An Early Look at the Top 6 Betting Favorites for the Masters
The Masters is the year’s first major and, for many casual golf fans, the first time they’ll make a bet on the sport this season. From pick’em pools at golf clubs and Las Vegas sportsbooks to online casinos, there are many ways to have an opinion backed with cash for next week's proceedings at Augusta National.
Most sportsbooks have had Masters odds posted for months, with tweaks being made constantly based on performances. But with the tournament now one week away, the odds aren’t likely to move much more, so it’s a good time to hone in on some players.
Here’s an early look at the top six favorites according to SI Sportsbook and why you might bet them or pass.
Scottie Scheffler (+700)
Bet him: The No. 1-ranked player in the Official World Golf Ranking and SI World Golf Rankings is on a similar heater to the one he rode to a green jacket last year, with two wins in the last six weeks including the Players Championship.
Pass: The last player to successfully defend a Masters title was Tiger Woods in 2002. A recent visit to Augusta may have helped calm the nerves, but tournament week is another story.
Rory McIlroy (+750)
Bet him: Moved to No. 2 in world ranking after a third-place Match Play effort, was also T2 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Appears to have moved past some driver issues and said he’s trying to “rekindle an old flame” on the greens, and the rumor of 19 putts in a recent practice round at Augusta may be a sign.
Pass: The Masters is all that separates him from a career Grand Slam but the scar tissue runs deep. Betting Rory at Augusta is buying a seat on a roller coaster; his last three Masters results are second-MC-T5.
Jon Rahm (+800)
Bet him: Already has three wins in 2023. Hasn’t missed a cut at Augusta in six tries and has four finishes of T9 or better.
Pass: Withdrew from the Players after one round with a stomach illness and failed to advance out of the group stage at last week’s WGC-Match Play. Those aren't huge red flags, but they're not a surge into the year’s first major that you'd want at a short price.
Jordan Spieth (+1600)
Bet him: A past Masters champion (2015) with a wizard-like short game. Went T3-T19-T4 through the Florida Swing, which is nice to take to Augusta.
Pass: He needs the wizard-like short game too often, he’s 139th in total driving on Tour and 80th in greens in regulation. Even with a green jacket, also has scar tissue at Augusta including a ghastly meltdown in 2016. Like Rory, he’s a roller-coaster ride for bettors.
Cameron Smith (+1800)
Bet him: Put on an amazing display of shotmaking at St. Andrews in golf's last major, the 2022 British Open. Has three top-five finishes in his last five Masters starts.
Pass: The LIV Golf factor. The Saudi-backed league has played twice this year (Smith finished T5 at Mayakoba and T24 at Tucson) and plays this week in Orlando. Whether that’s enough prep for a major is the bettor’s call.
Justin Thomas (+1800)
Bet him: Won last year’s PGA Championship in a playoff after a historic comeback. Hasn’t missed a cut in seven Masters and has two top-8 finishes in last three starts.
Pass: Hasn’t played poorly in recent weeks but doesn’t come in hot, either. Ranks 146th in strokes-gained putting on Tour, not the stat you want to see as a Masters bettor.
More SI Sportsbook Masters Odds
Collin Morikawa +2000
Patrick Cantlay +2000
Xander Schauffele +2200
Dustin Johnson +2500
Jason Day +2500
Max Homa +2500
Tony Finau +2500
Cameron Young +2800
Will Zalatoris +3000
Sam Burns +3300
Viktor Hovland +3300
Sungjae Im +3500
Matt Fitzpatrick +4000
Tyrrell Hatton +4000
Hideki Matsuyama +4500
Justin Rose +5000
Shane Lowry +5000
Tiger Woods +5000
Tom Kim +5000