Opinion & Analysis

What’s better: The U.S. Open or the Masters?

Published

11 years ago

Jun 11, 2013

What is the better golf tournament, the Masters or the U.S. Open? It is an argument that needs careful consideration, as well as attention to various factors and characteristics.

First, I’d like to remind everyone that I did not forget about golf’s other two majors, the British Open and the PGA Championship. But let’s be fair — neither the British Open or the PGA Championship are as satisfying from a viewer’s perspective as the season’s first two majors. The British Open simply takes place too early in the morning for American golf fans to become truly engaged, and there’s little argument that the PGA Championship is golf’s most minor major.

I’m sure from a player’s perspective, scoring a Claret Jug or a Wanamaker Trophy could be just as great as a brass-buttoned green jacket, but I’m a fan. And when this fan is cracking Bud Lights, dispensing high-fives with dad from neighboring couches and investing pathetic amounts of vicarious interest toward athletes who will never reciprocate such affection in return, I want the most engrossing television event possible.

Both the Masters and the U.S .Open are spectacular events. But is one better than the other? Let’s use the following criteria — theme music, commentators and broadcast, venue, course set up, crowds and trophy/victory ornament to declare a winner.

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Theme Music

Both tournaments have memorable theme music. The Masters theme song played on CBS is pleasant, relaxing and a soothing counterpart to Nance’s silky narratives. NBC’s U.S. Open theme (Yanni’s Celebration of Man) by contrast, makes me want to climb a mountain, mount a horse, punch myself in the face and run for president — all at the same time.

Advantage: U.S. Open

Commentators/Broadcast

This is closer than you’d think. I personally think Dan Hicks on NBC does a fantastic job but, but I’m tired of Johnny Miller. Aside from still being a bit bitter about his pool-cleaning comment toward fellow Italian Rocco Mediate in 2008, I just don’t enjoy his input. Don’t you have anything pleasant to say, Bro?

Say what you will about Nance, and his smarmy “Hello friends” shtick — he’s still one of the best. Plus, the minimal commercial interruption that the Masters has is a breath of fresh air, particularly in an age when sponsorship dominate sports like never before.

Advantage: Masters

Venue

This, I think, is a somewhat decisive advantage for the Masters. The U.S. Open is played at some fantastic tracks (Pebble, Shinnecock, Oakmont and Merion this year), and kudos to the USGA for recently incorporating municipal gems like Bethpage and Torrey into the mix, but Augusta is, well, Augusta.

It’s almost inconsiderate to argue this point much further. Present any red-blooded male with the choice to play Augusta vs. an all-expenses-paid trip to the Playboy Mansion and they’d actually think about it for a moment. Cue the Jeopardy Music.

Advantage: Masters

Course Set Up

As a fan, which track delivers the supreme form of entertainment? Augusta, has its running fairways, generous rough and familiar confines which allow heady pros to sometimes ride some impressive waves of momentum toward occasional birdie binges. This can indeed be captivating.

The U.S. Open, as we know, employs fairways about as wide as a driver shaft, penalizing knee-high rough and, sometimes, trees that literally swallow golf balls. It’s truly golf’s greatest test.

Since 2006, the U.S. Open champion has had a winning score over par three different times (Ogilvy in ’06, Cabrera in ’07 and Webb Simpson last year). The Masters, by contrast, features traditionally lower/better scores. Aside from Zach Johnson in 2007, you have to go all the way back to 1956 to recall an over-par Master’s champ.

It’s somewhat of an apples to oranges comparison, but I find the non-stop treachery of the U.S. Open more captivating. Does this make me sick and twisted? Perhaps, but whatever. One time a season, I’m allowed to enjoy professional golfers squirming through a USGA primed minefield disguised as a golf course.

Advantage: U.S. Open

The Crowds

Wait, I can’t refer to the fans at Augusta as crowds right? My bad. “Patrons” is what I am supposed to call them.

Regardless of this formality, the patrons at the Masters are respectful, knowledgeable and can also no doubt bring it in terms of enthusiasm. But U.S. Open crowds get flat-out nuts; in a great and powerful way. On occasion, this level of enthusiasm is OK. I’m definitely not a guy that needs all tournaments to reflect No. 16 at TPC Scottsdale, but there’s nothing like a U.S. Open roar; particularly when it’s held at a Northeast venue where birdies are coupled with Meadowlands-like touchdown roars.

Consider this: The average Master’s crowd size is rumored (they’re private about this stuff) to be about 35,000. U.S. Open crowds can near 50,000 toward the weekend, depending on the venue. Plus, these crowds are about as familiar with a golf clap as Phil Mickelson is to laying up.

Advantage: U.S. Open

Trophy/Victory Ornament

I admit to having to do research on this one, as the name of the U.S. Open trophy had escaped me. As it turns out, however, the U.S. Open trophy has no fancy name like Wanamaker or Claret. It’s just a very awesome piece of silver hardware. But there is nothing like the green jacket. Every golfer, whether hacker or scratch, playfully imagines slipping into one of those bad boys.

Advantage: Masters

So we have — a tie! Perhaps that’s the way it should be. The two tournaments are both so awesome in their own way, that declaring a winner may be unfair toward the other.

