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Charlie Riedel/Associated Press
The Masters is upon us. And while it comes at an unprecedented time, it be exhausting now no longer to gain that warmth feeling no topic the month.
Tiger Woods is defending his title. Bryson DeChambeau is having a discover to destroy the game. Rory McIlroy is shopping for his contain return to glory. And bombers galore are having a discover to sail Augusta Nationwide to shreds.
Nearly the total easiest gamers in the realm are gathered at golf’s most picturesque venue, nonetheless who will achieve success?
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David J. Phillip/Associated Press
Bryson DeChambeau (+900)
Here comes DeChambeau, along with his truckload of protein shakes and absolute push aside for old golf norms.
The 27-twelve months-frail might maybe drive the inexperienced on the par-4 first and might maybe need wedges into par-5s, nonetheless leisure assured, he received’t defend reduction. He has but to variety all by the discontinue 20 on the Masters, nonetheless that appears merely a footnote given he is now no longer the a similar person this twelve months.
Bulked-up DeChambeau tore by the U.S. Open at Winged Foot in September, worthwhile by six photographs after critics sniped that his vogue wouldn’t play at a serious, with grown-out rough.
While some might maybe need taken time to contain a ideal time, DeChambeau has spent the final month wailing away at drives, attempting to up his swing scramble and carry even more. He’s going to acquire this week, and when he does, the conversations spherical “breaking the game” will ramp up a complete lot of notches.
Prediction: DeChambeau wins (odds: +900)
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Matt Slocum/Associated Press
Dustin Johnson (+900)
It appears exhausting to fault any golfer who has received 26 instances professionally, nonetheless it absolutely nearly appears as though Dustin Johnson has underachieved.
The 36-twelve months-frail remains to be waiting on an elusive second important title, and though he used to be enjoying a few of his easiest golf down the stretch of this previous season, it appears the golf world is waiting unless he does it at a serious.
Johnson vulnerable down the stretch on the final spherical of the PGA Championship in August and never in actuality gave himself mighty of a shot at Winged Foot.
Now he heads to Augusta, the achieve he done tied for second a twelve months previously. At this ticket—as a co-favourite—I am going to be fading him without hesitation.
Result: Johnson finishes exterior high 10. Wager Jon Rahm over Johnson (+100)
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Ringo H.W. Chiu/Associated Press
Jon Rahm (+1050)
Rahm has been the “easiest-player-in-the-world-in-waiting” for a few years now, even temporarily grabbing the No. 1 situation in the Unswerving World Golf Rankings for the necessary time in July.
It is most efficient a subject of time before that leap forward comes at a serious, and if it does, the floodgates might maybe per chance birth. His joint-second variety on the ZoZo Championship on October 25 hints that is also the week.
Rahm led the PGA Tour in complete strokes gained in 2020, buoyed by gaining 1.344 strokes tee-to-inexperienced (third on the tour).
The 26-twelve months-frail shall be in competition this week, and presumably that is the week he seals that elusive first important. At this ticket, though, I’m doubtlessly staying away.
Result: Rahm finishes in high 5 (odds: +250)
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Charlie Riedel/Associated Press
Justin Thomas (+1250)
There might be liable to be no better player with a wedge in his arms than Justin Thomas, and that can contain to silent—in notion now no longer decrease than—instill a hefty profit at Augusta Nationwide.
On the opposite hand, that profit has but to gain fruit for the 27-twelve months-frail, who’s but to variety in the discontinue 10 at a Masters in four starts.
Thomas used to be the necessary-spherical chief at Winged Foot before step by step falling off, nonetheless he has done strongly (12th and second) in the two occasions he is entered since.
The Louisville, Kentucky native is as appropriate a gamble as any this week (non-Bryson division) to attain all of it collectively this week. But he doubtlessly received’t be on my card at this ticket.
Result: Thomas finishes in the discontinue 10 (odds: +150)
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Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press
Rory McIlroy (+1400)
Extra special has changed in Rory McIlroy‘s profession since his rotten remaining-spherical crumple after preserving the 54-hole lead at Augusta Nationwide in 2011.
The 31-twelve months-frail has received four majors since and ascended to the throne of the game’s easiest, nonetheless he hasn’t received a serious since 2014 and questions proceed to be asked about whether or now no longer he might additionally gain reduction to his triumphant heights.
This might occasionally per chance per chance be a showcase to acknowledge to those questions emphatically. It’s exhausting to root in any other case, nonetheless I am going to be wagering my money in numerous locations.
Result: McIlroy posts a reduction-door high-20 variety (odds: -175)
