The Masters Guide & Player Preview: Predictions, Picks & Bets

Ball Strikers (21)

These golfers typically have good numbers in both off the tee and on the approaches to the green.

[DUSTIN]

Collin Morikawa
- Age & Birthplace:
- How They Qualified: Winner of the 2020 PGA Championship
- Recent Form:
  - 56
  - 41
  - 1
- Masters Form:
  - 2020: 44
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: 3
  - OWGR: 4
  - Driving Distance: 3
  - Driving Accuracy: 64
  - Off the Tee: 48
  - On the Approach: 1
- Bet of the Week: +100 Top 20
- Quick Notes: As has been the standard with Collin, after a win, he goes through a small period of regression. As much as I love Collins’s game, I’m not sure his short game is quite there yet to win here at Augusta, but it will be someday.
Paul Casey
- How They Qualified: Top 50 in the OWGR Jan. 1, 2021
- Recent Form:
  - 28
  - 5
  - 10
- Masters Form:
  - 2020: 38
  - 2019: MC
  - 2018: 15
  - 2017: 6
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: 17
  - OWGR: 18
  - Driving Distance: 17
  - Driving Accuracy: 31
  - Off the Tee: 76
  - On the Approach: 15
- Bet of the Week: +100 Top 20
- Quick Notes: Casey has been very vocal about how good he feels and how good his offseason training for this season was his best ever. Results are following, so it’s tough to fade him when he’s playing this good and feeling confident as well. I like his 2015-2017 Masters form to come back this week.
Corey Conners
- How They Qualified: Top 50 in the OWGR Jan. 1, 2021
- Recent Form:
  - 14
  - 61
  - 7
- Masters Form:
  - 2020: 10
  - 2019: 46
  - 2015: MC
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: 12
  - OWGR: 40
  - Driving Distance: 12
  - Driving Accuracy: 17
  - Off the Tee: 14
  - On the Approach: 12
- Bet of the Week: I’m going to bet against Conners vs Adam Scott this week.
- Quick Notes: Conners had a decent title defense in Texas last week but wasn’t going to get anywhere close to Jordan Spieth. Still, a 14th place finish continues his run of good form, which includes only one missed cut in his last seven starts.
Joaquin Niemann
- How They Qualified: Top 50 in the OWGR Jan. 1, 2021
- Recent Form:
  - 18
  - 25
- Masters Form:
  - 2018: MC
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: 14
  - OWGR: 28
  - Driving Distance: 14
  - Driving Accuracy: 133
  - Off the Tee: 7
  - On the Approach: 44
- Bet of the Week: Top 30 -125
- Quick Notes: Back in November, it was a really tough time for him to come down with COVID, not that any time is good, but Niemann was playing great golf and had to miss The Masters. He played her as an amateur in 2018, where he missed the cut, but at least he’s got that under his belt now heading into his second start here this week.
Viktor Hovland
- How They Qualified: Top 50 in the OWGR Jan. 1, 2021
- Recent Form:
  - 42
  - MC
  - 49
- Masters Form:
  - 2019: 32nd
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: 11
  - OWGR: 14
  - Driving Distance: 11
  - Driving Accuracy: 71
  - Off the Tee: 5
  - On the Approach: 37
- Bet of the Week: To miss the cut +300
- Quick Notes: Not having Viktor and Daniel Berger at the November Masters certainly felt weird, given that they both ranked inside the top 20 in the world. But the way qualifications worked, they didn’t earn their bid until this showing. So, Viktor heads here for the second time, playing as an amateur two years ago and making the cut, finishing 32nd. His form isn’t great right now after going through the first part of the year, looking like he’d be a multiple winners this year.
Adam Scott
- How They Qualified: Masters Champion 2014
- Recent Form:
  - 13
  - 48
  - 54
- Masters Form:
  - 2020: 34
  - 2018: 18
  - 2018: 32
  - 2017: 9
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: 88
  - OWGR: 25
  - Driving Distance: 88
  - Driving Accuracy: 206
  - Off the Tee: 132
  - On the Approach: 56
- Bet of the Week: Top 30 -110
- Quick Notes: While the upside we are used to seeing from Scott hasn’t been there, the consistency still is, not missing a cut in quite some time. The reason his upside has been a bit capped this year is he’s a lot wilder off the tee than normal. Ranking 206th in driving accuracy is not how Adam Scott conducts himself typically, but driving accuracy isn’t all that important at Augusta here this week, which should help his approach game stay in form.
