This article is part of our FantasyDraft PGA series.
The Masters
Augusta, GA
Augusta National Golf Club – Par 72, 7,435 yards
Winner's share – $1.8 million
The Preview
The Masters...enough said. This is the greatest time of year for most golf fans, being the first major of the season and an event like no other. So much tradition and so much excitement is placed into one week of golf. This year looks to be as dramatic as ever with Jordan Spieth returning to the scene of the crime and Dustin Johnson, the dominating world number one, coming off three wins in a row. Then there is Jason Day, the former world number one who is getting his first start since receiving some encouraging news regarding his mother's health. There appears there will be another significant story to affect all as well: the weather. Strong winds are expected Thursday and Friday, which will make this week's challenge even more difficult. The course is built for bombers, but the wind will move those long shots, and missing in the right places will be extremely important. Because of this, course management will be key. This will help the experienced Augusta players significantly and could make it even trickier for first-timers. That being said, there is a strong list of debutants this year who have won on Tour and seem poised to claim victory in a major.
Past Five Champions
2016 - Danny Willett
2015 - Jordan Spieth
2014 - Bubba Watson
2013 - Adam Scott
2012 - Bubba Watson
Key Stats to Winning at Augusta
• SG: Putting
• SG: Tee To Green
• SG: Off The Tee
FantasyDraft Value Picks – based on $100,000 salary cap
Dustin Johnson - $21,900 - (11/2)
Dustin has been a machine this year and currently sits No. 1 in the OWGR and the owner of three wins in a row coming in to Augusta. He was T4 at the Masters last year and T6 in 2015. Every part of his game is superb right now: he is first in strokes gained: tee to green and second in strokes gained: off the tee. There is very little risk taking DJ this week.
Rickie Fowler - $18,100 - (20/1)
It has been a strong start to the season for Fowler, whose form has been consistently good. His last three starts netted a T3, 12 and T16, and the week before he won at The Honda Classic. He has every stat needed covered for Augusta. He is 4th in SG: TTG and 9th SG: putting. His SG: Total ranks second. Fowler missed the cut last year, but came in T12 and T5 the two years prior at The Masters. He is ready to break through.
Sergio Garcia - $16,700 - (30/1)
Garcia is still looking for that first major win, and this year seems good as any. He started the year with a win at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and has continued to play well since. His recent form led him to finishes of T30 at the WGC-Dell Match Play, T12 at WGC-Mexico and T14 at the Honda Classic. Garcia is third in SG: TTG and first SG: OTT. He knows this course and has finished well here. Expect him to handle the wind.
Tyrrell Hatton - $15,600 - (50/1)
Hatton has been on fire of late. He was T17 at WGC-Dell Match Play last time out, and prior to that he finished T4, 10th and T4. He has all the skills to contend at Augusta, as he is 1st in SG: putting and 13th SG: OTT. He is, however, playing the Masters for the first time. History says it is hard for first-timers to win, but Hatton has the form and stats to do something special.
Matthew Fitzpatrick - $15,400 - (60/1)
Another European, Fitzpatrick is returning to Augusta, where he placed T7 last year. He has very good recent form with a T17 at WGC Match Play, T13 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and T16 at WGC Mexico. He doesn't check all the boxes we are looking for stat-wise, but has shown he can get it done at Augusta and his putting is fierce this year: he currently sits fourth in SG: putting.
Marc Leishman - $15,300 - (60/1)
Leishman is playing great golf. He was T9 at WGC Match Play in his last event and the week prior he won at The Arnold Palmer Invitational with a stellar Sunday. Leishman has been solid all season really. He has some missed cuts at the Masters, but did have a T4 in 2013. Leishman is coming to Augusta with good vibes and superb putting, as he ranks third in SG: putting. He is well worth the price.
