OT: 2020 Master's

[XLCenterFan]

Full disclosure. I suck at these things. But you want free advice, I'll give you your money's worth.

Tier 1: I think either DJ or Bryson will do better than Rory. It nags at me to write this, but go with Bryson. Unless something goes drastically wrong, he will be -10 minimum.

Tier 2: I'd go with Reed. He knows this area of the country and the mixed grasses better than most and is really good around greens.

Tier 3: Looks like trash. I don't think any of them are playing well. Have at it.

Tier 4: Bubba has been playing well as has Jason Day. Day's back is always a crap shoot but I'd go with him.

Tier 5: Trash again.

Tier 6: You say lots of old guys. Someone like Langer who is still competitive on the Champion's tour and plays regularly would be a name to put down.

I don't see Rahm, Justin Thomas, Schauffele or Morikawa listed anywhere. I'd look in to them depending on their tier.

I will say this about Morikawa. I've unabashedly been high on him all year and believe he is a money making machine good for 4 or 5 majors and 20+ career wins. Last night watching his interview he mentioned how he liked being able to see the course in it's stripped down state and being able to see the course as it lays without grandstands, chairs, scoreboards and everything else. Kid is pretty bright and seems to have a game plan. If he is comfortable with how he sees the course, he may be real dangerous.

I didn't read your response before I answered, but I can't believe how similar our answers were.

 

[XLCenterFan]

All those missing names you listed are tier 1. Yes, Langer is in the final tier, with all the former champs who get to play, Couples, Singh, McDowell. So are guys like Spieth, Zach Johnson, Weir.

In Tier 3, Kuchar as the lowest putting average on tour. Other in 3: Im, Lowry, Ancer, Woodland, Kokrak, Leishman, Scheffer.

Ancer and Im are the best in tier 3.

ZJ is the best in the final tier. Every single one of the others you mentioned is terrible.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

feelin some bubba luv here. me too.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Thanks guys. Here are my picks. We aren’t going for winner, but lowest net score of our top 4. So I prioritized some guys with a track record of making cuts at Augusta. Chose Rahm because I suspect most will go with DJ or Bryson. It was a toss up with him or Thomas In tier 1. Leishman has been consistent as has Poulter. Johnson was a steal in tier 6 (the field).

Jon Rahm
Bubba Watson
Patrick Reed
Marc Leishman
Ian Poulter
Zach Johnson

 

[Chin Diesel]

So Rahm makes a hole on one on the 4th during yesterday's round.

Today he hits the skip shot across pond on 16 for an ace.

 

[HuskyHawk]

So Rahm makes a hole on one on the 4th during yesterday's round.

Today he hits the skip shot across pond on 16 for an ace.

I have chosen well.

 

[temery]

 

[Greathusky]

I live right in the middle of Bubba country on the gulf coast. Would love to see him win and do well. They talk about horses for courses and Riviera, River Highlands and Augusta have done him quite nicely. He's playing well now but don't think he pulls it off this week.

He did have a revealing article a few weeks ago in USA Today where he went in to deep details of his anxiety and depression.

Bubba Watson on dealing with anxiety: 'I thought I was going to die'

On many sleepless nights, Bubba Watson thought he was going to die. Alone in the darkness with only his thoughts to keep him company as he dealt with crippling anxiety that kept him up at night, Watson contemplated his mortality and often thought back to the passing of…

golfweek.usatoday.com

On many sleepless nights, Bubba Watson thought he was going to die.


Alone in the darkness with only his thoughts to keep him company as he dealt with crippling anxiety that kept him up at night, Watson contemplated his mortality and often thought back to the passing of his father and namesake, Gerry, a former Green Beret who battled post-traumatic stress disorder and died in 2010 after a long battle with cancer. Not even wonderful memories of his wife, Angie, and their two adopted children, Caleb and Dakota, gave him comfort enough to sleep.


His days weren’t easy, either.


“I had a lot of noise in my head,” Watson told Golfweek in a recent phone interview about some of his darkest moments some two years ago. “I thought I was going to die. It was rough.”


So, too, were the three times in recent years he was rushed to the hospital thinking his life was going to end from a heart attack. Or when he just didn’t feel like playing and wanted to withdraw from a tournament. Or the time 18 months ago when he tipped the scale at 162 pounds, some 30-35 pounds below his normal weight, because the fear raging through his body made eating nearly impossible.


