Steves Golf Picks
STEVES SIX PACK
We go with a combination of previous success here mixed with some young players playing well. I also really like one long shot who's game suits Augusta perfectly.
HUNTER MAHAN 50/1 - Hunter has always been extremely criticized for his short game and that was never more evident than in the 2010 Ryder Cup when he flubbed a chip in the final match. This match decided the Ryder Cup and it really hurt Hunter, as he felt responsible (which is ridiculous but you can understand his point of view). After that Hunter focused all his attention on improving his game around the greens, and it worked. Hunter's last win came at the 2012 Shell Houston Open, but he is trending towards another one.
Mahan has posted Top 10's in 50% of his starts this season. He is gearing his game towards his first major and the Masters is the perfect place for that to happen. In the past five seasons at Augusta he has three finishes inside the Top 12. I find it very surprising that people are not discussing Hunter as a possible winner this week. Now that his short game is in a good place, I feel that he is a perfect fit to be wearing the Green jacket at weeks end. Mahan is one of the best drivers of the golf ball on Tour as he ranks 14th in Total driving. If you put yourself in a good position off the tee at Augusta it is a massive advantage. Hunter will utilize this great driving and be in contention for his first major on Sunday.
CHARL SCHWARTZEL 38/1 - Charl could not ask for a more perfect fit than Augusta. He displayed how much he loves this course in 2011 when he birdied the final four holes to finish two shots clear of Jason Day and Adam Scott. Charl will be confident stepping on the first tee this week, as he played well at his tune up last week (Shell Houston Open). He was one of the players out there trying to get his game ready for the Masters, and you will see this week his game looks great.
Charl currently sits 6th on the Race to Dubai rankings and has looked on point all season. He is one of the best drivers of the golf ball combining extreme length with good accuracy. Charl is averaging over 307 yards off the tee on the European Tour, and this helps him hit over 70% of his Greens in Regulation. A key to Augusta is taking advantage of your Par 5's and holding even on your Par 3's and 4's. Charl played the Par 5's 9 under in 2011 and I really expect him to equal that mark or possibly improve upon it. South African's have been near the top of Major leaderboards recently, and Charl will once again have that flag in contention at Augusta.
STEPHEN GALLACHER 500/1 - I love this selection. Firstly, these odds are outrageous (also expect them to drop so get this in quickly - but still great value at 200/1+). Gallacher is the 38th ranked player in the world, and will improve that this week. He beat the worlds best down the stretch just over two months ago at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic (Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy were actually his partners for the first two rounds). This will be his first appearance at the Masters but that will not phase the 40 year old Scot.
Stephen averages just under 300 yards off the tee and hits 73% of his Greens in Regulation. He is coming off a T6 finish at the Cadillac Championship in his last start on United States soil. Look for him to tee the ball up with confidence and have people talking this week at Augusta. Gallacher plays well on difficult courses and I really feel he possess the ability to not let the big moment get to him. Obviously the majors are a different hurdle, but at 40 years old Stephen is not a young kid. It has been a slew of first time major winners over the past 4 years and I feel Stephen could be a diamond in the rough this week.
PATRICK REED 65/1 - A man winning the Masters wearing red on Sunday in 2014, I can see it happening. A few months ago everyone would have thought that meant Tiger Woods, but instead it will be Patrick Reed. Reed is one of the hottest players on the planet in 2014, and picked up a win at his second WGC event just over a month ago ( Cadillac Championship ). Much was made after this victory when Patrick stated that he was a top 5 talent in the world.
Reed is confident in himself and I appreciate that. I have no problem with him saying that he is a top 5 player because you must have that mindset to actually be one. Patrick is going to prove to people this week that he was correct in stating that to the world. Reed showed signs of nervousness down the stretch off the tee but his short game was outstanding. Getting up and down when the tournament is on the line is something very few can do, and Reed proved he could. Now watch him in his first Major appearance dawn his red shirt on Sunday and have Adam Scott put a green jacket on him at weeks end.
HARRIS ENGLISH 70/1- This Georgia man will tee it up in the Masters for the first time. Harris was born, attend school, and currently resides in Georgia, making this a home game for him. He will have plenty of support but with the way he has been playing in 2014, probably won't even need it. Harris has six Top 10's in his thirteen starts of 2014. One of those Top 10's was his second PGA Tour victory, which took place at The OHL Classic of Mayakoba.
English has statistics that most players dream of to start his 2014 season. He is first on Tour for Greens in Regulation, hitting over 73%. Harris ranks 21st for Total Driving and 1st in Scoring Average (actual). English ranks first in Par 4 Performance and 2nd in Par 5 Performance. He is going to be a mainstay atop the PGA Tour for many years to come because he is one of the most talented players in the world. His combination of length off the tee and great short game is very rare, and it will be the reason Harris is contending this week at Augusta.
LEE WESTWOOD 48/1 - The 40 year old is known for his inability to win a Major Championship, but that could change at this Masters. Over Lee's past 22 major Championship's he has 11 Top 10 finishes. Lee has finished inside the Top 11 at The Masters in five of his past six starts at Augusta. He hits the ball a long ways off the tee, and his iron play is some of the best in the world. Lee has always struggled with his chipping and putting, two aspects that have hindered him from holding many Major Championships.
Watch Westwood this week though and you will be impressed at the work he has put into the faults in his golf game. His putting stroke seems much more natural and he has confidence with it. The key to Westwood's game this week will be not short siding himself. Missing the green in the wrong area at Augusta creates nearly impossible shots, something Lee has to avoid. I like the confidence Lee is exuding currently, and he enters on the heels of a T17 at The Shell Houston Open. Westwood has one goal in mind and that is to win a major Championship, a goal that very well could be achieved this week.
HEAD TO HEAD AND PROPS
Below are two props and two head to heads.
One Unit
HOLE IN ONE - We WILL SEE a hole in one in the 2014 Masters tournament. Harris English actually aced number 12 in a practice round on Sunday but you can expect one to happen on Number 16 (probably on Sunday). The pin is put in a funnel and all balls tend to kick of the right side of the green and roll directly towards the hole. This will be enjoyable for the player with the ace, the fans, and us.
** Odds are not currently up at 5dimes but are traditionally very close to even money **
One Unit
STEPHEN GALLACHER TOP 10 - 13 TO 1 - We will take Stephen to finish in the Top 10. I am shocked at the odds on Gallacher and will be very surprised if he doesn't play well this week. He is a very solid all around player and his game is suited for Augusta.
Two units
STEPHEN GALLACHER (-120) over Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano - I am not sure what is wrong with Gonzalo this season but he has been plagued with the inability to avoid at least one disastrous round in almost every tournament. In just 24 rounds on the PGA Tour he has carded 76 or higher seven times in 2014 ( Including an 83 at the Farmers Insurance Open). Gonzalo has played in the Masters twice and has finishes of T20 and 61st. In eight rounds at Augusta he has played over Par in seven of them. Stephen will be making his first start but is in great form and his game should suit the course beautifully.
Two Units
LEE WESTWOOD (-110) over Luke Donald - This match pits two players who both have enjoyed success at Augusta and desperately want a Major Championship. Lee has been much more successful as of late in the Masters and has the edge in this category. Luke just does not hit the ball accurately enough off the tee for how short of a hitter he is. Take Lee to cruise past he good friend Luke and win use this match up, and possibly a Green Jacket.
Enjoy the walk up Magnolia Lane to the years first Major everyone.
Steve
