At the 2020 Masters in November, Dustin Johnson won the tournament with an astounding record score of 20-under and had Tiger Woods award him with his first green jacket. It was extra sweet for Johnson, as he had come in second to Woods in 2019.
Last year, we also saw youngsters Collin Morikawa and Bryson DeChambeau roll to wins at majors. Should we take that as a sign that there is an official changing of the guard afoot in the ranks of professional golf? With such tight competition, we’ll have to patiently wait and see if Johnson can defend his crown, but here’s what we know for sure: The field is loaded, and there’s an epic four days of Masters golf straight ahead.
Even better, we can now bet on what will transpire right here in Michigan. Our complete guide to betting on the Masters will cover everything you need to know while pointing you to the top legal places to get in the game.
The Masters Tournament is one of the biggest sporting events of the year. The futures market for which golfer will win is very active as a result, but the odds board tightens up a lot after every round. Check our live feed below for Masters odds posted at the top MI sportsbooks. Use the drop-down menu on the top left to see more odds for this year’s Masters Tournament.
Five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods will not be participating at this year’s Masters after suffering multiple injuries in a Feb. 23 car accident in California. Golf’s biggest star excels at Augusta like no other major venue, and his abilities captivate fans around the globe. His inability to attend this year’s event will strike a somber chord.
As the 2021 Masters approaches, the betting market has spoken loud and clear. There are three consensus favorites to win the vaunted green jacket. Let’s take a look at what each of them brings to the table. (Note: Odds are as of April 5.)
Johnson, the top-ranked player in the Official World Golf Ranking, is having a stellar run of play in the past year. The defending champion, Johnson is more than worthy of being a top favorite at this spring’s return to Augusta.
DeChambeau’s victory at last year’s US Open was a tour de force, but it’s far from his only accomplishment. He most recently won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March, and his ascent to the ranks of golf’s elite continues.
Who would have thought the 2015 Masters championship would be on this next-best list after much of his past 24 months? The Texas wunderkind had appeared lost, both in his physical swing timing and in his mental confidence. But a handful of top-10 finishes over the past couple of months culminated with this past weekend’s win at the Texas Open, and his name is suddenly a favorite at Augusta in 2021. He’s got three other top-three finishes at the Masters in addition to that breakthrough major win.
Currently ranked third in the OWGR, Rahm flirted with victories in multiple majors in the 2020 resumption of play following the pandemic stoppage. His recent form allowed him as one of the few top players to threaten a victory at the recent WGC-Dell Match Play Championship.
Spieth’s recent ascent into nearly co-favorite status is a benefit for anyone who wants to bet on Justin Thomas, who secured a victory at last month’s so-called “fifth major,” The Players Championship. Thomas has a major under his belt at the 2017 PGA Championship and several other close calls along the way. The former world No. 1 has 16 wins to his credit before the age of 28, and that success rate puts him in Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus territory.
While seeing a favorite win it all would be exciting, there will be a lot more bang for bettors’ bucks if a dark horse pulls it off. So who fits the bill as a golfer to watch at the Masters? Here’s a trio to keep in mind.
McIlroy now is what Spieth was then. Not all mid-tier selections are created equally. McIlroy has admitted that his game has suffered in the pursuit of more distance in response to Bryson DeChambeau’s merciless attack on many golf courses. What we’ve seen is a man at odds with his self-confidence in 2021. But the four-time major winner just needs the green jacket to complete the career Grand Slam, and talent oozes out of his pores.
OK, so he can play fast and loose with the rules and he’s not the easiest guy to root for on the golf course as it is. But this game is about making money, and finding value. Give me a former Masters champion (2018) who can get hot at any time and has a fire-cracker of a short game, especially when the return on investment is around 30 times my stake.
Billy Horschel is an on-and-off player. But when he’s on, he can keep things going for a couple of months. He conceded at the WGC-Workday Championship at the Concession earlier this year. He’s just coming off the WGC-Dell Match Play title. He’s won the FedEx Cup Playoffs before. And he’s at least 90-1. Hello … run to throw a couple of bucks on this dark horse yesterday!
Unfortunately, there’s not much in the way of local rooting interest at the Masters. That said, that doesn’t mean there won’t be a lot to cheer for at this year’s edition. Here are just a few of the top storylines to follow as you get set to place your bets.
Those are just three points of interest to consider, and you’ll find much more the deeper you dig into the sports betting menu. There are plenty of ways to bet on the Masters, so folks here in Michigan will find lots to interest them.
For those new to golf betting, there are a number of resources to lean on as you get set to bet on the Masters. It’s an incredibly popular event with extensive media coverage surrounding it, and you won’t be lacking for opinions on what might happen.
If you have experience with wagering on golf, then there’s no reason to shake up what’s working for you just because it’s the Masters. Regardless of where you fall on the experience spectrum, here are some tips to lean on as you get your selections together.
Soon after the green jacket has been awarded to the winner of the Masters, odds for next year’s edition of the event will come out. Sportsbooks waste little time getting out numbers on futures that see lots of betting action, and the Masters falls into that category.
When oddsmakers unveil the numbers to the public, there are some clear favorites at the top, followed by mid-range plays who could make some noise and then everyone else. The public gets its shot to weigh in from there, which will lead to movement on the board.