But, if I had to choose one, I’d say the U.S. Open is the one I’d rather watch. Maybe it’s because it’s my national championship, or because of the fact that anyone can qualify the U.S. Open adds an extra factor of fairy-tale like possibilities.

It’s kind of like another debate I frequently have concerning the better gangster film between the “Godfather” vs. “Goodfellas,” or the differences between an Opera and a Springsteen concert. Both are fantastic forms of entertainment. The former is praised for its beauty, production and finish, whereas the latter is more raw, energetic and just downright fun.

Indeed, watching the Masters is an annual offer I cannot refuse, but ever since I can remember, I always wanted to be a U.S. Open champion.

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John Iaciofano

Lawyer, Bachelor and Golf Nut. John also writes for his and his sister's Italian culinary and lifestyle blog at www.johnandelana.com, maintains an honest GHIN handicap, and is from New Jersey; all of which he is proud of.

30 Comments

chris franklin

Jul 5, 2013 at 4:09 pm

What a waste of time.Making comparisons between the tournaments is like deciding if red wine is better than white,blondes more attractive than brunettes or if Cheddar is better than Camambert,not only are comparisons odious but in this case impossible as succinctly pointed out by Will o’the glen.
‘Qualify for the Masters’?Tim,it’s by invitation,so players like Ishikawa who has a crap record gets to play because of Japanese TV appeal.
The so-called ‘Masters’ (correctly The Augusta Invitational)is now overblown hogwash and nowhere in the world is there a more tricked up and artificial course than Augusta.

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Marlene

Jun 13, 2013 at 1:22 pm

Great article! I’d go with the US Open. Tough call though…

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Arthur J

Jun 13, 2013 at 6:06 am

Interesting views especially regarding TV scheduling. For myself (English) and many others on this side of the pond, the Masters is the favourite (even trumping ‘our’ Open).

Why?

Simply because it traditionally represented the start of the golfing season for us – after a long, cold, wet, windy winter, to see the lush green and golfers wearing shirt sleeves on gorgeous Georgia days – all at 9pm through to midnight.

Strangely, I would think the viewing figures over here for The Masters are arguably higher because of this, whereas most Brits rarely watch much of the Open on TV because during our short summer we are all busting a gut to get out on the links and play ourselves.

That said, it is always fun watching the Tour Pros playing links golf – a bit like grass court tennis, where the conditions are so alien to them compared to the rest of the season.

It would be interesting to hear the players’ view on this subject.

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James Schaubel

Jun 12, 2013 at 7:18 pm

If there was a true debate between which major is the best test of golf it would be between the US OPEN and the (British) Open. The Masters is an invitational putting tournament played on a course with little to no rough. It has short par 5’s that everybody in the field can reach. It is an enigma unto itself. The US OPEN gets my vote as the most difficult challenge. Brutally long courses with narrow 25 yard wide fairways, 4 inch rough, and 14 ft. stimpmeter greens. Every part of a golfer’s game is tested here. These courses will expose EVERY weakness a golfer has.

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Brock

Jun 12, 2013 at 12:23 pm

The British Open is a distant 3rd behind the US Open which is a distant 2nd to The Masters. The only reason the British Open is ahead of the PGA is because of its history. The British is played on crappy old golf courses that make some local munis look like fine country club courses. That might have been how golf was played 100 years ago but the game has long since improved and passed those goat ranches over. It’s barely even golf over there. Anybody that thinks the British is even close to The Masters or the US Open is either a Euro or somebody’s great-great grandparent.

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- pc
  
  Jun 12, 2013 at 1:05 pm
  
  Brock, what a delightful insight into golf course architecture, please regale us with more of your pearls of wisdom
  
  Reply Report comment
Steven

Jun 12, 2013 at 8:25 am

The Masters is the best, just look at the past winners. With the other 3 majors you have too many one and done winners. Michael Campbell, shawn Mcheel, Rich Beem, Ben Curtis, YE Yang, do I nned to go on, this never happens at The Masters, all winners that stick around

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Lee

Jun 12, 2013 at 6:13 am

1) Masters
2) The Open
3) US open
4) The players
5) any WGC event
10) US PGA

I sometimes watch the US PGA and forget its actually a major.

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Rudy

Jun 12, 2013 at 12:30 am

The US open is the true test of golf. You have to drive the ball very accurately and your putting has to be A+++. You won’t see someone making a shot like Bubba Watson did to win the Masters. You hit the ball that far into the trees at the US Open and you might not even find it much less hit it onto the green. I like the Masters but I don’t like the control freaks who run it. They even tell the announcers what they can and can’t say. And it is invitation only. It’s nowhere near as tough as the US Open and the open is of course open to anyone who can qualify. Including if you are not in the top 60 OWGR when you then have to try and qualify like everyone else. The British Open, and I do mean British Open, is only 35 years older than the US Open. Not that much difference. And the British Open is played on some really easy courses that have to rely on the weather to make it challenging.

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G

Jun 11, 2013 at 10:10 pm

Both equally for what they are, both are special Majors with individual personalities. That’s what makes it so cool!

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Dave S.

