The Masters Golf Picks, Tips And Guide - Augusta 2014

There's been a lot of chopping and changing in the US Masters 2014 betting market over the last few months and prices have pretty much crashed on the leading contenders following Tiger Woods' withdrawal - good news for antepost Masters' backers. This year sets up to be one of the most competitive Masters in recent history, with no real outstanding candidate, and I compiled my top 10 US Masters ratings last week....


Nicspicks' Top 10 Masters Ratings - Follow me on Twitter: @Nicspicks

1. Adam Scott; 2. Phil Mickelson; 3. Rory McIlroy; 4. Henrik Stenson; 5. Matt Kuchar; 6. Charl Schwartzel; 7; Sergio Garcia; 8. Jimmy Walker; 9. Jason Day; 10. Justin Rose

Please note that Jason Day would be fighting for my no.3 spot if it wasn't for recent back and thumb issues along with lack of competitive play - one to watch in running.

#Negatives: Bubba Watson 25; Dustin Johnson 22; P Reed; 50



The course - Augusta National; Par 72; length 7,435 yards

Key features: Pristine tree-laden terrain, generous fairways, sub-air system and multi-tiered, firm greens set to run at 13.0 on the stimp and faster, sparse rough.

Amen corner and Rae's Creek: look out for the approach at 11, and the tee shot at the par 3 12th which can break a round, especially if the wind blows

Premium on: Driving distance, approach shot accuracy, scrambling / putting from less than 10ft, Par 5 scoring

Patience and well timed aggression is the way to go around Augusta National. A lot is made about having a right to left shot shape but a combination of length and a high ball flight with the short irons is the huge advantage at The Masters. "play smart but attack when you can, u can't miss in wrong place" - David Lynn. Experience desirable but not essential as demonstrated by Thorbjorn Olesen in 2013.

Course record: 63 (Nick Price, Greg Norman)

See my full (from 2012) Masters Augusta course guide here

US Masters 2014 Picks

Pick #1: Henrik Stenson (advised antepost at 33/1)

Course form: 18-40-mc; Current form: 54-5-16

Key stats (2013): Total Driving 3rd; 1st in GIR%

Other: showed us what he can do at Augusta when -6 through 15 in round 1 2012, only to make a quad on 18 and have a 71 consigned to the records. -14 for the par 5s in last two Masters trips, including 3 eagles.

Pick #2: Matt Kuchar (advised antepost @ 40/1)

Course form: 8-3-27; Current form: 2-4-38 #progressive

Key stats : Scrambling 15th; 20th in total putting

Other: Attended college at Georgia Tech. Been working on his driving and it's beginning to show, contending strongly in both Texas events. Game is peaking at the right time.

Pick #3: Charl Schwartzel (advised Friday @ 40/1)

Course form: 25-50-1; Current form: 19-9

Key stats: averaging 300yds from the tee, 5th par 5 birdie or better (2013)

Other: One of the best in the game with long iron distance control. Has the been there - done that advantage around Augusta, making birdies in bunches in the process. New dad #nappyfactor

Pick #4: Jimmy Walker (advised Saturday @ 66/1)

Course form: n/a; Current form: 24-16-25 #simmering

Key stats: 13th in driving distance, 9th in par 5 performance and 2nd in strokes gained putting

Other: Ticks every box barring the non debutant one. Equipped with the power draw and high launch angle in his shot portfolio. 2nd round -7 in Houston says he's ready to go again.

Pick #5: Harris English (advised antepost @ 80/1)

Course form: n/a; Current form: 14-38-16

Key stats: 22nd in driving distance, 2nd in par 5 performance, 1st in GIR%

Other: Another who can hit the short irons / wedge with a high trajectory. Georgia native who despite being a debutant, has visited the Masters on numerous occasions when growing up so will be familiar with the nuances of the Augusta set up. Hole in 1 on the 12th in practice on the weekend to get the juices flowing!

Pick #6: Fran Molinari @ 150/1

Course form: mc-19-mc-30; Current strokeplay form: 40-25-5 #progressive

Key stats: n/a

Other: Becoming more and more comfortable on US soil and a player I see breaking through Stateside. Not the longest but, like Charl, excels with long iron distance control. Has plenty of Masters experience under his belt now. All about the short putting this week which held up well at the fast and firm Bay Hill.

See profit and loss spreadsheet for advised US Masters 2014 staking



Buy Me A Beer
Winning golf betting tips? If you'd like to support me with a beer or 2 from your winnings, I'd love if you Buy me a beer here, through the image, or revolut me @Bryannich

Bryan Nicholson is the pioneer of the progressive form and course fit ratings for golf betting, with the associated progressive form model and course fit profiling model. Bryan is the author of the annual course fit profiling manual and #1 golf betting book Angles & Edges.

What is expected Strokes Gained Course Fit ?

Bryan pioneered the concept of Expected Strokes Gained Course Fit (xSGF) in golf betting. xSGF can be predicted using my model below. For prospective golf betting tips it projects ahead of time how many shots a player is expected to pick up per round on average on a particular golf course. It's weighed against a neutral golf course of the same rating.

Golf Betting Tips Model

Input up to date player and course data (from the upcoming course fit manual 2024) into this interactive golf betting model. My course fit profiling model for golf betting tips uses highly evolved golf nuance and betting intuition, precise parameters and inputs based on Bayesian analysis, plus years of empirical evidence through observing, betting and documenting golf and stats.

What is Progressive Form in Golf Betting?

Progressive form in golf betting differs from current form in that players are showing a trend in the right direction in their recent scoring. Trending form has a high predictive value in golf betting and can also catch players under the radar at an inflated price vs their true betting odds.

Interactive Progressive Form Golf Betting Model



To check the latest player finishing positions for golf betting tips see the official world golf rankings and search/click a golfer. Input these numbers into the interactive golf model above, following the guide.

Best for Golf Betting



Golf Betting Tips Strategy

  1. Course fit and strokes gained in golf betting
  2. Tips: How to win betting on golf online
  3. Ryder Cup betting tips
  4. Golf Betting Tips Guides
  5. Who are the best sports handicappers?

  6. GOLF MAJORS 2024: The Masters - US PGA Championship - US Open - Open Championship