The Masters: Preview, Tips and Odds
7 minutes Get the latest Masters tips from tipster David Cummings
On Thursday, the golfing world turns its eyes to the first Major of the season. The Masters tournament starts this week at arguably one of golf’s most iconic courses, Augusta. The field of 96 all hold hopes of being in contention come Sunday evening, coming down the most recognisable stretch of holes in golf, ‘Amen Corner.’
The ultimate prize is the coveted ‘Green Jacket’, a princely sum of $3.6 million and the chance to rightfully take their place in the history books. We also have the added spice and anticipation of The Masters being one of only four tournaments in the season that the breakaway ‘LIV’ group of players will be eligible for. This means we will have all the World's best players collected together in action, going head to head and tee to green.
Below, I am going to take a look at some of the leading chances this week and see if we can find a few each-way gems with some of the best golf betting sites paying 1/5 odds for 10-12 places.
Can Scottie win for the third time in four years?
This is the longest period we’ve seen Scottie Scheffler (9/2) go without a victory on tour since the 2023 season (only 6 tournaments) however he has been coming back to the boil having had surgery on his hand after a freak accident in his kitchen. He finished one stroke behind Min Woo Lee in the Houston Open which was the same spot he filled last season before winning The Masters. His iron play was fantastic that weekend and he started to find ominous form with the short stick down the back nine, both being key ingredients for success at Augusta.
Scheffler has been world number one for 134 weeks consecutively only surpassed by greats of the game such as Tiger Woods, Greg Norman and about to pull level with Dustin Johnson. Only eight players have ever won three or more Masters tournaments so it may prove folly to back against another success with the imperious form he has been showing.
Can Rory finally complete a Career Slam?
It's almost impossible to conceive that the World number two Rory McIlroy (13/2) hasn't got over the line yet at a Masters tournament despite having seven top tens to his name and it's probably even more bizarre he hasn't been able to get over the line and add to his four Major successes since 2014. McIlroy has been a notoriously slow starter at The Masters with only two sub-70 opening rounds since 2009. His putting has often let him down at the crucial moment and perhaps 2011 still hangs over him when surrendering a four-shot lead on the final day.
Having said that, there is a lot to like about his chances this year. He started the season in terrific form winning the AT&T at Pebble Beach and clinching the unofficial fifth Major at Sawgrass when winning the Players Championship in a playoff. Hopes are high for the Northern Irishman, mentally he appears to be on point, although for all that we have been here before where he's arrived in tip top form but been unable to complete the job. It would be great for golf if we can get a Scottie v Rory showdown come Sunday afternoon on the back nine and who knows it could be Scheffler placing the green jacket around Rory's shoulders.
The ‘LIV’ contingent
Jon Rahm (14/1)
The Spaniard and the 2023 Masters champion had a stellar season on the LIV Tour last season winning the overall individual title and finishing in the top ten at every event. He has carried the form through to this season although is yet to win. He rates a big danger to the top two in the betting.
Bryson DeChambeau (16/1)
Has had seven tries at The Masters and has come up woefully short on all occasions barring last year where he finished in a more encouraging tie for sixth. Despite his quality, his figures here have been disappointing, however this two time US Open winner will certainly be a fun player to follow and watch with his unique style of play.
Brooks Koepka (30/1)
This is Brooks’ tenth attempt at winning The Masters and he almost had a hand on it in 2023 when looking in control of the tournament after three rounds only to throw in an uncharacteristic 75 in the final round. This five time Major winner could be a force to be reckoned with as I'm sure he'll be desperate to add a Masters to his impressive CV. He's won more times on the LIV Tour than any other and when in contention he does tend to find another gear when required. I feel a good opening round is imperative to his chances.
Phil Mickelson (90/1)
Is there life in the old dog yet? At 54 ‘Lefty’ would become the oldest Major winner in history surpassing his own record when winning the PGA Championship in 2021. He knows every blade of grass at Augusta, this being his 32nd appearance and a three time previous winner. Interestingly, he has found some form on the LIV Tour and is having his best season so far to date. Despite his defection to LIV, Mickelson will be ever popular in the galleries and will give the patrons plenty of entertainment with his impressive short game. A win could be a bridge too far but it's not inconceivable for him to snatch a place at mammoth odds if he's still around at the weekend.
Each-Way Prospects
Collin Morikawa (16/1)
An exceptionally good ball striker and iron player it would be no surprise to finish high on the leaderboard here. Morikawa has finished top ten in his last three Masters and already has a British and PGA to his name which were done in his respective tournament debuts. His early season form has been very respectable with two runner up spots filled. He has to enter the reckoning for his first triumph.
Viktor Hovland (35/1)
Impressive a couple of weeks back when closing out the Valspar at Copperhead when snatching victory from Justin Thomas with a combination of some devastating iron shots and putting down the stretch. The 27-year-old has always felt like a Major winner in waiting with seven PGA Tour titles to his name, although his form tailed off last season. Despite his win recently he has reverted back to a driver he was using during his poor spell when he was apparently ‘not swinging it well’. A change in the week leading to The Masters is a huge decision and it may be worth following his stats in round one and seeing where he lays before placing a wager on.
Min Woo Lee (40/1)
At a bigger price Min Woo Lee may represent some value. Confidence is high after a gutsy effort to hold off the Scheffler and McIlroy charge at the Valero two weeks ago. He's had a few efforts at The Masters and has made the cut two out of three times with a highest finish of T14 in 2022.
Tommy Fleetwood (33/1)
Looking to put a poor display at the Valero two weeks ago behind him and get back to the same level of form he was showing before. A third place finish last year for the man from Southport and has seven out of eight cuts made at the Masters. He's looking to emulate Danny Willett who was the last Englishman to lift the trophy.
Corey Conners (45/1)
The Canadian, Conners is looking to be the first winner of this from his native country since the surprise left-handed winner, Mike Weir, in 2003. I think he has a chance to get in the places. Another who's started the season well with three from four top ten finishes and a good showing last week in Texas. He's also got a good Masters record having three consecutive top tens between 2020-2022. Could be a live option for the first round leader.
