Ahead of the Masters, let’s take a deep dive into why the big hitters do the best at Golf’s most prestigious tournament.
Who is expected to win the Masters?
The golfing nation is set to unite once again at the Augusta National Golf club for a huge week of the Masters. Tiger Woods is making his long awaited return following a serious leg injury he received in a car accident in 2021.
Woods could level Jack Nicklaus’ record of six Green Jackets with a Masters win.
However, pundits expect it’ll be Scottie Scheffler’s year as the 27-year-old continues his spectacular form. Jon Rahm is also in contention as he looks to become the first back-to-winner since Woods in 2002.
Rory Mcllroy boosted his chances of securing his first Masters win as he clocked in at second place in the power ranking of the PGA Tour.
Scheffler delighted the TPC Sawgrass crowd with an amazing 82-yard Eagle back in March. It’s the big hitters that do the best at the Masters but why is that?
Why does the Masters favour the big hitters?
The course layout and distance of Augusta National is par-72 and it plays a huge factor with the big hitters. The long fairways and well-positioned hazards mean that players have the advantage of being able to get to the green in less strokes on longer holes because they can drive the ball farther off the tee.
On the par-5 side of the course, Augusta National has several holes where players can reach the green with two shots. This gives big hitters the opportunity to unleash their power, potentially setting up eagles or birdie opportunities.
On the second shots of the round, big players often face an approach shot into the green. This gives them the advantage of having shorter wedges for the second shot, as it increases the accuracy and control of the ball.
This advantage is especially important on par-4’s and par 5’s as it’s usually from around 450-710 yards which requires a powerful shot.
Augusta National’s doglegs and shot shaping give players an advantage. The fairway can bend left or right at Augusta National, and big players who can shape shots gain a huge advantage. As it allows them to position themselves well for the following shot and avoid trouble.
While distance is important, accuracy is just as important. Players need to balance power with precision. A good putter and an explosive short game are keys to success at Augusta.
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