A Casino.org journalist sifts through Masters data from the past 20 years to find the profile of the winner for the 2023 edition.
The outcome of the Masters is always unpredictable. However, the fact that the tournament has always been held in Augusta, and at the same time of year, makes this tournament special. When I receive an email from Michaela Shaw. She explains to me that she used data from the last 20 years to define the trends and the profile of the next winner. Sleight of hand or real analysis? I looked into the subject to find out more. And maybe on the evening of April 9, everyone will congratulate her on finding the winner?
Trends in Augusta
Long hitters have the advantage
The last three winners (Dustin Johnson, Hideki Matsuyama, Scottie Scheffler) are long in the drive, with more than 300 yards on average. Looking at the data, Michaela explains that the average distance has increased since 2013. And not surprisingly, half of the winners in recent years have used a Titleist ProV1.
Other data are taken into account.
The journalist then explores other data, always with a view to defining the typical profile who will win the next Masters.
Like, for example, nationality. With a large majority of Americans, only 1 European won it (Sergio Garcia). A transition all found, since it seems that TaylorMade has been performing very well recently with Garcia and Johnson who have put on the green jacket after using TP-5 golf balls and drivers from the same brand.
Finally, Michaela mentions before moving on to the profile of the winner, the management of the course. I would add that the mind is also key. We all remember Sergio Garcia, who cracked and swung 5 balls into the water, the year after his victory.
The profile of the winner
Based on data collected from PGATour.com and other sources, the profile of the winner stands before us.
A right-handed American golfer in his early thirties, 6’2″ tall, playing TaylorMade and a Titleist ball. All this allowing him to have an average drive of 296.16 yards.
Few candidates are eligible. But with his data, we can move forward a little.
At only 25 years old, I’d bet on Colin Morikawa.
And you? What’s your prognostic ? Put your winner in the comments.
