The Masters, from Augusta Georgia | Golf

The 2013 US Masters is nearly upon us, and so we will try and find out a winner form the 93 man field. Will Bubba Watson defend his title…? Can Tiger regain the Green Jacket for the 5th time…? Can a European win here for the first time since Jose Maria Olazabel won in 1999…? What about the South Africans, of which two different players have won the jacket in the last 5 years…? What we do know is that we should be in for some really good golf from the top players in the world. So let’s see if we can find out who will be receiving the Green Jacket come Sunday night from Bubba Watson…


If there is one stat that you should be good at around Augusta then it’s bombing the par 5’s and scoring heavily from them. In the past 10 years, all apart from Trevor Immelman in 2008, the winners got most of their scoring from the par 5’s at Augusta. Immelman shot -10 for the par 4’s when he won the title, only shooting -3 from the par 5’s for his victory. Bubba Watson was -8 for the par 5’s over the four rounds last year, but Phil Mickleson takes the lowest score shooting -13 from the par 5’s back in 2006. Bubba also shot -4 for his four rounds on the par 3’s, something which only 3 other players last year could claim to do also. Only three times has a player actually scored sub-par rounds for the four days on playing, Schwartzel in 2011. Cabrera in 2009 and Woods for his win back in 2005. So it shows how hard it is to make shots up on the field if you don’t score well from them. Zach Johnson, who won back in 2007, shot a combined low of -11 for the par 5’s, but came in with +9 for the par 4’s. He won the tournament finishing on a combined score of 289 or +1 for the tournament.

Here is a list of the players combined efforts for each of the stroke holes for the 4 rounds combined and their respective wins.

---------------------------- Par 5’s --- Par 4’s --- Par 3’s

2012 - Bubba Watson ......... -8 ........... +2 .......... -4
2011 – Charl Schwartzel ...... -9 .......... -4 .......... -1
2010 – Phil Mickelson ......... -12 .......... -4 ........... E
2009 – Angel Cabrera ......... -9 .......... -2 ........... -1
2008 – Trevor Immelman ..... -3 .......... -10 .......... +5
2007 – Zach Johnson ......... -11 ......... +9 ........... +3
2006 – Phil Mickelson ......... -13 .......... +7 .......... -1
2005 – Tiger Woods ........... -6 ........... -5 ........... -1
2004 – Phil Mickelson ......... -5 ........... -5 ........... +1
2003 – Mike Weir ............. -10 ........... +3 ........... E


And so to who can prevail at this years Masters...? I shall of course start with the defending Champion...

The Champ… Bubba Watson
Bubba Watson won last year’s tournament after the most spectacular shot in the 2nd hole of a play-off with Louis Oosthuizen to secure his first Major title. His form going into the tournament was super strong, having posted a T4th at the Arnold Palmer the week before, with a T2nd and 2nd in the previous tournaments. He came to Augusta in the most rudest of form and duly took the title away from all challengers. His final score of 278, or -10 for the tournament, was made up mostly from his ability to attack the par 5’s with such force that he returned -8 from them all week. Going into the final round the field was chasing Peter Hanson, who at -9 was three shots ahead of Bubba. But where Bubba shot a -4 final round, Hanson lost his chance shooting +1 over for the day. Current Odds – 35/1

The Play-off loser… Louis Ooosthuizen
Louis probably didn’t deserve to lose this tournament as his stats and all round game came in much better than Bubba’s come the final reckoning. The fact that he to, scored an impressive -5 for the par 5’s, added to the fact he also took -4 shots off the par 4’s and shot -1 for the par 3’s, shows that he had the game to record his first victory at Augusta and second Major victory. But he didn’t have the shot making ability of Bubba and that is what ultimately cost him his chance. He also came into the tournament firing hot having finished 3rd at the Shell Houston Open the week before… Current Odds – 30/1

The Tiger…
You just can’t leave him out of any equation when it comes to Tiger Woods and Augusta. The 4 time Champion looks to be the one to beat pre the start of the tournament, and he will be scaring a few of the pretenders to the crown by doing so. His three tournament wins so far this year puts him head and shoulders above anybody else coming into the Masters, and its mainly down to his putting that has won him these prizes this year. Ranks 1st in Total Putting, Strokes Gained, Eagles made and Scoring Average which has to be respected going into one of the hardest course’s for testing your putter. Will he back these stats up and collect his 5th Green Jacket…? Current Odds – 4/1

