2022 US Masters Preview and Betting Picks – JP
2022 US Masters Preview and Betting Tips
The Masters is arguably the best major championship of them all. Always played on the same course, which helps with finding possible winners, and one where past form is a good guide. Hopefully we can find the winner of the 2022 US Masters this year.
Spring Has Sprung
It marks the start of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of the golf season for hackers up and down the land. It is full of tradition, from the Champions Dinner to the Ceremonial starters and the presentation of the Green Jacket to the winner.
The Augusta course has thrown up many multiple winners such as Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson, Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, Phil Mickelson, Bernhard Langer, Seve, Arnie and so on. It is a Horses for Courses event.
What it rarely does is produce back-to-back winners, that was last done twenty years ago by Tiger Woods. Nick Faldo and Jack Nicklaus were the only other players to defend their titles. If you think Hideki Matsuyama is worthy of joining that elite group, you can back him to win at 46.00, and to be fair, he ticks a lot of the right boxes.
Redesigned
The course had a major redesign in 2008 and like most redesigns of that time, the theme was to make it longer. That had the result of making it more likely a longer hitter would win it. The fact that the fairways are mown in the direction of the tee, makes it play longer still as the ball will not run out.
There has been some modifications for this year and yes, it involves lengthening three holes, bringing the official course length to 7510 yards, but it plays more like 7850. The course has seen a lot of rain recently so it will play soft and long. You want players who can hit the ball a long way.
Undulating
The topography of the course is very undulating, both on the fairways and greens. Having the experience to know where to play to pays dividends and may explain why debutants rarely win There are some holes, like the par 5s, which can be attacked, and others where being conservative is the best plan of action.
The greens are exceptionally fast, and combined with the undulations, make them a real test of skill and experience. Playing approach shots to leave a longer uphill putt, can be better than going for the pin and leaving a short, fast downhill putt. All that comes with experience.
The usual factor of being in decent form applies but the winner of the preceding event rarely wins The Masters. You don’t want to peak too soon.
2022 US Masters Outright selections
Justin Thomas may not have great course form with his 4th place in 2020 his best finish and only top 10. His recent form is decent with four top ten finishes from his last seven events. He has the game off the tee, ranked 5th for approach shots and 1st for Par 4 scoring, important around this course.
JT is good around the greens and has the game to win. He averages under par at Augusta and now has Phil Mickelson’s ex-caddy on his bag. Will Bones be the X Factor he needs to fulfil his potential?
2022 US Masters Tip: 1 point e/w Justin Thomas @ 13.00 generally available (Betfair e/w 1-10)
Jon Rahm has lost his world number 1 ranking and a return to a course where he has been so consistently good, gives him a chance to get it back. His finishing positions in the last four years have been 4,9,7,5 thanks to his good all-round game.
His putting has been a bit off lately, but he has proved himself repeatedly here and should give us a run for our money. The Spanish have a good record of winning this tournament and Rahm looks to be the next in line. He could become the fourth Spanish Masters Champion.
2022 US Masters Tip: 1 point e/w Jon Rahm @ 13.00 with Fitzdares (e/w 1-7)
Viktor Hovland was the top amateur here in 2019 and finished 21st on his professional debut in 2021. He started with a triple bogey and there are those that say his short game isn’t good enough for this test of golf. He has won six titles, is ranked third for approach play and sixth for par 4 scoring.
His recent form is good with a win, a second place and three other top 10s from his last eight events played. He is one of the very best players in the world right now and it is worth taking a chance that his great approach play outweighs his below par short game.
2022 US Masters Tip: 1 point e/w Victor Hovland @ 23.00 with SportingIndex (e/w 1-7)
Sam Burns has now won three titles, two this season, successfully defended his Valspar Championship three weeks ago and promptly took two weeks off to prepare for this tournament. He is long and high off the tee which should set up his much-improved approach play.
Of course as a rookie, the stats say he can’t win but he has a good character and shouldn’t be phased by playing in his first Masters. He is now ranked 10th in the world rankings and second in the Fed-Ex Cup standings. Backing him as top debutant is an option, but a player of his standing going off at 41.00 is too good to pass by, rookie or not.
