The 2024 US Masters is the first major each year and it is a highly anticipated event. At the end of the 2023 year, now knowing how it unfolded, it’s a good time to look at who might wear the green jacket next year.
EARLY ODDS
John Rahm won the 2023 Masters by four shots from Brooks Koepkna and Phil Mickleson. Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed and Russell Henley were T4. Cameron Smith was the best placed Aussie, well back at T34.
In early markets, defending champion Rahm is rightly favourite at roughly 7.5/1, with Scottie Scheffler on the second line at 8/1 and Rory McILroy at 9/1. Scheffler had a great 2023 and it was reported he had the 7th best scoring average of the PGA Tour this century, so he rightly sits on the second line of betting, although is putting can be his kryptonite and you must putt well at Augusta! By the way, the six best scoring averages in the 2000s belongs to Tiger Woods (yep he holds all six spots), so technically Scheffler is the second best scoring average player in the 2000s!
Next best in early markets are Spieth and Koepka (16/1), FedExCup Champion of 2023, Viktor Hovland and Cantlay at 20/1, with Schauffele, Morikawa and Australian Cameron Smith rounding out the top dozen fancied chances at 22/1.
Check out all the latest markets and find the best betting sites if you are looking to have a flutter, but remember, do your homework!
CHECK HISTORIAL FACTS
History is a great teacher, particularly when trying to predict a winner in a small field like seen at the Masters. History says the Masters Champion will have tackled the famed fairways a few time before recording a victory. Only three Masters Champions in history have won at their first attempt, with the last (Fuzzy Zoeller) back in 1979. Five golfers including Danny Willett (2016) won at their second attempt and nine players won at their third visit to Augusta – including a young Tiger Woods in 1997.
Look for a player with a solid Masters record. The average attempts before winning a first time at Augusta is 6.3 (55 players). For the record, Sergio Garcia won his first Masters in 2017 on his 19th attempt!
So, it’s worth checking out historical facts when predicting the next winner.
PUTTING IS KING
You have to putt well to conquer Augusta, so looking at putting stats from previous years can really help. Patrick Reed had the best average at the 2023 Masters with 1.51 and he finished T4.
Overall averages on the PGA Tour say Taylor Montgomery had the best putting average in 2023, so if he gets in the field he’ll be worth consideration. John Rahm is #2, Sam Ryder #3 and Max Homa #4.
Cam Smith is a great putter and that’s why he is always rated so highly. In 2023, he finished in T34 however he finished 2nd in putting stats (1.53). He’s also played very well there before (best finish T2). So leading into the event, if his stroke play is holding up he’s got to be a great chance.
LIV GOLF
Player stats will need close investigation but remember you won’t see Brooks Koepka or Cameron Smith on the PGA stats after they deflected to LIV, so finding a potential 2024 is that much harder. So check out LIV stats when doing your homework.
SOME INTERESTING TID BITS
Only three players have recorded four subpar rounds in one tournament, and two of those will play in 2024 – Will Zalatoris (2021) and Scottie Scheffler (2022).
Australia’s Min Woo Lee is an up and comer and he holds the equal low first nine record at Augusta – his 4th round 30 in 2022.
Dustin Johnson holds the record for the Low 72 holes with 268 in 2020 (-20). Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth sit in second spot on 270 (-18).
Other potential players in the field in 2024 with great results at Augusta include Phil Mickelson (2010) shooting a 272 total. The following have shot a 273; Patrick Reed (2018), Sungjae Im and Cameron Smith (both non-winners) in 2020.
So all the best if you are trying to find the winner – we can’t wait to watch the drama unfold at the 88th Masters April 11-14, 2024.