"Driving distance matters because bombers can reach all four par-5s in two shots and hit shorter irons into greens. Approach play from 150 yards and beyond is arguably the single most important skill, with nine of the past ten winners finishing in the top six in Strokes Gained: Approach for the week."
"Par-5 scoring has accounted for 73 percent of scoring below par since 2010. Course history is enormously valuable because the green complexes and shot-shaping demands are unlike anything else on Tour."
"Russell Henley is making his 10th Masters start and brings a track record at Augusta that the odds do not fully reflect. He has a top-four finish on this course and has finished top 10 in each of his last two major starts."
The 2026 Masters begins on April 9 at Augusta National, where Scottie Scheffler is the favorite. Augusta is highly predictive, rewarding driving distance, approach play, and course history. Longshot value can be found by analyzing these traits. Key factors include strong performance in Strokes Gained: Approach and par-5 scoring. Russell Henley, with a top-four finish at Augusta and strong recent performances, is highlighted as a potential longshot despite concerns about his driving distance.
Read at Bleacher Nation
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