Masters 2015: Latest Expectations for Golf's Top Favorites and Sleepers
Just 72 holes separate a golfer from history at the 2015 Masters.
Expectations run rampant. Maybe Bubba Watson steals his third green jacket in four years at Augusta. Perhaps this is the year Rory McIlroy takes it all. Or maybe Jordan Spieth capitalizes on his ridiculous momentum.
Then again, a field of perhaps the most notable sleepers in years stands ready to put up a fight and play spoiler. A guy named Tiger Woods will also be in attendance.
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As always, expectations out of Las Vegas can be a good way to view things—and a way to make some coin if the odds perhaps don't shine a favorable light on a sleeper.
Let's take a look at expectations for some of the tournament's biggest names.
2015 Masters Odds
| Rory McIlroy | 11-2 |
| Henrik Stenson | 14-1 |
| Bubba Watson | 10-1 |
| Jordan Spieth | 9-1 |
| Jason Day | 12-1 |
| Adam Scott | 20-1 |
| Dustin Johnson | 14-1 |
| Jim Furyk | 50-1 |
| Sergio Garcia | 35-1 |
| Jimmy Walker | 18-1 |
| Justin Rose | 35-1 |
| J.B. Holmes | 75-1 |
| Rickie Fowler | 25-1 |
| Matt Kuchar | 20-1 |
| Phil Mickelson | 12-1 |
| Zach Johnson | 28-1 |
| Brandt Snedeker | 33-1 |
| Tiger Woods | 28-1 |
| Justin Rose | 35-1 |
| Sergio Garcia | 35-1 |
| Lee Westwood | 40-1 |
| Billy Horschel | 50-1 |
| Brooks Koepka | 50-1 |
| Jim Furyk | 50-1 |
| Keegan Bradley | 50-1 |
Note: Odds courtesy of Odds Shark and updated as of Tuesday, April 7.
Notable Favorite: Rory McIlroy
Surprise, right?
McIlroy is close to the coveted grand slam and it's hard to hate his chances. He tore up the back end of the 2014 season, including triumphs at the Open Championship and PGA Championship.
While he's the world No. 1, according to PGATour.com, McIlroy's resume is much quieter this season, including a missed cut at The Honda Classic.
He's also quick to admit Augusta presents a certain set of challenges in areas he's still working to improve.
“The majors I’ve won have been sort of big golf courses,” McIlroy said, per PGATour.com's Brian Wacker. “Augusta isn’t like that. There’s a lot of touch, a lot of finesse. That’s the one thing I’m still trying to get better at, that style of golf."
Yet, it's impossible to ignore McIlroy's end-of-season push one year ago. The state of his form right now is difficult to discern, but a bet against him seems akin to tossing money in a campfire.
Look for an improved McIlroy to come out strong and post the best Augusta performance of his career.
Prediction: McIlroy finishes top five.
The Close Second: Jordan Spieth
From a payout and expectation standpoint, Spieth is a much better bet than any other competitor in the field.
The 21-year-old sensation is simply on fire since last December, posting seven top-10 finishes since, as PGATour.com captures:
| 12/07/14 | Hero World Challenge | 1 | 262 | -26 |
| 2/01/15 | Waste Management Phoenix Open | T7 | 273 | -11 |
| 2/08/15 | Farmers Insurance Open | CUT | 147 | 3 |
| 2/15/15 | AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am | T7 | 271 | -16 |
| 2/22/15 | Northern Trust Open | T4 | 279 | -5 |
| 3/08/15 | WGC-Cadillac Championship | T17 | 289 | 1 |
| 3/15/15 | Valspar Championship | P1 | 274 | -10 |
| 3/29/15 | Valero Texas Open | 2 | 281 | -7 |
| 4/05/15 | Shell Houston Open | P2 | 272 | -16 |
Feel free to bring statistics into the conversation, too. He ranks fourth on the tour in strokes gained tee-to-green (1.548), fifth in strokes gained putting (.801), second in total strokes gained (2.349) and third in scoring average (69.509).
This form figures to carry over to Augusta, too, based on comments he made to PGA.com's Jimmy Burch:
"Historically, I've played well in the second and third week in a row on a stretch. I just seem to get some of the kinks out of the way in the first couple of weeks and not make as many mental errors. My swing starts to really fall together, and my putting stroke as well, by the second or third week.
"
Keep in mind Spieth finished tied for second last year at Augusta.
For those who believe in either momentum or experience, if not some combination of the two, Spieth is the easy choice. Last year he finished in a great manner despite no sub-70 round.
This year he shouldn't have the same issue, which means he should have enough to best the field.
Prediction: Spieth wins the 2015 Masters.
Notable Sleeper: Jim Furyk
Sometimes it's fun to run down the list of odds just to see who even gets a mention by Las Vegas.
Jim Furyk's name pops up near the bottom.
Weird right? Maybe not—Furyk hasn't broke through to the top 10 at Augusta more than once in the past decade, a tie for 10th in 2009. As of late, the 44-year-old veteran has appeared rattled, too, finishing tied for 40th at the Valspar Championship and tied for 58th at the Valero Texas Open.
Still, Furyk seems confident, as PGA.com captures on Twitter:
According to PGATour.com, Furyk still ranks fifth in driving accuracy percentage (72), seventh in strokes gained tee-to-green (1.456) and he's right on the cusp of a strong scoring average (70.368) at 23rd overall.
Furyk isn't so far removed from serious contention considering he touts a top-14 finish in four of his last six appearances. His track record as of late at Augusta isn't sexy, but experience can at times outweigh momentum.
This is one of those cases.
Prediction: Furyk finishes top 10.
Stats and info courtesy of PGATour.com unless otherwise specified.
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