Jun 11, 2013 at 4:55 pm

If I had to choose, I’d say The Masters. Why? Well partially bc it holds such prestige that I felt obligated to go back and capitalize “The”, and partially bc there really isn’t anything like it. The US Open is awesome, but an argument could be made that the Open Championship is more prestigious worldwide bc of its age and where it’s (typically) located – in the birthplace of golf. The Claret Jug is a much cooler, and well known trophy too, as the author notes.

The fact that the Masters is played first every year at the same amazing course makes it stand out. For all those golf nuts who’ve been waiting all the long winter for some golf… It is the Mecca.

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scot inde

Jun 11, 2013 at 4:46 pm

the open is by far the best…the masters is second, than the us open, then the us pga and may i emphasise it’s not the british open, it is the open and there is a reason why it’s called that because it’s golf oldest major

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Puddin

Jun 11, 2013 at 3:16 pm

Oh, I forgot. Being a Georgia boy, The Masters all the way.

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Puddin

Jun 11, 2013 at 3:15 pm

How ’bout this fantasy, Let the USGA trick up Augusta for the Open. Hmm Hmm Hmm (insert Judge Smails)THAT would be the ultimate challenge. I would work harder on my game and try to qualify if it were at Augusta. “How ’bout a Fresca?”

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pc

Jun 11, 2013 at 1:48 pm

Re you comments below

But let’s be fair — neither the British Open or the PGA Championship are as satisfying from a viewer’s perspective as the season’s first two majors. The British Open simply takes place too early in the morning for American golf fans to become truly engaged, and there’s little argument that the PGA Championship is golf’s most minor major.

Yes maybe the British open is televised early in the am in the US, would you like the R&A to reschedule and play under flood lights????

The British Open is by far the best major of the season, testing and unique courses plus conditions, I feel that this tournament more truly reflects the tests and experiences most golfers in the northern hemisphere regularly face. Its a tournament where ball striking, total control and imagination is the key. Think Tiger at Hoylake , Seve at Lytham

While the Masters is a truly great tournament , its field size and the fact that it is played on the same course year in year out edge it into second place.
The US Open while played in some great courses, doesn’t in my mind force the players to use all their shortgame and shot making, ( how many lob wedges out to thick greenside rough do we need to see) it also favours to much of a conservative approach. The USGA are more concerned with protecting par than allowing the competitors to show the full extent of their skills
USPGA, least said the better…

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- klo
  
  Jun 12, 2013 at 4:05 am
  
  Well said PC. Just because the British Open is played early in the morning for Americans doesn’t mean it’s an “inferior” Major.
  
  Golf was brought up on links courses afterall.
  
  Reply Report comment
- 8thehardway
  
  Jun 12, 2013 at 9:50 am
  
  At the British Open I’ve seen putts from 50 feet off greens that reject high wedge shots faster than Augusta rejects membership applications and 4-shots-to-escape bunkers that made David Duval’s sunglasses turn clear and had Jack throwing two clubs.
  
  Yeah, TV viewing times are annoying and the commute is demanding but it’s the most entertaining major.
  
  Reply Report comment
- MR
  
  Jun 12, 2013 at 6:36 pm
  
  The Open just isn’t great for TV at times. You’re alienating a huge portion of the golf community when it is on at weird hours in the US. I know it can’t be helped, but still.
  
  Further, seeing/understanding the courses is more difficult for television purposes. This isn’t a slight, the Open courses are awesome obviously, but for the average fan obsessing over individual holes at Augusta is easier to comprehend than the Old Course. Links golf is just harder to digest on TV.
  
  Also, on the crowd subject, I don’t know how you can possible give it to the US Open. Augusta patrons are always polite and concerned with not doing anything to degrade the tournament. Moreover, they’d easily outsell if the other tournaments COMBINED if ANGC decided they were going to allow that to happen.
  
  Reply Report comment
JK

Jun 11, 2013 at 1:26 pm

this isn’t even an argument, as the votes are playing out. augusta is the best anywhere, in pretty much any sport. ask about british vs. US next time–that’s a much better discussion: who’s second place.

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n1co

Jun 11, 2013 at 11:27 am

My ranking:
1. The Masters
2. The Open
3. US Open
4. PGA Champ.

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- Tim
  
  Jun 12, 2013 at 8:34 am
  
  I second your order. Every pro wants to qualify for the Masters. The only one I can remember that didn’t think this tournament was special was Lee Trevino and he hit a fade exclusively. Thought he had to practice putting on the hood of a VW bug to get ready for it! His comments were in the minority. More drama at the Masters than any other tournament played. Has always had more special moments than almost any other tournament in history.
  
  However, world wide The Open (British Open to us American cousins) hold much more prestige, with certain venues like St. Andrews being high on every pro’s wins bucket list.
  
  Being an American the US Open holds alot of appeal, but being a southerner (actually a Texan, there is a difference!) they don’t play many Opens in the south. I know they claim climate as an issue but I think it has more to do with the USGA ruling class than anything. We have some great courses in the south but to have one host an Open only happens maybe once a decade if that.
  
  The PGA just doesn’t have the drama that the others have. I just can’t get real excited about it. Last year was good but mainly due to the course (what a southern course?).
  