Big Phil…
No one has won it more times in the last 10 years than Phil Mickelson, with victory’s in 2004, 2006 and most recently in 2010. His last 10 year record of 3rd, Won, 10th, Won, T24th, T5th, Won, T27th, T3rd means you have to seriously think about him being in the mix come Sunday’s final round. He knows his way around here, which is a massive help, and more importantly knows how to win around here. To emphasise the need to score well on the par 5’s, Phil scored an incredible -11 from them last year, but only came off the par 4’s at +2 and +1 from the par 3’s. The last 2 stats probably stopped him from recording his 4th jacket here… Current odds – 11/1

Roaring Rory…
Rory should really be coming here going for his 2nd Green Jacket, but the implosion of his game in the final round of the 2010 tournament means he is waiting for his first. He was by far the best player on the course for the first 3 days, leading by 4 shots going into the final round. Like most of the past winners he came into this with good form. A 3rd plus a win at the Honda Classic set him up right for his next challenge, and to be honest he did everything right up until the turn where he triple bogeyed the 10th. It went very wrong for the rest of the 8 holes left and he limped in to finish -4, and T15th, 10 shots back on the winner. Can he recapture that form that took him 4 shots clear going into the final day, we will have to wait and see… Current Odds – 8/1

 

The Yanks…

The Americans have had this tournament all to themselves in the past. So who this year can join the illustrious list of past American winners…

Keegan Bradley is one of the new Major winners but has he got the experience to play here. He is only making his second show here and that might go against him. On a plus side he did score well on the par 5’s last year, taking -6 shots from the course to help him finish T27th… Current Odds – 28/1

Webb Simpson is one of the new breed of Major winners and just like Keegan Bradley is only making his 2nd appearance. He will be looking to go better than his T44th result last year… Current Odds – 70/1

Matt Kuchar played well last year to gain his 3rd placed finish and wasn’t out of the top 10 for all four days of the tournament. A more consistent type of player than the big hitters on the Tour, he backed up his claim to be one of the top players to watch by winning The Players Championships only a few weeks after this event last year. He makes his 6th return to Augusta so will be in good shape to think his way around the course now… Current Odds – 35/1

Hunter Mahan has fallen off the radar somewhat of late and will be trying to improve on last year’s showing of T 12th. This will be his 7th re-appearance in Georgia and has finished T12th, Cut, T8th, T10th and Cut in his last 5 visits. Though he isn’t playing at his best at the moment his recent record here gives him a fighting chance… Current Odds – 50/1

Brandt Snedeker is the current FedEx champion and will be looking to add a Major title to go along with his impressive win last year. Has struggled with a shoulder injury for most of this year and the fact he hasn’t completed a full 4 rounds of golf since the middle of February would put me off him… Current Odds – 35/1

Dustin Johnson makes his 4th appearance here but he hasn’t broken into the top 30 in any of those attempts. In his previous 3 attempts he currently stands -21 for the par 5’s, though this can be tempered by the fact he is +21 for the par 4’s… Current Odds – 35/1

Steve Striker is one of the most consistent players on the PGA Tour and has done well here without actually being spectacular. His T47th finish last year was his worst position in the last 4 years where a T11th, T30th and T6th shows that he hasn’t really cracked what it takes to do well around here… Current Odds – 55/1

Nick Watney knows how to win big tournaments, and although he hasn’t won a Major one yet he fits the profile on potential. A disappointing T32nd last year followed up on a 46th the year before. But this is his 5th consecutive year of returning to Augusta and he could improve on the 2010 finish of 7th if he gets his game right. He is another one who has a brilliant record on the par 5’s, with a score of -43 in 5 years of him playing around here. But, and there is always a but, he has only once shot a sub-par round on the par 4’s and 3’s. That being a -2 on the par 4’s back in 2010… Current Odds – 60/1

Jason Dufner is one of the up and coming stars of the PGA Tour but what tempers my enthusiasm for him is that this will be only his 3rd visit. A with a T24th and T30th finishing positions in them two years it would be a surprise if he did win this year’s Masters… Current Odds – 66/1

Jim Furyk has been around long enough to know this course and how to play here, as this will be his 16th visit to Augusta. He has 3 top 10’s, best of 4th twice, back in 2003 and 1998, plus 8 top 20 positions in his 16 years of competition here. He probably dosnt have the game for around here anymore and maybe his odds reflect that… Current Odds 70/1

