Fred Couples1992 Masters Tournament - With Green JacketPhoto by Jeff McBride/PGA TOUR Archive via Getty Images
PGA TOUR
Sports is a 24/7/365 pastime for me. Always has been. Several times a year it gets special. Opening Day, the NHL playoffs, Super Bowl Sunday. Hell, all of football season. This week is my favorite sporting event, hands down. It’s Masters week.
Golf is in my blood and has been for most of my life. My first memories of watching golf came in 1981 watching this tournament on TV. Tom Watson won that year beating Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf and a young Greg Norman among others. The course, the fantastic presentation by CBS (really, they do a great job) and the reverence shown by the players and patrons (not fans) makes this event special. I could drone on for hours about every hole on the course, highlighting pivotal moments from each. Amen Corner, the short par 5’s on the second nine, the pivotal 16th hole, like Han Solo said, it’s real, all of it.
Some moments from this tournament are iconic. Not just for golf but sports in general. Jack winning at the age of 46 with some scintillating golf. That tournament was also the genesis of Greg Norman’s failures in the majors. A very bad swing on the 72nd hole led to a bogey and Green Jacket number six for Nicklaus. Fred Couples leaving his tee shot on the 12th hole hanging on to a blade of grass feet from Rae’s Creek. It stayed dry, he saved par, and finished off what was - at the time, and still is for me - the most popular victory in the tournament’s history. Tiger destroying the course and the field in 1997, announcing his dominance. Tiger winning in 2019 when no one thought he would contend again. These are but a few examples of why I say this is the best sporting event around.
This year the tournament is wide open. I can make an argument for about 17 players who can legitimately win this week. Let’s take a look at the four best bets, courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook as of Tuesday.
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 19: Jon Rahm of Spain tees off on the 14th hole during Day Four of the DP World Tour Championship on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 19, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
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The 2023 champion is my favorite. He’s been playing well in the LIV (ugh) events and his game fits Augusta. He will need to avoid the slow start and stay in contention throughout. The guy is tough as nails and if his short game is working he will be extremely tough to beat. A top 10 finish is almost a given but I’m looking for more. Rahm wins this.
Prediction: Green Jacket number two for Rahm.
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 13: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses with the Masters trophy during the Green Jacket Ceremony after winning the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 13, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
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The defending champion says he’s healthy. If he is he”ll be a threat. I’m not convinced that the victory last year completely exorcised his demons at Augusta. He has a lot of scar tissue from this place. I’m also not convinced he’s 100% healthy either. I hope he is. When he’s contending here it’s special. Does he have enough confidence and game to carry him through? A big maybe. Top 10
(+115) is the play here.
PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 16: Bryson DeChambeau of The United States celebrates his winning putt on the 18th green during the final round of the 2024 U.S. Open Championship on the No.2 Course at The Pinehurst Resort on June 16, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
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Like Rahm, DeChambeau has been feasting on LIV. He’s playing as well as anyone in the world right now, scary good form from him at the moment. He’s a guy who has the ability to run and hide if everything clicks. My fear is his desire to overwhelm the course will bite him in the backside. His course management has improved so much over the years though. He’s a contender. Lock him in for a top five (+190) finish.
PORTRUSH, NORTHERN IRELAND - JULY 20: Scottie Scheffler of the United States celebrates with his son Bennett Scheffler and the Claret Jug on the 18th green after winning The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 20, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
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The two time winner of this event is not on form. Not even close. If anything can fix him right now it’s his confidence in being able to play Augusta better than anyone. He puts the golf ball in the proper position, which means he can attack most hole locations that other players can’t. Scheffler thinks his way around Augusta
As well as Tiger did. This alone will make him a factor. If his game comes along for the ride, Scottie may be all over my TV come Sunday. I hope that’s the case. The best player in the world needs to start playing like it. Good value bet here for a top five (+140) finish. A win is a stretch but worth a play.
Later, I’ll look at a few players who can spoil the party for the favorites, including a top 10 finish from a legend.
It’s Masters week, a tradition unlike…ah, nevermind. You know the rest.
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