Our choices for the opening spherical at Augusta embody three former champions, all from the US.
The opening spherical of the 89th Masters begins at Augusta Nationwide on Thursday and all 95 gamers within the subject shall be hoping to get off to a quick begin of their pursuit of the Inexperienced Jacket.
Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy dominate the highest of the golf betting, the duo priced at 9/2 and 11/2 respectively, whereas Collin Morikawa and Jon Rahm are each priced at 12/1.
Masters first-round chief suggestions
Scottie Scheffler (e/w) 12/1
Bryson DeChambeau (e/w) 25/1
Patrick Reed (e/w) 50/1
Scheffler to make stable begin
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler has received two of the final three Masters and he has made quick begins in all of these tournaments, with the American tied-third after spherical one in 2022.
The 28-year-old American shot a gap spherical of 68 in 2023, leaving him tied-sixth, whereas he has sole possession of second after the primary 18 holes final 12 months.
Scheffler has solely been over-par after the primary spherical on the Masters as soon as, that coming in 2021, so he has obtained right into a behavior of creating sturdy begins and one other one will be seen on Thursday.
It’s additionally price noting that the two-time Augusta champion is tied-ninth in spherical one scoring common on the PGA Tour this season and heads right here off the again of a tied-second end on the Houston Open.
DeChambeau to make early impression
Bryson DeChambeau famously said earlier than the 2020 Masters that he considered Augusta Nationwide as a par 67, not the par 72 that it’s, claiming he might overpower the course and win the Inexperienced Jacket.
The 31-year-old has did not again these lofty claims up together with his 4 appearances since these feedback producing efforts of T34-T46-MC-MC and he has been compelled to eat some humble pie.
Placing much less emphasis on energy final 12 months and extra deal with course administration, DeChambeau recorded his finest Masters end of tied-sixth and he made a red-hot begin, taking the first-round chief after signing for a 65.
The American regarded in good condition when fifth in Miami on the LIV circuit on Sunday and he can take that momentum into the opening 18 holes in Georgia.
Reed can hit the highest
One other LIV participant able to make an early impression is Patrick Reed, who was in a share of third after spherical one in 2018 earlier than occurring to win the match.
The American has a stable document round Augusta and getting off to constructive begins has been key. He was three off the early tempo in 2020 and tied-fourth after spherical one in 2021.
Reed raced into an early lead in Miami final trip, carding a five-under-par 67 at Trump Nationwide Doral to set the tempo earlier than finally ending in a tie for seventh.
That efficiency ought to have given the 34-year-old loads of confidence heading to the Masters and he seems like a full of life contender within the first-round chief market.