 

The European Challenge…

It has been a bit sparse for the Europeans in recent years at The Masters, in fact we have to go right back to when Jose Maria Olazabel won here in 1999. But the European challenge was once the main force around here as they won 7 out of 9 jackets starting with Sandy Lyle’s victory back in 1988 up to Nick Faldo’s last win of his three Green Jackets back in 1996. So which one of the home grown boys can get up to the top of the ladder and break the strangle hold that has stopped us for so many years…

Rory McIlroy's meltdown on the Sunday will always play through his mind until he wins the Green Jacket here. He won it, he should have won it, but then he lost it, all in the space of 2 holes in 2011. What he wouldn’t give to get back into that situation again, 4 shots clear going into the final day and just get across the finishing line. This will be his 5th attempt at Augusta and will be in the mix if he brings his A game… Current Odds – 8/1

Justin Rose will eventually win a Major title wont he…? Well he heads a list of Europeans that can have that accusation labelled at them. This will be his 8th visit and his best finish came back in 2007 with a T5th position. He is one of the few golfers to score sub-par rounds on the par 4’s and par 3’s before now, so essential for getting up the leader board. So he is a live contender if he gets his game together… Current Odds – 20/1

Lee Westwood may end up like dear old Monty in the fact he may go his whole career without picking up one of the big Major tournaments to add to his already impressive cv. He will be playing his 7th consecutive Masters this year and has put some good scores together to register finishing positions of T3rd, T11th, 2nd, 43rd, T11th and T30th. Like Justin Rose, he also has scored better than most on the par 4’s and 3’s before now. In fact in 2010, where he came 2nd, he shot sub-par rounds on all four days of play, finishing as he did on -13, 3 shots behind Phil Mickelson… Current Odds – 30/1

Luke Donald has a very chequered record around here with a T3rd in his very first visit back in 2005 plus a T4th in 2011. But in between that he has missed 2 cuts and finished outside the top 30 on the other occasions. Which Luke Donald will turn up will be anybody’s guess, and I just don’t see him getting involved this year either… Current Odds – 30/1

The admirable Sergio Garcia has had his time hasn’t he…? Well he is only 33 and seems to have been around for a very long time, which he has to be fair. 2002 and 2004 were his best years, finishing 8th and T4th respectively, but he hasn’t done anything since. In the last 4 years he has finished T12th, T35th, T45th and T38th which sort of puts you off betting on him. Again he hasn’t shot any sub-par rounds on the par 4’s or 3’s in his last 6 visits… Current Odds – 45/1

Ian Poulter took the Americans apart in last year’s Ryder Cup and so enhanced his own chances of getting up the ladder to win a Major Title. He can beat anyone on his day, and here in lies whathis main problem might be. Maybe he needs that one to one combat that the Ryder Cup delivers and struggles to get up for the day to day tournaments. But this is different, this is the first Major of the year, and he may get his competitive juices flowing for the challenge ahead. This will be his 7th consecutive visit and hasn’t finished outside the top 30 in any one of them visits. His best finish was last year where he came 7th… Current Odds – 45/1

Paddy Harrington isn’t one who I would automatically give a chance to this year as I do think he has lost a lot of his competitive edge over the last 2-3 years. But he is a fighter, and will battle through whatever you put in front of him. He has missed as many cuts as he has played in the last 10 years but when he has made the cut he has a T8th in 2012, T7th in 2007 to show for his efforts. Not for me this year as he isn’t guaranteed to make the cut… Current Odds – 55/1

Graeme McDowell is another recent Major winner and would love to add this one to his collection. The one thing that is going to make you think about his chances is that he has only made 2 cuts in 5 years that he has played here. A T12th last year and T17th back in 2009 are his only offerings thus so far… Current Odds – 60/1

 

Rest Of The World...

Charl Schwartzel broke a big trend when he won the Masters back in 2011, it was only his 2nd attempt at the playing the famous course. Most winners have had to get a good look at the course over the years to gain any advantage and go on to try and win this event. Woods won on his 3rd attempt, but he is the only exception to this trend. He hasn’t played much this year, only 4 tournaments, and has posted one top 10 place... Current Odds - 25/1

Adam Scott will be back for the 12th consecutive time this year and although he has figured in the top places before he still dosnt have the Green Jacket to his name. T8th last year on the back of a T2nd in 2011 he is showing signs of how and what you have top do to score well around here. He dos tend to throw in one bad round a tournament so if he can keep that out then has a great chance... Current Odds - 25/1

Jason Day is having somewhat of a revival this year with 4 top 10's to his name so far. He is only making his 3rd appearance so its still a bit of a learning curve for him, but he did manage a T2nd place on his first attempt back in 2011 only to With Draw last year after the first round. Current Odds 55/1...

