The biggest week on the golfing calendar has arrived with the best of the best set to ply their trade at Augusta National starting Friday (AEDT).
This year’s Masters tournament has a familiar feel to it with several of the world’s top players returning from LIV golf, including former winners Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia, as well as Bryson DeChambeau and our very own, Cameron Smith.
Five-time winner Tiger Woods will garner plenty of attention across the weekend in just his second appearance of the season, while last year’s winner Scottie Scheffler is bidding to become the first player to go back-to-back since Woods did the double in 2001 and 2002.
The potential for rain across the weekend could throw a spanner in the works, but we’re still set for a fascinating four days with enormous value on offer.
Ladbrokes has also introduced a Same Game Multi function ahead of the biggest tournament of the year, a great way to include some of your favourite players in the one bet!
It’s easily one of the most exciting times of the year, and you can find our best 2023 Masters bets in our preview below!
Our Best Masters Same Game Multi
- Patrick Cantaly (Top 10 Finish)
- Justin Thomas (Top 10 Finish)
- Cameron Smith (Top 10 Finish)
- = $29.74
The Masters Best Bet
Patrick Cantlay ($17.00)
He’s never won one, but Cantlay is always a popular smokie in major tournaments for good reason.
He came close on a couple of occasions last year finishing T15 at both the Open Championship and the US Open, with his best result at Augusta coming back in 2019 where he shared in a tie for ninth.
Talent-wise, there’s no question Cantlay is capable of jagging a major sometime very soon – it’s not a matter of if, it’s just a matter of when.
In years past, he’s ventured to Augusta on the back of some questionable form in Florida, but that hasn’t been the case this year as he’s finished Top 5 at the Genesis and Arnold Palmer, and T19 at THE PLAYERS.
A delicate course like Augusta calls for precision on every hole, but in particular over the stretch nicknamed Amen Corner between holes 11, 12, and 13. Many leaders have come undone over this stretch, so I’m looking at Ball Striking – a category Cantlay ranks third in – as a key component this week.
Lastly, Cantlay doesn’t own the Augusta record that some do, but it’s worth noting several recent winners like Hideki Matsuyama and Scottie Scheffler failed to crack the Top 10 over their previous four appearances prior to breaking through.
The Masters Best Value
Justin Thomas ($17)
I’d be remiss not to have something on a horse for the course like Justin Thomas this week.
The 29-year-old hasn’t won at Augusta, but he’s come close on several occasions finishing Top 15 in each of the last three years.
Thomas’ more recent form has been up and down, finishing outside the Top 50 at TPC Sawgrass last month but returning to form somewhat with a share in 10th at the Valspar a week later.
Putting has been the main culprit for his hot and cold performance this season. Thomas has lost strokes in putting in five of his seven tournaments this year, but he’s the type of player that can always turn up to any given event and put past form behind him.
The price is indicative of his play recently, but if he strokes a hot putter and handles the pressure of the final round (something he’s done so well on many occasions), I think Thomas is worth a play.
Will Zalatoris ($34)
Back issues have plagued the 26-year-old over the last few months, which explains three straight finishes outside the Top 50.
That said, he’s back for revenge at Augusta after finishing runner-up to Matsuyama in 2021 and T6 last year.
Overall, there isn’t a more consistent striker of the irons than Zalatoris, but so far – and as it has on so many occasions – his shaky putting has let him down.
I still think the youngster is a decent buy-low option this week though with course experience and maybe some pressure off his back. This time last year the sentiment around Zalatoris was that he should be winning, but he’s kind of flown under the radar given his streaky form. Maybe that’s the key to him.
The Masters Best Roughies
Mito Pereira ($81)
The Chilean is one of several making the pilgrimage to Augusta after spending some time in LIV Golf.
It’s easy to forget Pereira actually led after 72 holes at the PGA Championship last year before fading out to a pair of disappointing results at both Open’s.
Even so, he was among the top five best when it came to finding greens in regulation before departing for LIV, while he’s also been a fairly accurate player off the tee with solid distance.
Like others, this is his first look at Augusta, but with a high ceiling, he’s a nice upside play.
Sahith Theegala ($126)
For the casual fans, Theegala is an emerging 25-year-old that has really come into his own recently.
He’s held his own in some big tournaments this year, most notably finishing Top 10 at the Farmers and Genesis Invitational, while he’s also been one of the most consistent players when it comes to making the cut.
Accuracy off the tee has been his one main issue so far this year, but with some good putting stats to his name, he should be able to handle the slick greens in his Augusta debut.
Bubba Watson ($251)
What a huge price for a two-time Masters champion.
The reason behind the odds is Watson has played only four tournaments since the PGA Championship due to a knee injury, but considering he’s made the cut in 13 of his 14 appearances at Augusta, he’s worth something small to pull off the unthinkable.
