*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
It was another fascinating day’s play at Augusta yesterday and with 54 holes now completed the inform Scottie Scheffler has one hand on the trophy.
It looked for large chunks of the day that Scheffler was going to turn the 86th Masters into a procession by heading into Sunday with a lead of six or even seven shots. On the back nine, though, the unflappable Texan finally started to betray some signs of nerves, particularly with a wild drive on the 18th, which saw him having to take an unplayable lie, and by the end of the day his lead had been trimmed to three as he slipped back to 9-under.
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Looking at the occasions when players have held a three shot lead heading into Sunday at The Masters and they have got the job done 7 out of 12 times so the overall omens are still good for the world number one. Conversely, though, we all know how easily shots can fritter away on the final day at Augusta if you are not on your game and my suspicion is that there is still plenty of drama to come before the Green Jacket is handed out.
Cameron Smith to win The Masters
If the leader is to falter, with five shots separating first from third and with 26 of the last 31 Masters winners having played in the final group on day four, the obvious man to capitalise is the player who starts three back on 6-under and will play alongside Scheffler, CAMERON SMITH.
I opposed Smith in his two-ball on Saturday against Corey Conners and while Conners was solid I couldn’t have got the Aussie more wrong as he bounced back from his poor display on Friday to be the only player to shoot in the 60s as he posted a superb 68.
The key to Smith’s success on Saturday was a vastly improved driving display combined with a strong day on the greens and with momentum now on side this self-confessed lover of Augusta looks primed for a big final day. With a further two shots back to third placed Sungjae Im, barring a major capitulation from the final pairing, it is hard to see anyone outside of the final two-ball having a big say and I am happy to chance Smith to reel Scheffler in.
Jason Kokrak & Tommy Fleetwood: Jason Kokrak
Looking now at today’s two-ball pairings, I will turn my attention firstly to JASON KOKRAK who tees off alongside Tommy Fleetwood at 19.00 UK Time.
Fleetwood produced a really solid day’s work on Saturday as he navigated it round in 70 in chilly, blustery conditions that the Englishman would have been right at home in.
As we know, though, Fleetwood is prone to frailties on Sundays and in conditions which are expected to be far less challenging today I am happy to oppose him with Kokrak.
Kokrak produced a strong 71 himself on Saturday with only a double bogey seven on the 15th really blotting the copybook and with conditions far more likely to suit the big American today the three-time tour winner looks the play at odds against.
Danny Willett & Corey Conners: Corey Conners
Next up I will take on Danny Willett with COREY CONNERS when they tee off at 19.10 UK Time.
Willett did superbly on Saturday to hang tough with his putter saving him time and again. A tally of six fairways hit and just seven out of 18 greens for the Englishman tells the story of his Saturday and if he produces anything similar today it is hard to see him surviving in the same way.
Conners was his normal steady self from tee to green yesterday on his way to a 72 and unless Willett really sharpens up today something similar from the Canadian could well be more than enough to see off the 2016 Champion.
Justin Thomas & Carl Schwartzel: Justin Thomas
Finally, I will boost the odds of a treble by taking JUSTIN THOMAS over Charl Schwartzel when they tee off at 19.20 UK Time.
It’s been a case of ‘what might have been’ for Thomas this week as barring a miracle today a day one 76 just left him with too much to do. Friday and Saturday have been much better though from the 28yr old and a top five finish is in his sights.
Schwartzel has done superbly this week to put his recent awful form behind him, however after holing out from the fairway on 10, the 2011 Masters Champion showed clear signs that the competitive rust was beginning to show and I expect Thomas to have too much for him today.
Masters Sunday Two Ball Tips
Cameron Smith to win The Masters
Jason Kokrak & Tommy Fleetwood: Jason Kokrak
Danny Willett & Corey Conners: Corey Conners
Justin Thomas & Carl Schwartzel: Justin Thomas
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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