All the rage at this year' Masters is the changes made to the golfing national treasure known as Augusta National. The media has us believing the new configurations are worse than if someone added paint to the Mona Lisa. As Chairman Hootie Johnson reiterates, "We will keep the golf course current with the times."
In other words, we do not want to be embarrassed by Tiger Woods shooting 20 under par on our track. With the equipment of today and the style of play, almost any golf course in the world is at the mercy of the best players.
What has this got to do with handicapping the Masters? Plenty!
The new game of golf is called Flog, that's golf spelled backwards. It's been around for a year or so. Bomb it off the tee as far as possible with 460cc drivers and $800 graphite shafts, find it, and wedge it to the green. No need for the old faithful game of fairways and greens. Any course that is not lined with 4 to 7 inch rough is subject to Flog. In fact there less than 10 tournaments or host courses that feature a penalty for not hitting the fairway, Flog away.
Tiger said it himself, "with the new changes made to Augusta there are only five players that can now win."
I wonder who the five are? Vijah hits it pretty far, heck he has lengthened his driver to 47 inches. Mickelson has the latest Callaway gear and ball. Ernie Els pounded the tee ball at the Players Championship and is rounding into form for the first major of the year. The Goose would have won the Players if Stephen Ames had not shown up on time, and hits a nice draw.
I know, Tiger is talking about the Big Five. No kidding. And to be honest I don't see too many others that can challenge them.
The 2006 Masters is 520 yards longer than when Tiger first won the Masters in 1997. That's like adding a par 5 and making the course 19 holes!
The Masters track is now 7,445 yards long making it only the second longest course in major championship history. (Whistling Straights was longer) Tee boxes have been moved back and trees have been added.
The Masters has always favored length off the tee. A draw off the tee comes into play on seven holes. High soft approach shots and a sharp creative short game is the key. The reason short hitters of late have fared well like Chris DiMarco, Mike Weir and Len Mattice is because they had the putting week of their lives. I also believe that golfers who die their putts to the hole do better than being aggressive on the fast undulating greens.
Augusta will make the short hitters fight for pars more than they ever had. Less birdies and more scrambling for pars eliminate 3/4 of the field.
So who do I like to win? Most of you know I specialize in match wagering, but I will go over the odds on my picks to win the Masters.
Tiger Woods 2/1................Stephen Ames was right! The way Tiger is hitting the tee ball all over the place he can be beat. I agree! But, not on this course. His last two tournaments the Bay Hill Invitational and last week the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, both had extreme rough. Augusta has added a first and second cut of rough, but not enough to stop Tiger from bombing it in places he can still advance the ball to the green. He has the best overall short game to boot, so he should be the favorite and will finish in the Top 5 if he does not win.
Ernie Els 8/1...........The Big Easy showed his best form of the year on the front nine on Sunday last week. His short game and especially his putting touch will put him on the leader board come the weekend. Ernie hits a high ball and can draw the ball well off the tee.
Retief Goosen 12/1.......The Goose took plenty of time off early this season and is now practicing very hard. "I've hit more balls than ever before getting ready for the Masters." Retief dies his putts to the hole better than anyone on tour....he currently ranks 6th in Putting average on the PGA Tour.....watch out.
Geoff Ogilvy 70/1..........Ogilvy may be a bit burned out coming into the Masters having played 7 tournaments in the past 10 weeks. But this Aussie is ready to win his first major. A high-ball hitter and a solid putter will be heard from this week. Ogilvy is 2nd in the money standings.
Tom Lehman 100/1..........Ok, enough already, if he qualifies as a player for the Ryder Cup team....HE WILL PLAY......Lehman is having a stellar 2006 season. Top 20 in money, Top 20 in Greens in Regulation, Top 20 in scoring average....all excellent stats, add in one of the best draw players on tour and there is potential for a major upset with Lehman. I do not like the fact the he uses a long putter. No one has won the Masters using one, maybe this week?
Other sleepers/longshots to consider:
Bernhard Langer 125/1
Rod Pampling 100/1
Rory Sabbatini 75/1
Charles Howell III 100/1
I'll have a special MASTERS MATCHUP SELECTIONS pick pack with all of my head to head bets with analysis early Masters Week.
In the past three seasons Alf is 24-9 (73%) in his matchup selections during The Masters!
Alf continues his winning ways here on VegasInsider.com this season (+863). Alf has an unprecedented record of NINE straight years of plus money in golf wagering on this site. Get on board with a consistent winner.
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