Damien Kayat previews all of the 2022 US Masters action coming your way from Augusta National.
Plenty of heavyweights in with a chance this year at the 2022 US Masters
As if the lead-up to this year’s Masters wasn’t interesting enough. The entire golfing world seemed resigned to the fact that Collin Morikawa would replace Jon Rahm as the World Number One.
But it was the unassuming Scottie Scheffler who would usurp Rahm on the eve of this year’s Masters. Augusta specialists such as Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith have been in auspicious form leading into the year’s first Major.
Rory McIlroy’s quest for a career Grand Slam is a yearly soap opera that can’t be ignored (however unlikely that looks at present). Hideki Matsuyama has enjoyed a brilliant 12 months since picking up perhaps the most globally significant Green Jacket in recent memory.
Return of the Tiger at the 2022 US Masters
But all of these juicy narratives are reduced to sideshow status when a certain Tiger rolls into town. The five-time Masters champ sent the golfing fraternity into a state of dumbstruck paralysis last week, practicing on the hallowed Augusta turf a little over a year after his horrifying LA car accident.
His mere presence is like that moment when (spoiler alert) all the other Spidermen rock up in Spiderman: No Way Home. You had my curiosity. Now you have my attention.
There’s nothing quite like Augusta National
What more can really be said about the Masters? It is the only golfing Major that is played at the same course every year: the iconic Augusta National. This bastion of tradition and privilege has its irritations.
The commentators have to obnoxiously refer to fans as patrons for the week (as if to fool us into thinking we are witnessing a fine arts display and not watching men hit tiny balls into holes). But you can’t beat that music.
The soothing, classical tones that accompany the Masters coverage is the stuff of guided meditation. Such serenity.
Augusta National was founded at the start of the Great Depression and was originally known as the Augusta National Invitation Tournament. It was Bobby Jones’ baby and was co-founded by him and Clifford Roberts- a wealthy New York investment banker.
This gave birth to Augusta National (which was co-designed by Jones and Alister Mackenzie). The course is famously built on the site of an old nursery, with all the holes given botanical monikers. Cute.
Matsuyama to go back-to-back?
I struggle to see how recently displaced World Number One Jon Rahm makes sense as this week’s favourite. He has struggled in contention of late and (honestly) he’s still looking some way away from peak physical condition.
But perhaps he will benefit from diminished expectations this week. Hideki Matsuyama has the type of unflappable demeanour to make him a real threat at Augusta.
But as I noted earlier, the likes of Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith appear to be the real threats. Scottie Scheffler has less course experience and will do well to compete with these Augusta aficionados.
And speaking of Augusta heavyweights: how did I not mention Jordan Spieth? There are just too many subplots to meaningfully engage with in this tiny blurb. But I think this year’s Masters- with or without the mighty Tiger- is going to be one of the best in recent memory.
Past US Masters Winners
2021: Hideki Matsuyama (-10)
2020: Dustin Johnson (20)
2019: Tiger Woods (-13)
2018: Patrick Reed (-15)
2017: Sergio Garcia (-9) *playoff
To Win Outright:
Jon Rahm 10/1
Justin Thomas 11/1
Dustin Johnson 14/1
Cameron Smith 12/1
Scottie Scheffler 12/1
Value Bets – 2022 US Masters
Jordan Spieth
To Win 18/1
I just have to opt for Jordan Spieth at this price. The 2015 Augusta champion has an absolutely sterling record around this course. He has finished runner-up twice and third twice. But he doesn’t come into this year’s event in fantastic form. Having said that, Spieth did lead the field in strokes-gained-tee-to-green at the Valero Texas Open last week. But he had one of his worse putting performances ever on tour, surrendering 7.2 shots to the field with the flat-stick. But I wouldn’t feel too concerned about that. There’s something about Augusta that just brings out the magic in Spieth (especially his short game).
Justin Rose
To Win 50/1
I know that Justin Rose has been some way off his best over the past two seasons. But much like Spieth, Rose is an accomplished Masters operator who could also spring a surprise around Augusta. The two-time Masters runner-up has six top 10’s in 16 outings here. He finished 7th last year and has shown glimpses of his best golf in recent months. Amongst some missed cuts, he did finish two shots outside a playoff at the Farmers earlier this year. Much like Augusta, Torrey Pines is a shot-makers paradise that rewards imaginative iron play. I just think he may be worth a gander in the place markets.
The Man to Beat – 2022 US Masters
Cameron Smith
To Win 12/1
Current Players champion Cameron Smith is just the obvious pick this week. He is in a glorious vein of form, capturing the Sentry Tournament of Champions title prior to his magnificent performance at TPC Sawgrass. With his pure ball-striking and wonderful touch on the greens, Smith is surely on the cusp of Major championship success. 28-year-old Smith also has a brilliant record at Augusta, with top 10 finishes in three of his last four starts. That included a T2 during Dustin Johnson’s 2020 cakewalk victory.
Other Bets
To finish inside Top 10 – 2022 US Masters
Louis Oosthuizen – 10/3
Yes, as a South African I’m well aware of the pain that King Louis has inflicted upon us over the years. Winner of the career Grand Slam in runner-up Major finishes, Oosthuizen just can’t seem to seal the wins that would have made him a legend of the sport. But you can’t deny his consistency in Major Championship golf. He has a remarkable eight finishes of 3rd or better in Majors. That includes a runner-up finish at the 2012 Masters. 7/2 for a top ten finish feels like great value.
First Round Leader – 2022 US Masters
Rory McIlroy – 25/1
With six top 10 finishes at Augusta National, it would be foolish to completely write off McIlroy’s Grand Slam chances. But I just can’t see him stringing together four consecutive great rounds this week. I can see him coming out of the gates strong just like he did at Bay Hill earlier this year (he led the Arnold Palmer after round one before fading into obscurity as the weekend approached).
Bet on golf at www.hollywoodbets.co.uk or www.hollywoodbets.ie
