Masters Odds 2016: Early Lines and Predictions for Top Sleepers in the Field
The names at the top of most lists for primary Masters contenders include Jason Day, Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, and they have been the most dominant golfers in the world over the last 12 to 18 months.
But when it comes to the tournament in Augusta, Georgia, upsets are always possible, and there are sleepers in the field who are capable of making a four-day run that earns a green jacket and the respect of the golf community.
One of the sleepers we like is Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, who is one of the finest young prospects on the tour. While he comes into the Masters with odds of 40-1 according to Odds Checker, Matsuyama is the 11th-ranked golfer in FedEx points and the 14th-ranked golfer in the world.
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Matsuyama has three top-10 finishes this season as well as a victory on the tour this season and has earned more than $2 million.
If you are not a hard-core golf fan, you may not have paid much attention to Matsuyama to this point in his career. However, he is averaging 4.90 birdies per round and that leads the PGA Tour. Matsuyama is also quite accurate, as he gains 1.803 strokes tee-to-green, and that ranks fifth on the tour.
If Matsuyama can get off to a good start and find himself with a solid opening-round performance, he has the game to work himself in with the contenders, and that will give him a chance to win the fabled tournament.
| Hideki Matsuyama | 40-1 | 3rd | Consistent hitter who breaks through at Augusta |
| Marc Leishman | 66-1 | 10th | Big hitter who can work his way out of trouble |
| Jimmy Walker | 80-1 | 12th | All-round game allows for solid showing |
| Brandt Snedeker | 60-1 | 14th | Possible early leader but can't hold on |
| Matt Kuchar | 60-1 | 16th | Putter may not prevail. |
| Paul Casey | 66-1 | 9th | Good showing as a result of iron play. |
| Brooks Koepka | 66-1 | 20th | Shows off his power |
| Bill Haas | 110-1 | 22nd | Solid all-round game |
| Branden Grace | 66-1 | 24th | Will slow down after excellent start |
| Kevin Na | 125-1 | 15th | Longshot has a chance. |
Marc Leishman of Australia is not on anyone's list of hot contenders for the Masters, but he has the game to play well at Augusta and possibly sneak in with the best players in the world.
Leishman's career has been beset by family illness and distractions, but he is the 31st-ranked golfer in the world and is 63rd in FedEx points this season.
Leishman has played in nine events this season, and he has three top-25 finishes and has reached the top 10 once. However, Leishman has been a contender in the Masters in the past (tied for fourth in 2013), and one of the reasons is his ability to drive the ball. He ranks fourth in total driving, and if he can hit the ball consistently off the tee in Augusta, he has a chance here.
He also ranks ninth in scrambling, and that ability to rescue a hole after getting into trouble could help him climb to contender status.
Jimmy Walker had a breakthrough season in 2015 when he won two tournaments, finished second twice and earned more than $4.5 million on the tour.
He has not fared as well this season, as he stands 35th in the FedEx Cup rankings and 24th in the world. Walker has won slightly more than $1.1 million this year and has three top-10 finishes, but none of those were top-three showings.
However, Walker still has the skills that allowed him to play so well a year ago. Walker is averaging 70.039 strokes per round, and that ranks ninth on the tour, and he is also unfailingly accurate on his approach shots. He ranks first on the tour in approach accuracy on shots from 75-100 yards, and that kind of ability could pay off in a big way at Augusta.
Most golf fans look to the game's superstars to find their way on to the leaderboard on Sunday afternoon. However, this could be one of those years when a sleeper or two joins the battle and has a chance deep into the tournament.
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