The Masters DFS Picks & 2024 Playbook For PGA This Week
Published: Apr 10, 2024
The Masters Tournament, known as "a tradition unlike any other," is a prestigious golf event held annually in spring, marking the first major championship and drawing top golfers worldwide. With a rich history, it's seen legendary players like Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
Played at Augusta National Golf Club, founded in 1933 by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, it's revered for its immaculate grounds, including the famous Amen Corner. More than just a tournament, the Masters offers a sensory delight with blooming azaleas, swaying pines, and iconic pimento cheese sandwiches, embodying Southern charm and tradition.
Augusta embraces visitors with genuine hospitality, creating a welcoming atmosphere during Masters Week. With that, we've rounded up our favorite PGA DFS picks for the upcoming tournament.
*Editor's Note: While you're at it, be sure to check out our Underdog Fantasy Masters Picks as well!
The Masters 2024 Tournament
This event epitomizes golf, history, and Southern allure, uniting people globally in appreciation of excellence and heritage. As visitors flock to Augusta yearly, they not only witness sporting greatness but also immerse themselves in the city's enduring magic and warmth.
Augusta National Golf Club: Course Breakdown
Augusta National, hailed as a masterpiece in golf course design since its inception by Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones in 1933, remains a beacon of excellence in the golfing world. Continuously evolving with the times, the course has undergone various enhancements while preserving its timeless charm. Ahead of the 2024 Masters, changes like extending the par-5 second hole demonstrate the course's adaptability to modern players' skills.
At 7,555 yards, the 2024 Masters promises to be one of the PGA Tour's lengthiest challenges, putting players' abilities to the test. Augusta's greens, with their meticulously groomed Bent Grass, offer a unique challenge, demanding a keen understanding of slopes and contours.
While once thought to favor left-handed or draw-playing golfers, Augusta's layout now accommodates a variety of shot shapes, with high fades potentially providing strategic advantages. The evolution of player techniques, especially with advanced drivers, has reshaped the game's dynamics on this iconic course.
But it's Augusta's greens that truly steal the show, rewarding both bravery and precision. From subtle slopes to tempting pin placements, each green presents its own puzzle for players to solve, balancing aggression with careful strategy.
As the 2024 Masters approaches, Augusta National stands ready to host another thrilling chapter in golfing history, proving once again its status as the ultimate test of skill and strategy.
2024 Masters Field
The Masters this season features 89 players, pending any last-minute changes. Akshay Bhatia clinched the final spot with a recent win, but Bernhard Langer withdrew due to an Achilles injury, while others like Hideki Matsuyama and Patrick Cantlay face minor issues.
It's the second Masters since the rival LIV golf league formed, pitting its players against PGA TOUR heavyweights for DFS and betting, including Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith, and Brooks Koepka.
Tiger Woods, aiming to play in all four majors, practiced at Augusta after an illness-related withdrawal from his previous PGA start.
For DFS, note the unique cut line: only the top 50 players and ties advance after Friday, with the old 10-shot rule no longer in play. Ensuring all six picks survive the cut is vital, with over 50% of the field continuing into the weekend.
PGA Stats To Know: 2024 Masters
Top SG: Approach Targets
- Scottie Scheffler - 1st on Tour
- Shane Lowry - 3rd on Tour
- Corey Conners - 4th on Tour
- Justin Thomas - 6th on Tour
- Tony Finau - 7th on Tour
Top SG: Around the Green Targets
- Hideki Matsuyama - 1st on Tour
- Scottie Scheffler - 5th on Tour
- Lucas Glover - 7th on Tour
- Xander Schauffele - 8th on Tour
- Jason Day - 9th on Tour
Top SG: Putting Targets
- Peter Malnati - 4th on Tour
- Matthieu Pavon - 6th on Tour
- Jordan Spieth - 12th on Tour
- Sahith Theegala - 13th on Tour
- Wyndham Clark - 15th on Tour
Best Course History
- Tiger Woods - 5 Wins & 9 Top 10s (23 of 25 Cuts)
- Phil Mickelson - 3 Wins & 9 Top 5s (27 of 30 Cuts)
- Jordan Spieth - 1 Win & 5 Top 5s (9 of 10 Cuts)
- Jon Rahm - A Win & 4 Top 10s (7 of 7 Cuts)
- Hideki Matsuyama - A Win, 2 Top 10s, & 4 Top 20s (11 of 12 Cuts)
My Best Bets (15-29 Overall, -5.20 Units)
- Xander Schauffele: Top 10 (+140)
- Cameron Young: Top 20 (+150)
- Russell Henley: Top 20 (+150)
- Sahith Theegala: Top 20 (+160)
- Tournament Matchup: T Woods (+115) over G Woodland
- Phil Mickelson: Top 30 (+230)
One & Done Play
- Xander Schauffele
PGA DFS Picks: The Masters 2024
Top-Price DFS Masters Picks
Jon Rahm ($11,200)
In the last 60 years, only three golfers have won the Masters more than once, which is pretty rare. But if someone's going to break that streak, why not Jon Rahm? It's crazy to think that even the defending champ hasn't cracked the top 10 lately. Meanwhile, Rahm's been killing it, landing in the top 10 for four years straight from 2018 to '21.
