The Valero Texas Open this past week in San Antonio was overtaken on the weekend by hellacious winds as Brian Harman held on to pick up his third PGA Tour victory, his first since winning the 2023 Open Championship. He led the field in strokes gained on approach and ranked sixth in strokes gained putting, which will get the job done at most places. There were a few guys on his heels looking to sneak into the field at Augusta, but scoring conditions were too brutal for anyone to make a meaningful push.
We now arrive at arguably the greatest event in sports, but certainly in the golf world: The Masters Tournament. This will be the 89th playing of this historic championship, and it is as rich with storylines as any golf nut could want. Many of the world's top players have rounded nicely into form over the last few weeks between the traditional places to play and the LIV circuit, which also has a handful of guys competing this week. It is a tradition unlike any other, and with that tradition comes some of the most robust history of any tournament played all year.
Horse For The Course is an article highlighting players in this week's field with elite course history and is part of our free PGA DFS content here at RotoBaller. For some of the favorite DFS plays of the week, check out the Core Four article written by my buddy, Joe Nicely, here at RotoBaller every Wednesday. It's part of our amazing PGA Premium package that includes an all-new PGA Research Station, Lineup Builder & Optimizer, and some of the best articles in the PGA DFS industry! You can sign up now using the Promo Code TDG for an extra discount at checkout!
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2025 Masters Tournament
The feel at this year's Masters—while elegant as ever—will be noticeably different for those on the ground due to the damage sustained around the property by Hurricane Helene roughly six months ago. While the fit and finish of Augusta National will remain, the noticeable thinning of trees from last year's event is evident around the entire property.
TV coverage likely won't do it justice, but players may find that possible sightlines and judging wind speed/direction will be different in 2025 than in years past.
Many eyes will be on Rory McIlroy come Thursday, as the Northern Irishman has undoubtedly been the hottest player through the early part of the season. Picking up wins at Pebble Beach and TPC Sawgrass already, capturing a green jacket is the missing piece to what has already been a hall-of-fame career.
His struggles around this property have been well-documented. However, amongst all the anguish, there have been inspiring bits of play. Enough to assume he can win here so long as his mind (and putter) cooperate.
For many other notable names, injury will be a topic of discussion leading into the opening round. Tiger is obviously not here, given the recent news of a ruptured achilles, but other big names, like Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele, have also had their fair share of health concerns this season.
Scheffler has been more candid about his struggles since cutting his hand over the Christmas holidays, but has continued to make starts. However, the X-Man has not logged nearly as many reps, and his condition coming into the week is a little more unknown.
No matter what, this is the best week of the year for golf fans, and I'll be glued to a screen for four continuous days to see what happens.
You can find out who the smart money is on by checking out Spencer Aguiar's PGA DFS: Vegas Report every week. And be sure to read our other top-notch weekly PGA DFS articles and Player News/Matchup Outlook Posts to help you win big!
Augusta National
🚨📸⛳️ #PHOTOS — Drone imagery captured on September 28th shows the damage done to Augusta National Golf Club in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene (via @ed_bodenhamer) pic.twitter.com/ynCNrN4XLp
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) October 17, 2024
Par 72 - 7,555 | Greens: Bentgrass | Designed By: Alister Mackenzie & Bobby Jones
There is likely nothing I can say about Augusta National that people don't know. This is the most recognizable course on the planet and has one of the highest predictive course history records of any course on tour. A common DFS/betting strategy for success is just picking guys who have performed well here through the years; it usually never disappoints.
First-timers have begun finding success, with Ludvig Aberg being a prime example last year.
Even with some of the lengthening changes in recent years, the methodical approach to scoring at ANGC remains the same: find a couple of birdies on the front nine, survive holes 10-12, make a move on holes 13-16, and hold things together on 18. It's a timeless recipe that continues to be the pinnacle of professional golf.
Putting at Augusta is always diabolical, and like last season, this week will be the first test on bentgrass greens for these players this year. This diminishes the importance of looking at current putting stats because players who haven't necessarily had things going in the right direction with the flat stick can easily flip the script here.
Instead, strokes gained around the green, GIR%, and par-5 scoring are key points of emphasis.
Recent Masters Winners
- 2024: Scottie Scheffler (-11)
- 2023: Jon Rahm (-12)
- 2022: Scottie Scheffler (-10)
- 2021: Hideki Matsuyama (-10)
- 2020: Dustin Johnson (-20
The Horse
Scottie Scheffler
- Notable Finishes: 1st ('22 & '24)
Does this surprise anyone? Good. There hasn't been another player as good around Augusta National as Scottie Scheffler in recent years. He's won two of the last three green jackets, and there'd be no surprise seeing him in the mix again this time around.
Everything is falling in line for the former Texas Longhorn to capture another victory, although the stellar short game that's won him this title twice hasn't been as sharp in recent events. However, the inspiring nature around this property can do wonders for someone's mental focus, especially with memories as grand as he's experienced.
To say he's an overwhelming favorite this year is a stretch, but he's definitely the one player who will command everyone's attention.
The Ponies
Will Zalatoris
- Notable Finishes: 2nd ('21), T6 ('22), T9 ('24)
Will Zalatoris Masters futures: pic.twitter.com/HpxmrdWr4d
— RB (@RBaroff427) March 14, 2025
Will Zalatoris may not have the number of rounds under his belt that many players have, but he's found form at Augusta in all three previous starts. Measured over the last 12 rounds at AGNC, the former Demon Deacon ranks fifth in the field in strokes gained putting (+0.84) and seventh off the tee (+0.76).
His game shows up in all facets, though, as he ranks third in total strokes gained (+2.54).
His putting and short game have been a roller coaster this season, but he's been consistently strong in this area once he strolls down Magnolia Lane.
Collin Morikawa
- Notable Finishes: T3 ('24), 5th ('22)
Collin Morikawa ...
• Leads the world in SG approach in 2025.
• Leads the world in SG ball-striking in 2025.
• Leads the world in SG tee to green in 2025.
• Leads the world in SG overall in 2025.
• Is one of two players to finish in the Masters top 10 each of the last 3…— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterNS) April 2, 2025
It took a couple of tries before Collin Morikawa learned how to plot his way around Augusta National, but he has figured it out in recent years, turning in finishes of 5th-T10-T3 over the last three starts. In those 12 rounds, he's averaging +1.14 strokes gained on approach while continuing to improve on and around the green.
It's hard to know if he has the complete game to win here, especially given his fade-biased swing. However, Morikawa's premier ball striking can almost guarantee consistent placement finishes.
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Jon Rahm
- Notable Finishes: 1st ('23), 4th ('18), T5 ('21)
Jon Rahm has made 3 birdies in his first 6 holes to take a share of the lead at LIV Golf Miami. The 2023 Masters Champion is getting in form just in time for Augusta next week 👀 pic.twitter.com/PGv0tIEh7s
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) April 6, 2025
It was a disappointing defense last year for Jon Rahm, who was in the middle of being scrutinized for jumping to LIV at that time. Now that the dust has settled and things are more focused on golf than financial decisions, look for the Spaniard to perform much better this year.
Looking at the last 36 recorded rounds at Augusta, Rahm's 32 rounds during that time rank third in the field in total strokes gained average (+1.97). His driver has been the main contributor, averaging +1.05 strokes gained off the tee, but he also ranks inside the top 25 in all the other strokes gained metrics.
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