Masters Favorites 2015: Updated Vegas Odds for Golf's Elite Talent
The first major of the PGA season will finally tee off on Thursday with golf's biggest names set to take the stage. Veterans who have donned the historic green jacket and others looking for their first will converge for the massive tournament.
Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, despite never winning at Augusta, are the current favorites to capture the Masters trophy. Bubba Watson, Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson are looking to add to their collection of green jackets. All three are in the top 10 of the current odds to win the tournament, per OddsShark.com.
Then there's Tiger Woods. A four-time champion at Augusta, Woods is still searching for his first major win since 2008. Woods announced he will be playing on Thursday, but his performance will be another story to watch.
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Prior to the 2015 Masters getting underway, here's a look at the latest Vegas odds and breakdown of the field.
| Rory McIlroy | 11-2 |
| Jordan Spieth | 8-1 |
| Bubba Watson | 10-1 |
| Jason Day | 14-1 |
| Dustin Johnson | 16-1 |
| Henrik Stenson | 18-1 |
| Phil Mickelson | 18-1 |
| Adam Scott | 20-1 |
| Jimmy Walker | 22-1 |
| Patrick Reed | 28-1 |
| Justin Rose | 33-1 |
| Matt Kuchar | 33-1 |
| Rickie Fowler | 33-1 |
| Tiger Woods | 33-1 |
| Brandt Snedeker | 40-1 |
| J.B. Holmes | 40-1 |
| Lee Westwood | 40-1 |
| Sergio Garcia | 40-1 |
Masters Preview
Don't we all just love an underdog? Well, what happens when that underdog becomes a former world No. 1? That's exactly the situation Woods is in as he enters the 2015 version of the Masters.
More than just doubt has crept into the minds of Woods' loyal fans. At this point, seeing the 39-year-old golfer ever pull out another major victory would seem shocking. Still, Woods has a quiet confidence every time he plays at Augusta, a location that is special to him.
"I'm playing in the Masters," Woods said, via his official website. "It's obviously very important to me, and I want to be there.
"I've worked a lot on my game and I'm looking forward to competing. I'm excited to get to Augusta and I appreciate everyone's support."
If one player has surpassed Woods in terms of marketing and publicity, it's McIlroy—and deservedly so. After winning the final two majors in 2014, the Northern Irish golfer has his sights set on claiming his first green jacket.
It's not like Woods didn't see this coming. After all, McIlroy wrote him a letter warning him this day would come when he was nine years old, via Golf.com:
McIlroy is not the only young golfer playing well right now.
Spieth is on a phenomenal run to start the season, claiming six top-10 finishes over his first eight appearances. That includes a win in the Valspar Championship and two other runner-up results. Coming up just short at Augusta last year by finishing second, Spieth might be the best challenge for McIlroy.
However, Mickelson is also lurking with a solid stretch of recent play. PGA Tour's official Twitter account points out how well he played at the Shell Houston Open:
With so many great players in the field, picking just one player to crown as a champion is an arduous task. Whether it's a young gun or a prior champion, the Masters promises to be another testament to just how bright the future of golf is on the best stage in the sport.
Follow @RCorySmith on Twitter.
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