Tyrrell Hatton
- How They Qualified: Top 50 in the OWGR Jan. 1, 2021
- Recent Form:
  - 56
  - MC
  - 21
- Masters Form:
  - 2020: MC
  - 2018: 56
  - 2018: 44
  - 2017: MC
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: 88
  - OWGR: 25
  - Driving Distance: 88
  - Driving Accuracy: 206
  - Off the Tee: 132
  - On the Approach: 56
- Bet of the Week: +275 to miss the cut
- Quick Notes: Big events, like majors and The Players, have not been at all kind to Hatton in recent history, especially Augusta. In four tries, he’s never finished better than 44th and has a couple of missed cuts mixed in. Whatever the reason, it’s been an easy fade of Ty Hatton in big events until he shows he’s ready to keep it together and compete on golf’s biggest stage.
Sungjae Im
- How They Qualified: Top 50 in the OWGR Jan. 1, 2021
- Recent Form:
  - 42
  - 8
  - 17
- Masters Form:
  - 2020: 2
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: 49
  - OWGR: 17
  - Driving Distance: 49
  - Driving Accuracy: 63
  - Off the Tee: 6
  - On the Approach: 92
- Bet of the Week: Top 30 -136
- Quick Notes: The closest competitor to Dustin Johnson in the fall, Im showed just how talented he is and that he, unlike Ty Hatton above, can compete on the world’s biggest stage. Since then, though, it’s been a bit of a stalling pattern. A couple of top 10s to keep things going, but no wins to speak off.
Lee Westwood
- How They Qualified: Top 50 in the OWGR Jan. 1, 2021
- Recent Form:
  - 18
  - MC
  - 2
- Masters Form:
  - 2020: 38
  - 2017: 18
  - 2016: 2
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: 87
  - OWGR: 19
  - Driving Distance: 87
  - Driving Accuracy: N/A
  - Off the Tee: 128
  - On the Approach: 88
- Bet of the Week: Top 10 +400
- Quick Notes: The best season for a golfer without a win unquestionably has to go to Lee Westwood. He went through the toughest part of the Florida stretch by going second, second, at the Arnold Palmer and the Players. His best finishes on the PGA Tour in some time, as the 47-year old seems to be in some of the best form of his life right now. Does that mean he finally wins his first major? He’s been closest here with a runner-up in 2016.
Louis Oosthuizen
- How They Qualified: Top 50 in the OWGR Jan. 1, 2021
- Recent Form:
  - 61
  - 41
  - 6
- Masters Form:
  - 2020:23
  - 2017: 29
  - 2016: 12
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: 52
  - OWGR: 23
  - Driving Distance: 52
  - Driving Accuracy: 99
  - Off the Tee: 87
  - On the Approach: 110
- Bet of the Week: Top 20 After round 1 +225
- Quick Notes: For Louis, his ball-striking hasn’t been elite yet this year, but his short game certainly has. One of the best Augusta records around, or most consistent, I should say, making the cut in each of the last 7 years. His upsides have been capped, though, since his 2013 runner, and he will be looking for more here this year in search of his first top 10 in 8 starts.
Hideki Matsuyama
- How They Qualified: Top 50 in the OWGR Jan. 1, 2021
- Recent Form:
  - 30
  - 42
  - MC
- Masters Form:
  - 2020:13
  - 2017: 32
  - 2016: 19
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: 20
  - OWGR: 24
  - Driving Distance: 20
  - Driving Accuracy: 125
  - Off the Tee: 62
  - On the Approach: 31
- Bet of the Week: Top 20 after Round 1 +188
- Quick Notes: Typically, Hideki is absolute elite with his ball-striking and struggles with his short game. Well, the short game struggles are certainly still there. The ball-striking hasn’t been as good either this year and has really affected his finishes. Nothing better than a T15 this year.
