Masters: 25 golfers to watch
Westgate Las Vegas golf oddsmaker Jeff Sherman analyzes 25 key players in the Masters field. Follow him on Twitter @golfodds.
Rory McIlroy (6-1)
As the No. 1-ranked golfer in the world, McIlroy is the favorite. A Masters win would complete a career Grand Slam (he has won the U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship), joining Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods in accomplishing the feat. He has won the past two majors (2014 British Open and 2014 PGA) and is even-money odds to add another major title in 2015. McIlroy’s best Masters finish is a tie for eighth last year.
Jordan Spieth (10-1)
Leading the way in ticket count and money wagered, Spieth is the top in-form golfer with a tie for second (playoff loss in Houston), second and a win in his past three tournaments. The 21-year-old is one of the most supported golfers by the betting public in each tournament. Spieth tied for second last year in his Masters debut.
Bubba Watson (10-1)
As the defending champion, Watson has won two of the past three Masters and is off to a stellar start to the season. His opening odds of 20-1 have been slashed in half by betting support and his performance on the course.
Jason Day (12-1)
Day is one of the most popular Masters selections, having opened at 20-1. He has played four tournaments at Augusta, recording a second- and third-place finish. He made the cut in his five 2015 tournaments, including a win at Torrey Pines. After an injury-riddled 2014 season, Day has declared himself fit and is a definite threat for a green jacket as my headline selection to win this week.
Dustin Johnson (12-1)
After returning from a six-month leave of absence at the end of 2014, his Masters odds could have been found in the 30-1 to 40-1 range. Johnson has four top-10s in his six 2015 tournaments, including a win at the WGC-Cadillac Championship. With his best finish at the Masters a tie for 13th in 2013, many think it’s only a matter of time for the talented American to break through with a major title.
Adam Scott (15-1)
Playing a limited schedule, the Masters will be Scott’s fourth tournament this year. He will be reverting to an anchored putter after playing 2015 events with a traditional putter. He has maintained a strong course history the past five years, including a playoff win two years ago.
Henrik Stenson (20-1)
Stenson’s odds have dropped from an opening 30-1 based mostly on his recent form. His best finish at Augusta was last year’s tie for 14th. Stenson was scheduled to play at the Houston Open last week but withdrew because of illness.
Phil Mickelson (20-1)
Traditionally, Mickelson is a popular betting choice at Augusta, where his odds have ranged from an opening 15-1 to as high as 25-1 before last week’s Houston Open. His 17th-place finish in Houston gained him momentum in betting support. Mickelson had a run of eight top-10 Masters finishes in 10 years until recent missed-cut and 54th-place finishes.
Jimmy Walker (20-1)
Walker has been hot at the start in recent seasons, including two wins in 2015. His odds opened at 50-1 and were adjusted to 25-1 on recent play, then support following his win in Texas dropped his odds further to the current 20-1. Walker finished in a tie for eighth last year in his Masters debut.
Patrick Reed (20-1)
Reed is one of the most popular golfers supported by the betting public in weekly tournaments, just behind Spieth. His 80-1 opening odds have steadily declined since August, and he remains one of the book’s consistent liabilities.
Rickie Fowler (30-1)
Another popular choice in majors by the betting public. In 2014, Fowler tied for fifth at the Masters, tied for second at the U.S. Open, tied for second at the British Open and tied for third at the PGA Championship. His odds have drifted from an opening 20-1 because of his lack of a top-10 finish in 2015.
Matt Kuchar (30-1)
Kuchar has had a solid but quiet start to the season. His Masters record is strong coming off three straight top-10s, but he has seen less support this year than in previous years.
Brandt Snedeker (40-1)
Snedeker’s odds have fluctuated often, having opened 40-1 and hitting as low as 25-1 after his win at Pebble Beach. It is difficult to support him in matchups, as he is one of the most inconsistent golfers on the PGA Tour.
Tiger Woods (40-1)
Tiger’s odds are his career high in a major and only second-highest to this season’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines (50-1). His Masters odds opened at 12-1, then skyrocketed to 50-1 after two poor performances in his only 2015 appearances. Woods’ results dating to June 2014 include a first-round withdrawal, missed cut, tie for 17th (in an 18-golfer field), missed cut, withdrawal, 69th and missed cut. He missed last year’s Masters because of injury. Tiger is minus-120 to make the cut and even money to miss it.
Sergio Garcia (40-1)
Labeled one of the best golfers without a major win, at this point in his career Garcia seems better to support in matchups rather than an outright win. He has performed nothing more than average overall and at Augusta recently.
Justin Rose (40-1)
Rose’s odds have drifted from an opening 25-1 to 40-1 due mostly to his poor start. He has a solid history at Augusta, but finished tied for 37th last week in Houston and had prior finishes of a missed cut, 55th, missed cut and missed cut. Rose has seen less betting support than in prior years at the Masters.
J.B. Holmes (40-1)
Holmes, one of the tour’s longest drivers, is off to a strong start. Coming off a win last week in Houston, he also has two second-place finishes. His odds have seen one of the largest adjustments, moving from an opening 150-1.
Lee Westwood (40-1)
Westwood now looks less likely to win a major anytime soon. His consistency leads many to support him in matchups, although his troublesome putter may be what prevents him from landing a win. Westwood does have a strong history at Augusta.
Louis Oosthuizen (50-1)
The 2010 British Open champion has had a polarizing start to the season after battling injuries early. His best finish at Augusta is second place in 2012, so he will look to build on that now that he declares himself fit.
Hideki Matsuyama (60-1)
One of the rising stars on the PGA Tour, Matsuyama has battled wrist issues this year. This will be his fourth Masters, with a best finish a tie for 27th in 2011. Matsuyama has three top-fives this season.
Jim Furyk (60-1)
Furyk is a matchup favorite of the sharp handicappers. He has had issues closing out tournaments when near the lead, thus his odds to win are reasonably fair, and his consistency near the top often makes him a strong weekly matchup play.
Billy Horschel (60-1)
The reigning FedEx Cup champion has struggled this year. As he was dominating last season’s FedEx Cup playoffs, his opening odds of 150-1 plummeted quickly to the 60-1 range. Horschel finally showed some promise with a third-place finish two weeks ago at the Texas Open. In his only Masters appearance, he finished tied for 37th last year.
Martin Kaymer (60-1)
A former world No. 1, Kaymer never has had a strong performance at Augusta, with last year’s tie for 31st his best finish in seven trips. He has been faltering lately with two consecutive missed cuts. Kaymer is one to fade in matchups.
Ryan Moore (60-1)
Moore, a former UNLV standout, had a strong start to the season. He faded last week in Houston, although before that, he recorded five top-25s in six events. Moore has an average record at Augusta.
Brooks Koepka (80-1)
One of the many young golfers with unlimited potential, Koepka had his breakthrough win in Phoenix this year. He will be making his Masters debut. Koepka is battling a rib injury, so this week might be premature for his first major win.
