Here, in the piece headlined “2024 Masters sleeper picks to watch: Here’s who might break out at Augusta,” you won’t find Scottie Scheffler or Jon Rahm or Rory McIlroy or Brooks Koepka. Their odds to win are too good. We’ll be digging deeper.
Tied for Sixth at The Players Championship
Grayson Murray, +40,000, is a sleeper pick to watch at this year’s Masters. Grayson has won this year and drives it well. Looking at his most-recent results, he closed out The Players with a Sunday 64, and considering his odds, we think this is a great little pick.
Strong Performances at Augusta
Rickie Fowler, +8,000, hasn’t played great this year, but he’s always performed well at Augusta with five top-12 finishes. This is his first Masters in four years, and maybe, just maybe, some day he’s going to win the big one. Logic says it might be on a course he’s got more familiarity with than about three-fourths of the field.
Favorable Fit for Augusta
Byeong Hun An, +15,000, has been playing some great golf this season, and his game is a great fit for Augusta. He absolutely bombs the ball off the tee and has the short game to work with the slopes around Augusta. If he has an above-average putting week, he will have a chance. Another intriguing option is Si Woo Kim, +10,000. He’s played well to start the year, posting elite approach and around the green numbers. He could improve his chances by snapping the putter and moving to the 3-wood earlier in the week this time.
Rising Ryder Cupper
Nicolai Hojgaard, +15,000, is a rising star and a sleeper pick at 150-1 odds. He’s got ball-striking prowess for days and believes he’ll leave Augusta National with a green jacket. For six times the odds of fellow Masters rookie Ludvig Aberg, we like it. And if you’re looking for comatose sleepers, look no further than Adrian Meronk.
Underdogs with Potential
Erik van Rooyen, +15,000, may be available at this price because he’s been so bad in major championships. But he’s a different player now! For bonus picks, gimme Stephan Jaeger and Si Woo Kim (both at 100-1), Ben An (150-1) plus Harris English (125-1) and let’s throw some darts.
A Magical Story
Gary Woodland, +25,000, is still working his way back after having major surgery last year. However, isn’t Augusta where magic happens? There wouldn’t be a better story than to see the 39-year-old shock the golf world by earning his first-ever green jacket. Plus, he’s already a major champ, having won the 2019 U.S. Open, and he had his best-ever finish at the Masters last year (T14).
Emerging Talent
Nick Dunlap, +25,000, and last year’s U.S. Amateur champion, is a prodigious newcomer who is expected to play his way into the final group, just like amateur Sam Bennett did last year. Many believe it’s not a question of if Dunlap wins a green jacket, but when.
Underrated Performers
Keegan Bradley, +17,500, has odds that are just silly. Criminal. He’s eager to prove himself as a major champ once again. Although he hasn’t recorded a top-10 at the Masters, he’s only missed the cut once in seven tries. Another intriguing pick is Corey Conners, +6,600, who had three consecutive top 10s at the Masters before missing the cut last year. He has a habit of making runs up the leaderboard in big events.
Strokes Gained: Tee to Green
Si Woo Kim, +10,000, has performed well in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green on the PGA Tour. With a hot putter for four days, he could make a strong showing at Augusta.
Against Conventional Wisdom
Russell Henley, +8,000, has played exceptional golf under the radar for the past 12 months. Ranked 15th by DataGolf, he tied for fourth at Augusta last year. Nicolai Hojgaard, +15,000, is another sleeper pick defying conventional wisdom that first-timers should be avoided at the Masters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How were these sleeper picks chosen?
Our staff carefully analyzed the performance and suitability of each player for Augusta National, taking into account their recent performance, previous Masters results, and specific skills that make them a potential dark horse.
Are these picks guaranteed to win?
No, these picks are sleeper selections with higher odds of winning. While they have shown potential and possess the necessary skills, golf is inherently unpredictable, and anything can happen at the Masters.
Can these sleeper picks upset the favorites?
It’s possible! History has shown that underdogs can surprise everyone and outperform the favorites. The beauty of golf lies in its unpredictability, and that’s what makes the Masters such a thrilling event.
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