The Masters is in the unfamiliar position of wrapping up the majors in 2020. One of golf’s grandest spectacles has been pushed back to November. There may be quite the chill in the air at Augusta this time around, but the action on the course will help heat things up.
Earlier this season, we 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?
Or will Masters stalwarts such as Tiger Woods have something more to say about that? We’ll have to patiently wait and see if Woods 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 board begins to tighten up even further as the event draws near. Here’s a peek at the current favorites as of Nov. 10.
Golfer | DraftKings | FanDuel |
---|---|---|
Bryson DeChambeau | +750 | +800 |
Jon Rahm | +1050 | +1000 |
Dustin Johnson | +850 | +850 |
Rory McIlroy | +1300 | +1300 |
Justin Thomas | +1300 | +1200 |
Xander Schauffele | +1600 | +1600 |
Brooks Koepka | +1700 | +1800 |
Patrick Cantlay | +2800 | +2500 |
Patrick Reed | +3000 | +3000 |
Bubba Watson | +3300 | +3000 |
Tiger Woods | +4500 | +4700 |
Tyrell Hatton | +2500 | +2600 |
Collin Morikawa | +3500 | +3500 |
Webb Simpson | +4000 | +4000 |
Tony Finau | +3300 | +3200 |
At the 2019 Masters, Tiger Woods walked onto the course as one of the sentimental favorites. Since he hadn’t won a major tournament in the past 11 years, the chances of him actually winning weren’t exactly great.
He quickly demonstrated that there was more than a chance. After playing really well through the first two rounds, Woods carded a 64 in round three to vault up to a tie for second place, sitting just two strokes back of the overall lead heading into the last day.
You could feel the buzz as the final round got underway. Woods was within striking distance, and he didn’t disappoint. He managed to do the unthinkable and win his fifth green jacket at the age of 43.
If he wins the Masters one more time, he’ll be tied with the legendary Jack Nicklaus for most all-time wins at this major. Based on current odds at DraftKings and FanDuel Sportsbook, Woods is currently at +4500/+4700.
He has won a total of 15 majors in his legendary career, five of which have come at the masters. Prior to 2019, his last victory at this tournament came back in 2005, with the other wins coming in 1997, 2001, and 2002.
The Official World Golf Ranking currently places him in 32nd place. At this season’s previous majors, Woods finished in a tie for 37th at the PGA Championship and missed the cut at the US Open.
Since winning last year’s Masters, he has just one other PGA Tour win under his belt and a total of four top 10 finishes. Of course, anytime Woods is in the field, he’ll attract plenty of betting action.
He’s worthy of a sentimental or speculative wager this time around, as well, and he simply can’t be ruled out as a potential contender to win it all. That said, don’t assume he’s a sure thing to pull it off.
As the 2020 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.
DeChambeau’s victory at the US Open was one of the highlights of the year, but it’s far from his only accomplishment. He has played in 18 tournaments in 2020 thus far and claimed a top 10 finish at 11 of them. His ascent to the ranks of golf’s elite continues.
Currently ranked second in the OWGR, Rahm has picked up victories at the Memorial Tournament and BMW Championship in 2020. He disappointed with a tie for 23rd place at the US Open and a tie for 13th at the PGA, but Rahm is a legitimate favorite to win the Masters.
Johnson, the top-ranked player on the OWGR, is having himself a stellar run. Over his past five tournaments, he has finished in a tie for sixth place or better. At the US Open, he tied for second. Johnson is more than worthy of being a top favorite at this year’s Masters.
While seeing Woods or one of the other favorites 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.
A tie for fourth at the PGA and a second-place finish at the US Open are just two of the highlights for what has been a great PGA Tour season for Wolff. He finished up 2019 at 117th in the OWGR, but he has rocketed up to 14th in the latest rankings.
Fowler has come close to winning a major a number of times, but he has yet to seal the deal. Back in 2018, he finished in second at the Masters and followed that up with a tie for ninth in 2019. Could 2020 be the year he gets over the hump?
Quick, which golfer is in second place behind DeChambeau for year-to-date earnings on the PGA Tour? A tie for 17th at the US Open was followed by a missed cut at the Shriners, but Kokrak bounced back with a win at the CJ Cup.
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 by quick, but current technology makes it possible to stay on top of things. First things first, 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 zero in on 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, 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 last 10 years of results at the Masters.
Year | Purse / Top Prize | Winner | To Par | Runner-Up | To Par |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
2010 | $7.5M/$1.35M | Phil Mickelson | -16 | Lee Westwood | -13 |
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 the 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 Rankings.
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.
There are also four challenging par 5 holes to be found on the course: 2, 8, 13 and 15.
A stretch from the 11th through 13th holes at Augusta was christened with this nickname by a sportswriter 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.