Major season is upon us with the best golfers in the world heading to iconic Augusta National this week for the 87th edition of The Masters. And I say the best golfers in the world because tournament executives aren’t being petty in regards to LIV Golf, allowing players who joined the rival league to compete. That means 18 players, including seven of them with a major championship on their resume, will be playing alongside PGA Tour luminaries.
Rory McIlroy opened as the betting favorite as he looks to capture the career grand slam. McIlroy was runner-up last year finishing three shots behind Scottie Scheffler for his fourth career top-5 at Augusta. McIlroy, Scheffler and Jon Rahm are the three favorites and only players listed with shorter than 10/1 odds. Last year’s Open Championship winner Cameron Smith and 2020 Masters titlist Dustin Johnson are the favorites among LIV golfers. Five-time winner Tiger Woods is making his second start of the season still searching for his record setting 83rd Tour victory.
The Masters runs from April 6-9, 2023 at spectacular Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, GA. ESPN will televise the first two rounds with CBS taking over weekend chores.
Odds to Win The Masters
Rory McIlroy +625
Scottie Scheffler +808
Jon Rahm +965
Patrick Cantlay +1886
Jordan Spieth +2010
Justin Thomas +2273
Cameron Smith +2476
Dustin Johnson +2524
Xander Schauffele +2577
Tony Finau +2577
Cameron Young +2681
Jason Day +3034
Collin Morikawa +3077
Max Homa +3402
Sam Burns +3425
Brooks Koepka +3605
Corey Conners +4050
Matthew Fitzpatrick +4050
Hideki Matsuyama +4250
Viktor Hovland +4351
Sung-Jae Im +4532
Will Zalatoris +4831
Odds Analysis
Don’t stray too far down the odds board when wagering on the outright. The field is limited to 88 players and with a few exceptions they are the cream of the golfing world crop. The trio of McIlroy, Scheffler and Rahm has been situated at the top of the odds board every week as they continue their season-long feud over who holds the OWGR No. 1. Scheffler currently sits in the top spot with another magical season in the works. He successfully defended his title at the Phoenix Open and posted an impressive victory at THE PLAYERS in March. Oh, he was No. 1 in the world upon arrival last year, too.
The names on the second tier of the odds list are equally impressive making wagering on the next golfer to be fitted for the Green Jacket a tough call. The previous two editions saw first time major champions with Scheffler last year and Hideki Matsuyama in 2021. Xander Schauffle (+2577) is arguably the best player without a major title on his resume with Patrick Cantlay (+1886) right alongside him.
Winning a major championship is a career defining achievement so there’s enough motivation right there. But any player with added incentive could give them an edge over the field. Rory McIlroy will try once again for his first Masters title, which would also give him the career grand slam of winning every major. Only five golfers have won all four modern majors during their careers.
The Field
Though he was among the favorites last year I don’t think many people felt Scheffler would seal the deal. And he really hasn’t slowed down since making him a favorite not only on the odds board but also among the betting public. Schauffele was among the favorites last year as well but he went the opposite direction missing the cut at Augusta for the first time. Prior to that he had two podium finishes in his previous three starts, so counting on the X-man to get back in contention makes him a worthwhile gamble.
Another player with something to prove is Jason Day. With his game returning to places we saw a few years ago, Day is an interesting risk at his price. Current form is definitely a plus with top 20s in all seven starts since the New Year, including five top 10s. He also had a nice run at Augusta during his heater with three top 5s among six top 20s between 2011 and 2019.
With their move to LIV Golf essentially cutting them off from the PGA side, a few players are set to make some noise. Four time major winner Brooks Koepka got greased up last week winning in Orlando and he’s in a good spot mentally and physically. Dustin Johnson won at Augusta just a few years ago with his game a natural fit for the layout.
While it may not be the wisest pick for the outright title, you know Tiger is getting a lot of action. The ultimate competitor, he’s going to give it his all on a course he dominated in the past. I really can’t see him winning with all the other great golfers in the field, but stranger things have happened and he is Tiger freakin’ Woods.
The Masters Prediction
With all the great players in the field you could pull a name out of a hat and have a good chance of picking the winner. Schauffele is a consistent player with the skill and demeanor of a major champion with the trend of first time major winners at Augusta continuing.
The Masters Pick: Xander Schauffele
Top-10 Lock: Rory McIlroy
Top-20 Lock: Corey Conners
