The Masters

Newcastleclaret93 · Post by **Newcastleclaret93** » Wed Apr 05, 2023 10:11 pm

Who is everyone fancying to win it this year?

claretburns · Post by **claretburns** » Wed Apr 05, 2023 10:12 pm

Firmly feel this is Rory's year.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Wed Apr 05, 2023 10:19 pm

Rory is due another major I feel, what worries me is can he produce 4 solid rounds of golf, he generally leaves himself with too much ground to make with a poor opening round.

As a sidenote Sandy Lyle will play his final tournament at Augusta, be nice if the 1988 winner could at least make the cut.

welsbyswife · Post by **welsbyswife** » Wed Apr 05, 2023 10:24 pm

I can't look past Scheffler. I think he will win back to back. Unfortunately think Rory has lost it between the ears. Big unknown is the form of the LIV players. I don't like the concept but it does add interest having the rival tours battling it out.

exilecanada · Post by **exilecanada** » Wed Apr 05, 2023 11:44 pm

I was wondering when a Masters thread would pop up. I so hope Rory can get the monkey of his back and finally get into the elite group of Grand Slam winners. There's not much wrong with his game at the moment but the 'six inches between his ears' appear to get in way on the biggest of stages. Who can forget the OB on the first hole at The Open at Portrush, more or less his home course, that opportunity will probably never come around again. As a sentimental pick I'm going for Canadian Corey Connors, he won In Texas last time out and his putting has improved lately, a key at Augusta. As a dark horse I'm going for Jason Day, his personal and professional problems seem to be behind him, he's had some high finishes recently. Of course Tigers name always pops up in the same sentence as Augusta. My hunch is his game is in good shape and he obviously knows that course like the back of his hand. can his dodgy peg stand up to the hills is the key. Maybe a top 15 is a possibility? And as another poster mentioned, it's hard to look beyond Scheffler to repeat, he's been in a rich vein of form the last couple of years.

Enjoy Master week lads, I know I will

addisclaret · Post by **addisclaret** » Thu Apr 06, 2023 12:10 am

tiger76 wrote: ↑
Wed Apr 05, 2023 10:19 pm
Rory is due another major I feel, what worries me is can he produce 4 solid rounds of golf, he generally leaves himself with too much ground to make with a poor opening round.

As a sidenote Sandy Lyle will play his final tournament at Augusta, be nice if the 1988 winner could at least make the cut.

Loved watching Sandy Lyle win the Open in 1985 after years of thinking no one from these shores would win anything of any significance. Kickstarted the belief of others as well I think that they were good enough to win. Followed his group around Royal Lytham in 88 and the sound of the ball fizzing into the distance made me realise how good these players are.

Taffy on the wing · Post by **Taffy on the wing** » Thu Apr 06, 2023 1:25 am

Rahm has been hot this year & he's definitely got the game for Augusta.

Scheffler obviously in form & will be hard to beat......i always root against him though....Can't stand all that Bible thumping between him & his caddy. ( they met at PGA Bible study) FFS.

McIlroy has got the most talent of the lot.....it's just his Brain.
......Then there's the scruffy Australian who joined LIV....can't get his name at the moment.

As always looking forward to it....Most accurate iron player wins it.

jrgbfc · Post by **jrgbfc** » Thu Apr 06, 2023 6:08 am

Sounds like it's been really wet at Augusta, which should play into the hands of Mcllroy and the other big hitters. I've backed Spieth and a few quid each way on Justin Rose.

claretonthecoast1882 · Post by **claretonthecoast1882** » Thu Apr 06, 2023 7:59 am

Scheffler top 10, Spieth & Schauffele top 20, Morikawa & Cam Smith top 30 @ 10/1

Cantlay & Hovland & Rory top 20, Zalatoris & Fleetwood & Fitzpatrick top 30 @ 22/1

Sung-jae Im 40/1 e/w & Rahm 9/1 win

shanghaiclaret · Post by **shanghaiclaret** » Thu Apr 06, 2023 8:08 am

Cameron Smith

CrosspoolClarets · Post by **CrosspoolClarets** » Thu Apr 06, 2023 8:57 am

It will be gusty over the weekend so that rules out Rory straight away - too high a ball flight and a seeming inability to modify it.

Anything less than 10-15 majors for Rory is an underachievement because as 5Live quoted Luke Donald as saying he has more natural talent than Tiger. The problem has always been between his ears. I’m not even getting onto not using a professional caddy.

Scheffler for me. The guy is boring as heck, I don’t particularly like him or his game. Far less natural talent than Rory. But he is a born winner, reminds me of Koepka (remember him?).

