped before Johnson's fall on Wednesday night – don't back him unless he's given a clean bill of health on Thursday morning. Due to tee off in the final group which may help his recovery.
Ace Venturer
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
I know Phil Mikleson hasn’t done much but he does normally turn up in these big events.
Phil Mikleson e/w 25/1
Im on Daniel Berger 75/1 but I do think Dustin will be hard to beat…
I’ll put up some tips later and Berger is on my shortlist but will have to be eachway.
Johnson will tough to beat even if favourites have a poor record at Augusta.
Good write up ace.
Have been putting my free £5 bets on matsuyama for a while now so hopefully he rediscovered his form
My other bet is on Rory mcilroy as hopefully the forecast rain will play into his hands. In case of a blow out from him have put on with betway as they paying out if your first golfer leads at the end of any round which is decent
DUSTIN JOHNSON to win
JOON RAHM ew
SERGIO GARCIA ew
JHONATTAN VEGAS ew
ADAM HADWIN ew
PAUL CASEY top 10 finish
gl
J rose 25/1 good record in masters
J speith 8/1 great record in masters
Bubba Watson 40/1 good record in masters
Horses for courses
Each way and win on speith first eight with hills
Can someone post Steve palmers tips
Yeah he’s on Johnson, Thomas and Leishman. I picked the first 2 for my Record column and I’ll post my tips later.
Oosthuizen 60-1 ew.
Fowler 22-1 and the last samurai 16-1 (grand national)
Ew double
Par 3 comp cancelled then,Dustin Johnson has injured his back ,fell down stairs ,hopes to play ,ye couldnae make it up.
Unreal re Dustin. Wonder what that will do to his chances.
His agent says: “Dustin took a serious fall on a staircase in his Augusta rental home. He landed very hard on his lower back and is now resting, although quite uncomfortably. He has been advised to remain immobile and begin a regimen of anti-inflammatory medication and icing, with the hope of being able to play tomorrow.”
Don’t think I will ever be able to top my masters win last year with Danny Willet 80/1.
My quick fancy is matsuyama but will look more in depth in the morning
Ace and I are big fans of Matsuyama but I wonder about his loss of form on the green.
Matsuyama 20/1 £5ew
Rose 22/1 £5ew
Haas 100/1 £1.50
Rose currently leading -2, matsuyama on +3
Morning Guys, it is your main man Max here. I don’t get involved in the Golf apart from the Majors, and last season Me and my followers had plenty of success and I posted my tips here, so I know there was plenty on here who were also showing a nice profit. I cant Nap or NB a player to win in what is a lottery that is the Masters. I always pick a few players and advise them in different markets, and I split my NAP and NB stakes.
Rory and Spieth are my main fancies, but Fowler and Day make my E/W and top 20 selections. Rory is going off late which means he should get the better of the conditions. Spieth is a monster, is putter is smooth, but has demons to overcome but he can deliver or at least go close. Rory would be my best tip if pushed, with Rose top 20 finish as my nb.
Day is dealing with off course situations but could dig deep and win it for other and more important reasons than the Green Jacket. Fowler as knocking on the door for years now, like DJ I think the door may finally open, it wouldn’t surprise me if it is this weekend. He usually shoots high or goes close, if he makes the cut, I expect him to be contending come Sunday.
Max’s E/W tips (8 places)
McIlroy 8/1
Spieth 8/1
Fowler 20/1
Day 20/1
Hass 100/1
(odds at Hills 2.5PTS)
Top 20 FInish
Day 5/6
Fowler 1/1
Matsuyama 1/1
Rose 5/4
Koepka 5/2
(Odds at Ladbrokes 1PTS)
Enjoy the Masters
GL
maxxxx what about paul casey top 10 finish 3/1 wh
Sorry to hear about Dustin Johnson missing out but hopefully those who bet him will get their money back. I just hope that next time he rents a bungalow… : )
Latest re Johnson. In my opinion all bookies should void bets as a goodwill gesture since he didn’t tee off.
I know the likes of McBookie, BetVictor, Paddy Power, William Hill, Betfred and boylesports are doing so.
Anyone on Dustin who loses out name and shame the bookie here.
I missed out with whill, because I had DJ and a antepost market double.
Skybet are refunding
Betfair have refunded me after speaking on live chat to them.
At the halfway stage at Augusta and any of the 53 who made the cut can has a chance of getting their hands on the Green Jacket. I’m quite happy with all my selections. Rickie Fowler was simply majestic yesterday and looking really good. Justin Rose bogeyed the 18th but is still only three behind. Hideki Matsuyama came back well yesterday with a two under 70 and is on -2 with Bill Haas one further back. Today’s the day for making a move and I’m quietly confident of my guys doing that. As always good luck to you all with your bets.
Taking Spieth @ 4/1 EW @ Skybet who are paying 3 places @ 1/4
Set up for a great final day at Augusta!
Jordan, Spieth looked good yesterday and that’s not a bad price. I think Rickie Fowler looks very good but it could be anyone.