“When I started losing the weight and was getting skinny, it gave me flashbacks to my dad,” Watson said. “So that gave me more mental issues, more anxiety.


“So I quit weighing myself.”

Wow! I did not know that. That settles it. I will be rooting for Bubba big time.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I didn't read your response before I answered, but I can't believe how similar our answers were.

Group think is a sure path to the middle of the bell curve in pools like this.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

2020 Masters odds: Surprising PGA picks, predictions from same model that nailed six majors

SportsLine simulated the 2020 Masters 10,000 times and came up with a surprising leaderboard

www.cbssports.com

 

[Chin Diesel]

2020 Masters odds: Surprising PGA picks, predictions from same model that nailed six majors

SportsLine simulated the 2020 Masters 10,000 times and came up with a surprising leaderboard

www.cbssports.com

That article mentions looking at 25-1 odds. That involves Cantlay. Kids Nick name is "Can't Miss" because he always stripes his shots. I'd like to see him do well but he always seems to disappoint when I get hopes up for him.

 

[HuskyHawk]

2020 Masters odds: Surprising PGA picks, predictions from same model that nailed six majors

SportsLine simulated the 2020 Masters 10,000 times and came up with a surprising leaderboard

www.cbssports.com

Yeah, as usual their actual expert picks are paywalled out. So I never got them.

@Chin Diesel a UK betting site did a thorough analysis of what factors go in to Master's champions, length, short game, accurate approach shots, putting, mental toughness. They decided Justin Thomas was the choice.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

Yeah, as usual their actual expert picks are paywalled out. So I never got them.

@Chin Diesel a UK betting site did a thorough analysis of what factors go in to Master's champions, length, short game, accurate approach shots, putting, mental toughness. They decided Justin Thomas was the choice.

it wasn't posted for their betting shtick. it was posted for this part of the article:
2020 Masters odds (via William Hill)
Bryson DeChambeau 8-1
Dustin Johnson 9-1
Jon Rahm 11-1
Justin Thomas 12-1
Rory McIlroy 14-1
Xander Schauffele 14-1
Brooks Koepka 16-1
Hideki Matsuyama 25-1
Tony Finau 25-1
Patrick Cantlay 25-1
Tyrrell Hatton 28-1
Bubba Watson 28-1
Patrick Reed 28-1
Collin Morikawa 30-1
Jason Day 33-1
Webb Simpson 33-1
Matthew Wolff 33-1
Tiger Woods 35-1
Jordan Spieth 40-1
Adam Scott 40-1
Tommy Fleetwood 40-1
Scottie Scheffler 50-1
Louis Oosthuizen 50-1
Justin Rose 50-1
Paul Casey 55-1
Sergio Garcia 60-1
Matthew Fitzpatrick 60-1
Shane Lowry 66-1
Rickie Fowler 66-1
Sung-Jae Im 66-1
Cameron Smith 70-1
Jason Kokrak 70-1
Phil Mickelson 80-1
Abraham Ancer 80-1
Cameron Champ 80-1
Lee Westwood 80-1
Francesco Molinari 90-1
Gary Woodland 100-1
Ian Poulter 100-1
Kevin Kisner 125-1
Danny Willett 125-1
Si-Woo Kim 125-1
Brandt Snedeker 125-1
Matt Kuchar 125-1
Brendon Todd 125-1
Erik van Rooyen 125-1
Lanto Griffin 150-1
Corey Conners 150-1
Charl Schwartzel 150-1
Sebastian Munoz 150-1
Henrik Stenson 150-1
Matt Wallace 150-1
Marc Leishman 150-1
Billy Horschel 150-1
Zach Johnson 150-1
Victor Perez 200-1
Christiaan Bezuidenhout 200-1
Bernd Wiesberger 200-1
Kevin Na 200-1
Byeong Hun An 200-1
Dylan Frittelli 250-1
Lucas Glover 250-1
Adam Hadwin 250-1
J.T. Poston 250-1
Rafa Cabrera Bello 250-1
Graeme McDowell 250-1
Chez Reavie 250-1
Charles Howell 250-1
Nick Taylor 300-1
Justin Harding 300-1
Max Homa 300-1
Tyler Duncan 400-1
Andrew Landry 400-1
Jazz Janewattananond 500-1
Fred Couples 500-1
Nate Lashley 500-1
C.T. Pan 500-1
Shugo Imahira 500-1
Andrew Putnam 500-1
Sung-Hoon Kang 500-1
Jimmy Walker 500-1
Bernhard Langer 500-1
John Augenstein 750-1
Vijay Singh 1000-1
Andy Ogletree 1000-1
Lukas Michel 1000-1
Mike Weir 1000-1
Abel Gallegos 1000-1
Yuxin Lin 1000-1
James Sugrue 1500-1
Jose Maria Olazabal 2000-1
Sandy Lyle 2000-1
Larry Mize 2000-1

