2021 Masters First Round: PGA Tour Matchup Bets, Odds, Predictions 4/8/21
April 8, 2021 8:00 am EDT
This Thursday, the PGA Tour presents the first round of the 2021 Masters.
Before I discuss my favorite matchup bets for the first round of the 2021 Masters let’s take a look at the current leaders in first round scoring average on the PGA Tour.
Here is a list of the top ten ranked golfers in first round scoring average on the PGA Tour that are in this week’s 2021 Masters field with that player’s average first round score this season.
1 Patrick Cantlay 68.10
2 Patrick Reed 68.22
3 Cameron Smith 68.64
4 Webb Simpson 68.80
5 Joaquin Niemann 68.83
6 Jon Rahm 69.00
7 Scottie Scheffler 69.14
8 Jason Kokrak 69.15
9 Brian Harman 69.29
10 Xander Schauffele 69.30
Now let’s shift our focus to my favorite second round matchup bets for the 2021 Masters.
Patrick Cantlay +110 over Matthew Fitzpatrick
Cantlay has four top 15 finishes in his last five events played on the PGA Tour, including a second place result at the American Express in January.
In relation to this week’s current listed 2021 Masters field, in the last 12 rounds played on the PGA Tour, Cantlay ranks tenth in strokes gained approach, sixth in strokes gained ball striking, and fourth in GIR (greens in regulation).
Paul Casey +100 over Daniel Berger
Paul Casey arrives at this year’s Masters in outstanding form. Casey has four consecutive top ten finishes on the PGA Tour, including a fifth place result at the Players Championship last month. It should also be noted that Casey fired a first round 65 at the 2020 Masters.
In relation to this week’s current listed 2021 Masters field, in the last 12 rounds played on the PGA Tour, Casey ranks fourth in strokes gained approach, seventh in strokes gained tee to green, ninth in birdie or better percentage, and 14th in GIR (greens in regulation).
Jon Rahm -106 over Rory McIlroy
Rahm has six top 13 finishes in his last seven events played on the PGA Tour, including a seventh place result at the 2020 Masters. Unfortunately, Rory McIlroy has not been playing good golf lately. Let me be more specific. McIlroy has missed the cut in two of his last four events played on the PGA Tour.
