2022 Masters: Expert Picks and Predictions For The Year’s First Major
The Champions Dinner has been had, the Par 3 contest has been played, and the tee times and groupings for the first and second rounds are set. All that is left is to begin the 86th playing of the Masters Tournament. The year’s first major championship has officially arrived.
The excitement in the air is almost palpable as Tiger Woods is set to complete a miraculous return to the sport this week. Meanwhile, Hideki Matsuyama will look to shake off any injury concerns as he aims to successfully defend his 2021 Masters title.
It is all set up to be an enthralling week of action, so without further ado here is who our staff are selecting to win the coveted green jacket in 2022.
Expert Picks and Predictions for the 86th Masters Tournament
Cameron Smith
The 2022 Players Champion is the most popular pick amongst our experts this week to win his first major championship, continuing what has already been an incredible year for him.
Matt Hupfer: “The only concern with Cam is off-the-tee. Augusta is a course that gets harder the closer you get to the hole and with one of the best short game’s on tour, that’s where Smith excels. Smith has two wins in his last four starts and it’s easy to see him donning the green jacket in Butler Cabin on Sunday evening.”
Mike Randleman: “I see his past history at Augusta National and crafty shot-making allowing him to win his first major.”
Ryan Marshall: “Smith is one of the best putters on tour, ranking third in strokes gained putting this season. He is also one of only three golfers to win thrice this year. As long as he can keep the ball in the fairway, I love his chances this weekend.”
Viktor Hovland
A couple of our experts like the talented 24-year-old to start his major championship collection early with a win this week at the 2022 Masters.
Sean McCann: “With 4 Top-10 finishes on the season already, no one is playing more consistent golf on Tour than the young Norwegian. Ranked 4th in the OWGR and 7th in FedEx Standings, Hovland seems to be in contention each week, showing composure on the big stage. One of the bright young stars for the PGA Tour, Hovland has shown immediate success and is hungry for his first Major Championship. On one of the toughest courses on Tour, it’s vital to stay out of trouble, so it’s important that Hovland ranks 11th on Tour in Greens in Regulation (GIR). Look for history come Sunday for the Norwegian star.”
Bill Felber: “He very much fits the profile of a young emerging star that the Masters has been kind to in recent years”.
Tony Finau
Hans Geevers: “Finau has played the Masters four times since 2018. In those four tournaments just noted, Finau has accumulated three top-ten finishes, including a fifth-place result at the 2019 Masters.”
Scottie Scheffler
Kathlene Bissell: “He just doesn’t seem to be phased by big moments”
Russell Henley
Andrew Chadwick: “Henley has missed only one cut this season and has a scoring average of 68.7. As a player who flies under the radar a bit, he will not have the weight of scrutiny on his shoulders; plus, golf fans seem to have missed the fact that he is number 1 in Strokes Gained Approach this season. Alongside his wealth of experience, Henley has long been known as a wonderful putter. That does it for me!”
Justin Thomas
Josh Chandler: “Justin Thomas was made to win the Masters and I’m going to keep saying and believing that until it happens. He had an excellent chance last year before the weather delay took place, after which he was never able to click back into gear. JT had gradually improved results at Augusta before falling apart last year, with a 17th (2018), 12th (2019), and 4th (2020). If Thomas can find fairways this week he can win his first green jacket”.
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Sam Burns
Jake Klausner: “Since the New Year, Burns has been one of the hottest guys on tour and he’s got the game for Augusta. He can hit it far and he’s one helluva putter. Give me the pride of Louisiana this week!”