2020 Us Masters Golf

[Ken4155]

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.

[Ken4155]

Dusting Johnson? A typo, or one of those spooky signs that he's going to clean up? :-)))

[Ken4155]

Despite carding 5 more than yesterday's round, Dustin Johnson continues to share the lead (-9) with 4 others. Patrick Reed is just a shot behind, Xander Schauffele is on -4 and my other 4 players have all made the cut. Two of them, De Chambeau and Finau, by the skin of their teeth. Both will need to improve tremendously if they are to trouble the top placings.

[Ken4155]

As mentioned earlier, i still have £10 of my 'bank' to play with and i have saved it for the final threesomes. The named players are those i am hoping come out on top against their 2 playing partners, today.

Lee Westwood @ 9/5
Nick Taylor @ 14/5
Cameron Champ @ 31/20

£1 Treble (boosted odds), £1 Trixie (£5 stake) = poss £85.33 return

Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, Patrick Reed & Rory McIlroy.

£5 acca @ just over 36/1 = poss return £185.96

[Ellipsis]

How have you finished up, Ken?

Wonder what the odds were on Langer finishing ahead of Dechambeau, or Woods making a 10 on the 12th.

[BAKERS DOZEN]

I was secretary to a bookmaker for seven years. His customers paid for a new Rolls Royce each year, a large house with indoor and outdoor pools, a chauffeur and a housekeeper but he was never happy. I don't have any of those but I am happy.

[Ken4155]

DJ could possibly dominate golf the way Tiger Woods did - for a few years at least. Cameron Smith becomes the first ever Masters player to score in the 60s in all 4 rounds. He's in the notebook for next year.

Johnson, McIlroy and Smith all won their threesomes but Reed let the acca down. None of the 3 in the trixie won theirs.

As for me; £35 staked (incl free bet). Just short of £93 returned (incl £5 in free bets). Profit; £58.

[Ken4155]

Good for you Bakers Dozen.
Go and get a cake out of the window.

[Maydup]

My each way bets came nowhere, but I've enjoyed watching the Masters enormously. Some great performances on a wonderful course.

I remember being at Sandwich for the British Open when Dustin Johnson played a shot out of bounds at the 14th and snapped his club in fury. No such behaviour today!

[BAKERS DOZEN]

You've got it right Ken as you treat your betting as a hobby you can afford. The sad ones are the ones who lose and then try to play catch up with money they can ill afford. I've only ever had one bet and that was on Foinavon at 100/1. My mum had to put that on for me as I was too young to go into a betting shop and I've still never ever been in one.

[Ellipsis]

Congrats, Ken! I find it tough to come out in profit when betting on golf.

[Ken4155]

To be honest, Ellipsis, i've done quite well with the major golf tournaments over the last 3 or 4 years. Then again, i do put a certain amount of time into studying the stats and the form, so maybe it's just reward :-)

[Buenchico]

I wonder what odds you could have got on Tiger Woods taking ten shots on a single hole?