  Reply Report comment
Will o'the Glen

Jun 11, 2013 at 11:03 am

The beauty and awe-inspiring near-perfection of Augusta National are undeniable, but the elitism and snobbery of the club turn me off. Too many people are blinded to the shortcomings and flaws of the place by the golden memory of Bob Jones, while the glaring racism and financial elitism of Clifford Roberts is almost wholly glossed over.

Yes, the club is involved in a myriad of “Grow The Game” initiatives, chief among which is the push to increase the popularity of the game in Asia — a transparently obvious move to open up that market to financial opportunities which will further line the pockets of the business oligarchs who make up the Augusta membership.

The Masters isn’t the championship of anything; it’s just an invitational tournament which was initially started up in order to promote the Augusta National Golf Club. That’s fine — but the U.S. Open is a true championship, opening its doors to any golfer with the minimum required skill level (1.4 GHIN). Step up, play through the qualifying process if that is required, and take “Golf’s Toughest Test”. That’s why I give the nod to the U.S. Open over The Masters.

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- Ben
  
  Jun 11, 2013 at 12:26 pm
  
  very well said.
  
  Reply Report comment
- JK
  
  Jun 11, 2013 at 1:28 pm
  
  people who make this argument are ridiculous. there’s a reason why every tour pro wants to play augusta, and it aint because it’s “just an old invitational tournament”
  
  Reply Report comment
- Hoan
  
  Jun 11, 2013 at 6:06 pm
  
  love this comment.. I may not be the majority but this is exactly the reason why I like the US Open better.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Tom Davis
  
  Jun 12, 2013 at 1:45 pm
  
  I agree with everything you said about Augusta, and yet with no small amount of shame I vote for the Masters as “better” – that is, as more compelling golf to watch. It’s the same course, year after year. We – even those of us who have never set foot on the grounds of Augusta, “know” the course like an, favorite old uncle who shows up every Christmas. We know which are the birdie holes, which are the traps waiting to send a leader tumbling down the leaderboard, and which (like 15) are both at the same time. It is the beauty, the risk/reward design, and, most of all, the familiarity of Masters/Augusta that makes it the most compelling theater of all. It doesn’t hurt, either, that it unfolds just when we snowbirds are getting our clubs out of storage in excited anticipation of a new season.
  
  Reply Report comment
Patrick

Jun 11, 2013 at 10:52 am

The opens held in the north east have the most rude and dumb fans in sports. Yelling ridiculous things after each shot and taking it too far when heckling players. A few too many beverages for these “fans” ruins the experience for everyone. I’ll take the masters all day every day.

Reply Report comment
- Ben
  
  Jun 11, 2013 at 11:25 am
  
  As a NC boy, the possibility of winning a US Open at Pinehurst would be very special. Even more so than winning at Augusta. Southern crowds are the best 😉
  
  Reply Report comment
- Dave S.
  
  Jun 11, 2013 at 4:48 pm
  
  I knew the moment I read that passage that it wouldn’t take long for some southern golfer to chime in with some nasty comment about northerners. Get over it already. The war ended in 1865.
  
  Reply Report comment
Ben

Jun 11, 2013 at 10:38 am

Which one is “better”? Probably an ever-so-slight advantage to The Masters.

Which one would I rather win? US Open. I’ll never be a tour pro, and I’ll never get to play Augusta. I can live with that. That said, there is something mystical about the fact that I could, with a good enough game, qualify for the US Open and compete in the tournament. I think that’s why it gets the edge from me.

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19th Hole

Vincenzi’s 2024 RBC Heritage betting preview: Patrick Cantlay ready to get back inside winner’s circle

Published

3 days ago

Apr 15, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

Just a two-hour drive from Augusta National, the PGA TOUR heads to Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, S.C. Hilton Head Island is a golfer’s paradise and Harbour Town is one of the most beautiful and scenic courses on the PGA TOUR.

Harbour Town Golf Links is a par-71 that measures 7,121 yards and features Bermuda grass greens. A Pete Dye design, the course is heavily tree lined and features small greens and many dog legs, protecting it from “bomb-and-gauge” type golfers.

The field is loaded this week with 69 golfers with no cut. Last year was quite possibly the best field in RBC Heritage history and the event this week is yet another designated event, meaning there is a $20 million prize pool.

Most of the big names on the PGA Tour will be in attendance this week with the exceptions of Hideki Matsuyama and Viktor Hovland. Additionally, Webb Simpson, Shane Lowry, Gary Woodland and Kevin Kisner have been granted sponsors exemptions.

Past Winners at Harbour Town

2023: Matt Fitzpatrick (-17)
2022: Jordan Spieth (-13)
2021: Stewart Cink (-19)
2020: Webb Simpson (-22)
2019: CT Pan (-12)
2018: Sotoshi Kodaira (-12)
2017: Wesley Bryan (-13)
2016: Branden Grace (-9)
2015: Jim Furyk (-18)

In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value).

Key Stats For Harbour Town

Let’s take a look at key metrics for Harbour Town Golf Links to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their past 24 rounds.

Strokes Gained: Approach

Strokes Gained: Approach is exceedingly important this week. The greens at Harbour Town are about half the size of PGA TOUR average and feature the second-smallest greens on the tour. Typical of a Pete Dye design, golfers will pay the price for missed greens.

Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds

Scottie Scheffler (+1.27)
Tom Hoge (+1.27)
Corey Conners (+1.16)
Austin Eckroat (+0.95)
Cameron Young (+0.93)

Good Drive %

The fairways at Harbour Town are tree lined and feature many dog legs. Bombers tend to struggle at the course because it forces layups and doesn’t allow long drivers to overpower it. Accuracy is far more important than power.

Good Drive % Over Past 24 Rounds

Brice Garnett (88.8%)
Shane Lowry (+87.2%)
Akshay Bhatia (+86.0%)
Si Woo Kim (+85.8%)
Sepp Straka (+85.1%)

Strokes Gained: Total at Pete Dye Designs

Pete Dye specialists tend to play very well at Harbour Town. Si Woo Kim, Matt Kuchar, Jim Furyk and Webb Simpson are all Pete Dye specialists who have had great success here. It is likely we see some more specialists near the top of the leaderboard this week.

SG: TOT Pete Dye per round over past 36 rounds:

Xander Schauffele (+2.27)
Scottie Scheffler (+2.24)
Ludvig Aberg (+2.11)
Brian Harman (+1.89)
Sungjae Im (+1.58)

4. Strokes Gained: Short Game (Bermuda)

Strokes Gained: Short Game factors in both around the green and putting. With many green-side bunkers and tricky green complexes, both statistics will be important. Past winners — such as Jim Furyk, Wes Bryan and Webb Simpson — highlight how crucial the short game skill set is around Harbour Town.

SG: SG Over Past 24 Rounds

Jordan Spieth (+1.11)
Taylor Moore (+1.02)
Wyndham Clark (+0.98)
Mackenzie Hughes (+0.86)
Andrew Putnam (+0.83)

5. Greens in Regulation %

The recipe for success at Harbour Town Golf Links is hitting fairways and greens. Missing either will prove to be consequential — golfers must be in total control of the ball to win.

Greens in Regulation % over past 24 rounds:

Brice Garnett (+75.0%)
Scottie Scheffler (+69.9%)
Corey Conners (+69.0%)
Shane Lowry (+68.3%)
Patrick Rodgers (+67.6%)

6. Course History

Harbour Town is a course where players who have strong past results at the course always tend to pop up.

Course History over past 24 rounds:

Patrick Cantlay (+2.34)
Cam Davis (+2.05)
J.T. Poston (+1.69)
Justin Rose (+1.68)
Tommy Fleetwood (+1.59)

The RBC Heritage Model Rankings

Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (24%), Good Drives (20%), SG: SG (14%), SG: Pete Dye (14%), GIR (14%), and Course History (14%)

Shane Lowry
Russell Henley
Scottie Scheffler
Xander Schauffele
Corey Conners
Wyndham Clark
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Matt Fitzpatrick
Cameron Young
Ludvig Aberg

2024 RBC Heritage Picks

Patrick Cantlay +2000 (FanDuel)

With the exception of Scottie Scheffler, the PGA Tour has yet to have any of their star players show peak form during the 2024 season. Last week, Patrick Cantlay, who I believe is a top-5 players on the PGA Tour, took one step closer to regaining the form that’s helped him win eight events on Tour since 2017.

Cantlay limped into the Masters in poor form, but figured it out at Augusta National, finishing in a tie for 20th and ranking 17th for the week in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. The former FedEx Cup champion will now head to one of his favorite golf courses in Harbour Town, where he’s had immaculate results over the years. In his six trips to the course, he’s only finished worse than 7th one time. The other finishes include three third places (2017, 2019, 2023) and one runner-up finish (2022). In his past 36 rounds at Harbour Town, Cantlay ranks 1st in Strokes Gained: Total per round at the course by a wide margin (+2.36).

Cantlay is winless since the 2022 BMW Championship, which is far too long for a player of his caliber. With signs pointing to the 32-year-old returning to form, a “signature event” at Harbour Town is just what he needs to get back on the winning track.

Tommy Fleetwood +3000 (FanDuel)

I truly believe Tommy Fleetwood will figure out a way to win on American soil in 2024. It’s certainly been a bugaboo for him throughout his career, but he is simply too talented to go another season without winning a PGA Tour event.

At last week’s Masters Tournament, Fleetwood made a Sunday charge and ended up finishing T3 in the event, which was his best ever finish at The Masters. For the week, the Englishman ranked 8th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, 10th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking and 16th in Strokes Gained: Putting.

Harbour Town is a perfect layout for Fleetwood, and he’s had relative success at this Pete Dye design in the past. In his four trips to the course, he’s finished inside of the top 25 three times, with his best finish, T10, coming in 2022. The course is pretty short and can’t be overpowered, which gives an advantage to more accurate players such as Fleetwood. Tommy ranks 8th in the field in Good Drive % and should be able to plot his way along this golf course.

The win is coming for Tommy lad. I believe there’s a chance this treasure of a golf course may be the perfect one for him to finally break through on Tour.

Cameron Young +3300 (FanDuel)

Cameron Young had a solid Masters Tournament last week, which is exactly what I’m looking for in players who I anticipate playing well this week at the RBC Heritage. He finished in a tie for 9th, but never felt the pressure of contending in the event. For the week, Young ranked 6th in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 6th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking.

