So-called expert Masters tips

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

I have just read, from cover-to-cover, the 481-page 2023 Masters Media Guide. And, as always it made fascinating reading. Factual titbits woven together by a seemingly endless torrent of statistics dating back to the inaugural Invitational in 1934. Brilliant.

Anyway, I was in search of a clue that might separate the dozen or so players who have genuine claims on the Green Jacket this year. Then, at the top of page 454 I found it ... JORDAN SPIETH's career record at Augusta.

It's so good you know he's going to win the Masters more than once and it has already been eight years since he did breakthrough here. With a scoring average of 70.71 across nine starts. Of those nine starts, he's finished top-five five times and of the 34 Masters rounds played, he's under par for 20 of them.

Sportsbet odds: $17

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

I will once again take this opportunity to remind everyone that I tipped Tiger Woods to win in 2019. There's no relevance to what is about to come, I just like to remember a rare tipping highlight.

On to this year and in my best Nostradamus impression, I think COLLIN MORIKAWA will claim major number three of his still young career.

One of the best ball strikers in golf, the wet conditions should suit, and the added length of 13 plays towards his strengths of long iron play. And his sometimes so-so putting is negated around here where it will be all about lines and speed, not stroke.

And we have never had a Collin win The Masters. 

Sportsbet odds: $26

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Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host

It should be the easiest of the majors to pick a winner. It has the smallest field and the biggest contingent of players who are clearly no chance of winning before a ball is struck. And yet the Masters, somehow, is always difficult to pick.

Easy to narrow down to a handful of likely contenders? Yes. But to actually pick the eventual winner? It always seems so obvious in hindsight but never in the days leading up.

With all of that in mind I’m agreeing with BJ here and picking JORDAN SPIETH. Our esteemed Editor has done an excellent job of making the statistical case but, like the movie The Castle, for me it’s ’the vibe’. This feels like the sort of year where Spieth will find the magic again at a place where he looks more at home than any other course in the world.

Sportsbet odds: $17

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

Look, tipping winners at this level isn't easy.

You hone your game for these weeks all year and then simply hope that when you finally get to bring them to the table, that they're good enough.

Good enough to stand up to logical questions; sufficiently stout to withstand nerds waving PGA media guides in your face; sharp enough to pass the muster of Jimmy's dad's scrutiny.

But then I read some of the dross dished up by my colleagues and I instantly breath much more easily.

Fancy not one mention (admittedly I haven't seen Jimmy's tips because he keeps them closer to his chest than the three hairs that adorn it) of a young up-and-comer called CAMERON SMITH as the winner.

Who gives a flying one if he's been playing good golf at LIV level in the past couple of events? Last time they played a major, he turned on one of the all-time great performances and pantsed everyone in this field.

He's been top 10 here in four of his past five starts including twice on the podium and has everyone forgotten that he's the only bloke in Masters history to shoot four rounds in the 60s around this ranch?

And oh by the way, he's got a massive chip on his shoulder that every pro-PGA Tour journo has welded on to his Sunday maroon Penguin.

Great putter, will go well when it gets wet and is bulletproof mentally. Get around him.

Sportsbet odds: $19

RELATED: The Aussies at Augusta

Adrian Logue – Golf Australia Magazine's resident left field thinker

We’re in a hyper competitive era for the upper echelon of men’s professional golf with Scheffler, Rahm, Rory and Cam Smith all having legitimate claims at being the best in the world, while the likes of Brooks, DJ, Morikawa and JT are consistent major threats along with the possibility of a resurgent Spieth, Scott or Day.

Not to mention the youthful talents of Homa, Hovland, Burns, Cantlay, Schauffele, Cam Young and Zalatoris … the list goes on of players who would be fine picks to win at Augusta.

But, while not showing great form in his last couple of events, it feels almost inevitable that JON RAHM is saving himself for a dominant major season this year and so he is my pick for the 2023 Masters.

Sportsbet odds: $10

Callum Hill – Golf Australia magazine writer

I can hear that famous music already, what a time to be alive!

I’ve had my head trapped in a Masters form guide for the past 48 hours and have come to the same conclusion I come to every year, I’m prepared to have my heart broken yet again, but I won’t give up on RORY MCILROY.

The equipment changes just weeks out from the event is never a tell-tale sign of success, but I believe that its career slam time, and if so, you will catch me getting up and about on Easter Monday, and if not check on my welfare.

Sportsbet odds: $8

THE MASTERS – TOP AUSSIE

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

Form, good form, through February and March usually gets you into the conversation Masters week. There have been few better, at least those without a win, during the past two months than JASON DAY.

He hasn't missed a cut at all in 2023 and he's strung together five top-10 finishes. What has me excited about his prospects is there has been zero talk about his ailing back, or a sniffle he's caught off one of his kids or fatigue from being on the road. He seems in great health and positive about his chances every time he tees it up.

