2024 Masters: Time for the Range

Posted on April 9, 2024
Tweet

It’s Spring time, the 2nd weekend of April. Welcome to Tuesday at The Masters.



Weather is forecast to be a little cold and wet as the players make their way to hallowed turf of Augusta. This will carry into Thursday when thunderstorms and high winds will dominate. Lets hope for some sun to dry up the wet.

No time for a long preview mail? Just head over to get your PICKS in!

Keep an eye open for majorpunter changes, with us trialing a no-subs option, adding a 6th pick and the addition of another wildcard. See the updated RULES on the site, which also include a no-sympathy approach to players withdrawing once the first tee shot has gone off.

Head to DATA GOLF RANKINGS and see which players are stacked where.

Patrons are flocking in despite the weather - its sure to be a classic! But of course, the patrons need to be fed and The Masters will provide.



The Masters this year seems to be wide open. The tours are split, there has been great play across the board and yet there are supremely talented players leading the OWGR again, the latest Big 3. Its tough to be pick apart the trio of Scottie, Rory & Rahmbo and there has been so much said about each of them. This year has been all Scottie so far and he leads all the stats.

Its going to come down to small details, how they manage their games around tricky scenarios and preparation this week is a confirmation of the countless games they have played at Augusta before this.



12 of the last 12 winners at The Masters had gained at least 18 shots Tee to Green in their 4 events before their win.
Of those that fit the bill: Scottie, Hideki, Jaco, Bhatia, Rahmbo and X lead the line with at least 28 strokes gained. But there are a few others that might be of interest.



The best of the rest are an interesting debate. Many up and comers are sitting on the LIV Tour so its great to see the coming together of these friends and foes.
But Augusta is all about memories, winning on debut is very rare. Players like Cambo, Hideki & JDay are seasoned winners, but all seeking major no 2.



Then of course we have a few perennial contenders at Augusta who fancy going all the way every time they tee it up here, with countless near misses for all seeking to loop into a Green Jacket.

JRose has an impressive resume at Augusta, often first round leader and will be worth a shout.
Rahmbo to defend is an option, though a little undercooked it would seem. He would join an elite list of 3 others only (Tiger, Jack & Sir Nick) who have done this.
Then the hushed discussion of Rory to complete the Grand Slam, seemingly losing its song and march after last year’s MC, but it will appear again when play gets underway on Thursday.



majorpunter Favorites
Picking a winner is always tough for an event of such immense importance and pressure. Players face so much more than just a physical and technical test.



Despite the intensity of the occasion, the best will rise to the top, so where are the sweet spots for punters as they dig into their picks.

For Augusta, much is made of trends, with the course repeating year on year - though many who should have been destined to win, don’t. Pitching up and beating 50 odd players under major pressure is not easy, but that small pool also enables repeat winners much more. Considering the invitee approach, the list of real challengers might even be down to 30.

Big 3: are on everyone’s lips. Its hard to look beyond them and specifically the world no 1. His stats are off the charts and this is a massive opportunity to really stamp his authority on the major creds that he has.

Hideki: Superb form in 2024, great iron play and seems a dead cert to contend again at Augusta. He will be hopeful of his chances considering his good health to boot.
Cam: Top 10 in 2022, his form in 2023 definitely waned, but seems to be trending in the right direction again.
The Hov: Had his moments in 2023, before closing with a top 10. Would have learnt a lot and will be ready to take a leap higher up the board, hopefully in a more suitable shirt.



But what of the rest? There are the obvious, perennial Augusta favourites and it’s also hard to discount proven performers like Jordan & Hideki - who all have had big moments at Augusta (from wins to top 10s).

But what of the sleeper picks?

Conners has good data this year and is always in and around a Masters leaderboard, just like 2023 when he was there again.
Sergio also has a great record at Augusta, including that win in 2017. Coupled that with good form in 2024 and he will be a threat!
Some featured top 10s last year at Augusta for Scottie, Fitzy, Xander, Other Cam, Jordan & The Hov which is a check box for future success.

Masters Pairings
We have some good pairings lined up for Thursday-Friday, but sadly nothing that stands out dramatically.
There are plenty of mixed groupings with major winners and hopefuls to feed off them.

First major chaser: Cant(p)lay, MinWoo, Tickie Howler
The Champ: Rahmbo, Fitzy, Dunlap
Mallet Boys: Scottie, Rory, X
Power Youth: Windie, The Hov, Cambo
Big Cat: Tiger, JDay, Max
Youth: MrBurns, OtherCam (and Scotty)
Chasing the Green: Harmie, BK, TKim
Last to go: DJ, Collin, Tommy

There are no real shocker pairings, which also helps to spread the action about the course - good for the patrons and viewers alike.

Your Picks
The DATA GOLF RANKINGS are the benchmark for true rankings.



You can pretty much pick only current and former world # 1’s and have a nice squad - the skill is spread far and wide! Or a Masters champions only team?
Keep an eye open for majorpunter changes, with us trialing a no-subs option, adding a 6th pick and the addition of another wildcard. See the updated RULES on the site, which also include a no-sympathy approach to players withdrawing once the first tee shot has gone off.

The Top bucket: Including a debutant at Augusta in aBerg. But hard to see anything past the top 3.



The 2nd bucket: Where things start to heat up with so many options to challenge. A few major winners in the mix Windie, Hideki, Fitzy, Collin & Jordan - but a few chasing their 1st major like Tommy & Max, who have all competed in majors but maybe not at Augusta.

The 3rd Bucket: We have a few Masters veterans who have good records there: Conners, Lowry, JDay & Scottie. As we know, this is where the big gambles come, the dice are rolled.



The Bottom Bucket: The long shots, presents many others like former major winners DJ, Cam & BK amongst some others.

Head over to DATA GOLF RANKINGS to find your team!

Take on your Mates
As always, the more the merrier so send this on to the other golf fans in your life to get them involved and swell the winner's purse!



Remember we have Side Pots for punters to directly compete with each other’s friends, families, colleagues, local clubs, whatever you feel necessary. Give it a try and maybe get some side wagers going!

LIVE SCORING will be up and running on the site for all punters to see where they stand in real time. We are constantly looking to improve so keep us updated on some new trends that we might have missed.

For more news, head over to majorpunter!

Remember to ensure your teams are entered and paid before the first tee off time wherever you might be around the globe.