 

[NJHusky]

This thread makes me sad. Had tickets to the practice round that would've been today. Oh well... guess I'll keep my fingers crossed things work out for April and enjoy it from the TV

Don’t u get them for 2021? I got an email saying no applications for 2021 since they will honor 2020 ticket requests

 

[NJHusky]

I have been playing the Masters lottery for 10 years and have come up empty.

My pick: Bubba

I got tickets my first time. And couldn’t go because of work.

 

[Palatine]

I don't care who wins. I would like to see BDC drive a ball 400 yards and I will watch Tiger and Phil. Tiger to see if he can elevate his game, Phil cause it's so dam entertaining.

 

[Chin Diesel]

it wasn't posted for their betting shtick. it was posted for this part of the article:
2020 Masters odds (via William Hill)
Bryson DeChambeau 8-1
Dustin Johnson 9-1
Jon Rahm 11-1
Justin Thomas 12-1
Rory McIlroy 14-1
Xander Schauffele 14-1
Brooks Koepka 16-1
Hideki Matsuyama 25-1
Tony Finau 25-1
Patrick Cantlay 25-1
Tyrrell Hatton 28-1
Bubba Watson 28-1
Patrick Reed 28-1
Collin Morikawa 30-1
Jason Day 33-1
Webb Simpson 33-1
Matthew Wolff 33-1
Tiger Woods 35-1
Jordan Spieth 40-1
Adam Scott 40-1
Tommy Fleetwood 40-1
Scottie Scheffler 50-1
Louis Oosthuizen 50-1
Justin Rose 50-1
Paul Casey 55-1
Sergio Garcia 60-1
Matthew Fitzpatrick 60-1
Shane Lowry 66-1
Rickie Fowler 66-1
Sung-Jae Im 66-1
Cameron Smith 70-1
Jason Kokrak 70-1
Phil Mickelson 80-1
Abraham Ancer 80-1
Cameron Champ 80-1
Lee Westwood 80-1
Francesco Molinari 90-1
Gary Woodland 100-1
Ian Poulter 100-1
Kevin Kisner 125-1
Danny Willett 125-1
Si-Woo Kim 125-1
Brandt Snedeker 125-1
Matt Kuchar 125-1
Brendon Todd 125-1
Erik van Rooyen 125-1
Lanto Griffin 150-1
Corey Conners 150-1
Charl Schwartzel 150-1
Sebastian Munoz 150-1
Henrik Stenson 150-1
Matt Wallace 150-1
Marc Leishman 150-1
Billy Horschel 150-1
Zach Johnson 150-1
Victor Perez 200-1
Christiaan Bezuidenhout 200-1
Bernd Wiesberger 200-1
Kevin Na 200-1
Byeong Hun An 200-1
Dylan Frittelli 250-1
Lucas Glover 250-1
Adam Hadwin 250-1
J.T. Poston 250-1
Rafa Cabrera Bello 250-1
Graeme McDowell 250-1
Chez Reavie 250-1
Charles Howell 250-1
Nick Taylor 300-1
Justin Harding 300-1
Max Homa 300-1
Tyler Duncan 400-1
Andrew Landry 400-1
Jazz Janewattananond 500-1
Fred Couples 500-1
Nate Lashley 500-1
C.T. Pan 500-1
Shugo Imahira 500-1
Andrew Putnam 500-1
Sung-Hoon Kang 500-1
Jimmy Walker 500-1
Bernhard Langer 500-1
John Augenstein 750-1
Vijay Singh 1000-1
Andy Ogletree 1000-1
Lukas Michel 1000-1
Mike Weir 1000-1
Abel Gallegos 1000-1
Yuxin Lin 1000-1
James Sugrue 1500-1
Jose Maria Olazabal 2000-1
Sandy Lyle 2000-1
Larry Mize 2000-1

Scheffler, Ooisthuizen and Kokrak are some longer shots who can get to the first page of the leaderboard. Once there who knows?

