2022 Masters Tees Off Thursday
It is the week that all of us beloved golf fanatics have been waiting for… The Masters. The Masters held at Augusta National Golf Clubs is arguably the biggest tournament of the year on the PGA Tour. This year’s field is absolutely loaded with names such as Tiger Woods, John Rahm, and even Brooks Kopeka, but my personal favorite to win this year has to be the 2022 Players Champion from Australia, Cameron Smith.
There are going to be several intense tournament matchups this weekend, and the Masters never fails to put on a show. Here, we’ve highlighted some of the top matchups we’ve got our eyes on.
Let’s check the latest news, stats, injury reports, and Golf odds for the 2022 Masters. We’ve plenty of predictions for you to consider.
Cameron Smith vs Jon Rahm
Cameron Smith is having a phenomenal season so far and coming off of a huge win at TPC Sawgrass to win The Players Championship, he carries a ton of momentum into Augusta. Smith is ranked third in the FedEx Cup standings and has four top tens along with two wins already this season. Smith’s putting is by far his best part of his game ranking himself third in strokes gained putting this season.
Jon Rahm is also having a good year, but not quite like his dominant season last year. Rahm is currently ranked 17th in the FedEx Cup standings and has four top-ten finishes but has not found that first win yet. Rahm’s driver has been the most consistent club in his bag this season, ranking himself first in strokes gained off the tee.
This will be a very exciting tournament matchup, but I see Smith getting the upper hand on this one. Smith has been playing unbelievable golf this season and by already winning two events this season, I see him upsetting Rahm this weekend. Both players have played extremely well at Augusta with Rahm’s best finish being fourth and Smith’s second, but Smith’s putter is too hot to lose to the best driver on tour.
Golf betting this week has +150 on Smith and -180 for Rahm at https://www.betus.com.pa/sportsbook/
Hideki Matsuyama vs Bryson DeChambeau
Hideki Matsuyama is the defending champion coming in this weekend after winning the tournament in 2021. Matsuyama is having himself a solid season recording four top-ten finishes and two wins. Matsuyama is a well-rounded golfer and his biggest strength is his ability to hit greens in regulation, where he has ranked himself inside the top 15 for greens hit in regulation this season.
Bryson DeChambeau has had a very rocky start to his season so far. DeChambeau, who is coming off of multiple injuries, has only played in five events coming into Augusta this weekend and has only finished inside the top 15 once. He has extreme power and was the longest driver on tour last season averaging 321 yards off the tee.
“The past few weeks have been very, very difficult on me, not playing well and not hitting it anywhere near where I know I should be hitting it in regards to straight,” DeChambeau said. “Yelling ‘fore’ off the tee every time is just not fun.”
“It was a huge risk a couple of weeks ago. It was probably not one that my doctors recommended, but I decided to do so because I wanted to give [the Masters] a run.”
This should be an entertaining tournament matchup but I believe Matsuyama is going to come out on top. DeChambeau unfortunately has not played enough golf yet this season and has also not finished well at Augusta in the past. Matsuyama is trying to defend his title and with his ability to hit greens in regulation, I do not see Dechambeau defeating Matsuyama head-to-head.
Entering the weekend, Las Vegas odds have Matsuyama is listed at -135 and Dechambeau at +112.
Justin Thomas vs Scottie Scheffler
Justin Thomas is having a good season but has not found a win. Thomas has recorded five top-ten finishes so far this season along with four top-five finishes. Thomas has been incredible tee to green this season ranking himself second on tour.
Scottie Scheffler is having his best year on tour yet. Scheffler has recorded three wins and 6 top-ten finishes this season. Scheffler has found his game this season and sits in the top 10 for strokes gained this season.
This is a tournament matchup I’m very excited for, Thomas and Scheffler are both world-class golfers as they both sit in the top 15 in the FedEx Cup standings. Both players have historically finished well at Augusta but I believe Thomas’s experience, and hopefully a hot putter, will help him bring Scheffler down.
When you bet online, consider Thomas at -145 and Scheffler at +118
