Masters Odds 2017: Early Lines and Predictions for Top Sleepers in the Field

As was to be expected, the favourites for the 2017 Masters tournament are Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy.

The trio are rightfully considered the top contenders to win the green jacket this year and, as such, boast odds of 5-1, 7-1 and 15-2, respectively, according to Odds Shark.

However, there are a number of outsiders who might also reasonably have their eye on glory in Augusta this year, some with considerably longer odds.

Here's a selection of some of the top sleepers in the Masters field this year, along with predictions as to where they could finish:

Golfer	Odds	Prediction
Jon Rahm	18-1	7th
Hideki Matsuyama	20-1	3rd
Phil Mickelson	25-1	8th
Adam Scott	28-1	12th
Henrik Stenson	28-1	5th
Tommy Fleetwood	80-1	19th
Alex Noren	90-1	10th
Danny Willett	100-1	14th

Hideki Matsuyama is yet to win a major, but at 20-1 he could prove a shrewd bet.

The 25-year-old has been in sensational form of late, having won two PGA Tour events—including the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament—two Japan Golf Tour events and the Hero World Challenge since October.

Matsuyama has had two positive finishes at Augusta, having finished fifth in 2015 and seventh last year, perhaps in part because of his ability to deal with Amen Corner, per the European Tour:

The rising star is ranked fourth in the world, so when you compare his odds to the likes of Johnson, Spieth or McIlroy, he could offer much better value.

Likewise, Jon Rahm may also have shorter odds than many in the field, but at 18-1 he's much longer than the top three contenders.

The Spaniard will make his Masters debut but enters the tournament amid an excellent start to 2017, having won the Farmers Insurance Open in January and achieved three top-five finishes since.

Rahm finished second to Johnson at the WGC-Dell Matchplay in March and played some impressive shots, per Golf Digest:

The 22-year-old could be set to shine in Augusta.

Looking deeper into the field, Tommy Fleetwood at 80-1 is a significant outside bet, but one that could have some merit based on his recent fortunes.

Since December, he has finished third at the UBS Hong Kong Open, won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and came second in the WGC Mexico Championship, and he sits atop the European Tour's Race to Dubai.

The Englishman is relishing the prospect of playing in the Masters, per Golfing World:

Fleetwood hasn't played at Augusta National before, but he's been given better odds than 2016 champion Danny Willett.

It's understandable he isn't among the favourites given his disappointing recent form—his best finish in 2017 is a joint-fifth place at the Maybank Championship, his next best being joint-39th at the Dell Match Play—but it's still perhaps a little surprising his odds are as long as they are.

Willett surprised the field last year—albeit in much better form—and returning to Augusta could bring out the best in him once again, so he could be a sleeper worth backing.