The most recognizable golf tournament in the world tees off today: The Masters.
Normally the first major championship of the year, COVID-19 forced this event to November and is the final major golf event of 2020.
In a stacked field, who will come away with the Green Jacket and possibly earn Michigan sports betting fans a big payout? All odds lean toward Bryson DeChambeau. And here’s why.
Oddsmakers like power-swinger DeChambeau
The 2020 Masters starts on Thursday and will run through Sunday from Augusta National. TV coverage will be Thursday and Friday at 1 p.m. on ESPN, Saturday at 1 p.m. on CBS, and Sunday at 10 a.m. on CBS.
Oddsmakers are picking Bryson DeChambeau as the favorite. Both BetMGM and DraftKings listed DeChambeau as an early +750 favorite, while FanDuel listed him at +800.
With the first round in process after a rain delay, the odds have shifted slightly with DeChambeau at +1600 at DraftKings and FanDuel. But still, the Masters odds take into account recent win history, too.
DeChambeau is coming off a US Open victory earlier this year, which was his first major championship.
On top of that, he is having the best year of his career with two wins and 11 top-10 finishes over 18 tournaments.
Following the 2019 season, DeChambeau packed on the muscle and focused on driving power. The strategy has worked so far, but Augusta National is a narrow course. Accuracy will be key.
DeChambeau hasn’t gotten into the top 20 in three previous Masters appearances. However, he didn’t have a top 10 in a single major until this year. He has finished in the top five in both majors of 2020.
Don’t forget DJ, Rahm, McIlroy at the Masters
Along with DeChambeau as the favorite, Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, and Rory McIlroy find themselves as the other top-5 favorites this week.
Johnson (+850, now +700) is seeking his first green jacket. He has finished in the top 10 in his last four Masters appearances, including runner-up in 2019. Johnson has one major to his credit, the 2016 US Open.
Rahm (+1000, now +1400) is fresh off an incredible hole-in-one during his practice round on Tuesday. The Spaniard has yet to win a major, but was ninth at Augusta last year and fourth in 2018.
Thomas (+1100, now +1200) owns one major, the 2017 PGA Championship. In four Masters appearances, Thomas has yet to crack the top 10. He has finished in the top 20 the last two years.
McIlroy (+1300, now +1200) is looking to complete the career grand slam with a green jacket. He has won all three other majors. Over 11 Masters appearances, McIlroy has placed in the top 10 five times.
Tiger Woods not likely to repeat
The 2019 Masters was one of the most memorable events in some time, as Tiger Woods claimed his fifth green jacket and ended an 11-year major-less streak.
Entering this week as the defending champion, Woods is considered a longshot. His odds were as short as +3300 at BetMGM, and as long as +4700 at FanDuel. Current odds show him at +4000 at most sportsbooks.
The 15-time major winner and five-time Masters champion has struggled in 2020. He has failed to crack the top 30 over his last seven tournaments.
Even with that, Woods has still been quite consistent at Augusta National. In 22 appearances, Woods has finished in the top 10 14 times.
Can longshots earn you a big payday at the Masters?
Correctly wagering on a winning golfer is always a nice payday.
Landing on a longshot can be like Christmas Day.
If you put in some research and feel confident in a longshot, it’s a very low-risk with high-reward potential. Here are three worth considering at the 2020 Masters:
- Phil Mickelson has a Masters history that is hard to ignore. His odds are ranging from +7500 to +12500. The three-time Masters champion has finished in the top 10 in 15 of his 27 appearances at Augusta. Even last year, “Lefty” finished 18th.
- Cameron Smith ranges from +6500 to +9000 in odds and is one to consider. Smith has not missed a cut in three Masters appearances. That includes a top-5 finish in the 2018 tournament. Smith comes to Augusta playing well, finishing in the top 25 in six of his last seven tournaments.
- Paul Casey is a name familiar in the golf world, but his odds range from +6500 to +8000 this week. Those are appealing odds for the European, who has five top-10 finishes at Augusta and eight top-20 finishes. While missing the cut last year, he finished second at the 2020 PGA Championship and 17th at the U.S. Open.
