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US Masters preview and tips: Jon Rahm and Corey Conners set to shine at Augusta National

Jon Rahm wins Spanish Open - Oct 2022

The US Masters takes centre stage in the golfing world this weekend, and Tipstrr pundit Martin Colwell has been taking a look at the likely contenders ahead of the first Major tournament of the year.

The eyes of all golf fans will turn to Georgia this week where Augusta National Golf Club, arguably the best known course around the world, hosts the eagerly-awaited US Masters.
The last golfer to win the coveted green jacket on his Masters debut was Fuzzy Zoeller back in 1979, so experience of Augusta is clearly important.
The defending champion is Scottie Scheffler, who heads the betting market, but he will be well aware that only three golfers have won the Green Jacket in back-to-back years - Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Sir Nick Faldo.
Vying with Scheffler for favouritism at present at 7/1 is Rory McIlroy, who is looking to win his first Masters to complete a Majors Grand Slam that has eluded him since lifting the Open claret jug in 2014.

Jon Rahm is next in the market at around 17/2. Rahm started 2023 in red hot form but has tailed off lately but at his current price 'Rahmbo' does offer more value than the top two. His course form is decent.

Suggested bet: Jon Rahm

The market then jumps to the 16/1 to 20-1 bracket, where we find past Masters champion Jordan Spieth, alongside Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay. All are quality players, of course, but can they produce the long-iron game and putting finesse to be in contention on Sunday evening?

Cameron Smith, now of LIV Golf fame and the current Open champion is at 20/1. Smith plays well at Augusta but has not been in the best of form on the LIV tour and has been complaining of a wrist injury.

Past champion Dustin Johnson is at a tempting 22/1 - he's another LIV golfer with something to prove, and back on a course he plays so well, having won here in the famous Covid-delayed November Masters of 2020.

Corey Conners looks handily priced at around 40/1 after holding his nerve to win last week's Valero Texas Open, and he has proven form around Augusta after finishing eighth in 2021 and sixth last year.

Suggested bet: Corey Conners

Justin Rose might attract some support at 55/1. The Englishman has played in eighteen Masters tournaments, the course suits his game and he has twice been a runner up here.
And finally, LIV pantomime villain Patrick Reed at 66/1. A past champion and is likely to be well motivated to show the USPGA guys that he can get it over them. Reed is 66/1.
All of these golfers will need to overcome the long 7,545 par-72 track that is a true test of all the skills needed by a golfer. Wide fairways can look misleadingly easy to hit as they are guarded by five water hazards and plenty of strategically placed bunkers.
The first cut (they do not call it rough at Augusta) is of the same grass type as the fairways, while the Bentgrass greens have a sub air system which makes them fast and heavily nuanced, with mown run-off areas to penalise inaccurate approach shots.
There are plenty of dog leg holes on course and length off the tee is important these days. Approach shots and greens in regulation are key at Augusta, and anyone who misses the green on approach will find their scrambling skills become crucial.
Suggested bets:

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