5 picks I love at the Masters, according to a professional gambler

This week’s tournament needs no introduction, but we’ll spill a few words on it anyway.

Though Tiger Woods has said he’ll be a “game-time” decision for the 2022 Masters, the gathering sense is that he’ll give it a go, pumping up interest in what already ranks as the biggest golf-betting event of the year.

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Some other well-known names will not be in the mix, Phil, Rickie and Kooch, among them. But the board is brimming with possibilities. And Erick Lindgren has been scrutinizing them. Lindgren is GOLF.com’s expert prognosticator and the conditions are the same as ever: we give him a $1,000 gambling budget (just play money), and he supplies us with his five top picks. Spoiler alert: Tiger isn’t one of them.

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Scottie Scheffler to win, +1,600

Wager: $300

No need to overthink this, Lindgren says. The newly anointed World No. 1 has no weaknesses. He also has Ted Scott on his bag, a caddie who has won twice at Augusta. “Scheffler is one hot putting week from a green jacket,” Lindgren says.

Viktor Hovland to win, +1,800

Wager: $200

Despite triple bogeying his opening hole here last year, Hovland fought back and was among the leaders in birdies Sunday. His approach game is stellar, a must at Augusta. And his putting has improved. “Now about that chipping,” Lindgren says. “Cross your fingers.”

Joaquin Niemann to win, +5,000

Wager: $100

There aren’t a lot of great long shots at the Masters, Lindgren says, not with so many marquee names. Niemann’s odds make him something of a dark horse, and he beat a very similar field at Riviera just a few months ago.

Sepp Straka top 10, + 1,000

Wager: $200

The University of Georgia alum has been a ball-striking machine of late. Lindgren is looking for that to continue. “If you can hit approaches close at the Honda, you can compete anywhere.”

Stewart Cink top 5 first round, +2,200

Wager: $200

Few courses favor seasoning more than Augusta. Cink has that on his side, along with some strong play elsewhere of late. At last year’s Masters, he finished T-12. “I can see him getting off quickly this week,” Lindgren says.