US Masters

JK

Not a lot of talk re Bubba. Havent seen much on how he has been playing recently but won in both 2012 and 2014...2016 could be a pattern.

MajorRage

Is Jason Day the most likable Aussie sports person around? Dunno why, I've just really warmed to him.
 
Ian Poulter at $126 is laughable. He could take part in 45,000 masters and he'd never win one. I think Spieth at 9 is great money.

barbarian

Masters betting is the easiest golf betting of the year. It's still bloody hard, but at least you can narrow down the list of options to 10-15 people.
 
In the last 25 years, I would suggest that there have been precisely 4 left-field winners - Schwartzel, Immelman, Johnson, Weir. And even those guys were still top pros at the time and not unheard of, unlike some other winners of majors in that time (eg Shaun Micheel, Todd Hamilton, Ben Curtis, etc)
 
It's so rare that people without Augusta pedigrees win the event. And it's one of those courses that you can either play it or you can't. I'd be amazed if the winner wasn't one of the following:
 
Jason Day 7
Jordan Spieth 9
Rory McIlroy 9
Adam Scott 11
Bubba Watson 11
Phil Mickelson 17
Rickie Fowler 17
Justin Rose 26
Charl Schwartzel 31
Louis Oosthuizen 31
Brandt Snedeker 61
Matt Kuchar 61
Zach Johnson 61

MajorRage

I'd go so far to remove all names on that list beneath Fowler.

barbarian

Rose came second last year with a score that would win 90% of Masters tournaments. Schwartzel is a past champ in winning form right now, and Oosty has almost won here a few times and is also in great form. All three are in it for sure IMO.
 
The last three are a bit more speculative, but I think Johnson is a live chance. Can bob up in big tournaments, as he did in the Open last year. And has Augusta form.

? Offline

If Rory McIlroy wins he will become only the sixth player to complete a Career Grand Slam of all four Majors.

? Offline

In the Par 3 shootout, Gary Player, at the age of 80, hit the 31st hole-in-one of his career.
 
Five other holes-in-one on the day recorded as well.

taniwharugby

there was also 2 consecutive holes in one in one of the groups too.

barbarian

I'm firming on Rory as my pick for the week. 
 
The previous two years he has come in as a real favourite, with plenty of expectation that he will win. It's taken its toll, and he hasn't produced his best golf.
 
This year he is behind Day and Spieth in terms of attention and favouritism, and I think being out of the spotlight that little bit more will help him produce his best. His form is very solid, and he is such a great player in the majors that you just can't count him out.
 
He gets it by 2 from Jason Day. Phil Mickelson will be in one of the final two groups on Sunday but will fade to finish 9th.

SammyC

I bet on the option that a non-american, non-European will win. 
 
Its paying $3.25, good value I reckon. 
 
My pick is one of Adam Scott, Jason Day, Charl Schwartzel or Louis Oosthuizen. . 
 
Jason Day is in unbelievable touch at the moment, hits it a fucking mile and is an under-rated clutch putter. 
 
Adam Scott is playing bloody well at the moment with the short putter. He also has the best caddy in the world back under the strap and loves Augusta. 
 
Both South Africans also love Augusta, and Louis has just been falling short of late. One of the best ball strikers on tour.

barbarian

Stuff like this is why I love the Masters:
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/apr/06/the-masters-golf-augusta-pimento-cheese-sandwich-nick-rangos-2016 '>http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/apr/06/the-masters-golf-augusta-pimento-cheese-sandwich-nick-rangos-2016 </a>

taniwharugby

heard a soundbite on the radio this morning with Jack Nicklaus and his son (in the car behind) pulling into the Augusta carpark and the gist of it was 'you can park where ever you like Mr. Nicklaus, and yes your son can just follow you'

Hooroo

It was on Facebook. Every policeman and security guard were so poilte to him and basically told him that this was his place to do as he pleases.
 
It was brilliant.

Hooroo

Yay to the first day!! All the right names where you want to see them!
 
Fowler had a howler but

barbarian

How about Els on the first hole? Never seen ANYTHING like it, especially from such a big name at a major.
 
So bizarre, and indicitive of some mental issues. He did something similar at the Open a few years ago, on the first hole as well IIRC.

Paekakboyz

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="barbarian" data-cid="570386" data-time="1460061880">
<div>
How about Els on the first hole? Never seen ANYTHING like it, especially from such a big name at a major.
 
So bizarre, and indicitive of some mental issues. He did something similar at the Open a few years ago, on the first hole as well IIRC.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
I've been doing a bit of work with Ernie on his putting of late - I heard he had the yips so offered some advice...
 
That amounted to watching Happy Gilmore so no idea why he choked so hard!!! C'mon Ernie, it's all in the hips bro!!

Hooroo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="barbarian" data-cid="570386" data-time="1460061880">
<div>
How about Els on the first hole? Never seen ANYTHING like it, especially from such a big name at a major.
 
So bizarre, and indicitive of some mental issues. He did something similar at the Open a few years ago, on the first hole as well IIRC.
</div>
</blockquote>
I'm trying to find footage.
 
Did he 7 putt?

Paekakboyz

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/golf/78690187/ernie-els-makes-history-bad-history-with-this-horror-masters-start'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/golf/78690187/ernie-els-makes-history-bad-history-with-this-horror-masters-start</a>

Paekakboyz

Yep, 7 puts for a 10 shot hole. Doh!

Hooroo

Not all that hard to find then....

The Silver Fern

US Masters