Good morning to everyone but especially to…
GOLF FANS EVERYWHERE
It’s time for one of the most relaxing yet exhilarating events in sports: the Masters.
We’ve spent all week previewing every angle, and now it’s time for our expert picks. Let’s start with Kyle Porter’s:
Porter: “Winner — Scottie Scheffler (5-1): I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life than I am that Scheffler is going to contend in this year’s Masters (statements like that usually go well). Scheffler has been a beast so far in 2023, and he is actually playing better than a year ago when he came in and torched this field. He doesn’t have anything worse than a top 12 finish since the fall, and though his odds are horrible in terms of picking a winner, I’m still going to roll with him. That’s how well he’s playing.”
Our Patrick McDonald, meanwhile, is going slightly farther down the board.
McDonald: “Winner — Xander Schauffele (20-1): Schauffele was my pick to win the Masters at the beginning of the year, and he has done nothing to make me jump off the ship now. Over the last three months, he is gaining +2.01 strokes per round with massive efforts from both his irons and putter. The driver has been a weak point for him, but the wide landing areas of Augusta National should alleviate some of that stress. A proven contender in major championships, Schauffele has a pair of podium finishes in his Masters career — both a silver and a bronze — and appears primed to finally climb to the top spot.”
You can see more takes on winners, surprises, guys who definitely won’t win and more here. Still trying to figure out who you should pick? Kyle narrowed the field down to nine guys who could win, and yes, both his and Patrick’s pick are on it. Also on that list? Rory McIlroy. Kyle has an awesome piece on him as he chases the career Grand Slam.
Tiger Woods, for what it’s worth, says it’s “just a matter of time” before McIlroy gets that elusive green jacket. Woods, who has five, also talked about Scheffler defending his title. As for Tiger’s game itself, can his body hold up?
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