The 2022 Masters Tournament tees off Thursday at Augusta National, and Hideki Matsuyama hopes to be able to defend his title against a star-studded PGA Tour field. Matsuyama already has two victories this season, but so do Sam Burns, Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Smith. Matsuyama withdrew in the second round in San Antonio last week but is on site and hoping to compete. Jon Rahm, the world's top-ranked player, and multiple major champions like Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and Jordan Spieth also will be among the stiff competition.

Rahm is the 10-1 favorite in the latest 2022 Masters odds from Caesars Sportsbook. Who can you trust for your 2022 Masters fantasy golf picks? Before you bet this PGA Tour event or lock in any 2022 Masters Fantasy golf rankings, you HAVE TO see who fantasy expert Riley Gates is backing.

Gates is a writer for 247Sports and has covered a range of sports for nearly five years. He has followed golf closely for much longer and has a profound knowledge of the sport. He also knows what it takes to win, on the course and in fantasy sports.  

At last week's Valspar Championship, seven of his picks finished in the top 12. They included Burns, who claimed the title at Innisbrook for the second straight year. Gates has been on fire all season. Nine of his top 10 picks finished in the top 20 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and at the Honda Classic, eight of his picks finished in the top 16. 

The expert also was on the money at Phoenix, where his five top selections all ended up in the top 10. He NAILED his picks at the Sentry, with four of his top seven picks posting top-five finishes, and he duplicated that at the Hero World Challenge. Anyone who has followed Gates is WAY UP! 

Now, Gates has ranked his top golfers for the 2022 Masters, and you'll really want to see who he is backing. 

We can tell you that Gates is strongly backing Justin Thomas, even though he has just one major title. The 2017 PGA Championship winner and tour Player of the Year looks to be back in top form. He has five top-10 finishes in eight events and he has finished no lower than 22nd in his past five starts at Augusta.

SHOCKINGLY, the expert is fading Rahm, who continues to be favored by oddsmakers but hasn't contended yet this season. The Spaniard has just three top-10s in his eight starts and is just three-under par over his past three events. Gates says Rahm doesn't even crack the top five!

For the 2022 Masters at Augusta National, the fantasy expert is backing an EPIC long shot! Gates says this golfer, who will be trying to atone for a missed cut at Augusta last year, "seems to always be in the mix." You ABSOLUTELY need to see who it is and check out Gates' top picks before you bet the 2022 Masters or enter any Fantasy golf picks.

Who wins the 2022 Masters Tournament? Which consistent performer should you be all over for your Fantasy golf rankings? ... Join SportsLine now to get Riley Gates' Fantasy golf power rankings for the 2022 Masters, all from the fantasy expert who has been rolling on his Fantasy golf picks!