The Masters: A Fantasy Guide for Augusta National
By Derek Helm
Joaquin Niemann ($7,800)
Niemann hasn’t been great at the Masters but has gotten better each time he’s played. He missed the cut in his debut in 2018, came 40th in 2021, and 35th last year.
He seems to be in good form with some good finishes on the LIV Tour; coming 11th at Mayakoba and 35th in Tucson. He also came 5th back in February on the Asian Tour and 10th in Saudi Arabia.
Justin Rose ($7,800)
Rose missed the cut last year at the Masters but otherwise has been great.
He’s made the cut 17/19 times at Augusta and has seven top 10 finishes including two runner-up performances.
Rose has also been in much better form recently compared to recent seasons. He came 18th at the Farmers, won at Pebble Beach, and came 6th at the PLAYERS. He’s gained strokes on approach in six straight tournaments.
Tommy Fleetwood ($7,700)
Tommy has been good at the Masters over the years and only missed the cut here in his debut in 2017. He’s finished top 20 in half of his Masters appearances.
Tommy has had a rather pedestrian 2023 but has come on strong recently. He finished 3rd at the Valspar a couple of weeks ago.
He hasn’t lost strokes on approach in any weighted event since March of last year. He’s also 4th in strokes gained around the green over the last 24 rounds.
Tom Kim ($7,700)
Kim is making his Masters debut but has played well at several courses that he’s seen for the first time so far in his young career.
He had two good finishes to start the year coming 5th at the Sentry TOC and 6th at the AMEX but has cooled off since with no finishes better than 34th.
He’s only gained strokes with the putter in two events which could be an issue on Augusta’s tricky greens.
Corey Conners ($7,600)
Conners has gotten better every time in his five appearances at Augusta. He’s come 6th, 8th, and 10th in his last three appearances.
Conners isn’t exactly a strong putter but somehow has faired well on Augusta’s greens.
2023 hasn’t been anything special for Conners but the Canadian has only missed one cut in six tournaments. He did come 12th at the Sony Open in Hawaii and 18th at the Sentry TOC.
Conners also had a fantastic week at the Valero Texas Open in his final start prior to the Masters.