After the NCAA Tournament and before the NBA and Stanley Cup playoffs, it’s the perfect moment to make a little time in your betting schedules for some golf.

The Masters is upon us, and because it’s the only major played on the same course every year, there is a trove of historical data to pick through and consider when forming predictions for the week.

The two far-and-away favorites are the top two golfers in the world rankings, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. But we’re not here to pick chalk; we’re here to find value. Here are not three but four picks we’re confident in as Augusta National gets those pimento cheese sandwiches ready for us.

The Master's First-Round Leader Best Bet

Irishman Shane Lowry is in great form this season, with a runner-up finish at Pebble Beach and three top-11 finishes in his past four outings. He ranks fourth on tour in strokes gained: tee to green, behind only Collin Morikawa, McIlroy and Scheffler.

Major championship-tested, Lowry’s best finish at Augusta was a tie for third in 2022. I also considered Ludvig Åberg here, but the Swede’s recent putting woes gave me pause — and Lowry offers better value anyway. He’s on the same line as Tommy Fleetwood and Corey Conners at +5000 to lead after 18.

Shane Lowry, Leader after first round, +5000 (FanDuel)