Just like Rory in 2010, Louis Oosthuizen could be thinking that he to could be going for his second Green Jacket this year. Losing last year to Bubba Watson on a 2nd hole play-off would be hard to take, put it with the fact that on his previous 3 attempts at the Masters he failed to make the cut once. If he can replicate his form of last year he must have a chance... Current Odds - 28/1

Of the others from around the world KJ Choi, 90/1 isnt having the best of seasons so far, i dont think he will figure...

Ernie Els, 125/1 has probably past his best, even with last years British Open under his belt, he hasn't done well here recently. T47th and T18th the past 2 years that coming off the back of 3 consecutive Missed Cuts. He did how ever have form figures of 2nd, T6th, T5th, T6th and 2nd from 2000 to 2004. How them days have passed him by now...

Angel Cabrera won here back in 2009, but with only one top 25 to his name this year he wont trouble the markers...


I shall put up the longer Odds picks tomorrow and sift through them for us to look at....

 

The chances with some of the Long Shots...

Bill Haas is knocking on the door of joining the top table soon. He has recorded 4 top 10's, with a best of T3rd, with 6 top 25's in 8 events this year. This will be his 4th return to Augusta and he will be looking to improve on the T37th, T42nd and T26th of his previous three visits. He will need a good week with the putter to improve on his showing so far... Current Odds - 66/1

Bo Van Pelt is one that i followed a lot last year and said i would stick with him this year, but he hasnt shown much form this year. He has missed his last 2 Cuts and is only making his third appearance here at Augusta. He came T17th last years and T8th in 2011 so he likes the course and he might be able to improve on them figures... Current Odds - 110/1

Peter Hanson, like BVP is only making his 3rd attempt at winning the Green Jacket but finishing like he did T3rd last year you must think he liked what he saw. His previous attempt saw him miss the cut, but he comes here with 4 top 25's and a T8th in the World Golf Championships... Current Odds - 80/1

Nicolas Colsaerts is making his Masters debut so its going to be very hard for him to win here. But it has been done before, way back in 1979 when Fuzzy Zoeller did it, so its not totally beyond him. You only have his stats to go off and his driving/iron stats are all strong, but his putting isnt, and that's needed around here...Current Oddds - 90/1

Martin Kaymer has only made the cut once in 5 attempts, last year when he came T44th. He hasnt really kicked on after his Major victory in the PGA back in 2010... Current Odds - 110/1

Ryan Moore has had an indifferent start to the year but he is one of the few players who have had sub-par scores from the 4's and 3's around here. Makes his 5th appearance this time around and will look to improve on his T13th back in 2005. He came T14th in 2010 shooting -11 for the par 5's, so he could do well if repeating that stat... Current Odds - 150/1

Kevin Streelman has won the Tampa Bay Championship this year so comes here in good form. His putting stats have him in both top 10's for par 3's and 5's on birdies made and has strong stats in the Scoring Stats for putting... Current Odds - 200/1

Tim Clark has missed more cuts than he has made, but has three T13th positions to his name plus a solo 2nd placed finish back in 2006. His -12 for the par 5's in 2009 means he can score well here, plus he can play the par 3's very well, he has three Even round scores to his name. He is ranked 28th in Total Putting and would need all his skills to figure here... Current Odds - 225/1

 

Fantastic write up red and helped me to decide on a few fun bets, Kuchar EW @ 40-1, Oosthuizen EW @ 30-1 and Streelman at an enormous 250-1.

good luck mate

 

Cheers stick... That's what its all about... I havnt fully made my mind up but one i am keen on is Kuchar...

Lets hope...

 

Cracking write up Red!

Currently on Keegan, Louis and Bubba

Just sifting through the stats on pga website to find two long shots to add in to the equation

Goodluck with your selections

 

The PGA website has an incredible amount of info doesnt it. Better than anything you get for free connected to racing!