Despite being one of the longest players off the tee on the PGA Tour, Young has actually played some really good golf on shorter tracks. He finished T3 at Harbour Town in 2023 and ranks 20th in the field in Good Drive% and 16th in Greens in Regulation in his past 24 rounds. He also has strong finishes at other shorter courses that can take driver out of a players hand such as Copperhead and PGA National.

Young is simply one of the best players on the PGA Tour in 2024, and I strongly believe has what it takes to win a PGA Tour event in the very near future.

Corey Conners +5500 (FanDuel)

Corey Conners has had a disappointing year thus far on the PGA Tour, but absolutely loves Harbour Town.

At last week’s Masters Tournament, the Canadian finished T30 but ranked 20th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach. In his past 24 rounds, Conners ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, 3rd in Greens in Regulation % and 24th in Good Drive %.

In Conners’ last four trips to Harbour Town, his worst finish was T31, last season. He finished T4 in 2021, T12 in 2022 and ranks 8th in Strokes Gained: Total at the course over his past 36 rounds.

Conners hasn’t been contending, but his recent finishes have been encouraging as he has finished in the top-25 in each of his past three starts prior to The Masters, including an impressive T13 at The PLAYERS. His recent improvement in ball striking as well as his suitability for Harbour Town makes Conners a high upside bet this week.

Shane Lowry (+7500) (FanDuel)

When these odds were posted after Lowry was announced in the field, I have to admit I was pretty stunned. Despite not offering much win equity on the PGA Tour over the last handful of years, Shane Lowry is still a top caliber player who has the ability to rise to the top of a signature event.

Lowry struggled to score at The Masters last week, but he actually hit the ball really well. The Irishman ranked 1st for Strokes Gained: Approach on the week and 7th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. As usual, it was the putter that let him down, as he ranked 60th in the field in Strokes Gained: Putting.

Harbour Town is most definitely one of Lowry’s favorite courses on the PGA Tour. In his six starts there, he’s finished in the top 10 three times, including third twice. Lowry is sensational at Pete Dye designs and ranks 7th in Strokes Gained: Total in his past 36 rounds on Dye tracks.

Lowry is perfect for Harbour Town. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 5th in Strokes Gained: Approach, 2nd in Good Drive% and 5th in Green in Regulation %. If he figures it out on the greens, Shane could have his first win in America since 2015.

Lucas Glover +12000 (FanDuel)

This is one of my weekly “bet the number” plays as I strongly believe the odds are just too long for a player of Glover’s caliber. The odds have been too long on Glover for a few weeks now, but this is the first event that I can get behind the veteran being able to actually contend at.

Glover is quietly playing good golf and returning to the form he had after the understandable regression after his two massive victories at the end of 2023. He finished T20 at The Masters, which was his best ever finish at Augusta National. For the week, Lucas ranked 18th for Strokes Gained: Approach and 20th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking.

Over his past 24 rounds, Glover ranks 9th in Strokes Gained: Approach and 13th in Good Drive %. Harbour Town is a short course that the 44-year-old will be able to keep up with the top players on Tour off the tee. He’s played the course more than 20 times, with mixed results. His best finishes at Harbour Town include a T7 in 2008, but recently has a finish of T21 in 2020.

Glover has proven he can contend with the stars of the Tour on any given week, and this number is flat out disrespectful.

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Vincenzi: The 6 biggest takeaways from the 2024 Masters

Published

3 days ago

Apr 15, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

The 2024 Masters offered up plenty of excitement throughout the week with Scottie Scheffler delivering when it mattered to live up to his pre-tournament favorite tag. With the year’s opening major now in the books, here are my six biggest takeaways from the 2024 Masters.

Scheffler In a League of His Own

In the most impressive way possible, Scottie Scheffler won the Masters without having his absolute best stuff. For the week, Scottie ranked 19th in Strokes Gained: Approach, which is a category the number player in the world typically dusts the rest of the field in. After a strong approach day on Thursday, the 27-year-old lost strokes to the field on approach on Friday and Saturday, before gaining on Sunday. The iron performance was more than solid, but it was an all-around game that helped Scheffler get it done around Augusta National.

For a year or more, the narrative around Scheffler has been, “With his ball striking, if he can just putt to field average, he’ll be unbeatable.” At Augusta, his ball striking came back down to earth, but his touch around the greens and ability to manage the golf course demonstrated why he is the best player on the planet right now. For the week, Scheffler ranked 1st in the field in Strokes Gained: Around the Green and 24th in Strokes Gained: Putting.

For the time being, there is a major gap between Scottie Scheffler and the second-best player in the world, whoever that may be.

The Future is Now

Ludvig Aberg went into his first back-nine at the Masters with a legitimate shot to win the tournament. When he teed it up on the treacherous 11th hole, he was one behind Scottie Scheffler, who had just stuck one to a few feet on the 9th. By the time he approached his tee shot, which was perfectly striped down the left side of the fairway, he was two behind. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old got too aggressive with his approach at the 11th and found the water, making double bogey. Ludvig rebounded nicely and finished the event in solo second place.

