The most iconic event in golf returns to its spiritual home, Augusta National. The Masters isn’t just a tournament, it’s tradition, pressure, and history colliding on the sport’s most beautiful and unforgiving stage. With lightning-fast greens, dramatic elevation changes, and danger lurking on every hole, Augusta demands precision, nerve, and world-class shot-making. Here’s a look at who we like ahead of Round 1 on Thursday (AEDT). KEY STATS TO WATCH Par 5 Scoring Par 4 Birdie or Better Strokes Gained: Approach Greens in Regulation (GIR) Proximity to Hole Strokes Gained: Tee to Green Scrambling Bogey Avoidance Driving Distance Strokes Gained:…

A quality event won by the likes of Adam Scott, Ernie Els, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen, the usual venue of Leopard Creek is being given a year off to rejuvenate with Royal Johannesburg this year’s host.   Key Stats/Skill Set Required  GIR  Strokes Gained: Approach  Scrambling  Birdie or Better  Putting Average  Royal Johannesburg is a long course but one that won’t play nearly as long as it suggests due to the altitude. The key to success here is a strong approach game and being able to go low.   Key Correlation Courses/Tournaments  Qatar Masters  Abu Dhabi Championship  Dubai Desert Classic  Bet Now BEST BET   JAYDEN SCHAPER  Youngster…

The Hero World Challenge traces its roots back to 2000 and has become the traditional year-end event with a small field lighting it up in the Bahamas.   Key Stats/Skill Set Required  Par 5 Scoring  Par 3 Scoring  Driving Distance   Strokes Gained: Off The Tee  Scrambling  Birdies  The Ernie Els designed course is unique with five Par 5s and five Par 3s and attempts to bring in elements of the Melbourne sandbelt, English links courses and South African classic courses. It is not a strenuous test and typically delivers a top-shelf winner.   Key Correlation Courses/Tournaments  DP World Tour Championship  Open Championship  Waste Management Phoenix…

This tournament played at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, South Africa traces its roots back to 1981 and has been won by some of the game’s greats including inaugural winner Johnny Miller, Raymond Floyd, Seve Balleteros, Bernhard Langer, Nick Price, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els, Lee Westwood and Tommy Fleetwood. This is a tournament generally referred to as ‘Africa’s major’.   Key Stats/Skill Set Required  Par 5 Scoring   Driving Distance  Strokes Gained: Off The Tee  GIR  Strokes Gained: Approach  Scrambling  Bogey Avoidance  Putting Average  Gary Player Country Club is a course that rewards bombers who can take advantage of the long holes. A strong…