OT - Masters week, Fantasy Golf talk
It is masters week and I'm sure there are people on the board who play in pools and fantasy golf type events for the majors. Who does everyone like this week to win at Augusta ?
Prominent figures and their odds are as follows:
Dustin Johnson - 5/1
Jordan Spieth - 13/2
Rory Mcilroy - 8/1
Jason Day 31/2
Phil Mickelson - 17/1
Jon Rahm - 18/1
Rickie Fowler - 18/1
Adam Scott - 35/1
Bubba Watson - 35/1
Jimmy Walker - 85/1
Danny Willett( Defending Champ) - 125/1
I love The Masters.
I wish I could get into golf. I know people get stoked for the Masters, but I've just never found it to be an exciting sport. Maybe its stems from all the frustration I had when I tried to learn how to play when I was younger.
I am 35, but did not really get into watching golf until around 2010. It's one of the most difficult sports in the world, so I have come to appreciate that.
The game is so god damn hard, I am in complete awe to watch people who can be so good at it.
Same deal. The game is ridiculously hard and to see people dominate a course is pretty cool. I have played since I was 18. I was at my best ~11 years ago when I played twice a week and went to the driving range 3-4 days a week (kids loved it so I hug out with them and got my practice time in). I regularly shot 78-84 with my best round ever a 74.
I'm about an 8 handicap myself. It's difficult to know that I can do things on a golf course that many other people can't do, but at the same time play with people who will kick the shit out of me every time I play them.
I gave up trying to get better because I started having less fun, when that happens what's the point?
Instead I try to relax, and have a nice walk. I would like to break 70 at least once in my life though.
I have never heard it referred to quite as accurately as you just stated. I am about a 14 handicap but only have time to play 8-10 rounds a year. I have a 2 and 4 year old and my wife and I both work full time Monday-Friday so trying to get out more than once every 2-3 weeks during the summer is difficult. I wish I could be more selfish and dedicate more time to the game to improve but it just isn't in the cards.
Understandable. I tried playing when I was younger and I could just never grasp it. The most frustrating part about it is that the game looks so easy. Take a big club and whack a stationary ball tee'd up for you. But out of all the sports I played, this one was easily the toughest. By the time I'd take my fourth or fifth swing, I would get so flustered that I'd lose focus, and of course at that point there's no way you're going to hit that ball anywhere beyond 10 yards.
I respect the game of golf, and all the physical/mental preparation that has to go into mastering it. I personally just don't get much excitement out of it. But to each their own, of course.
I also appreciate how difficult golf is, but my favorite tournaments are when the players struggle to get negative scores. I love watching the decisions and risks that these amazingly focused athletes make when the going is tough. The British Open is my favorite major.
I watch the Masters more for the idyllic scenery than the demanding competition.
at 6am.
I hate that because I cannot watch live. I mean, I suppose I could if I were to not go to work or stream while at the office, but I don't feel the need to do that for that specific tournament. The only tournament I am willing to take off from work is The Masters. Go figure, too, because that tournament feloniously has the least amount of television coverage. The archaic dinosaurs running that tournament need to stop that shit right now. The tournament that most people want to watch the most gets the least coverage. I understand why they do it, but don't agree with it. I'd love to watch The Masters from start to finish.
I like him. I think there should be a daily golf post like there is for soccer.
I also always throw some money at one of the Asian golfers. Maybe Tanihara this year.
EDIT: I like Na at 160
Pieters is listed at 65/1. He is the 24th listed player. Too high for me personally. Also, I don't know your guidelines for your Asian golfer, but Na is American.
is American. I like his odds.
odds for Phil. I thought Spieth would be the favorite too.
Tough to go against DJ. He has been on an absolute tear. Has won 3 straight tournaments and has been top 6 in 7 of his last 8.
disagreeing with him at 5:1, I think they will both be there on Sunday. I guess the odds will change as the money starts flowing in. DJ's odds might actually go up.
I'll play a hunch on Phil. He's played a lot in the early season and he's fared very well. He has tremendous experience on the golf course, which typically rewards older players more than most modern courses. They are expecting high winds the first two days which should reward somebody who can scramble around those diabolical greens. One vote for Lefty.
Anyways I always love the Masters. It's my ceremonial beginning of spring and the tournament has become almost a Holy Grail for the players. There's a mythology to the place that is absolutely unique in sports. And when you win you are in the club for life. Nothing like it.
as a pick not among the usual suspects. Zach Johnson showed a few years ago that a shorter hitter can win at Augusta by naling his wedge shots close and great putting. That would have to be Snedeker's formula as well.
Zach won because the weather made it tough for the bombers - remember that his winning score of +1 is tied for the highest winning score in history. It's looking like Thursday and Friday will be chilly and windy, which does favor the short guys. However, the weekend is going to be warm and relatively wind-free, so the long hitters should be able to feast if they can survive the first two days.