His high ball flight and resurgent putting stroke are always great weapons to have at Augusta.

Sportsbet odds: $2.20

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

Jason Day is so close to being back. Min Woo Lee is on his way to stardom. Cam Smith is, quite ridicuously an unkown this week. And Harrison Crowe doesn't understand the concept of learning slowly.

Despite all that, it is the wily veteran ADAM SCOTT for me to top the Aussie contingent. He might even win!

Ten year anniversary and all that, Scott has been good but not great this year, however, he knows how to win here and just needs the driver to behave to have a really good week.

Like my old mate the Colonel (aka Mark Hayes) always tells me, you never know where your next meal is going to come from and how good it might be, so always be ready for the next one to be the best of your life. Most of the time I can't understand what Hayesy means, but I think its applicable to Scotty's next win being around the corner and it being a good one.

Sportsbet odds: $6.50

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Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host

Amateur Harrison Crowe aside (no knock on him but contending in a first up appearance as an amateur would be some next level play. Happy to be proved wrong though Harrison!) you could make a case for all four of the other Australians.

Jason Day and Cameron Smith will likely get most of the votes in this category, so I’ll opt for ADAM SCOTT. He nearly always plays well around Augusta and the 10 year anniversary of his victory might just be the little bit of extra energy he requires to give it another run in 2023.

Sportsbet odds: $6.50

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

Plus, arguably the best reason to tip SMITHY is that you don't have to fill in this section.

Sportsbet odds: $3

 

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Adrian Logue – Golf Australia Magazine's resident left field thinker

What an unexpected delight it has been to see JASON DAY delivering some good results this year, it’s so rare for a player to slip into oblivion and find their way back years later.

Day is far from being all the way back just yet – some wins are required to make that case – but his recent form suggests a quiet confidence that I expect to carry him through to a good result this week.

Sportsbet odds: $5

Callum Hill – Golf Australia magazine writer

My head says Jason Day, but my heart says MIN WOO LEE.

The 24-year-old just has something about him that I love. He’s proven that he can play well around here, if he can string it all together, we will be seeing his name on Sunday.

Sportsbet odds: $5

THE MASTERS – DARK HORSE

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

JUSTIN ROSE is, surprisingly, a 50-1 shot to win this week.

Personally, I don't think he can win but at these juicy odds you would be mad not to back him for a top-10 finish, something he has achieved six times including his two runner-up finishes.

He won at Pebble Beach just two months back so his form is pretty good.

Sportsbet odds: $51

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

Australia have a Masters winner these days, so why not the Kiwis?

And like Adam Scott was the perfect Aussie, RYAN FOX strikes as the perfect New Zealender to make some history. 

Hits it a mile, good ball striker and improved putter, who knows he belongs at this level now. Would also love to see what he dishes up on the Champions Dinner menu. Hāngī anyone?

Sportsbet odds: $151

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Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host

In the preview podcast I picked Chris Kirk but with a bit more time to reflect I’m switching horses to COREY CONNERS.

His record here is surprisingly good with three top-10 finishes in five starts including T6 last year. Coming off a win last week he’ll be confident while still flying under the radar.

Sportsbet odds: $46

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

Before we get to my man here, how amazing is it that Bryson DeChambeau is approximately 150-1? Seriously??

For the record, I desperately want to be the first person to tip Gordon Sargent because he sounds an absolute jet.

But I cannot go past TOM KIM in this category; admittedly he's cooled off slightly after his end-of-2022 heroics, but he stands to make a LOT of history here this week if he can recapture his best and he's certainly capable and also mentally sound.

Sportsbet odds: $96

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Adrian Logue – Golf Australia Magazine's resident left field thinker

Probably most reading this know how good MIN WOO LEE is, and yet somehow his fine showing in the Players Championship didn’t cause enough of a stir for my liking. It suggests the broader golf world doesn’t yet appreciate how good Min Woo Lee is. That said, I have no doubt that Min Woo Lee knows how good Min Woo Lee is and it must be a special feeling for an elite sportsperson to have proven to themself they’ve got the tools and talent before they’ve really proven it to the world.

Min Woo’s results are on an upward trajectory steeper than the expectations currently placed on him and that won’t be the case for ever but it is right now and that's a powerful combination to be taking into just your second Masters.

Sportsbet odds: $41

Callum Hill – Golf Australia magazine writer

Although he has been vocal in his detest for the golf course in previous years, which won’t please the golfing gods, I think TYRELL HATTON is worth a few quid.

Rumours are circling that the weather could be borderline atrocious on the weekend at Augusta which could play right into the Englishman’s hands, and if he is in contention, at least it will be entertaining.

Sportsbet odds: $56