With the Masters now in the rearview, it’s never been more evident that Ludvig Aberg is no longer an “up-and-comer” — he has arrived. The Swede has been an integral part of a winning European Ryder Cup team and has now contended at Augusta National. With a calm demeanor, a picture-perfect swing, and a build and stature that appears as if it was built in a lab, Ludvig Aberg is already amongst the world’s best. I’d be extremely surprised if he wasn’t in the mix at next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.

Nostalgia Wins

I try to avoid as many cliches as possible, but there’s something about the Masters that brings out the sentimentality in me. Tiger Woods strategically making his way around Augusta National without all of the physical tools that made him arguably the most dominant athlete in the history of sports will always be riveting, regardless of what score he shoots. Woods made it interesting until a tough stretch of holes on Saturday, but he ultimately wore down, shooting 16 over for the week in difficult conditions. It’s remarkable that the 15-time major champion was able to put together a few solid rounds of golf despite barely playing any competitive golf in 2024. As long as Woods tees it up at Augusta, we will all continue to be mesmerized by it.

Verne Lundquist’s 40th and final Masters Tournament was also a must-watch aspect of the event. The iconic voice of Lundquist and his calls throughout the years still give me chills each time I hear them. Verne is an icon of the game and will be missed in future renditions of the Masters.

The Masters also brings another element that is unique to the tournament. Former champions turn back the clock to battle with the golf course again which creates some amazing stories. There are a few that stick out this year and were an absolute pleasure to witness. 61-year-old Vijay Singh made the cut for the first time since 2018 and shot a pretty incredible even-par, 72 on Sunday. 58-year-old José María Olazábal made the cut as well, reminding us why fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm sought his valuable advice prior to his Masters victory in 2022.

Regardless of who wins, the Masters always delivers.

Bryson Moves the Needle

Plenty will disagree with me on this point, but outside of Tiger Woods, and potentially Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, no one moves the needle in golf as much as Bryson DeChambeau. The uniqueness in which Bryson approaches the game has always been fascinating, and if he gets near the top of the leaderboard at any major championship, whether it’s to root for him or against him, people are interested.

It began on Monday with a pretty bizarre story of DeChambeau using 3D-printed irons that got just got cleared for use by the USGA when the week began. It once again felt like a storyline that would only be possible with a character as eccentric as Bryson. He then raced off to a first-round lead in tough conditions, reminding the world of what made him such a great golfer to begin with. He made some mistakes on the weekend, but still finished a career best T6 at The Masters.

Bryson is more than just quirky; he is a former U.S. Amateur Champion and U.S. Open who I believe will contend for more majors in the future. I will continue to root for DeChambeau, but I’m perfectly content with the fact that plenty will root against him, and I encourage those people to do so. That’s what makes it fun.

LIV Walks Away Empty-Handed

Last year, there were a multitude of questions about LIV players coming into the year’s first major. They had played very limited tournament golf, and critics of LIV questioned whether the 54-hole events were enough to sharpen the players enough to compete against the best in the world on the biggest stage.

The results were fascinating, with LIV players all over the leaderboard. Brooks Koepka held the 36- and 54-hole lead, with Phil Mickelson and Patrick Reed finishing T2 and T4, giving LIV three golfers in the top-4 of the leaderboard.

This season, with even more time removed and with some more massive additions to the roster, the intrigue surrounding LIV players at Augusta was once again palpable. While some players, including Bryson DeChambeau, exceeded expectations, I can’t help but walk away from the Masters feeling underwhelmed by the performance of the LIV players.

Brooks Koepka finished runner-up last season and is a certified major championship killer. The 5-time major champ was never involved and simply didn’t have it at Augusta. Dustin Johnson put together a putrid performance, shooting 13 over for his two rounds, making it fair to wonder if his days of contending at major championships are over as he rapidly approaches his 40th birthday.

Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann were both players who were amongst the favorites this week, but Rahm was faced with the daunting duties of defending champion and Niemann proved he was still not quite ready to master the quirks of Augusta National, bleeding strokes both around and on the greens.

To be fair, when all was said and done, LIV had four players in the top twelve at The Masters. Tyrrell Hatton stormed the leaderboard early on Sunday, finishing T9 and earning himself an invite back to Augusta next season. Cam Smith and Patrick Reed put together gritty performances, which isn’t too surprising considering the fact that they both absolutely love Augusta National, but neither ever felt a real threat to win. There’s no doubt the players on LIV are good, and that’s why some encouraging leaderboard positions aren’t enough. They needed to contend.

With no players part of the storyline on Sunday, I view the first major of the year as a disappointment for LIV. The players will head into next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla with a lot to prove.

Rory’s Struggles Continues

Rory struggling at Augusta National is no surprise at this point. The four-time major champion has now had 10 attempts to complete the career grand slam and has never had a chance to win. His T2 in 2022 was deceiving, the Northern Irishman stormed the leaderboard on Sunday, but was never in contention, and never got within three shots of the winner, Scottie Scheffler.

I didn’t expect Rory to win, but I have to admit that this year felt a bit different. McIlroy played the week prior to the Masters, which he typically doesn’t do, and finished third at the Valero Texas Open. He gained 7.56 strokes on approach and 2.0 strokes off the tee, which told me that his visit with world-renowned swing coach, Butch Harmon, after the Players Championship paid dividends.

