The wait is over and punters can look forward to betting on the first major of the year this week as the US Masters gets going in Augusta, Georgia. We take a look at some of the markets on offer and suggest a few bets.
THE COURSE
The Augusta National plays to a Par 72 and last year the 11th and 15th holes were lengthened and that definitely had an impact with no eagles recorded on the 15th, a hole where there is normally plenty of them. Punters should note that the par 5, 13th has been lengthened this year and with that also a potential eagle hole, scoring could be tougher.
One thing we have learnt at Augusta over the years is that driving distance is more important than driving accuracy and length off the tee is most certainly an advantage here as positioning your approach shots in the right areas of the green is crucial. The shorter the approach iron the better.
Scrambling and putting are also important and one of the big factors to consider is the current form as winners of this Tournament normally have some good results in the build-up.
The Augusta course does not suit everyone and a good record at this venue can also be a pointer to success.
THE BETTING
The defending Champion, Scottie Scheffler and Rory Mcilroy currently top the betting boards at 8/1 with Jon Rahm at 10/1 and you can get 20/1 and better the balance.
The days where South Africa had regular contenders in the Majors appear to be over and Louis Oosthuizen 150/1 is the shortest price South African and he is 1/1 to be Top South African and you can click here for that market.
PAST WINNERS
2022 – Scottie Scheffler -10
2021 – Hideki Matsuyama -10
2020 – Dustin Johnson -20
2019 – Tiger Woods -13
2018 – Patrick Reed -15
BETTING – Click here to bet
Scottie Scheffler 8/1
Rory Mcilroy 8/1
Jon Rahm 10/1
Jordan Spieth 18/1
Patrick Cantlay 20/1
Justin Thomas 22/1
25/1 and better the balance, all prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
SELECTIONS:
Scottie Scheffler each way at 8/1
Scheffler finished Top 20 in his first two Masters and then he came home strongly last year to win the Tournament. He therefore ticks the course form box, but he is also in excellent form with a recent Top 4 finish in the World Match Player and prior to that he had won 2 of 4 starts without finishing outside the Top 12.
Justin Thomas each way at 22/1
Thomas has been very consistent around Augusta National and finished in the Top 10, for the second time in 3 years, in 2022. Since finishing 39th on debut he hasn’t finished outside the Top 22 in his next 6 starts here with the best place of 4th back in 2020.
Thomas hasn’t been shooting the lights out, but he has looked in solid form of late and I am expecting him to go close this week.
Dustin Johnson each way at 28/1
Dustin Johnson has moved to the LIV Tour and that means we don’t have any recent comparable form to go on. What we do know about him is that he won this event 3 years ago and prior to that was runner-up and that he finished 12th here in 2022.
He is long off the tee and while a lack of competitive play could be a disadvantage, I think he will be determined to go well this week and 28/1 could look a very big price come Sunday.
Kevin Na each way at 300/1
Na is another one who has moved over to the LIV Tour, but he has certainly being showing signs of getting the hang of Augusta with 3 consecutive Top 15 finishes. It will take some improvement to convert that into a win, but at 300/1 I simply can’t resist him as my outsider this week and for those looking for more conservative play he is 4/1 to finish inside the Top 20.