I like Rory this year. If he can avoid the 74 he usually has on Thursday or Friday of every tournament the past year or so he could run away with it. It's hard to bet against DJ the way he's playing but Rory treats The Masters the same way Tiger did. He wants it so bad, loves the course and it suits his game well. I just want to see a final pairing with 2 of Rory, DJ, Speith and Day on Sunday!
I also like Rory. For whatever reason, he is the guy flying under the radar this year. People are rightfully talking about DJ because of his recent success, and Spieth, because he plays so well at Augusta, but Rory has been very good recently, and when he is at his best, he is best in the world.
I want to see just one tournament (hopefully this week) where you get Rory, DJ and Speith all having their A game. I fully believe Rory and DJ are 1a and 1b when they have their best game. They can shrink a course like no one else and when you pair that with great wedge play it is incredible to watch. I put Speith just behind those 2 because he doesn't quite have a power they possess. If Rory putts well this week I think he wins by 2-3 strokes.
Windy conditions on Thursday and Friday, similar to how it played last year. I would make some picks based on the guys that were able to hold up and finish strong last year, save Danny Willett who has not been on form this year.
Europeans typically tend to do better in the wind I believe.
Jim Nantz is a keen observer of the human condition.
Fantasy golf?
Draftkings, Fantasy Draft, Fanduel, etc. I also know some people who do a full league.
FanDuel gave me a free entry last week and I used Rotogrinders to make a line up. Turned it into $8... Doubt it will be that easy this week, but what the heck? I'll need something after the NBA and before NFL to scratch the DFS itch. Tried baseball and that shit is just way too random.
First time at the Masters. Do recommend. Was incredible. Rain cut the day short but was still a dream come true. If you can ever manage to go, GO!! We got in right when the gates opened and headed straight to Amen Corner. We were lucky that Jason Day just happened to be the first guy through (with Sandy Lyle and a young Japanese golfer, Ikeda). We watched Day promptly hit an 8 iron into the creek on 12. He took a second ball and hit it stiff taking another club (caddy error). On 13, Day easily got home in 2 with an iron. And even 1988 winner Sandy Lyle, using a fairway wood or hybrid reached the green in two. Most of you are probably saying Who Cares? That's ok. Augusta National is permanently etched into my brain. TV doesn't do this place justice. Hope I can go back soon. Extra funny moment. Going to the Hooters and seeing John Daly signing autographs in front of his trailer.
Going to the Masters is definitely very high up on my bucket list. I have spoke to a few people that have gone and they said the same thing about TV just nt doing the course justice. I have been putting my name in the draw every year for the past 5 years or so but no luck yet. Hoping that I get lucky in the next few years and can take my dad. I'm sure it would be a trip we will never forget!
is my bet until he finishes worse than 2nd.
Soren Kjeldson 175-1
Raback it.
Goes along with the thought above the shorter players can still make a run at augusta. The problem is, him, or brandt, ZJ have to be perfect to even be in it.
Bad weatherr on Thrusday and Friday opens up the field.
I would love to see Rickie win. I'm not sure Mcilroy will ever putt well enough to win there. Rahm can do anything he wants with a golf ball, it sure is fun to watch.
You can never count out Bubba just because this course is tailor made for him, and he has so much imagination with his short game.
I'm just hoping the weather doesn't mess with my favorite television event of the year.
If you ever get a chance to go to the Masters, drop everything you're doing and go. The entire place is a post card, the people treat you like you are members, and the concessions are cheap/quick/awesome.
and I wouldn't mind seeing Fowler win either
But I am really rooting for Matt Kuchar. Great guy by all accounts and one of the top 4 players to have yet to win a major IMO (along with DJ, Rickie and Sergio)
DJ won last year.
DJ won the US open last year
Jason Day is a weird one because he fell off the back half of last year and then lost his mother. That money isn't good enough for me to lay $ on him. I thought I was being really innovative and pickign John Rahm but he looks like this years bryson dechambeau but with worse payout numbers
She has lung cancer but is still above ground.
I would not compare Rahm and Dechambeau. Rahm has actually done something... I have never understood the Bryson hype. His arrogance in thinking he can change how things are done in golf annoys me. I'm glad his stupid putting stroke that he switched to this year has got him to a whopping 194th place on tour in SG putting. Sorry, I just needed to rant about that guy.
I'm only comparieng them from a betting line perspective. bryson became the hot pick last year and it drove his numbers up when you knew it was unlikely. Rahm I believe is for real, but not yet
I like to sit my ass on the couch and watch Masters Sunday in its entirety. Masters Saturday has come to be the best nap of the year for me every single year. Something about Jim Natntz' croning on about the beauty of the grounds just gets me.