McIlroy also approached the media quite differently. He cut his pre-tournament press conference short after only 10 minutes and seemed to be laser-focused on just playing golf.

Despite the different approach to the Masters, the results were the same. McIlroy struggled over the course of the week, finishing T22 (+4) and never sniffed a decent weekend position on the leaderboard. It’s back to the drawing board for McIlroy, and I have doubts that he will ever figure it out at Augusta.

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Vincenzi: The 8 best prop bets for the 2024 Masters

Published

1 week ago

Apr 9, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

We’ve finally reached The Masters and excitement is at an all-time high. The world of golf has been fractured for the better part of two years, but for a week at Augusta National, all of the outside noise will disappear. All of the best players in the world will be together seeking to make history.

RELATED: Vincenzi’s 2024 Masters betting preview: Niemann to play star role at Augusta National

In addition to betting on The Masters champion. This is one of the few weeks of the year where there are so many more markets to explore, with value to be had in plenty of different categories.

Throughout this article, I’ll discuss all of my favorite props and players for the 2024 Masters.

Placement Bets:

Tony Finau Top 5 +750 (DraftKings):

I badly wanted to include Tony Finau in my outright betting selections, but I simply ran out of room on my card. Additionally, it’s slightly difficult to see him hitting the putts necessary to win the Masters on back nine on Sunday. However, I do strongly believe he will play great golf this week at Augusta National.

In his past 24 rounds, Finau ranks 4th in Strokes Gained: Approach is always amongst the best drivers of the golf ball in the game. Back in 2019, Finau had a great chance to win The Masters. I expect him to be hanging around over the weekend once again in 2024.

Gary Woodland Top 20 +550 (DraftKings), Gary Woodland to make the cut -110 (DraftKings):

Last season, Gary Woodland had his best ever finish at The Masters in his eleven tries. The 39-year-old finished T14 and played incredibly steady across all four rounds.

In Woodland’s most recent start at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, he struck the ball incredibly well. He led the field in Strokes Gained: Approach (+8.8) and Strokes Gained: Ball Striking (+10.0).

Gary has been working with Butch Harmon and absolutely flushing the ball both in tournaments and during practice.

Woodland appears to be healthy once again and in a great place physically and mentally. If he can build off his impressive performance at Augusta last year, he can place inside the top ten in 2024.

Additionally, the make the cut number on Woodland seems generous considering the number of players who miss the cut will be relatively small this week. Woodland is striking it well enough to make the cut even if he’s hindered by a balky putter once again.

Thorbjorn Olesen Top 20 +400 (FanDuel):

The Thunder Bear, Thorbjorn Olesen, made his Masters debut in 2013 and finished an incredibly impressive T6 for the week. In the two additional starts he’s made at Augusta National since then, the Dane has continued to be incredibly solid, finishing T44 and T21.

This week, Olesen heads into the week playing some good golf. He gained 3.8 strokes on approach and 5.52 strokes around the green at last week’s Valero Texas Open on his way to a strong T14 finish. Back in January, he won the Ras Al Khaimah Championship on the DP World Tour.

Olesen has the skill set to be successful at Augusta and seems primed for a good performance this week.

Top Nationalities:

Sergio Garcia Top Spanish Player +280 (DraftKings):

I believe Sergio Garcia can get into contention this week with the way he’s striking the ball in addition to his good vibes with a refurbished version of the Scotty Cameron that he used at the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah.

I am slightly concerned about the emotional letdown he may face after losing in a playoff at LIV Miami, but I believe a veteran and former Masters champion should be able to regroup and focus on an event far more meaningful.

This is essentially a tournament head-to-head with Jon Rahm at +280. While Rahm deserves to be respected this week, the history of the lack of success of defending champions at The Masters is difficult to ignore.

Joaquin Niemann Top South American Player -230 (FanDuel):

While I hate paying this much juice, I don’t see a world in which Joaquin Niemann isn’t the top South American this week at The Masters. Joaco comes in playing better golf than anyone in the world not named Scottie Scheffler and has a serious chance to win the green jacket.

He only needs to beat two players: Emiliano Grillo and Camilo Villegas.

Tournament Head-to-Heads:

Justin Thomas -110 over Collin Morikawa

JT isn’t having his best season but is playing a lot better than he is getting credit for at the moment. In the past three months, there are only six players on the PGA Tour who have averaged 1.7 Strokes Gained: Tee to Green or better. Justin Thomas (+1.7) is one of the six and is currently tied with Rory McIlroy (+1.7).

Morikawa, on the other hand, has been extremely poor with his irons, which is incredibly uncharacteristic for him. I can’t help but feel like something is completely off with the two-time major champion.

Tony Finau -110 over Wyndham Clark

I explained in the placement section why I’m so high on Tony Finau this week. With how well he’s striking the ball, it seems as if his floor is extremely high. I’m not sure if he can make the putts to win a green jacket but I believe he will be in the mix similarly to 2019 when Tiger Woods emerged from a crowded pack of contenders.

Clark is a debutant, and while some debutants have had success at The Masters, it certainly poses a challenge. I also don’t believe Augusta National suits Clark as well as some of the other major championship venues.

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