Masters 2017 Favorites
It’s a tradition (on For The Win) like no other.
Each year, we get members of the site staff throw in their picks with odds for the Masters. With the action teeing off at the 2019 event at Augusta National on Thursday, it’s time for us to give another bunch of choices in the hopes it’ll win you some money.
As a reminder: We pick one player with short odds (up to 20/1), medium odds (21/1 to 99/1) and we dive deep to take one longshot (100/1 and above) who could come out of relative obscurity (hello, Danny Willett in 2016!) and get a green jacket.
All odds courtesy of PointsBet:
Short odds
Masters 2019 - Augusta National hole-by-hole guide 14th (Chinese Fir), 440 yards, par four The only hole on the course without a bunker, but three putts are common on the wickedly difficult green. Official home of The 2020 Masters at Augusta National. Get scores, player information, patron information, watch live.
Dustin Johnson, 10/1
I don’t like picking against Rory McIlroy when he looks in the zone, but I keep getting this weird feeling that DJ will take it home this weekend. He crushes the ball, he’s had experience now with Augusta, and the last three times he’s played the Masters (other than 2017 when he had that freak injury falling down the staircase) he’s T6, T4, and T10. It’s his time. — Nate Scott
Justin Rose, 12/1
That’s right, we’re going right back here again until he wins it. With a history of near-wins and consistent results at Augusta (did you know he’s finished outside of the top 25 just twice in 13 Masters appearances and hasn’t missed the cut once?), along with good form (eighth place at The Players Championship last month), he’s a lock to contend for a green jacket. He’s an all-time ball-striker. What more do you want? — Charles Curtis
Jordan Spieth, 16/1
Jordan Spieth is having a bad season, and the three-time major champion is struggling with multiple facets of his game. Spieth is an alarming 172nd on tour in strokes gained tee to green, and 70th in strokes gained putting.
Still, there’s something special about Spieth at Augusta. In five starts, he’s never finished worse than a tie for 11th, and he’s posted four top-3 finishes. I have little doubt that Spieth can be mediocre everywhere else, yet show up at Augusta National on Thursday and shoot a 67. He’s going to be a contender over the weekend. — Nick Schwartz
Tiger Woods, 12/1
I did not realize I was working with cowards. If nobody else is going to take the plunge, I guess I will: I’m going with Tiger. His 2019 numbers aren’t impressive, but we know he has a game suited for Augusta, as evidenced by the 65 (!) he shot at a practice round this week. There better players you can put your money on, but betting is supposed to be fun and you’re not going to have more fun betting on another guy. And what if he wins!?!? — Steven Ruiz
Medium odds
Brooks Koepka, 22/1
Koepka at +2200? What am I missing here? A win here and he would pass Jordan Spieth on the career majors list. He would tie Rory. He’s coming off a PGA Championship win, a PGA Tour Player of the Year award last year, and it’s not like he’s been bad at Augusta – he finished T11 last year. He’s entering the tournament ticked off at the lack of coverage and respect he’s getting. This is my favorite pick. — NaS
I’m with Nate here. This is probably the best bet to make this weekend. And, sure, it’s a boring pick, but I’ve already used my fun pick on Tiger Woods. Here’s my advice: Bet on Tiger for fun and back it up with a bet on boring old Brooks.
