Yahoo Sports UK’s essential US Masters 2016 golf guide

Yahoo Sport UK has teamed up with Bet4Causes to bring you a preview of the 2016 US Masters at Augusta National – Calum Chinchen marks your card…

Think Magnolia Lane, Amen Corner and Green Jackets – yes, The Masters is finally upon us.

Young American Jordan Spieth set pulses racing last year, becoming the second youngest winner of the tournament and breaking numerous records in the process.

Jason Day (above) is the new world number one after his back-to-back wins at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Dell World Matchplay in February.

The Australian ended his major championship drought with a his PGA Championship win at the back end of last year – finishing three shots clear of Jordan Spieth at Whistling Straits.

While Day comes into this year’s tournament as favourite after a fine season, some of his 2016 stats are questionable, particularly from the tee. Hitting fairways is absolutely vital at Augusta, so Day backers should be more than concerned by his 2016 driving accuracy. The Queensland native has hit just 56.47% of fairways this season, ranking 164th on the PGA Tour.

Another cause for concern is Day’s fitness. The 28-year-old has suffered with a niggling back problem over the last few months and this really escalated during his win at the World Matchplay two weeks ago. Day was visibly struggling during his first-round match with Graeme McDowell – complaining of ‘searing’ back pain and almost withdrawing from the tournament that he eventually went on to win.

That said, Day does have a wonderful record at Augusta, placing in the top 20 in three of his five Masters outings. In fact, Day could have been a Masters champion in 2013. The Australian finished his final round with two bogeys in his last three holes to miss on a playoff – eventually finishing in third place.

Spieth (above) began his 2015 domination with an impressive wire-to-wire win at Augusta 12 months ago. He dominated last year’s event, breaking the record for total birdies (28) and eventually winning by four shots.

After his win at Augusta, the Dallas native went from strength to strength, claiming a second major championship at the US Open two months later, and pocketing a cool $10m by winning the season ending FedEx Cup.

While Spieth has continued his fine form in 2016 by winning the Tournament of Champions and recording three additional top 10 finishes, his game has been nowhere near as consistent as it was during the 2015 campaign.

Spieth’s approach play is lacking consistency – hitting just 64.32% of greens in regulation (ranking 164 on the PGA Tour) during the 2016 campaign.

Augusta is a track that demands accuracy all areas, and finding the greens is hugely important, especially around the Amen Corner stretch.

With that in mind, we see the defending champion falling short this year.

After winning all of the other three Majors, Rory McIlroy (above) will be hoping this is his year at Augusta.

When you mention the Northern Irishman and Augusta in the same sentence, it is virtually impossible not to get flashbacks of his horrific final round back in 2011. McIlroy led going into the last day, only to shoot a shambolic 80 in his final round, eventually finishing outside the top 10.

However, those scenes have never seemed to haunt McIlroy, who has only finished outside the top 50 on one occasion since his debut in 2009.

Backers of McIlroy will also be buoyed by his wonderful weekend at last year’s tournament. The 26-year-old closed with rounds of 68 and 66 to finish in fourth spot.

Despite being winless, the Northern Irishman has had a solid 2016 season. Other than his missed cut at the Honda Classic, he is yet to finish outside the top 30 in any PGA Tour event this season and his 69.96 stroke average is the fifth best on the circuit.

We think McIlroy will banish the 2011 demons for good this week, and see him being presented with the green jacket by defending Champion Jordan Spieth come Sunday.

Bubba Watson (above) is an Augusta specialist. The long-hitting leftie has won the Masters on two occasions and is yet to finish outside the top 50 in any of his seven starts, winning just over $3m dollars in prize money at the event.

The Florida native comes into the event in solid form. Watson shot four rounds in the 60s to take the Northern Trust Open title at the back end of February and followed that with a second-place finish at the World Golf Championship event a week later.

The University of Georgia graduate knows Augusta like the back of his hand, and there is every chance of him going well this week.

Talking of former winners, Adam Scott (above) will be fancied by many this week. The World Number six broke his long major championship by beating Angel Cabrera in a dramatic play-off three years ago.

However, the Australian is yet to record a top 10 at Augusta since his win, and questions still remain over his pressure putting ability since the new ‘non-anchoring’ laws were put in place.

Charl Schwartzel (above) is another former Masters Champion in fine form. The South African has picked up two European Tour wins (Dunhill Championship, Tshwane Open) and is yet to finish outside of the top 20 in 2016.

Schwartzel has a precision-based game that is made for the Augusta layout – as he showed during his 2011 victory. If he can control his inconsistency on the testing Georgia greens, then there is absolutely no reason why the man from Johannesburg can’t contend at Augusta.

Danny Willett (above) is one of the most exciting young talents in the game. The 28-year-old Englishman has risen to 12th in the world after a wonderful start to 2016. Including his stunning win in the Dubai Desert Classic at the start of February, Willett has recorded three top five finishes on the European Tour this season.

His performances on the world stage have also caught the eye. Willett has managed to finish in the top 30 in each of his last two World Golf Championship events – including an impressive third place finish at the Cadillac Championship a month ago.

Willett is a well-rounded golfer, with few weaknesses. We see him being the surprise package at this year’s event and wouldn’t be surprised if he got in the places at Augusta.

If you like to side with history, then Angel Cabrera (above) is your man. Cabrera absolutely loves Augusta –making the cut in 12 of his 16 total Masters appearances. During this time, the Argentine has recorded an impressive four top 10 finishes, including a playoff loss in 2013 and a famous victory in 2009.

That said, Cabrera isn’t in the best of form. The 46-year-old has missed four cuts this season and is yet to register a top 50 in 2016, with his last win coming back in 2014.

OUR SELECTIONS AND ODDS

RORY McILROY @ 8.50

BUBBA WATSON @ 12.00

CHARL SCHWARTZEL @ 34.00

DANNY WILLETT @ 61.00

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