It’s Masters Week!
Does any sporting event in America scream ‘spring is here, summer is around the (amen) corner’ than a tradition unlike any other, also known as The Masters?
I don’t think so!
The green grass, rolling hills, par three contest, ceremonial first tee shot, slick greens, Saturday moving day, and back nine on Sunday are all must-watch television for the sports fan, let alone the golf enthusiast.
Editorial Note: Raise your hand if you would trade places with Jim Nantz for the opportunity to call the Final Four and NCAA championship basketball game and then head to Augusta for the next six days. Yep, my hand is in the air. Heck, both of mine are.
Since we are all encompassing here at AaronTorresOnline.com, this will be the first of three straight days of golf coverage.
Today, we will tell you six golfers who, maybe won’t win, but can certainly play themselves into the Top 20 and Top 10 by the end of the week. We will highlight three in each category.
Tuesday’s article will focus on five golfers who have the best chance to be picking the menu for next year’s Champions Dinner.
Finally, on Wednesday, we will turn our attention to head-to-head matchups to exploit in Thursday’s first round.
Let’s dive into three players who can post a Top 10 finish come Sunday night - with all odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook.
Best Bets to Finish Top 10
Cam Smith (+150 - to finish Top 10)
Some players were born to play well at Augusta. Smith fits that category. Throw out a 51st place finish and he has placed 10th, second, and fifth recently. He ranks third on the PGA Tour in putting. That’s pretty good! All that equates to another run at a Top 10 finish.
Xander Schauffele (+200 - to finish Top 10)
One of the longest drivers on tour, Schauffele is accurate too. He prefers to hit a draw. That’s a huge advantage at holes 13 and 15. He is also 10th in scoring and 11th in birdie average. That equates to success at Augusta, where he finished third last year.
Corey Connors (+450 - to finish Top 10)
This might not be a household name, but Connors has a BIG game. Ranked 41st in driving accuracy, Connors ball striking takes a back seat to no one as witnessed by his 13-under par score for his last eight rounds at Augusta. Four of those eight rounds have been in the 60’s. Oh yeah, Connors has placed in the top 10 the last two years. He’s going for a three-peat this year.
Best Bets to Finish Top 20
Will Zalatoris (+110 - to finish Top 20)
Zalatoris may have the label - best player to not win on tour yet. What better way to lose that moniker than by winning at Augusta. He ranks second in shots approaching the green and 11th in greens in regulation, both key stats to having success at The Masters. He broke par in every round at last year’s tournament. A top 20 finish or better is certainly in his bag.
Kevin Kisner (+330 - to finish Top 20)
If you are fifth in driving accuracy and fifth in putting, then you have a great shot to contend every week on tour. Those stats will travel well at Augusta. His Masters results have not been great with last year’s 21st place finish being his best of his eight starts. He betters that mark this year.
Webb Simpson (+275 - to finish Top 20)
FedEx Cup winner Patrick Cantlay was ticketed for the third person in this grouping, but Webb Simpson wound up being the choice. Why? Simpson is -24 the last four years and has finishes of fifth, 10th, and 12th in that time span. Another top 20 result is well within the realm of possibility this weekend.
Come back Tuesday when we will tell you which five players have the best chance to be wearing the Green Jacket on Sunday night!
For full Masters odds via DraftKings, click here
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