Fantasy Golf: An Early Look at The 2023 Masters Tournament
By Hans Geevers
The first major of 2023 will be played at Augusta National in April. Although we are four months away from the event, in my opinion, it’s never too early to start your fantasy golf research for the Masters!
Prior to diving into my early fantasy golf player selections for the 2023 Masters Tournament, let’s take a look at a few of the key player statistics of the last two winners of the green jacket, relative to the field, the week that player won the tournament.
Last Two Masters Winners
2022-Scottie Scheffler-Eighth in Driving Accuracy (76.8%), fifth in GIR (greens in regulation-68.1%), third in bogey avoidance (9).
2021-Hideki Matsuyama-Seventh in GIR (69.5%), fourth in bogey avoidance (9), and third in putts per GIR (2.286).
*Augusta National does not provide strokes gained data to the public.
Now let’s shift our attention to my favorite early first look DFS/fantasy golf player selections for the 2023 Masters!
Jon Rahm
The 2021 U.S. Open winner certainly ended 2022 on a high note. Since the beginning of August, Jon Rahm has played seven tournaments (PGA and DP World Tours combined). In those seven events just noted, Rahm has accumulated six top-eight finishes, including two wins (2022 Open de Espana, 2022 DP World Tour Championship).
I also like the fact that Jon Rahm has consistently played well at the Masters. Let me be more specific. Since 2018, Rahm has played the Masters Tournament five times. In those five tournaments just mentioned, Rahm has accumulated four top-nine finishes, including a fifth-place result at the 2021 Masters Tournament.
Matt Fitzpatrick
Since the beginning of June, Matt Fitzpatrick has played 13 tournaments (PGA and DP World Tours combined). In those 13 events just mentioned, Fitzpatrick has accumulated eight top-16 finishes, including a win at the 2021 U.S. Open.
Fitzpatrick finished 14th at the 2022 Masters Tournament.
Seamus Power
The talented Irishman has accumulated three consecutive top-five finishes on the PGA Tour, including a win at the 2022 Bermuda Championship in October.
Seamus Power finished 27th at the 2022 Masters Tournament. I fully expect Power to post a much higher finish at Augusta National in 2023.
Next. Who Will Be The First LIV Golfers Dropped from Majors? Who Won’t?. dark
Shane Lowry
Shane Lowry has accumulated four top-23 finishes in his last five tournaments played (PGA and DP World Tours combined), including a win at the 2022 BMW PGA Championship in September.
It should also be noted that Lowry finished third at the 2022 Masters Tournament.
Additional golfers I like: Rory McIlroy: Scottie Scheffler: Jordan Spieth.