THE MASTERS – WINNER
Brendan James – Australian Golf Editor
There is much that can be said about the ‘horse for course’ theory. Tiger Woods’ list of career victories, for example, includes many wins on the same pitch, such as Augusta, Firestone, Bay Hill and Torrey Pines.
JORDAN SPIETH is another player who takes his game to another level on the pitch that he is not only familiar with but also suits his eye. Now that his game seems to be back on track, I couldn’t jump off Spieth’s wagon after tipping him last week.
As happened in 2015 when he won at Augusta, his form culminated in the right moment. His game is not quite like it was six years ago but he has enough talent to break into the double-under par this week, especially in what is described as a bold and fast setting.
Sportsbet Opportunities: $ 11.
JIMMY EMANUEL – Deputy Australian Golf Editor
There’s a big part of me that hopes Rory McIlroy and Pete Cowen have finished it all and he finally crossed the line here this week, but without much to go on I would pick World No.1 and the reigning champion. DUSTIN JOHNSON.
Johnson slowly improved at Augusta at each start before he unlocked in November, and despite very different conditions from last year, I think he will join the back-to-back Masters-winning elite club.
Johnson’s early form was steady if not brilliant, however, he had a game that was a perfect fit for Augusta, and the strong and fast form should suit him perfectly. So far he’s been looking really relaxed this week, a factor that always helps here.
Sportsbet Opportunities: $ 10.
Michael Jones – Australian Golf Writer
World Number 2 JUSTIN THOMAS is trending in the right direction at Augusta, sharing 39th place on debut in 2016 and finishing T22 in 2017, T17 in 2018, T12 in 2019 and straight fourth last November.
The Player Champion arrived in incredible form, he was strong from the tee-to-green and led the PGA Tour to putts per green in regulation.
Sportsbet Opportunities: $ 11.
Rod Morri – Australian Golf magazine contributor and host of the podcast The Thing About Golf
So many storylines and potential winners, it’s hard to narrow them down to just one, but it’s like this: JON RAHM.
Now admittedly, this pick could have worked out because the new dad would have had somewhat divided concerns between the Augusta National Green and the events at home. That could mean disaster or joy, but given the Spaniard’s penchant for letting his emotions get in the way of his talent, I think it could work out for him this week.
The top three finishes in four career starters suggest the course is ‘in line with his eyes’ and at Augusta National it is likely that playing strong and fast will require the same creativity and patience to wear a Sunday jacket. Only the latter has been a hindrance for Rahm in the past, but with the perspective of a new father and the calm that comes with it, I think this will be the week.
Sportsbet Opportunities: $ 13.

AUSSIE TOP
Brendan James – Australian Golf Editor
With runners-up finishing at Augusta just five months ago, many will pin Australian hopes on Cameron Smith. And rightly so.
But this week’s course will play faster and faster than in November, which equates to a smaller margin for error right across the layout. Experience will be key this week, showing that to me ADAM SCOTT will be our best chance to claim the green jacket.
The Queenslander has more Masters rounds under its belt than most players on the pitch, and has a wealth of information on how the pitch is played in all conditions. Scott will be among the leaders chasing the green jacket when he goes into the back nine on Sunday.
Sportsbet Opportunities: $ 4.
JIMMY EMANUEL – Deputy Australian Golf Editor
ADAM SCOTT almost got the nod to my top tip, so it makes sense to put him in here.
Scott likes Augusta National and The Masters like some of the others, and is determined to add another major to his CV before he closes his FootJoys and it could do very well this week.
His record here over the last few years does not read very well, and his recent performances have not been overly excited, but this is The Masters and he has found himself in the mix through early rounds in recent years, especially in 2019, so no. surprising to see his name high on the leaderboard on Sunday.
Sportsbet Opportunities: $ 4.
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Michael Jones – Australian Golf Writer
I don’t think there’s any doubt that Cam Smith will be right again this year. However, JASON’S DAY got my money for the Aussie top.
The former world number one has four top-10s in the Masters, says his body feels great and believes he has mojo back with a putter. That’s good enough for me.
Sportsbet Opportunities: $ 3.50.
Rod Morri – Australian Golf magazine contributor and host of the podcast The Thing About Golf
It could be a tightly-contested honor this year with four out of five Australians on the field boasting an impressive record at Augusta National but smart money back on fire. CAMERON SMITH.
A magical short game and Queenslander’s wedge play will always hold him in good standing around Augusta and a T2 result in November is still fresh on his mind. In four starts, he has two top fives and two mid 50’s finishes, but one of them understands that the latter tends to be a thing of the past.
Of the four other Australians – Matt Jones, Marc Leishman, Jason Day and Adam Scott – only Jones is not in the top five to his name, the only start here that resulted in the 2014 failure.
Sportsbet Opportunities: $ 3.

OUTSIDER
Brendan James – Australian Golf Editor
Making his 20th Masters appearance this week is arguably his game’s best player yet to win a major title, LEE WESTWOOD.
Of the 20 starts, the Briton won five top-10s including two runners-up. His form so far in 2021 has been outstanding – runner up at The Players and Bay Hill – and with his son, Sam, in the bag at Augusta, Westwood’s win could be one of the great Masters stories.
Sportsbet Opportunities: $ 34.
JIMMY EMANUEL – Deputy Australian Golf Editor
There have been a lot of value bets on the field this year, but what caught my eye was LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN for $ 81.
South Africa lost here in a play-off in 2012 to Bubba Watson, had the top 10 recently at a tough WGC event held at The Concession, and third at last year’s US Open.
All of that shows to me that he is a high-value option and a player who plays here a lot, with a game perfectly suited to the strong and fast conditions reported this week.
Sportsbet Opportunities: $ 81.
RELATED: How Augusta National can do better
Michael Jones – Australian Golf Writer
JUSTIN ROSE have only played six games since sharing 23rd place at Augusta last November. But the Britons – who are currently paying $ 67 – have two runners-up in the Masters (2015 & 2017) and three additional top-10s.
Rose finished runner-up to Dustin Johnson at Saudi International in February which shows that his game is there. My only concern is that he withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March due to back spasms.
Sportsbet Opportunities: $ 67.
Rod Morri – Australian Golf magazine contributor and host of the podcast The Thing About Golf
He impressed at WGC-Match Play recently and has won at St Andrews so that the style of golf at Augusta will be no stranger to him. VICTOR PEREZ.
He qualified in his only appearance here in November and his last appearance was among the top five in Saudi Arabia in February. An impressive winger from the French club – who now lives in Scotland – seems to have all the attributes necessary to become a top 20 player in the world and if you are good enough to do so, you are good enough to stand a chance at The Masters.
Sportsbet Opportunities: $ 151.
RESULTS 2021
So far our so-called experts have combined to give a tip EIGHT winner of 2021, with 51 of their selection recorded a top 10 finish that week and a best return of $ 61 for Max Homa to win the Genesis Invitational (tipped by Rod Morri).
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