Film, Media & TV9 mins ago
2020 Us Masters Golf
Begins today with the first tee-off time scheduled at 16.16 hours (our time). From all i have read, despite this competition being held in November (as opposed to April), Augusta will still favour the big hitters - providing they also bring their flat stick play to the party, of course. At least 280 yards off the tee is considered to be a pre-requisite for this year's tournament, according to some golfing 'experts'. Any less than that and the rest of a players game has to be almost impeccable.
The last 10 winners were all in the top 30 world Rankings, while the last 6 were all ranked inside the top 11 of the PGA's scoring average stat for that year. In fact, since WR were created, only 2 of the 34 winners were outside the top 40 at the time of their victory.
There are numerous other stats which could pave the way to finding a winner, but one added ingredient to this year's competition is the empty gallery the players will be playing to. Certain players feed off the crowd and the lack of this vocal support could affect their game. Just a 'for instance'; Rory McIlroy was in decent form before spectators were banned from watching but his form has dipped considerably since then.
I have whittled my list of possible winners down to 3 men - leaving about 88 playing for the bookies! - and i begin with a gambling bank of £30;
£3 win - Dustin Johnson @ 17/2 - T2nd last year and in great form
£2 win - Bryson De Chambeau @ 8/1 - BIG hitter and not too bad with the putter
£2 win - Xander Schauffele @ 14/1 - Yet to win a Major but T2nd last year
These are my e.w. selections and it wouldn't be a total surprise to see either of the first two mentioned wearing the Green Jacket come Sunday afternoon. Betting with SkyBet who pay out on 11 places!
£1 ew - Patrick Reed @ 22/1 - Won in 2018 and is slowly coming to the boil
£1 ew - Tony Finau @ 22/1 - Some say he's the best player yet to win on the PGA tour
£1 ew - Cameron Champ @ 55/1 - If he handles the course, his first Masters could be a good one
£1 ew - Lee Westwood @ 80/1 - One of the best golfers of all time without a win in a Major?
Despite what i said about McIlroy needing the crowd, he is more than capable of flipping a switch and turning it on in major competitions. The Masters is the only major golf trophy missing from his CV so he could spring a minor surprise. On that note, then, i've taken advantage of a Willy Hill 'special';
£5 win (Free bet) either Rory McIlroy or Dustin Johnson to be 1st round leader @ 11/1
Sky also have a few 'specials'. One of which is 'Top Shot'; the player with most Birdies on day 1. £5 minimum stake and for each Birdie, a £1 free bet is awarded.
£5 win Bryson De Chambeau Top Shot @ 15/2.
As you can see, i have used £20 of my 'bank', leaving the other £10 to be played later in the tournament.
Good luck to anyone also having a punt on the Masters.
The last 10 winners were all in the top 30 world Rankings, while the last 6 were all ranked inside the top 11 of the PGA's scoring average stat for that year. In fact, since WR were created, only 2 of the 34 winners were outside the top 40 at the time of their victory.
There are numerous other stats which could pave the way to finding a winner, but one added ingredient to this year's competition is the empty gallery the players will be playing to. Certain players feed off the crowd and the lack of this vocal support could affect their game. Just a 'for instance'; Rory McIlroy was in decent form before spectators were banned from watching but his form has dipped considerably since then.
I have whittled my list of possible winners down to 3 men - leaving about 88 playing for the bookies! - and i begin with a gambling bank of £30;
£3 win - Dustin Johnson @ 17/2 - T2nd last year and in great form
£2 win - Bryson De Chambeau @ 8/1 - BIG hitter and not too bad with the putter
£2 win - Xander Schauffele @ 14/1 - Yet to win a Major but T2nd last year
These are my e.w. selections and it wouldn't be a total surprise to see either of the first two mentioned wearing the Green Jacket come Sunday afternoon. Betting with SkyBet who pay out on 11 places!
£1 ew - Patrick Reed @ 22/1 - Won in 2018 and is slowly coming to the boil
£1 ew - Tony Finau @ 22/1 - Some say he's the best player yet to win on the PGA tour
£1 ew - Cameron Champ @ 55/1 - If he handles the course, his first Masters could be a good one
£1 ew - Lee Westwood @ 80/1 - One of the best golfers of all time without a win in a Major?