A bonus pick: Hideki Matsuyama (33/1). He ranks third in strokes gained tee-to-green and has already racked up three top-10 finishes this season. — SR
Francesco Molinari, 22/1
Come on aboard! There’s plenty of room on this bandwagon. The 36-year-old Italian who’s one half of Moliwood had an unbelievable run since last June: He won three times (including the British Open) last season, blew away everyone at the Ryder Cup and bested the field at the Arnold Palmer just a month ago. He’s on fire and the buzz is too much to ignore, especially at those odds. — CC
Tommy Fleetwood, 28/1
Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm and Rickie Fowler are wrestling for the title of best player without a major, and it’s just a matter of time before all three break through. Fleetwood doesn’t have much experience at Augusta – he’s missed the cut and finished T17 over the last two years – but he’s one of the best drivers and ball strikers in the field. The only thing holding Fleetwood back is his putter, but if he can get hot for a few rounds, this could be his weekend. — NiS
Long Odds
Charley Hoffman (100/1)
Masters 2017 Favorites 2020
Every year we do this. Every year we discount Hoffman’s track record at the Masters, and every year we glance at the leaderboard on Day 3 and see Hoffman in fourth place, or, in that one glorious year in 2015, leading the tournament. He’s never finished outside of the top 30 at Augusta, has a top-10 and a T12 last year. For a long shot, why not put a buck or two on the guy who clearly loves this course? — NaS
Si Woo Kim, 100/1
24-year-old Si Woo Kim posted a T24 in his second start at The Masters last year, and he’s coming to Augusta just a few days removed from a T4 in Texas last weekend. Kim, the 2017 Players Championship winner, has proven he can deliver on big stages, and the stats say Kim has the game to contend. On the season, Kim is 47th in strokes gained tee to green, 9th in strokes gained around the green, 31st in strokes gained putting. — NiS
Matthew Fitzpatrick, 100/1
A bit of a Captain Obvious pick given his near-win at Bay Hill. But he’s played well at the Masters (T7 in 2016) and was T12 at the 2018 U.S. Open. Putting wins at Augusta, and if he hits well on the lightning-fast greens, look out. — CC
Charles Howell III, 100/1
Chuck Three Sticks! Howell has had a hard time qualifying for the Masters — this will be his first appearance since 2012 — but the hometown kid knows the course, which is enough for me to take a chance on him. The last time he played in the tournament, he finished in the top-20. — SR
Put your money on this list:
Dustin Johnson – The world’s number 1 ranked player is playing in dominant fashion right now. And this is the best he has ever looked going into a major. In match play 2 weeks ago, he put his opponents to shame and now he’s the front-runner at Augusta.
Justin Thomas – This golfer is having the best year of his young career. He ran away with a couple tournaments already. Definitely will be a good pick with some good odds.
Bubba Watson – Bubba has made some changes on his putting stroke and he would probably admit that he’s not ready for the Master’s, but it’s hard to not pick a 2-time Master’s champion. He still hits the ball hard and always can find some magic and that’s usually what it takes at Augusta.
Justin Rose – This guy has proven to be a top player on the tour. And when it comes to Augusta, he doesn’t have the best track record in the field (only 2 top 5’s in 11 appearances). But he’s the only golfer on the planet that can currently claim himself as a “Gold Medalist.” And I’m not going to let that go overlooked.
Jason Day – In my opinion, Jason Day, is the best golfer in the world. And all he needs, to climb the ladder historically, would be a green jacket. If his mother shows up to Augusta, healthy from her surgery, along with the rest of their family, I think that will be the little bit of extra juice that pushes him past the rest of the field this week.
Jordan Spieth – Three years ago, Spieth was hanging tough with Bubba down the stretch en route to Bubba’s 2nd green jacket. Two years ago, Spieth blew the country away by winning tournament after tournament and added his first Master’s. And then last year, Spieth was going to defend his championship but blew his lead on a disastrous back 9. In 3 appearances at Augusta, he’s never finished worse than T2. Sounds like a safe bet to me.
Consider picking these guys:
Hideki Matsuyama – I’m not sure if anyone realizes Hideki is ranked 4th in the Official World Golf Ranking right now.
Phil Mickelson – Lefty = Money
Rickie Fowler – Sooner or later, Rickie is going to win a major and until then, I’m going to keep picking him. Also in 6 starts in 2017, he has a top-4 finish in 3 of those events. He is trending upward.
Henrik Stenson – This guy strikes the ball better than anyone in the world. And Augusta rewards good ball-striking, as do all golf courses.
Adam Scott – From 2010 – 2014, Scott had top 20 finishes including a win at the Master’s in 2013.
Rory McIlroy – I had to choose between Rory and the defending Masters champ, Danny Willett, for this spot and I’m not going to discount the former world number 1.
Guys you can count on to play good:
Patrick Reed – He’s like the San Antonio Spurs; he’s usually in the mix.
Matt Kuchar – This was the United States’ best Olympian.
Paul Casey – I just got a funny feeling this week that he’ll be in contention.
Jim Furyk – There’s a reason he’s still on Tour.
Darkhorses of the field:
Marc Leishman – Been hot lately.
Soren Kjeldsen – New face to a lot of holiday watchers.
Masters 2017 Favorites App
Webb Simpson – Wouldn’t be a big surprise to many.