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Horse Racing The Masters 2022 Best Bets: April 7th-10th
The 86th edition of The Masters will commence at Augusta National this week as golf’s elite fight for the chance to slip on the coveted Green Jacket. Last year Hideki Matsuyama provided the golf-adoring nation of Japan with its first major winner, but a repetition of this seismic feat seems unlikely as he arrives on the back of two injury related withdrawals.
Betting favourite and US Open champion Jon Rahm will look to join the illustrious list of Spanish compatriots to be clad in green, while Rory McIlroy will head down Magnolia Lane eyeing up the career Grand Slam.
The Masters 2022 Best Bets:
- Brooks Koepka E/W at odds of 21.0 (William Hill)
- Justin Thomas E/W at odds of 15.0 (bet365)
The Course: Augusta National
The freshly extended 7,510-yard Augusta National is a course known for its pristine fairways and glass-like greens. Your archetypal champion will need to play aggressively on the par-5s, while subtle enough to scramble on the abrasive par-4s. Accounting for the day’s weather conditions – and reversing winds – will also be vital come the weekend.
Experience is worth its weight in gold at Augusta, with eight of the last ten victors having played there at least three times, with no rookie laying their hands on a Green Jacket since 1979.
A deep understanding of the courses unique nuances is a necessity, with Augusta’s seasoned golfers knowing how and where to attack the Alister MacKenzie designed track.
Alongside experience, each of the last ten winners have been ranked within the world’s top 25; so more often than not, the cream rises to the top.
- The Masters
- Augusta National
- April 7th – April 10th
Masters Best Bet: Brooks Koepka Each-way
First off, I’m siding with Brooks Koepka.
The four-time major champion comes into the Masters slightly under the radar, but it would be naive to overlook his strong major championship pedigree.
The back-to-back-PGA Champion of 2017/18 is a different animal at majors and there is little doubt that he wants to return strongly after an injury plagued 2021 season.
Koepka has always performed well at the Masters, finishing T-33, T-21, T-11, T-2, T-7, MC, since 2015 (the missed cut largely down to a troublesome leg injury). He was the halfway leader in 2019 and if his ball had stayed out of Rae’s Creek on the 12th hole, Koepka’s Masters resume might look very different.
The American’s recent form has also been quietly impressive. Following a poor end to last season Koepka has strung together a solid set of results, notably T16 at the Honda Classic and an eye-catching T12 at the Valspar.
However, it was at the WGC-Match Play where Koepka rediscovered a certain swagger which has eluded him of late. He was unbeaten in a tough group including Shane Lowry and Harold Varner III, before defeating Jon Rahm in a hotly fought encounter to reach the last eight.
He has previous course form and arrives with the perfect preparation; I’m backing Brooks to return to the winner’s enclosure.
- Selection: Brooks Koepka E/W
- Best Odds: 21.0 (WilliamHill)
Masters Best Bet: Justin Thomas Each-way
Justin Thomas has yet to completely catch fire at the Masters during his career, but the 2017 PGA Championship winner has a rock-solid case to go deep this week.
The American has been dialed-in so far this season with six top eight finishes since November – including a T3 at the Valspar Championship in his last start.
His coveted shot shaping was on full display at the Players Championship last month, as winds reached 45mph causing chaos for the majority of the field. But Thomas shot a remarkable three-under par 69 on the Friday which he would later label “one of the best rounds I’ve ever played”.
The 28-year-old has also made a big switch on the bag this year, with Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay now his full-time caddie. Mackay will bring a calm and experienced head to the Thomas camp, having previously caddied Phil Mickelson to Green Jacket’s in 2004, 2006 and 2010.
When destined for a strong finish 12-months ago, Thomas’ tiple-bogey on the 13th scuppered any chances of a strong finish, and although he is yet to fully content at the back end of a Sunday, he has still accumulated five consecutive top-25 finishes at Augusta.
For a golfer of Thomas’ raw talent, I think its high time that the American gets back to winning ways.
- Selection: Justin Thomas E/W
- Best Odds: 15.0 (Bet365)