As bets come in, Masters betting odds may shorten for some golfers and lengthen for others. This will continue throughout the PGA Tour season and right up until the time that the next Masters is set to tee off.
When you’re betting in the futures market, the idea is the get in the wagers you want at the best possible price. A futures bet requires a long-term perspective as winning tickets can’t be cashed until the winner is official.
Futures are a great way to bet on the Masters, but they’re far from the only opportunity. Here are some of the other top ways for you to get in the game.
You can bet right along with each and every shot at the Masters. That’s thanks to the wonders of live betting, which has emerged as one of the top features at sportsbook apps and websites.
Live betting was once a niche offering, but it’s now in the category of must-have options. There have been some fascinating developments in this space in recent times, and the tech has evolved to the point where you can get inside of the action like never before.
It’s all about bets you can place in real time as the action takes place on the course. Odds and offerings move and change quickly, but current technology makes it possible to stay on top of things. Click through on our exclusive links to create an account with our recommended spots.
You’ll get some awesome sign-up bonuses for doing so. Once your account is all set, download the app for your iOS or Android device from the sportsbook website. After you log in on mobile, you’ll have a real sportsbook to take with you on the go.
There will be a dedicated section for live betting as the Masters unfolds. You can find the latest opportunities at any time. The sports betting app will also make for a perfect complement as you watch the tournament play out wherever you might be.
The 84th edition of the Masters was originally scheduled to take place from April 9-12, 2020. After it became clear that it was unfeasible to hold the event as scheduled in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, dates were shifted around across the PGA calendar. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s edition of the Masters.
Over the past decade at the Masters, we have been treated to a number of thrilling finishes. Included on the list are three years in which a playoff was needed, as well as the stirring victory by Woods in 2019. Here’s a look back at the past 10 years of results at the Masters.
Year | Purse / Top Prize | Winner | To Par | Runner-Up | To Par |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | $11.5M/$2.07M | Dustin Johnson | -20 (Record) | S. Im, C. Smith | -15 |
2019 | $11.5M/$2.07M | Tiger Woods | -13 | D. Johnson, B. Koepka, X. Schauffele | -12 |
2018 | $11M/$1.98M | Patrick Reed | -15 | Rickie Fowler | -14 |
2017 | $11M/$1.98M | Sergio Garcia | -9 | Justin Rose (lost playoff) | -9 |
2016 | $10M/$1.8M | Danny Willett | -5 | J. Spieth, L. Westwood | -2 |
2015 | $10M/$1.8M | Jordan Spieth | -18 | P. Mickelson, J. Rose | -14 |
2014 | $9M/$1.62M | Bubba Watson | -8 | J. Blixt, J. Spieth | -5 |
2013 | $8M/$1.44M | Adam Scott | -9 | A. Cabrera (lost playoff) | -9 |
2012 | $8M/$1.44M | Bubba Watson | -10 | L. Oosthuizen (lost playoff) | -10 |
2011 | $8M/$1.44M | Charl Schwartzel | -14 | J. Day, A. Scott | -12 |
The first Masters was held way back in 1934. The 2020 edition of the tournament will be the 84th. Over that span, there have been hundreds of memorable moments. Here are five that continue to stand the test of time and deserve inclusion in discussions of the all-time best.
Once upon a time, Las Vegas was the only spot for legal sports betting in the US. That’s no longer the case. Sports betting is now legal in a growing list of states, including here in Michigan. Operators in legal states are releasing odds that are right in line with Sin City for the upcoming Masters.
The Masters is technically considered an invitation-only event. However, there’s also a list of criteria that make it clear who can be expected to participate. Among the automatic qualifiers are past Masters champions and winners of any other major over the past five years, while preference is also given to the current Official World Golf Ranking.
In most cases, the winner of a PGA Tour event is also given an invitation to that year’s event.
The green jacket was worn proudly by members at Augusta National from 1937-48. Beginning in 1949, the winner of the Masters was awarded one as well. All previous winners of the tournament also received a green jacket retroactively. The tradition continues to this day, with the awarding of the jacket serving as a made-for-TV moment.
In some circles, there are US Masters betting pools that are similar to what you might find for March Madness or the NFL playoffs. The pool allows entrants to pick a golfer they like from several different tiers. There may be an entry fee attached that is then distributed to the winner or winners when all is said and done.
Answers to this question may vary depending on which players you ask, but three holes over one stretch are among the most often cited.
The latter two holes are part of a famous stretch known as Amen Corner, which concludes with the dramatic par-5 13th hole.
The other three dynamic par-5s are at Nos. 2, 8 and 15.
A stretch from the 11th through 13th holes at Augusta was christened with this nickname by sportswriter Herbert Warren Wind in the late 1950s. As legend has it, he was looking for a catchphrase that would speak to the overall difficulty of the event and the excitement that was often found at this stretch. The name has stuck to this day.
There’s no automatic answer here, and it could even vary by tournament. The best golf bet is one that you feel most comfortable with and are able to get at the best possible odds. As always, there’s no such thing as a sure thing when it comes to sports betting. Anything can happen on the course when golfers tee off, so there’s risk with each wager. No matter the bet you choose, remember to gamble responsibly.