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Now that we’ve moved to April, the world’s top golfers are making final preparations ahead of the 88th Masters, Apr. 11th-14th. It’s the first major of the season, and as prestigious as any.
Augusta National is once again hosting the Masters, continuing to provide a serious challenge during all four rounds. If you believe the odds board, the 2022 champ is the player to chase.
Scheffler the Favorite
It’s never easy to predict who’s going to win the Masters, but the betting odds are quite tilted toward Scottie Scheffler. He is clearly best on the PGA Tour, favored at 4-1 (+400), according to Masters golf odds, Scheffler is the only player under double figures on the board as he tries to earn matching green jackets at Augusta.
He’s the 70-1 ([+7000]) favorite to complete the Grand Slam in 2024, as per golf major odds.
Scheffler, having already won the Arnold Palmer Invitational (Bay Hill) and The Players Championship this season, returns to the Masters with the proverbial target on his back.
There are 105 pros (and amateurs) invited, 88 expected to be on that first tee Thursday.
Back to Scheffler, and his status as favorite. You don’t see such a disparity on the odds board in a major, meaning there’s value to had if you think he can be had.
Now, the Contenders
The second choice is Rory McIlroy, priced at 10-1 (+1000) to win his first Masters. It’s the only major McIlroy hasn’t won, and with a bit of a spotty resume this season, perhaps undervalued.
McIroy’s desperately trying to finish the career grand slam, so there’s a bit of sentimental wagering on his behalf. He’s a four-time major champ, though without one in a decade.
Defending Jon Rahm sits at 12-1 (+1200). Scheffler, McIlroy and Rahm are the only golfers below 20-1 on what’s thus far a mismatched board.
Others in Mix
Is it a three-man race at Augusta? Perhaps not, if you care to look outside the {tee) box.
Brooks Koepka (five-time major champ) Viktor Hovland and Jordan Spieth (three majors, including 2015 Masters) are all priced at 20-1 (+2000) to win this time around.
Xander Schauffele (second in ‘19 Masters) is alone on the board at 22-1 (+2200), while Patrick Cantlay (‘21 FedEd Cup winner), Hideki Matsuyama (‘21 Masters champ) and Justin Thomas (‘17 and ‘22 PGA Championship winner) are all 25-1 (+2500) propositions.
Then there’s Tiger Woods, who’s essentially an afterthought at 120-1 (+12000) as he tries to win a record-tying (Jack Nicklaus) sixth Masters.
Masters to McIlroy
Betting on Scottie Scheffler to win the Masters is low-risk/low-return. It’s never quite that easy at Augusta National, so Instead of focusing on the chalky guy, we are taking a stand to beat him.
As was mentioned, Rory McIlroy has never won a Masters, the lone blemish on its quest to win a career Grand Slam. Even though it’s been a decade since his last major, we can’t help but think he’s going to win at Augusta.
It’s not great value trying him at 10-1 (+1000), but we’re admittedly trying to beat the board.
There will be terrific play at Augusta (that’s not a wagering option, rather a given), and while it could well be Scheffler against the field, maybe a hiccup leads to another champion.
The other 2024 majors are the PGA Championship (May 16th-19th, Louisville, KY), U.S Open (June 13th-16th, Pinehurst, NC) and British Open (July 18th-21st, Royal Troon, Scotland).
- Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com