OffTheBar · Post by **OffTheBar** » Thu Apr 06, 2023 9:32 am

shanghaiclaret wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 06, 2023 8:08 am
Cameron Smith

Will be interesting to see how he fares. Not the best prep being on the LIV tour, and you wonder if the cold conditions are going to hamper him - such a (relatively) short hitter. Then again, his putting is phenomenal.

jdrobbo · Post by **jdrobbo** » Thu Apr 06, 2023 9:40 am

Tony Finau…what a guy!
Rory
Xander Shauffle

Big Vinny K · Post by **Big Vinny K** » Thu Apr 06, 2023 9:55 am

Hopefully Rory. He’s playing really well and conditions should suit his game.

Scheffler is phenomenal but going back to back is against him odds wise.
Max Homa will win a major a reckon but Augusta could be tough with the shape he hits the ball.
Tony Finau got a great chance too.
Im could go well too if his putter is hot.

I always try to pick one of the older players at long odds as you often find an experienced player finishing in top 10 or 15. This year I’ve gone for Keegan Bradley. Justin Rose falls into that category too. He’s been very selective about his tournaments recently because of his injuries but played very well when he’s played.

A couple of outsiders who have a good each way chance are Min Woo Lee and Keith Mitchell.

The amateur Gordon Sargent is being talked about a lot too as the next big thing. Not saying he’s going to win but will be interesting to see how he copes with the pressure and weight of expectations

Vincent'sCap · Post by **Vincent'sCap** » Thu Apr 06, 2023 1:08 pm

Love the Masters,but sky make a complete arse of the coverage,is it some silly yank rule on broadcasting that prevents Sky from having more golf and less chit chat
Come on Rory.

Big Vinny K · Post by **Big Vinny K** » Thu Apr 06, 2023 2:57 pm

Vincent'sCap wrote: ↑
Thu Apr 06, 2023 1:08 pm
Love the Masters,but sky make a complete arse of the coverage,is it some silly yank rule on broadcasting that prevents Sky from having more golf and less chit chat
Come on Rory.

Yep - nothing to do with Sky.
It’s those daft yanks who restrict coverage to broadcasters.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Thu Apr 06, 2023 10:43 pm

Plenty of big names atop the leader board, the European challenge led by Hovland & Rahm, although Shane Lowry shot a 68 to remain within touching distance.

Rory and Tiger both struggling to make an impact, Rory +1 through 13, and Tiger finishing +2 after a 74, both could be in danger of missing the cut tomorrow, equally a lowish round tomorrow and who knows they might be back in the hunt.

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Fri Apr 07, 2023 12:00 am

Rory might as well go home

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Fri Apr 07, 2023 3:51 pm

Got to say the advert with Billy Idol & Rory for workday are pretty funny
" Billy Idol just stole your golf buggy"

Ozzy Osbourne also makes an appearance "hello I'm Oswald"
More entertaining than Rory's golf at the moment anyway.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Fri Apr 07, 2023 10:40 pm

Play suspended for the day after the anticipated storm finally arrived.

Leader board as it stands.

-12 Koepka (F)

-9 Rahm (9)

-8 Bennett* (F)

-6 Hovland (10), Morikawa (F)

-5 Day (F), Burns (F), Spieth (F), Young (9)

*denotes amateur

The real story is the incredible performance by the amateur Sam Bennett, shades of a certain Tiger Woods at the 1996 Open.

jrgbfc · Post by **jrgbfc** » Fri Apr 07, 2023 10:44 pm

Just seen a clip of the big tree coming down, really lucky nobody was hurt.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Sat Apr 08, 2023 5:39 pm

Tiger makes the cut just, and in doing so he's created more history.

With Tiger Woods hanging around for the rest of the weekend he ties the record for most consecutive cuts made at the Masters Tournament with 23 (1997-2023), matching Gary Player (1959-1982) and Fred Couples (1983-2007).

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Sun Apr 09, 2023 9:12 pm

Rahm hits the front come on do it for Seve.

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Sun Apr 09, 2023 9:34 pm

It's a wonder anyone can concentrate the Yank crowd is so disrespectful when the player is about to take a shot,what happened to the guys with the quiet please boards,the noise is unbelievable...

Burnley Ace · Post by **Burnley Ace** » Sun Apr 09, 2023 10:01 pm

I wish they would put )LV) next to the player do I know who to boo

Belgianclaret · Post by **Belgianclaret** » Sun Apr 09, 2023 10:03 pm

Hope Rahm beats those LIV mofos

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Sun Apr 09, 2023 10:09 pm

Amazing leader board Rahm leading but tons of Americans nipping at his heels.