 

[Chin Diesel]

Yeah, as usual their actual expert picks are paywalled out. So I never got them.

@Chin Diesel a UK betting site did a thorough analysis of what factors go in to Master's champions, length, short game, accurate approach shots, putting, mental toughness. They decided Justin Thomas was the choice.

You shouldn't feel bad if you go with JT.

 

[Peacefrog]

Scheffler, Ooisthuizen and Kokrak are some longer shots who can get to the first page of the leaderboard. Once there who knows?

I was thinking that Louis is a good bet given the 50-1 odds. He definitely has a history of playing the course well. He is often competitive in big tournaments. Of second/third tier guys he would be a good pick.

ps: I was there when he got his double eagle on #2. The roar was incredible. That will be missed this year.

 

[Chin Diesel]

The My Group option on Master's website will be awesome.

Pick your players and you get to watch every shot by every player you pick to watch.

 

[HooperScooper]

That looked like one of my shots. Well except the part when the ball went on to the green and into the hole.

 

[NJHusky]

That looked like one of my shots. Well except the part when the ball went on to the green and into the hole.

And the part where he intended to do it...

 

[UConnfan4ever]

Out of curiosity, did your sister get the tickets through the lottery system or the secondary market?
I've twice gotten tix through lottery and have been there for Tuesday and Wednesday practice rounds. Tuesday I liked better because more of the players are on the course and you can see them practicing shots from specific areas on course- runoff area chip shots, and putts where the caddies throw down disks on the ground where they know pins will be placed throughout the week. Wednesday has way fewer players on the course but has the Par 3 tourney so you get the benefit of seeing some of the older players who don't play in the tourney.

As for Rickie, I'm not a big fan of him. I put him in the Sergio category. He'll catch fire one week and get over the hump and win a major but he is no longer a threat each major. That being said Rickie is really good around the green with his wedges and putter so he will probably cash another top 10 paycheck.

Last year I got tickets through the lottery for Tuesday's practice round. Unfortunately there was a storm with lightning, we had to leave the course and wait in our car for it to pass. All in all lost little over 2 hours time. Favorite spot was 16th tee. Amazing how they skip the ball over the water. You're right about them putting to different spots. On 16 it was interesting to watch them putt from above the hole for Sunday's pin placement. Another bonus on the 16th tee we were able to watch them chip from all around the green on the 15th hole. Merchandise tent is insanely crowded. Nice that they will hold your merchandise for pickup when you leave.

 

[UConnfan4ever]

Ok @Chin Diesel and @XLCenterFan I'm joining a Masters pool. I pick six golfers and get to use my top 4 scores. But they are tiered, so only one of the top 10 guys. Need some help. Any underdogs who may exceed expectations?

Tier 1: DJ or Bryson or Rory?
Tier 2: I think Koepka is the best bet, but Wolff is here and Reed.
Tier 3: Rose? Lowry? Tiger? Kuchar?
Tier 4: Bubba and Jason Day, Westwood, Kevin Na
Tier 5: Rickie and Phil main guys I know. Reavie? Stenson? Poulter?
Tier 6: The rest of the field. Lots of old guys here.

Deep sleeper Corey Connors. Not many people will pick him but I bet he makes the cut.

 

[Peacefrog]

16th hole was always my favorite spot. We parked in a guy's yard on Heath or maybe Stanley Road I think near the Berckman's Road entrance. There was a less crowded, secondary spot there to buy your shirts etc....The fifth green was right there which is perhaps the toughest putting green on the course. We'd watch the action there (and you can watch them play 6 as well) until the last groups came through then walk down the hill to the bleachers on 16 before groups started coming through so we could get a prime spot at the end furthest from the tee box. There are some trees there that afford you some shade but it also allows you to see the approach shots of players going for the green in 2 on 15. 15 is a birdie/eagle hole so you see lots of good action on that green as well as the all the play on 16 of course. I was lucky enough to go six times for work arriving Sunday and departing Monday. Having spent 24 days watching the tournament, the 5th green to 16th hole became my standard.