 

Cracking stuff red, i am in the process of picking my bets out now whilst enjoying tea, a block of cheese and a mince pie! Hopefully have them up soon. Have all the usual suspects, it's just findind the right one. Tiger will be awfully hard to beat this week. Putting is the key for me at Augusta along with being able to hit those par 5's in 2. All about missing in the right spots around Augusta. The course look's a work of art as per usual, pristine condition each year. Goodluck guy's, when all the picks are up i hope one of us can have rooted out the winner come Sunday.

 

Cannot wait for this to start, my favourite major of the year. My head tells me Tiger will win this with the form he is in but i can't be backing him at 4/1 to win the Masters, can i?..No, i can't! The other obvious ones as the betting suggest are 'Big' Phil and McIlroy but i don't fancy either this week as both have been a little too erratic in their form thus far.

To cut to the chase my 3 for the week are as follows:

Keegan Bradley 28/1:

Has what is required to win around here, big hitter and good putter on his day. He is excruciatingly slow and sometimes over thinks his shots with his visualisation methods but once he is set to the ball he fires pretty quick (so his girlfriend said) My only concern is his short game with the wedges, there is potential danger everywhere around Augusta and a good short game is required so he will have to be accurate tee to green if he is to give himself a chance come Sunday. Last years experience should stand to him now as he will know the nuances of where to hit his 'misses' to minimize bogey's and realise par is good on some trouble holes, a huge player for the title this year with his bombing off the tee hopefully maximising his birdie haul and even his eagle tally. Major Payer.

Nicolas Colsaerts 100/1:

Masters debutant who meet's most of the criteria of having what it takes to win here. Most likely he will lead the driving stats as he hits it a seriously long way which is very advantageous of the lengthened Augusta course. He could prove to be the dark horse of the field especially now he has big tournament experience Stateside. If his short game is on, Colsaerts will definatly be in contention for this title. Debutants don't usually do well at Augusta but i know he has the game to suit here and hopefully he can do himself justice this week in sunny Georgia. Way overpriced at 100/1.

Adam Scott 25/1:

The years tick by and Scott, who arguably has the most flawless swing on tour has still yet to deliver a major but no doubting this is the one that many seem certain he is most likely to win, going close on a few occassions. He made his debut here in '02 and know's the course well enough earning nearly $1,500,000 here and should now know how to get the job done. His excellent ball striking allows him to play his way around the course in optimum position most of the time. I feel if he can get the putter streaky he again can be a challenger going down the stretch Sunday.

All 5euro E/W with Boyles.

Really tough to chose with such a hugely talented field but i'll take a chance on the above with hope more than confidence. Goodluck to ya's all lad's, may the best golfer win

 

Redcgull, a tremendous Article!
If he drives anywhere near decent, you have to fancy Tiger. Of the other Americans, I do like Keegan Bradley's chances. The guy has great belief.
Of the Europeans, Rory's chances depend on whether he can avoid one bad round. I'd make Justin Rose our best chance.
Top notch review.

 

Fantastic thread Red!

I'll have a good read and look tonight and pick some bets.

The PGA Tour website is very good for stats on hitting greens, longest drives, cuts made etc. I find it pretty useful in picking a few bets

http://www.pgatour.com/stats.html

 

I've already posted my pick on the DT, but Il post it on here aswell.

WillHill and Stan James are both going 16/1 about Phil Mickelson which I believe to be far to big a price, for a player that has such a good record round Augusta, he's rarely out of contention and has won it 3 times.

Just to highlight how good a player he is round Augusta, he's played 48 rounds there and is stroke average is 70.54 which is the best in the field, of those that have played at the Masters multiple times. Tiger Woods has also played 48 rounds and his stroke average is below Mickelsons on 70.63.

In the last 3 tournaments he's entered this season he's had an encouraging 3rd place, and a 16th place finish, so his game is coming to the boil at the right time.

Il be amazed if the 16/1 lasts very long, some company's like BetVictor are only offering 10s, whilst Paddy Power, Boylesports and BetFred are only offering 11s.

Worth a few quid EW, as your likely to get a good run for your money, going by past performances

 

http://www.masters.com/en_US/index.html Check the official Masters site out for stats relating specifically to your player and see how they have faired here in the past.

 

I can see that the PGA web site is becoming a big hit with the NOT606 forumites...


I have to say it is very good....

 

It is a cracking site red isn't it. Agree with Tam also that Rose couuld be a danger if it comes together over the 4 day's.

Praying none off my picks win the par 3 tonight..for he love of god don't win it boy's. Paddy Harrington love's winning the par 3 here, 40/1 in places!!

