Masters Dark Horses: 10 Under the Radar Picks for Augusta

Brendan Steele

OWGR: 53rd

Odds: 150/1

After six mostly consistent seasons on the PGA Tour, this California native has taken his career to the next level this year. With a game that’s looked major-ready at times and a solid amount of momentum, you’ll want to keep Steele in mind as he prepares to make his second career start at the Masters.

In his only previous start at Augusta, Steele missed the cut, but don’t read too much into that — it came in 2012, during one of the most erratic stretches of his career. He’s been much steadier since then, and with 14 consecutive cuts made, tied for the fourth-best mark on the PGA Tour, it’s shown in the results. At 40th in strokes gained: off-the-tee and 21st in strokes gained: approach-the-green, we know he has the tee-to-green game to excel at the Masters. The X-factor will be his putting — if Steele can gain some confidence on the greens, he’s got what it takes to surprise us.

Steele has notched three career top 20s at the majors, including a tie for 19th at the 2011 PGA Championship, where he was the 54-hole co-leader before fading on Sunday. With significantly more experience under his belt, he’ll be less likely to buckle under pressure, so keep an eye out for him at Augusta.