Joe Champion
Spring is here, the azaleas are in bloom and the 89th edition of the Masters will begin on Thursday at one of the most revered sporting venues of them all: Augusta National Golf Club. As the only major which is held at the same course each season, there is something special about the Masters — and Augusta remains central to its enduring appeal.
The Georgia venue requires no introduction because we know it so well. It evokes memories of past Masters and the shots executed by past winners — think Tiger Woods on 16 in 2005, Phil Mickelson from the pine straw on 13 in 2010 and, further back, Larry Mize on 11, Jack Nicklaus on 17 and Sandy Lyle on 18.
Speaking of Mickelson, he headlines my favorite player prop bets.
Phil Mickelson top senior (-120)
Phil Mickelson rolled back the years in the 2023 Masters, finishing runner-up behind Jon Rahm, and it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Lefty can mount a bold bid once more. Mickelson was struggling in the build-up two years ago, finishing no better than 27th in three LIV Golf outings while also missing the cut in the Saudi Invitational, but this time he returns having finished 23rd, third, 19th and sixth on the LIV circuit. His latest effort, in Miami last week, was particularly encouraging with Augusta in mind as he struck his irons well and putted well, something he will have to do if he is to contend for a fourth green jacket. While he’s not without a chance of filling an each-way place in the outright market, the best way to support him is at a shade of odds-on in the top senior market.
Mickelson only has Angel Cabrera, Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples, Mike Weir and Jose Maria Olazabal to beat, and — on recent efforts — should prove miles ahead of them.
Sergio Garcia top continental European (+900)
Mickelson’s fellow LIV Golfer and former Masters champion Sergio Garcia also looks poised for a decent week and he makes the most appeal in the top continental European market. Garcia’s major record has been poor since he finally got over the line at Augusta in 2018 but he’s been in magnificent form on the LIV Tour this year, finishing sixth in Riyadh, winning in Hong Kong and placing third in Miami. Rahm, Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland are all ahead of Garcia in the market, but Rahm folded tamely in Miami on Sunday, Aberg’s form has dipped at the wrong time and Hovland has been inconsistent.
Maverick McNealy top debutant (+800)
There are a number of interesting debutants in the field, and Maverick McNealy is one who could take to Augusta National at the first attempt. At 29, McNealy has become an accomplished PGA Tour performer who sealed his place in the Masters field by winning the RSM Classic last year and has subsequently climbed to 10th in the world after finishing third in the Texas Open. A precise iron player with exceptional short-game skills, he looks made for Augusta and can nab the top debutant honors.
Byeong Hun An top Asian (+500)
Byeong Hun An was 16th in last year’s Masters and found form on the Florida swing, finishing eighth at Bay Hill then 16th at the Valspar Championship. Market rivals Sunjae Im and Tom Kim have both played well in the Masters but are out of form for their latest attempts.