 

Weather Watch - Thunderstorms due to Augusta over the first 2 days... see link below...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/22093545


This could pose a few problems for some of the players on day 1. The ones im thinking about will be the ones going out in the last groups, as it looks like they will definitely not get their full 18 holes in for the day. This also means that they wont get a night's break before they are sent out to start their second round straight after completing their first...


Day 1 Tee Times...

13:00 - Sandy Lyle (Sco), John Peterson, Nathan Smith
13:11 - Larry Mize, Brian Gay, Russell Henley
13:22 - Ian Woosnam (Wal), David Lynn (Eng), Kevin Na
13:33 - David Toms, Richard Sterne (SA), Ted Potter
13:44 - Tom Watson, Ryan Moore, Kevin Streelman
13:55 - Robert Garrigus, Carl Pettersson (Swe), Tim Clark (SA)
14:06 - Mike Weir (Can), Lee Westwood (Eng), Jim Furyk
14:17 - Brandt Snedeker, Ryo Ishikawa (Jap), Justin Rose (Eng)
14:28 - Jose Maria Olazabal (Spa), Marc Leishman (Aus), TJ Vogel (a)
14:39 - Charl Schwartzel (SA), Webb Simpson, Peter Hanson (Swe)
14:50 - Zach Johnson, KJ Choi (Kor), Graeme McDowell (NI)
15:12 - Michael Thompson, John Huh, John Senden (Aus)
15:23 - Stewart Cink, Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel), Thaworn Wiratchant (Tha)
15:34 - Bubba Watson, Ian Poulter (Eng), Steven Fox (a)
15:45 - Tiger Woods, Luke Donald (Eng), Scott Piercy
15:56 - Jason Day (Aus), Rickie Fowler, Padraig Harrington (Ire)
16:07 - John Merrick, Thorbjorn Olesen (Den), DA Points
16:18 - Craig Stadler, Ben Curtis, Michael Weaver (a)
16:29 - Mark O'Meara, Martin Laird (Sco), Jamie Donaldson (Wal)
16:40 - Paul Lawrie (Sco), Thomas Bjorn (Den), Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spa)
16:51 - Trevor Immelman (SA), George Coetzee (SA), Alan Dunbar (NI)
17:13 - Ernie Els (SA), Steve Stricker, Nick Watney
17:24 - Ben Crenshaw, Matteo Manassero (Ita), Guan Tianlang (Chn, a)
17:35 - Bernhard Langer (Ger), Lucas Glover, Henrik Stenson (Swe)
17:46 - Vijay Singh (Fij), Bo Van Pelt, Yang Yong-Eun (Kor)
17:57 - Angel Cabrera (Arg), Sergio Garcia (Spa), Adam Scott (Aus)
18:08 - Fred Couples, Dustin Johnson, Branden Grace (SA)
18:19 - Hunter Mahan, Hiroyuki Fujita (Jpn), Francesco Molinari (Ita)
18:30 - Phil Mickelson, Louis Oosthuizen (SA), Martin Kaymer (Ger)
18:41 - Rory McIlroy (NI), Keegan Bradley, Fredrik Jacobson (Swe)
18:52 - Jason Dufner, Matt Kuchar, Bill Haas


As the rain is going to be coming down in Georgia, and quiet heavily if you watch the weather link, then i do think that this will help the ones near the back of the Tee Times in posting a good score. They will get the greens slightly softer and slower on Day 2, before the greens get back up to speed for the ones going out later to complete their 2nd rounds. Depending on how long the rain comes down to how long they stay out because of the lightening means that i do favour the ones near the back of day 1's Tee Times more than the earlier ones...

It dos mean that the target golfers and big hitters will have a slight advantage over the lesser hitters, plus your second shots might be 20-40 yards shorter than you would have expected them to be...

Maybe we should be looking for the players with good approach shots from the 150-175 yard mark - Mickelson, Colsaerts, Cabrera adn Dusty Johnson... Plus the ones high in the +200 yard distance - Kuchar and Watney for example...


They could be lucky and rain heavily after they have all completed the first round, drop the wet stuff overnight, bang n clatter the night sky and just be slow for day 2...

It just means we are going to get four days of different conditions which will make it all the more exciting...

 

Rainy night in Georgia huh.........

 

Sergio's stats don't look good for this and his temperament should normally put me off but for some silly gut feeling I decided to put €25 ew on him - it will be gone on day 1 or blown on the last nine holes