Abraham Ancer
- How They Qualified: Top 50 in the OWGR Jan. 1, 2021
- Recent Form:
  - 23
  - 18
  - 22
- Masters Form:
  - 2020:13
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: 45
  - OWGR: 29
  - Driving Distance: 45
  - Driving Accuracy: 136
  - Off the Tee: 64
  - On the Approach: 54
- Bet of the Week: Top 30 +110
- Quick Notes: While he won’t wow you off the Tee, Ancer gets it done by hitting more fairways and greens than most. If he catches a hot putter, he’s typically in the top 10 with how consistent he is with his ball-striking. He was right in the mix in November, but when conditions got tough on Sunday, he wasn’t prepared and fell out of the top 10. That does have me a bit concerned heading into this week.
Jason Kokrak
- How They Qualified: Top 50 in the OWGR Jan. 1, 2021
- Recent Form:
  - 42
  - 9
  - 8
- Masters Form:
  - 2020:Missed Cut
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: 55
  - OWGR: 31
  - Driving Distance: 55
  - Driving Accuracy: 169
  - Off the Tee: 22
  - On the Approach: 82
- Bet of the Week: Top 30 +110
- Quick Notes: Jason typically relies on his ball-striking to earn his keep on the PGA Tour, but his putter has stayed incredibly hot since his win at the CJ Cup last year. With that, he’s been able to add three top 10s and four top 25s in just 10 starts since the win.
Gary Woodland
- How They Qualified: Winner of the 2019 U.S. Open
- Recent Form:
  - 6
  - MC
  - 43
- Masters Form:
  - 2020:MC
  - 2019: 32
  - 2018: MC
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: 16
  - OWGR: 52
  - Driving Distance: 167
  - Driving Accuracy: 83
  - Off the Tee: 197
  - On the Approach: 95
- Bet of the Week: Top 40 -125
- Quick Notes: After deciding to lose a tremendous amount of weight during the COVID break last year, it has been a rough go. He’s run into injury problems, which results in inconsistency throughout his game. But maybe a glimmer of hope last week as Woodland seemed to be getting control of his game again.
Ryan Palmer
- How They Qualified: Top 50 in the OWGR Jan. 1, 2021
- Recent Form:
  - 17
  - 17
  - 17
- Masters Form:
  - 2015: 33
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: 167
  - OWGR: 52
  - Driving Distance: 167
  - Driving Accuracy: 83
  - Off the Tee: 197
  - On the Approach: 95
- Bet of the Week: Top 30 +125
- Quick Notes: It feels rather odd to me that Palmer will be making his first start at Augusta since 2015, where he finished 33rd. A few years prior to that, he had a run of three straight years where he made it to Augusta, coming in 10th in one of them. So while it’s been a long 6 years to get back here, Palmer does have quite a few rounds under his belt here, and with him being in form and playing the best golf of his career, Palmer sets up as a good dark horse this week. Also, that’s not a typo; he’s finished 17th three straight weeks, which does include a weird one in the WGC Match Play…
Si Woo Kim
- How They Qualified: Top 50 in the OWGR Jan. 1, 2021
- Recent Form:
  - 23
  - 56
  - 9
- Masters Form:
  - 2020: 34
  - 2019: 21
  - 2018: 24
  - 2017: MC
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: 38
  - OWGR: 38
  - Driving Distance: 38
  - Driving Accuracy: 185
  - Off the Tee: 66
  - On the Approach: 85
- Bet of the Week: Top 20 +350
- Quick Notes: Kim is a bit of an enigma on tour, playing well at specific courses, more specifically Peter Dye designs. He’ll disappear for months at a time, then out of nowhere go on a run. He’s had mild success here in the past, coming in the top 35 each of the last three years, but no top 10s to his name yet.
Henrik Stenson
- How They Qualified: Winner of the 2016 Open Championship
- Recent Form:
  - MC
  - MC
  - MC
- Masters Form:
  - 2020: MC
  - 2019: 36
  - 2018: 5
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: 196
  - OWGR: 103
  - Driving Distance: 196
  - Driving Accuracy: N/A
  - Off the Tee: 212
  - On the Approach: 143
- Bet of the Week: To make the cut +180
- Quick Notes: The former Open Champion, and ball striking machine, has seen his game almost entirely disappear over the last year. He’s failed to make a cut on the PGA Tour this year, only learning a paycheck at the Abu Dhabi back in January on the European Tour. I’m sure the one-time Major Champion still has plenty of game left, but it isn’t anywhere close to the surface right now.
