Here we are, the first major of the year! This is probably the first real major in the post COVID era. You know we are in for something special when this is the menu at the champion's dinner:



Obviously, the big story is the return of Tiger Woods. He's overcome numerous injuries, a spinal fusion, pill addiction, sex addiction (lol, we all know that's not real), and some occasional douchebaggery. The big question is can he walk 72 holes around this very walking unfriendly course after a horrific car accident where he almost lost a leg? I attended the Monday and Tuesday practice rounds in 2017, and my calves were pretty damn sore afterward. But this is the guy who won a US Open on a broken leg, so I'm not counting him out.



Our defending champion is dealing with an injury, so his chances don't seem so good. But who can forget his caddy on 18 last year?



The favorites:

Jon Rahm +1000
His caddy is a guy I played junior and high school golf against. He was a legit head case (although a way better player than me), who is now the voice of reason for the former world #1.



Justin Thomas +1400
Who can forget this incredible interview from a few years ago?



Dustin Johnson +1600
Former Masters champion who when he is taking a break from cocaine is plowing the hell out of Wayne Gretsky's hot daughter. How can you not respect a guy who ****s hot babes, is one of the best golfers in the world and likes to party?



Of course we will all miss Phil, who lost his mind earlier this year and will soon be teeing it up in the Bonesaw Open (a traditional truly like any other)


Let's get this on!

I'm a sports betting fish, but here is what I have:

A+ OP

Really would like cross posting of the Wagyu to the OOT Steak thread.

love Cam Smith this week

Feels like trying to guess the winner is a total crapshoot. Probably 20 guys with a legit chance.

In terms of betting value I feel like Sam Burns and Fitzpatrick are good value plays.

I also took a flyer on Bubba. Not much form but 90-1 on a guy with 2 green jackets is too good to pass up.

In terms of who I actually think will win, boring pick but I like Scheffler. Hits it high, good tee to green, hottest player on the planet right now.

Under the radar guy who has played sneaky good at Augusta recently: Kevin Na

Interesting DK bet, total score to win O/U 278.5

I like the under. Course may be soft with the rain, and the last 4 winners have all been 10-under or better.

I'm thinking the wind/cold won't be as bad as 2008 when Zach won at +1, but probably worse than 2000 when Vijay won at -10. The course is obv more difficult now so those scores are somewhat relative. Also, one needs to consider any "sympathy" the tourney organizers may have in staging.

I'm leaning towards guys who can deal with a higher level of adversity than a normal Masters. I really like Hovland, who grinds more than any player and has shown he can stay in contention even after making big numbers. Reed may have some value also but his game seems to be less than ready. Na is an interesting pick, as he will likely take a different path than the big hitters, like Zach in 2008.

Leishman might be the best wind player in the field and his odds have come down a bit. Of the chalk guys Sheffler probably has the best value. Tiger will likely be lurking and waiting to take advantage of others' mistakes.

Shaping up to be another epic tournament.

Hate Hovland if the thesis is that it's going to be windy and difficult.

He's an awful scrambler, I like him much more when it's going to be "See Target, Hit Target".

couldn't disagree more on Fitz. 26 major starts and only one top-10 to show for his efforts.

True his majors performance has not been good. Basing it more on recent form. Bunch of top 10s this season including T5 at the Valspar.

He's also 4th in scoring avg. and #1 on the entire tour in SG:Total for the year so far. At 55-1 in a limited field with a bunch of old-timers with no chance, I think he's a decent wager. I've been burned on him before in majors though, he could just be one of those guys who plays better when the pressure is off.

A club pro once said my slice was ‘epic’.

Hideki puts me in good company.

Oh man that looks good!

The Masters does everything right

OP with the first birdie of the tournament.

A thread unlike any other!

I thought I read someplace that the previous year's winner pays for the Champion's dinner. That menu must have set Hideki back quite a chunk of change (pretty sure he can afford it though!).

this thread is awesome

and great OP

accomplished golfer lee westwood is likely to win this tournament of golf

The sun rises in the east.

hey this isn't the Saudi league thread!

Heads will roll!

Read your post....thought no way, this can't be true. Welp, apparently it is. Guests can also order from the regular menu if they don't like Hideki's choices.

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/golf...tober8vcgempjr

Fiver each way (pays to 11th) on Cameron Champ, Sam Burns and Si Woo Kim, and 20 to win on Rory.

Let us Masters.

That's insane that they make the host pay for the dinner, not that it matters either way. The past champions better hope Kuchar never wins or they'll be eating $1.50 pimento cheese sandwiches.

Supposedly a lot of people ordered from the regular menu Sandy Lyle's year when he served haggis.

i can't blame them, but they most likely missed out on something great.
there's a wide arc on the haggis quality pendulum.