Hibsclaret · Post by **Hibsclaret** » Sun Apr 09, 2023 10:13 pm

I understand the LIV sentiment and everything but you have to say that Mickelson is an absolute genius of a golfer. I have him at 140/1 ew with 12 places nice.

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Sun Apr 09, 2023 10:18 pm

Hibsclaret wrote: ↑
Sun Apr 09, 2023 10:13 pm
I understand the LIV sentiment and everything but you have to say that Mickelson is an absolute genius of a golfer. I have him at 140/1 ew with 12 places nice.

it's his lowest final round at the Masters ever !

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Sun Apr 09, 2023 10:18 pm

Amazing round from Mickelson

jrgbfc · Post by **jrgbfc** » Mon Apr 10, 2023 12:06 am

Need to start getting tougher on slow play, Cantlay has been a joke today. Koepka and Rahm don't really mess about and it's gonna take them pushing 5 hours to play 18 holes.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Mon Apr 10, 2023 8:54 am

Belgianclaret wrote: ↑
Sun Apr 09, 2023 10:03 pm
Hope Rahm beats those LIV mofos

And he did.

Big Vinny K · Post by **Big Vinny K** » Mon Apr 10, 2023 9:03 am

Brilliant by Rahm.
Stayed up till 1.30 watching all the green jacket nonsense too !
Rahm spoke brilliantly about Seve and what Augusta means to the Spanish players and people.

LIV players did well - I was a bit surprised as thought they would be undercooked with how poor their tour is. But you forget they still have some of the worlds best players and have won a lot of majors in the last 10 years between them. I’m delighted none of them won though - that would have been hard to stomach.

Also won a nice amount from the bookies with that Rahm !

jdrobbo · Post by **jdrobbo** » Mon Apr 10, 2023 9:09 am

Brilliant from Rahm: it’s a tournament that simply never disappoints.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Mon Apr 10, 2023 9:48 am

Fitting that Rahm took the Green Jacket on what would have been Seve's 66th birthday.

And with that victory he returns to the top of the rankings.

He started the week with a double bogey as well, just shows like the Championship it's a marathon not a sprint.

CrosspoolClarets · Post by **CrosspoolClarets** » Mon Apr 10, 2023 9:56 am

Really pleased for Rahm and can emphasise with that tee shot on 18 - anyone who plays twitchy golf matches coming down the 18th hold knows what I am on about. The worst thing is when you finish a match in near darkness and flay your drive not knowing where it has gone.

The slow play though was a total joke - playing into Liv’s hands. 5 hours for a 2 ball is a disgrace and I don’t know who was responsible for it. Should be no longer than 4 hours especially for these guys or no youngsters will have the patience.

A wasted chance for Rory I feel - had the easy side of the draw with the weather and should have beat 12 under over 4 rounds on recent form.

welsbyswife · Post by **welsbyswife** » Mon Apr 10, 2023 11:33 am

Agree on the pace of play crosspool. Rahm was waiting on every shot. Why do they never get a grip on it.

jrgbfc · Post by **jrgbfc** » Mon Apr 10, 2023 11:42 am

Cantlay is notorious for being slow apparently. And it looked like the amateur lad was really taking his time as well. Don't think it did Koepka any favours at all, he likes to get on with it and play pretty quickly.

welsbyswife · Post by **welsbyswife** » Mon Apr 10, 2023 11:44 am

I noticed Cantlay taking his time. Incredibly selfish when you know you are holding up the leaders.

TheFamilyCat · Post by **TheFamilyCat** » Mon Apr 10, 2023 12:13 pm

welsbyswife wrote: ↑
Mon Apr 10, 2023 11:33 am
Agree on the pace of play crosspool. Rahm was waiting on every shot. Why do they never get a grip on it.

Like being stuck behind you up Marsden Park.

CrosspoolClarets · Post by **CrosspoolClarets** » Mon Apr 10, 2023 12:25 pm

There really is no excuse for it.

I play off low teens on a fairly tough course and in a medal would be upset if it takes over 4 hours for a 3 ball.

These guys are super fit, aren’t as wayward as us, have caddies. They should be done in 3 hours 30.

The consolation - I’m never convinced that spending minutes over a putt does anything other than talk you out of the correct line and length. Trust your instincts, play it after a brief study. The guys who don’t (Cantlay is notorious as are others) often miss.

Taffy on the wing · Post by **Taffy on the wing** » Mon Apr 10, 2023 4:33 pm

jrgbfc wrote: ↑
Mon Apr 10, 2023 12:06 am
Need to start getting tougher on slow play, Cantlay has been a joke today. Koepka and Rahm don't really mess about and it's gonna take them pushing 5 hours to play 18 holes.

Cantlay only cares about Cantlay......players paired with him often do badly (Hovland).
He's unpopular & he doesn't care!