Experience matters more at the Masters than at any other tournament in golf.
It’s not just because Augusta National features a unique layout, with its massive greens, changes in level, and penal second-cut, but it’s also because of the pressure that comes with playing in one of the most famous competitions in all of professional sports.
It’s no wonder that only three debutants, and none since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979, have won the Green Jacket.
And it’s not just about avoiding rookies and circling any player who has played this iconic track a few times. A positive experience is crucial at this tournament. Whether you’re betting or playing in your local bar’s Masters pool, it is imperative to target players who have shown they can handle the rigors that Augusta throws at them.
The trends back it up.
Eight of the last 10 winners at Augusta had played at least three Masters, and nine of the last 12 champions had previously carded a top-5 finish. The only recent winner to really come from nowhere was Danny Willett, who was aided by some peculiar weather when he took home the Green Jacket in 2016.
Some obvious names fit these trends. We know that Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Jon Rahm have an illustrious history at Augusta National.
But some sleepers in this field also fit the bill.
We’ll focus on those under-the-radar players to help you unearth some potential gems.
Patrick Reed (35/1)
Love him or hate him, you have to admit that Reed is an Augusta savant.
After missing the cut in two of his first four Masters, the 35-year-old has turned Magnolia Lane into his personal playground.
The 2018 champion has finished T12 or better in six of his last eight outings at Augusta National, including a third-place finish in 2025 and a T4 in 2023.
Collin Morikawa (35/1)
In the midst of a bounce-back season, Morikawa now heads to a place that clearly suits his game.
The two-time major champion posted a T3 in 2024, has finished inside the top-10 in half of his six trips to Augusta, and has finished T18 or better in his last five Masters.
Morikawa has been dealing with a back injury, but if he’s given a clean bill of health, he has every chance to contend.
Betting on golf?
Hideki Matsuyama (37/1)
Matsuayama is a Masters champion, but that’s just part of the story.
He’s only missed one cut in 14 starts at the Masters (2014), and his average finishing position since then is 16th.
Jason Day (80/1)
One of the most experienced players in this field, Jason Day, is about to embark on his 14th trip down Magnolia Lane. It’s been a pretty pleasant journey for the Aussie.
Although he’s yet to win a Green Jacket, Day has come awfully close. He was a runner-up on debut in 2011, finished third in 2013, and earned three more top-10 finishes since then, including a T8 in 2025.
Corey Conners (85/1)
This will be the Canadian’s seventh trip to Augusta as a professional (he missed the cut as an amateur in 2015), and in that span, he’s posted four top-10 finishes, including a T8 in 2025.
Conners has yet to crack the top-5 at the Masters, but he’s posted a pair of T6s.
Cameron Smith (100/1)
Smith is an intriguing option this week. He’s been in the wilderness since joining LIV in 2022, but there was a time not that long ago when it seemed like a sure thing that Cam Smith would win a Green Jacket.
He has a runner-up (2020) and a third-place finish (2022), as part of five top-10s in nine starts at Augusta.
His form is tough to digest, but his course history and massive odds make him worthy of at least being on your shortlist.
Sungjae Im (110/1)
Something about Augusta clearly agrees with Im.
The 27-year-old put together one of the best Augusta debuts in decades when he finished T2 behind Dustin Johnson in 2020, and he proved it was not a fluke with two more top-8 finishes (2022, 2025).
Im carries some strong current form with him to Georgia. He just finished T4 at the Valspar Championship at the end of March.
All odds provided by bet365 Sportsbook.
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
