Die-hard golf fans start watching and wagering on the PGA season from the moment it begins, but for many, the real start of the season begins when the pros head to Augusta National in Georgia for the Masters. The 81st version of the Masters will tee off on Thursday, April 6, with 94 players looking to land the first major of the season. The field will be comprised of the current best players in the world, returning champions, and a few amateurs looking to make a name for themselves on the hallowed Augusta course. Of that starting 94, there are only a select few that have a legitimate shot at winning. Let’s look at some of the golf betting favorites for this weekend.
Analyzing The 2017 PGA Masters Odds & Betting Predictions
Dustin Johnson
The best player in the world, not to mention the most consistent right now, and one who may benefit from the state of the course this weekend. There was torrential rain in Augusta on Monday, and the forecast calls for more of the wet stuff throughout the week. This would play right into Dustin Johnson’s hands, and make him the favorite to take his 3-tournament win streak to 4 on Sunday afternoon.
Jordan Spieth
If Augusta National was built for just one player on the PGA tour right now, it would most likely be Spieth. He loves this course, and in his three appearances, he has never finished worse than second. He won it in 2015 and could have gone back to back last year where it not for a horrendous shot on the 12th that ended up costing him the tournament. I’m taking Spieth to make amends for that error and win it this year.
Rory McIlroy
It’s fair to say that inclement, wet weather this weekend might just play into the hands of the Irishman. Rory McIlroy has been battling some niggling injuries over the past few months, but now appears to be fully fit and ready to go. His last 3 visits the Masters have seen him land in the top 10, and there is nothing to suggest that he won’t be in contention come Sunday afternoon.
Hideki Matsuyama
The young Japanese golfer is in a rich vein of for right now, and has also been in contention in the last two Masters tournaments, finishing top 10 in both. He is great off the tee, which should serve him well on this course, but he still tends to struggle with the putter. If he can put it all together over the next 4 days, he could well be donning the green jacket in the Butler Cabin come Sunday night.
Jon Rahm
I couldn’t possibly end this preview without throwing a little bit of a dark horse into the mix. The young Spaniard is perhaps the most consistent golfer in the world, outside of Dustin Johnson, right now. Over his last 6 tournaments, he has a win, a pair of top 5 finishes, and also a pair of top 10’s. It may be asking a lot to suggest that this young man might win in his first trip to the Masters, but I expect him to be in the hunt.
