Lee Westwood, Daniel Berger, Jason Day, Justin Rose and Hideki Matsuyama are among the celebrities judged in Tuesday’s Fantasy Insider.
If you are willing to commit to the normal prediction for professional golf tournament that is accepted, then the Masters is for you. Even when disputed in November, it achieved the two true outcomes in the sport. Champion Dustin Johnson was a recent winner upon his arrival (three times) and he was not a debutant at Augusta National. Indeed, the easiest trivia question about the tournament has retained the same answer for more than four decades, as 1979’s Master Champion, Fuzzy Zoeller, is still the most recent of the first three entrants in the tournament’s history.
Unlike the first 26 beginners in the November issue, there are only six this week, and only three of them are professionals – Robert MacIntyre, Carlos Ortiz and Will Zalatoris. Sure, everyone has the talent to make noise, but no one should expect Johnson to slip the green jacket over his shoulders on Sunday.
There’s a valid argument that DJ’s tournament record of 20-under-268 deserved a star five months ago. There is an equally strong argument that this is not the case. Augusta National was not so fast in the fall and the construction of the tournament needed changes to complete it within four days. On the other hand, he won by five, partly by scoring the field in greens in regulation (averaging 15 per round; no one else averaged more than 14 per point) and par-4. He also finished with par-3, scored T6 in par-5 and finished fourth in scramble. He was in an area at the time, and the track helped reveal him as a worthy champion. Cancel the asterisk.
However, the jury is not sure whether Augusta National will achieve a point that is lower than the level. In the last issue in April 2019 and in November 2020, the field both beat 72. It has not done so once since 1992. Fairways and greens were affected more easily, but the conversion rate of the chances also increased.
While the weather affects every tournament, Augusta National has a SubAir system that he masterfully controls. It’s not a well-kept secret, nor is it a secret, but it’s still an underrated component to regulating the score and green speeds that are not disclosed.
Rain almost falls at some point during the tournament. The threat is usually greater in the afternoon due to heating during the day and until Saturday. High temp. Will move about 80 degrees. Wind may cause a break on Thursday, but the ground level is so protected by the topography and mature trees that the experience in it will again be the most valuable club in the bag due to a few shots.
For the third straight edition tips from Augusta National at 7475 meters, but this is only the second time in a row that the new cutting line is in play. Only the low 50 and ties at the end of 36 holes will progress. The previous provision, which also included all golfers within ten strokes of the midfield lead, was eliminated in 2020.
ROB BOLTON’S ANNEXURE
PGATOUR.COM’s Fantasy Insider Rob Bolton gives an overview and preview of each tournament from numerous angles. Look for the following contributions as scheduled.
MONDAY: Kragranglys
TUESDAY*: Sleepers, Fantasy Insider
SUNDAY: Qualificationrs, Shuffle, Medical extensions, Rookie Watch
* – Rob is a member of the panel of PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf, which will also be published on Tuesday.