Charl Schwartzel
- How They Qualified: 2011 Masters Champion
- Recent Form:
  - 69
  - 53
  - MC
- Masters Form:
  - 2020: 25
  - 2019: MC
  - 2018: MC
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: 107
  - OWGR: 208
  - Driving Distance: 107
  - Driving Accuracy: N/A
  - Off the Tee: 126
  - On the Approach: 137
- Bet of the Week: To make the cut -134
- Quick Notes: The 2015 Masters Champion has been playing a little better this last year, coming back from a slew of bad form over the past couple of years. That form drove him into an injury, or he was injured that contributed to the bad form, whichever way you want to look at it, and now playing on a major medical for the PGA Tour. But he doesn’t have to worry about one of those to get a start here as a past Champion; Schwartzel will be here until he can play no longer.
Sebastian Munoz
- How They Qualified: Qualified: for the 2020 Tour Championship
- Recent Form:
  - 9
  - 61
  - MC
- Masters Form:
  - 2020: 19
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: 84
  - OWGR: 67
  - Driving Distance: 84
  - Driving Accuracy: 107
  - Off the Tee: 97
  - On the Approach: 78
- Bet of the Week: Top 40 -125
- Quick Notes: One that stings for me, as I decided to play Francesco Molinari over Sebastian Munoz in November, something looking back was entirely stupid and silly, and cost me at least 30K. Even though he finished 19th, it was in large part due to Sunday, where he couldn’t handle the tougher, faster conditions Augusta provided. Maybe that’ll be his detriment here this week, but he’s at least coming into the week off of his best start in the last little bit.
C.T. Pan
- How They Qualified: One of the very few golfers to need this qualification here this year, and it’s coming in the top 12 of the November event. Pan came in 7th.
- Recent Form:
  - 3
  - mc
  - mc
- Masters Form:
  - 2020: 9
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: 94
  - OWGR: 150
  - Driving Distance: 94
  - Driving Accuracy: 110
  - Off the Tee: 165
  - On the Approach: 59
- Bet of the Week: +150 Top 40
- Quick Notes: Pan is one of those golfers on the PGA Tour that earns his job back by having a couple of big-time finishes in a year rather than consistent play. Luckily for him, one of those weeks was his last start at the Honda Classic, finishing in a tie for third, his first top 10 since finishing 7th in November at this very tournament. In fact, he’s only made three cuts since that start.
Cameron Smith
- How They Qualified: Top 50 in the OWGR Jan. 1, 2021
- Recent Form:
  - 28
  - 17
  - 11
- Masters Form:
  - 2020:2
  - 2019: 51
  - 2018: 5
  - 2016: 55
- Statistical Profile:
  - Strokes Gained Tee to Green: N/A
  - OWGR: 16
  - Driving Distance: N/A
  - Driving Accuracy: 54
  - Around the Green: N/A
  - Putting: 27
- Bet of the Week: Top 10 +335
- Quick Notes: Two top 5s in four tries here at Augusta is not something to overlook. Smith has risen all the way to 32nd in the world, and at times has played incredibly inspired golf. If he can clean up the big numbers, it would not be at all surprised to see his name on the first page of the leaderboard again come Sunday.

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Jason Rouslin

Jason established his roots in the littlest state that could...Rhode Island. But after 29 years of bitter cold, and only being able to play golf 4 months a year, upended those roots and moved to Florida. Now four years later, Jason is a husband to Sarah and father of two boys, James & Myles. A dog and more specifically Lab lover (Bella), he dedicates his time to serve as the lead of PGA content at Awesemo.com. In the time he is not diving into the PGA stats and covering this week's current tournament, you can find him researching and trading stocks, on the golf course, at Disney World, on a hike, or somewhere in between. Want to chat? Have a question about Golf/Stocks or anything else? Hop on twitter and give him a message @dfsgolfer23. You can also contact Jason by emailing [email protected].