Despite what i said about McIlroy needing the crowd, he is more than capable of flipping a switch and turning it on in major competitions. The Masters is the only major golf trophy missing from his CV so he could spring a minor surprise. On that note, then, i've taken advantage of a Willy Hill 'special';
£5 win (Free bet) either Rory McIlroy or Dustin Johnson to be 1st round leader @ 11/1
Sky also have a few 'specials'. One of which is 'Top Shot'; the player with most Birdies on day 1. £5 minimum stake and for each Birdie, a £1 free bet is awarded.
£5 win Bryson De Chambeau Top Shot @ 15/2.
As you can see, i have used £20 of my 'bank', leaving the other £10 to be played later in the tournament.
Good luck to anyone also having a punt on the Masters.
Answers
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No best answer has yet been selected by Ken4155. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.
For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.Yeah, he's beefed his upper body up considerably, Togo, in a conscious effort to hit the ball further. Many golfing 'purists' don't like what his game is about, but if it puts bread on his table, i doubt he cares much what 'they' think of him. He has analysed the game to the 'nth' - hence the nickname 'The Scientist' - and even designed the first set of clubs he ever used. Quite an interesting chap.
You used to work in a betting shop, 10C. Right. As you would imagine, i have spent many an hour in the bookies so i doubt my eyes need opening. I have seen (and heard) people losing money they cannot afford to lose. I doubt you were still working in the bookies when the FOB machines came in and watched young guys shovelling tenner after tenner into them. Then kicking seven colours of whatsit out of the 'fiddling ******* machines'. However, it is my experience that for every one of them, there are dozens of us who bet wisely; making a 'bank' we can afford and sticking to that 'bank'. If i do use the remaining £10, that will be £30 in 4 days of golfing = £7.50 per day. I assure you, as i don't smoke, don't eat out and very rarely drink, i can well afford to lose more than that amount on a daily basis. Even more when i decide to go and do a bit of work :-)
A very healthy attitude, Ken - gambling as entertainment rather than a source of income!
I don't like watching DeChambeau because of his slow play, but he is looking good and the lack of crowds favours him. He is planning to hit it where the crowds would normally be. For example, on the 18th, he plans to blast it over the two bunkers that catch many a drive, leaving a short chip in from the practice ground. I remember Woosnam doing that in the final round when he won in 1991, when the tee was a lot closer to those bunkers ...
I don't like watching DeChambeau because of his slow play, but he is looking good and the lack of crowds favours him. He is planning to hit it where the crowds would normally be. For example, on the 18th, he plans to blast it over the two bunkers that catch many a drive, leaving a short chip in from the practice ground. I remember Woosnam doing that in the final round when he won in 1991, when the tee was a lot closer to those bunkers ...
10C; I spent the last 15 months of my army service as a photographer and when i was demobbed, i carried it on as a hobby. Believe me when i say, photography was a far more expensive hobby than gambling has turned out to be.
Ellipsis; De Chambeau's plan may well backfire on him. However, he is more aware of this than anyone else. He says he is continuously experimenting ways in which to take the ball further and further. As i said earlier, a lot will depend on his putting on greens which are expected to be a lot slower than is the norm given the time of year.
Ellipsis; De Chambeau's plan may well backfire on him. However, he is more aware of this than anyone else. He says he is continuously experimenting ways in which to take the ball further and further. As i said earlier, a lot will depend on his putting on greens which are expected to be a lot slower than is the norm given the time of year.
Of those having completed their first rounds, Patrick Reed leads in the Top Shot stakes with 8 Birdies (also had 4 Bogeys) to finish end the day in T5th on -4. The clubhouse leader is Paul Casey on 5 under, with Xander Schauffele a couple of strokes behind him in 2nd place. All my other players have had fairly decent days, though De Chambeau had a mixed day with 5 Birdies, a Bogey and a Double Bogey to finish on -2. Dustin Johnson completed only half of the 18 when light stopped play - currently on - 3, so i am still in with a faint shout of first round leader.