| TV:<\/td> | CBS, ESPN, Prime Video, Paramount+<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Masters Course: Augusta National Golf Club<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\nThe 2026 Masters returns to Augusta National, where pristine conditions and\u00a0 strategic design once again create one of the toughest tests in golf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n This year, the\u00a0course is expected to play dry, firm, and fast, which is exactly how Augusta is designed to challenge the best players in the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n With limited moisture in the\u00a0ground, fairways will run out, but more importantly, the greens will be lightning\u00a0fast and difficult to hold, especially with their severe slopes and subtle contours.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Approach shots will be the key all week. Players will need to control spin and\u00a0 trajectory to land the ball in the correct sections of the greens, as anything slightly\u00a0off can roll off into tightly mown run-off areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Adding to the difficulty, the second\u00a0cut (rough) is expected to be thicker than usual, making it harder to control\u00a0 distance and hold greens from just off the fairway.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Augusta is always a course that demands patience and precision, but in firm\u00a0 conditions, it becomes even more punishing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n The par-5s will still offer scoring\u00a0chances, but only if players are in position off the tee. With fast greens, thick\u00a0second cut, and dry conditions, expect a classic Masters setup where course\u00a0management, elite iron play, and short-game touch will determine who slips on the\u00a0 green jacket.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Technically, the course plays as a Par 72 at 7,565 yards, but the ball doesn\u2019t roll as\u00a0much off of tee shots as the grass is mown against the grain, so distance off the tee\u00a0 is required to compete for the win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n The Masters: Players That Can Trip You Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\nRobert MacIntyre<\/strong> is in good form, but the driver could hold him back this week. He ranks just\u00a086th in distance and 47th in accuracy, which leaves him 41st overall off the tee\u2014not ideal for\u00a0this setup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nWe\u2019ve seen it before here: when his driving falls behind, the iron play suffers, and last\u00a0year that led to a missed cut with -1.95 putting. Despite the recent results, he\u2019s priced as a Top 18\u00a0 guy, which feels too optimistic. The profile doesn\u2019t scream Top 20.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Matthew Fitzpatrick<\/strong> checks all the boxes on paper\u2014win this year, Top 10 in total strokes gained,\u00a0 and back-to-back runner-up finishes\u2014but this course has never suited him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nHe finished 40th last year and 22nd the year before, with just one finish better than 14th here since 2017. Sometimes a course just doesn\u2019t fit a player\u2019s eye, and that appears to be the case. Even in great form, this is a\u00a0 spot to be cautious. He\u2019s a fade based on course fit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Scottie Scheffler<\/strong> falls into a unique situation this week with what many call the \u201cbaby theory.\u201d\u00a0He just had a child less than two weeks ago, and historically that can disrupt preparation and\u00a0focus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nHis recent form hasn\u2019t been dominant either\u2014no Top 10 finishes in his last three starts.\u00a0More concerning, his approach play has dipped to +0.10 strokes gained in those events,\u00a0compared to +0.64 in the three prior. At his price, even a small drop-off makes him tough to\u00a0justify.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n The Masters: DraftKings Darlings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\nMaverick McNealy ($7,200) <\/strong>is quietly putting together a very solid profile for this week. He\u00a0 finished 32nd here in his debut and comes in with recent finishes of 21st, 32nd, and 13th. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nHe\u2019s\u00a0got decent length off the tee and doesn\u2019t have any glaring weaknesses statistically, ranking 19th\u00a0 in the field in total strokes gained this season. In a weak field, that kind of well-rounded\u00a0consistency gives him a strong floor with sneaky upside.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Harris English ($7,300) <\/strong>is one of the safest plays on the board when it comes to course history.\u00a0 He\u2019s never missed the cut here and has finished 12th and 22nd the last two years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nThis season, he\u2019s been extremely consistent\u2014just one missed cut, with every other start finishing inside the\u00a0Top 28 across seven events. That combination of course comfort and steady form makes him a\u00a0reliable DFS anchor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Jake Knapp ($7,400) <\/strong>brings elite form into this week and is underpriced for what he\u2019s been\u00a0doing. He ranks 3rd in the field in total strokes gained and has posted five Top 8 finishes in his\u00a0last six tournaments<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nHe\u2019s also played this event before, so this isn\u2019t a learning curve spot. With\u00a0 that level of form and confidence, Knapp has legitimate top-end upside at this price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Rest of Lineup: Patrick Reed $9000, Ludvig Aberg $9800, Tommy Fleetwood $9300<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nOne and done: Xander Schauffele\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nTop Finish Prop: Patrick Reed Top 20 Including Ties +126\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nMatchup: Max Homa over Brian Harman<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n |
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