The most prestigious golf tournament of the year, the Masters, is just around the corner. As the world’s top golfers gear up to compete in the 90th edition of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, fans and experts alike are buzzing with anticipation. With the tournament set to begin this weekend, Newsweek has broken down the odds and best bets for this year’s Masters, giving fans a glimpse into what to expect from the highly anticipated event.
As always, the Masters promises to be a thrilling and unpredictable event, with the world’s best golfers vying for the coveted green jacket. This year’s field is stacked with top talent, including defending champion Sergio Garcia, world number one Dustin Johnson, and fan-favorite Rory McIlroy. With such a competitive field, it’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top at Augusta this year.
But fear not, as Newsweek has put together a comprehensive guide to help you navigate through the odds and make the best bets for this year’s Masters. So let’s take a look at some of the top contenders and their chances of winning the green jacket.
First up is the defending champion, Sergio Garcia. After finally breaking through and winning his first major last year, Garcia will be looking to make it two in a row at Augusta. With his recent win at the Andalucia Valderrama Masters, Garcia is in good form and has a strong track record at the Masters, with 10 top-10 finishes in his career. He may not be the favorite, but don’t count out the Spaniard from making a run at the title.
Next up is world number one Dustin Johnson. Despite a disappointing finish at last year’s Masters, Johnson has been dominant on the PGA Tour, winning three times this season. With his length off the tee and solid putting, Johnson has all the tools to conquer Augusta and win his first green jacket. But he will have to overcome his past struggles at the Masters if he wants to come out on top this year.
Another top contender is Rory McIlroy. The four-time major champion has had a solid start to the season, with three top-10 finishes in his last three starts. McIlroy has yet to win the Masters, but he has come close, finishing in the top 10 in each of the last four years. With his powerful game and experience at Augusta, McIlroy could finally add the elusive green jacket to his collection.
And let’s not forget about the always dangerous Jordan Spieth. The 2015 Masters champion has had a rollercoaster season so far, with a win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am but also a missed cut at the Houston Open. But when it comes to the Masters, Spieth seems to always bring his A-game. With two runner-up finishes and a win in his last four starts at Augusta, Spieth is definitely a top contender this year.
While these are some of the top favorites, there are plenty of other players who could surprise and make a run at the green jacket. Players like Justin Thomas, Justin Rose, and Bubba Watson are all capable of winning at Augusta and should not be overlooked.
But what about the odds? According to the latest betting lines, Dustin Johnson is the favorite to win the Masters at 9/1, followed by Rory McIlroy at 10/1 and Jordan Spieth at 12/1. Sergio Garcia is at 25/1, while Justin Thomas and Justin Rose are at 14/1 and 16/1, respectively. As for some longshots, Bubba Watson is at 40/1, and Tiger Woods, who is making his return to the Masters after a three-year absence, is at 100/1.
So who has the best chance of winning the 90th edition of the Masters? It’s tough to say, as the tournament is known for its surprises and dramatic finishes. But one thing is for sure, it’s going to be an exciting weekend at Augusta National Golf Club.
In addition to the top contenders, there are a few other storylines to keep an eye on at this year’s Masters. Can Tiger Woods make a comeback and win his fifth green jacket? Will Phil Mickelson, who has won three Masters titles, add another to his collection? And what about the young guns like Jon Rahm and Rickie Fowler, who are still searching for their first