Despite his success, there's talk that he's not loving all the fancy stuff at LIV and just wants a regular golf tournament. Plus, when people talk about the best golfer in the world, Rahm's not always top of mind compared to Scottie Scheffler. But maybe that's just the motivation Rahm needs heading into the Masters. Even if the odds and chatter aren't in his favor right now, Rahm's got the skills and hunger to surprise everyone.
Brooks Koepka ($10,200)
Brooks Koepka hasn't been hitting his stride lately, especially with his irons. His putting has been off too, losing over 3.3 strokes in two back-to-back events, and he tanked over 5 strokes on approach at the LIV Miami before showing up here.
But here's the thing: when it's a major championship, Koepka tends to shine. Remember last year? He was ahead of Rahm by 2 strokes heading into Sunday's final round. Didn't quite seal the deal, but Koepka's got that fire. He knows what went wrong, and I have a feeling he won't let history repeat itself.
Xander Schauffele ($9,900)
Hey, who's a safer bet to crack the top 10 this week other than Scottie Scheffler? I'd say Xander Schauffele got a pretty good shot. He's been in the top 10 six times out of eight starts this year. Plus, he's been killing it at the Masters lately, landing top-10 finishes three out of the last five times, even coming in second in 2019 and third in 2021.
Seriously, they're not giving him enough credit with those odds. He's been gaining strokes like nobody's business in every tournament he's played this year, and he's heading back to a course where he's been top 10 in two-thirds of his appearances. If you're looking for a balanced lineup this week, starting with Schauffele is a no-brainer.
Mid-Price DFS Masters Picks
Cameron Young ($8,500)
Despite not clinching a PGA Tour win yet, Cameron Young has come close to snagging major victories. He's shown a knack for tackling big courses with tricky greens, landing top-three finishes at the 2022 PGA Championship and the 2022 Open Championship.
In early 2024, Young was killing it with his driver, scoring big at the Dubai Desert Classic, WM Phoenix Open, and the Genesis Invitational. But he stumbled a bit at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship, landing below the top 35 despite acing his approach shots.
He bounced back at the Valspar Championship, nearly acing it with his drives. Plus, his stellar putting game landed him seventh place at the Masters last year. If he keeps up that putting mojo, expect Young to be a force to reckon with in upcoming majors.
Shane Lowry ($8,000)
Shane Lowry's been a rockstar at the Masters lately, hanging out with just two other dudes, Scheffler and Matsuyama, in the top 25 for the last four years. He's like the Mr. Reliable of Augusta. Even though he had a rocky start with three missed cuts in his first four tries, he's cracked the code since then. This year, he's coming in hot at $8,000.
And let me tell you, if it starts pouring, this Irish lad won't bat an eyelid. Seriously, he's been on fire recently, with a couple of top-5 finishes in Florida and a decent top-20 at THE PLAYERS. He's been smashing it off the tee, gaining over 2.8 strokes, and his approach play has been spot-on, netting him over nine strokes in each of his last two PGA Tour events. Plus, the guy thrives off the Masters crowd. So, expect him to bring his A-game once again.
Sahith Theegala ($7,700)
Augusta National vibes perfectly with Theegala's game. His style matches up well with Jordan Spieth's, and people are starting to notice. Remember his solo ninth finish in his first Masters? Not many predicted that. But trust me, he's even better now, especially with his amazing putting and short game.
Yeah, he used to spray the ball off the tee, but he's got that under control now. With four top-10 finishes out of nine starts this year, he's climbing up to the 15th spot in the world rankings. Keep an eye on this 26-year-old—he's going to make some waves at Augusta again.
Value-Price DFS Masters Picks
Corey Conners ($7,500)
Corey Conners is known for his incredible ball-striking skills and he's been on fire lately, with three top-25 finishes leading up to the Masters. He's been crushing it with his irons, gaining over 2.9 strokes on approach in five straight tournaments. But, he's been struggling a bit with his putting, losing over 1.7 strokes in four of his last five tournaments.
Despite his putting woes, Conners has some impressive stats: he's ranked 23rd in SG: Off-the-Tee, 25th in total driving, 4th in SG: Approach, and 2nd in GIR percentage this season. And these numbers have been consistent for him over the years. It's no wonder he's landed top-10 finishes in three out of the last four years at Augusta.
With his strong track record at the Masters and his solid stats, Conners is sure to be a popular pick in DFS circles.
Chris Kirk ($6,900)
Chris Kirk had a stellar start to 2024, pulling off an unexpected win at Kapalua against tough competition. Kapalua's crazy elevation changes make it unique on the tour, kinda like Augusta National, where big names like Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth shine.
Kirk hasn't been setting the world on fire since then, but he's been steady, making cuts and hanging around. Keep an eye on him at the Masters - his solid ball-striking and sneaky-good short game could make him a surprise contender.
Denny McCarthy ($6,200)
Denny McCarthy is hitting the Masters course for the first time after a tough loss to Bhatia in Texas last week. It must sting, especially since he blew it by hitting a wedge into the creek during the playoff. Poor guy probably feels crushed for missing out on his first PGA Tour win like that. But hey, despite his shaky Tee-to-Green game, he did manage to crack the Top-10 in SG: Approach at TPC San Antonio.
So, there's hope he'll bounce back fast. Plus, since his price was set before the playoff, he's a steal now. McCarthy's also killing it, ranking 27th on Tour in SG: Around-the-Green and ninth in SG: Putting. Sure, everyone's going to be picking him, but you'd be crazy to bet against him given how he's playing lately.
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