The Golf Thread

[Buzzo]

https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/s...31179334508549

WTF is this guy

He can't be all far away from giving himself whiplash.

[Irishnev]

Anyone backing DJ again?

I'll be backing Rahm again - gonna back him every year til he wins it - and that Cameron Smiths at 50s.

I’ll do some research and come back with some tips tomorrow. Speith won this weekend, Casey always good here, Reed doing ok also but it is a course that suits big hitting experienced guys so Rahm, DJ, McIlroy etc

This guy is a great tipster, especially on golf - usually gives his Masters tips Wed evening

[ame="https://twitter.com/johnduggansport/status/1379429948029509633"]https://twitter.com/johnduggansport/status/1379429948029509633[/ame]

[Harv]

Anyone backing DJ again?

I'll be backing Rahm again - gonna back him every year til he wins it - and that Cameron Smith at 50s.

Fred Couples to lead after the first round. Easy money

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/conorsketches/status/1379465381564321793"]https://twitter.com/conorsketches/status/1379465381564321793[/ame]

[Irishnev]

Our headline selection is Patrick Cantlay for €10 each way at 22/1. (1/5 the odds the first 9 places, William Hill).

In 2019, when Tiger Woods won the Masters, American Patrick Cantlay shot 64 on Saturday and was then closing fast on Sunday, six under par through 15, before fading with two bogeys. If he'd played those final three holes in one under par, he would have been in a play off. That's natural talent. The unassuming Cantlay was once the best amateur golfer in the world, and he's battled back from a serious back injury and the loss of a close friend to fulfil his early potential. He's won the prestigious Memorial Tournament, has a fine long game, and is an underrated putter, especially on fast greens, which he will encounter this week. Now 10th in the world rankings, Cantlay has played well on the PGA Tour this year, with a second at the American Express and a tie for third at Pebble Beach. A steely temperament may be his best asset and he won't be unheralded anymore in the world of golf if he wins on Sunday. Put simply, he's too good not to win a major. I think he wins this week and people will be looking back afterwards and kicking themselves because 22/1 is value.

Our second selection is Jon Rahm for €6 each way at 12/1. (1/5 the odds the first 9 places, William Hill).

Spain's Jon Rahm is a proven winner, twice at the DP World Tour Championship, twice at the Irish Open, and last year on the US PGA Tour at the Memorial Tournament and the difficult BMW Championship. He is a brilliant driver of the golf ball, has a sure short game and he carries few weaknesses. The evidence of that is a record of rock solid consistency from the world number three in 2021 - he's accumulated five top 10 finishes in seven events. The 26-year-old has curbed a suspect temperament and on his last three visits to the Masters, he's finished tied for 7th, tied for 9th and 4th. Overjoyed at the birth of his son Kepa last weekend, he can carry those good vibes to Augusta. He is unquestionably ready to become a major champion and it's a matter of when, not if. Why not on Sunday April 11th 2021?

Our third selection is Matthew Fitzpatrick for €4 each way at 50/1. (1/5 the odds the first 8 places, Bet 365).

I like the prospects of 26-year-old Matthew Fitzpatrick to challenge for a first major title. I believe the firm and fast conditions will be right up his alley. He's an excellent putter and has finished in the top 20 on his last five starts on the PGA Tour, so his form is red hot. Fitzpatrick led the field in greens hit when finishing 7th at the Masters in 2016. In 2013, Fitzpatrick became the first English winner of the US Amateur since 1911. He's not afraid to win a big event - he has landed the DP World Tour Championship twice, including last December's renewal. He also has the very experienced Billy Foster on the bag this week. His consistency and ability could make him a strong contender for the green jacket if he can limit the mistakes and match his talent with belief.

Our fourth selection is Paul Casey for €3 each way at 33/1. (1/5 the odds the first 9 places, William Hill).

England's Paul Casey went very close to winning the US PGA Championship last year and the 43 year old will be hoping he can claim a major title before the window closes on his chances. Casey has always been a talented golfer with a strong all round game. He's experiencing a second wind career wise - he's now in the world's top 20 and before the WGC Matchplay, he racked up four top 10s in a row on the PGA Tour. He likes Augusta - he's been inside the top 10 five times in his 14 starts to date and has shot 15 rounds in the 60s. A 15 time winner on the European Tour (including the PGA Championship) and a three time US Tour winner, a major is the only thing that's missing. His experience, ability and current form certainly gives him a chance.

Our fifth selection is Shane Lowry for €3 each way at 125/1. (1/5 the odds the first 8 places, Bet 365).

I think Lowry could engineer his best ever Masters finish this week. His tie for 25th last November has been his highest Augusta showing to date - and the Open champion seems to have found something with his game. A top 10 at the Players Championship will give him confidence and firm and fast conditions should be nothing for him to fear - he nearly won a US Open at Oakmont. Lowry has the talent to contend this week and maybe finishing the job at Portrush will allow him to become a part of the conversation.

Our final outright selection is C.T. Pan for €2 each way at 250/1. (1/5 the odds the first 9 places, William Hill).

In 2019, Taiwan's C.T. Pan won the Heritage at Harbour Town and that qualified him for last November's Masters. On his debut appearance, he led the field in scrambling and tied for seventh place. Once the leading amateur in the world, he enters this event off the back of a tie for third at the Honda Classic, where his approach play was sharp. He is using a local caddie and I think he's overpriced at 250/1.

[Liverpool]

I swear Sandy Lyle only practices the first 2 holes. Always goes -1 after 2. Now 8 over. He should just walk off after the second imo.

[Shaggy]

Shoots about 80 every year. No idea why he bothers. Just have the Champions Dinner and **** off.

[wiw]

dunno, I'd happily play Augusta for free once a year

[Liverpool]

I'm assuming someones finger slipped rather than him getting 33 on 1 hole

[Liverpool]

'his first victory since er erm? his last victory'

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/rmtracker/status/1380202150446383106"]https://twitter.com/rmtracker/status/1380202150446383106[/ame]

[Norbs]

Rose has had a storming round, 9 under through the last 11

[Liverpool]

Wouldn't be surprised if he coasts around the next 3 days to win. Hopefully he gets pulled back in.

[Jas]

Rose has had a storming round, 9 under through the last 11

Taylor Made must be hating it, he's using an old M1 driver which must be about 4 or 5 models back in their range and an old M4 3 wood, would love to see him win it using 'old tech'

[Shaggy]

Rose was a huge price - about 80/1 I think - which was tempting but I left him alone cos he's shown no recent form at all. He's now tied Nicklaus for the most 1st round leads at Augusta and he's still never won it so I expect him to fade away before Sunday.

I enjoyed it yesterday - much prefer it when the course is a test as opposed to soft and receptive like it was in November.