The foolproof guide to finding a winner at this years Masters

The greatest show on fairway — we try to find you a winner at this year’s Masters by looking at the main contenders from each corner of the world.

We don’t need some long, convoluted introductory paragraph about Augusta. It’s the dream — the golden gates for the vast majority of golf fans on earth. Only a small proportion of us will ever get to see it in the flesh, even fewer lucky enough to take a divot out of the manicured turf.

We know how stunning, how meaningful a place and an event it is, but very few have cracked how to win here, and even fewer on how to predict and successfully back a winner. This is your official handbook on selecting your green jacket holder this year and I’m going by a continent-by-continent basis.

Golf is a particular tricky one in terms of finding a winner, given the sheer size of the field in play and how things can change with one bad shot. The main factors taken into consideration aren’t too complex; form this season, previous form in the Masters, along with the greatest of all rationales: a hunch.

Disclaimer: don’t listen to me.

Britain & Ireland

My geographic knowledge isn’t that brutal; I know it’s not a continent, but Europe is far too broad on the golfing map. Albeit at a relatively short 8/1, who else can you recommend but Rory McIlroy. He’s only played four events this season so far on the PGA Tour, placing consistently with three top 10s and one top 25. His Masters form — bar his implosion in 2011 — is impressively consistent also, placing inside the top ten in the last three years.

I like that he’s keeping a lower profile than usual in the build up, and as he growing in patience, strategic capability and coolness — all traits required to tame Augusta. Yes, the pressure of completing the Grand Slam will always be present, but I don’t think it’s as big a factor as in previous years.

As is often the case with Rory, and as is always the case when it comes to the Masters’ champion, is he putts well, he’ll probably win it. If it’s raining, and the greens slow down a little, all the better. A conservative, predictable pick, but worth considering as always.

Europe

It’s tempting to go for a rank outsider here, but we’ve gone for a near household name instead — the big Swede, Henrik Stenson.

One of the most consistent players on the European Tour, he won his maiden Major title at last years’ Open, and in truth, has peaked in terms of his golf game and in terms of physical preparation in the last few years. He’s started slowly this year, but similarly to McIlroy, he’s only played three events and is definitely shaping his schedule to peak for the Majors — and the Masters is no exception.

And at 33/1, he’s a fairly good price for the calibre of player you’re dealing with. His best Masters finish is T14 in 2014 and he’s been in the top 25 for the last five years. If he’s in the hunt come Sunday he’ll have the killer instinct to finish the job.

North America

A ridiculously broad category, and difficult to narrow down, but through my uncompromising sources we’ve gone with Brandt Snedeker. He’s come close several times — his refreshingly quick, no-nonsense putting stroke almost getting him over the line in 2013 and 2016, where he placed T6 and T10 respectively.

At 50/1, the bookies know he’s well capable of being in and around the top when the sh*t hits the fan on Sunday afternoon. Currently ranked in the top 40 for putting stats this season, this is where he’ll win it or lose it.

Asia

Hideki Matsuyama is the obvious choice here, but his putting stroke on the glacier-like surfaces at Augusta could be his downfall. I’ve gone for a cheeky selection here — another Japanese player — Hideto Tanihara. Currently 5th on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai rankings list, Tanihara is definitely worth a few shillings as a rank outsider bet at 250/1, purely given his fearless style and his 2017 form, where he’s amassed nearly $600,000 in prize money in three events.

He’s only ever played in the Masters once — in 2007 — and there’s no denying he’s a mad shout, but the Masters has sprung bigger surprises in the past..

South America

While everyone’s favourite Spiderman impersonator and bodybuilding enthusiast Camillo Villegas is tempting to go for, it’s the equally charismatic Jhonnatan Vegas we’ve selected here. In my book, any man 175/1 and actually named Johnny Vegas is worthy of having a Euro or two chalked down for them.

He’s coming into good form of late and has had two top 10s and five top 25s. Winning the Masters usually takes the form of four freakishly unpredictable consistent rounds linked together, why should it not happen for the Venezuelan stalwart? His key strength is scrambling from around the green. He’s in the top 60 for scrambling in general, and number one coming from the fringe with a remarkable 100% record so far this season. He’s also in the top five for club head speed, so he’s a big hitter which is essential for hacking around Augusta’s 7,500+ yards of countryside. An outsider, sure, but it’s the theater of dreams.

Africa

The South African contingent have been unusually quiet recently, Charl Schwartzel was the last Springbok to claim the title in 2011. But the element of surprise suits them nicely, Schwartzel and Trevor Immelman before him in 2008 claimed the green jacket with little to no build up prior to the event, and we reckon that approach will suit Louis Oosthuizen just fine.

He’s had a top three, top 10 and three top 25s so far this year, and is one of the most consistent players off the tee around today, ranking 6th in total driving efficiency. He likes Augusta — top 25 the last three years and coming runner up in 2012, which included a famous albatross on the second. At 50/1, he’s a no drama, no fuss operator who is definitely worth considering if you’re to have a dabble this weekend.

Australia

To wrap up our continental journey, our Australian selection is the 3rd best player on earth, Jason Day. He came third in 2013 and tied for 10th last year. He’s one of the most consistent players in the game and as a result, 20/1 isn’t a surprising offer.

He’s ranked overall 3rd in the “around the green” stats, and one-putts 40.74% of the time. Not bad stats to have going into the tournament. Of course on the other hand, his off-the-green issues may affect him at such a momentous tournament — but Day is a resolute guy and will be laser-focused to make this a special week for him and his family.