Masters 2017: Updated Odds, Betting Tips for Golf's 1st Major of the Year
Dustin Johnson is the clear-cut favorite heading into the Masters Tournament, but the first major of the year doesn't always go as expected.
Danny Willett surprised just about everyone last season by taking home the green jacket, with players like Charl Schwartzel and Trevor Immelman also pulling off shocking victories in recent years. Betting on the favorite doesn't always lead to a payout.
Luckily, there are some notable targets all over the board in the latest odds.
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| Dustin Johnson | 5-1 |
| Jordan Spieth | 7-1 |
| Rory McIlroy | 15-2 |
| Jon Rahm | 18-1 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | 20-1 |
| Jason Day | 20-1 |
| Justin Thomas | 25-1 |
| Phil Mickelson | 25-1 |
| Adam Scott | 28-1 |
| Henrik Stenson | 28-1 |
| Justin Rose | 28-1 |
| Rickie Fowler | 22-1 |
| Bubba Watson | 40-1 |
| Paul Casey | 40-1 |
| Sergio Garcia | 40-1 |
| Brandt Snedeker | 50-1 |
| Louis Oosthuizen | 55-1 |
| Tyrrell Hatton | 55-1 |
| Brooks Koepka | 55-1 |
| Marc Leishman | 66-1 |
| Matthew Fitzpatrick | 66-1 |
| Patrick Reed | 66-1 |
| Charl Schwartzel | 70-1 |
| Thomas Pieters | 70-1 |
| Matt Kuchar | 75-1 |
| Adam Hadwin | 80-1 |
| Daniel Berger | 80-1 |
| Tommy Fleetwood | 80-1 |
| Alexander Noren | 90-1 |
| Branden Grace | 100-1 |
| Danny Willett | 100-1 |
| Emiliano Grillo | 100-1 |
| Gary Woodland | 100-1 |
| J.B. Holmes | 100-1 |
| Jimmy Walker | 100-1 |
| Kevin Kisner | 100-1 |
| Lee Westwood | 100-1 |
| Rafa Cabrera Bello | 100-1 |
| Ross Fisher | 100-1 |
| Zach Johnson | 100-1 |
| Bill Haas | 125-1 |
| Martin Kaymer | 125-1 |
| Shane Lowry | 125-1 |
| Bernd Wiesberger | 150-1 |
| Billy Horschel | 150-1 |
| Charley Hoffman | 150-1 |
| Ryan Moore | 150-1 |
| Soren Kjeldsen | 150-1 |
Favorite: Dustin Johnson (5-1)
If it wasn't for this recent stretch, Johnson would still likely be a top contender—if not the favorite—at the Masters. He is the No. 1 player in the world and is coming off his best year as a professional before starting 2017 with three top-10 finishes in five events.
Of course, he then turned his solid play into absolute dominance with three straight wins at the Genesis Open, WGC Mexico Championship and the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play.
These were three very different events, and Johnson excelled in all of them.
"I think Dustin Johnson is the guy to beat in golf no matter where you are," Jordan Spieth said this week, per Kyle Porter of CBS Sports. "Put him anywhere, I think just about anybody would agree with that. He's the guy to beat."
While Spieth has the advantage of winning the Masters in the past, Johnson has also had success in recent years. He tied for sixth in 2015 and tied for fourth last year, proving a solid familiarity with Augusta.
If he plays to his ability, no one in the world will be able to beat him at the moment. Even if he only partially reaches his potential, Johnson will be a tough challenger.
Best Value: Justin Rose (28-1)
Johnson and Spieth are obviously quality bets, while players like Justin Thomas and Hideki Matsuyama provide some longer odds for players off to strong starts. However, it's important not to overlook Justin Rose among the top names on tour.
The English star hasn't turned many heads in 2017 due to his limited appearances early in the season.
Rose has still finished par or better in all seven events he has entered, finishing top-five in three of those. He ended the Shell Houston Open tied for 15th in a 72-hole stretch where he lacked consistency but still did a good job of reaching the green in regulation while showcasing solid putting.
Considering his ability off the tee, he is extremely dangerous when he puts it all together.
While Rose only has one major title, he has performed well in Augusta in the past and has the tools necessary to be successful this week.
Just for good measure, he is also the only person in the field to qualify for the Masters by winning a gold medal in the Summer Olympics. He would have made the field anyway due to his U.S. Open title, his success at the Masters last year or his standing in the world rankings, but Rose is clearly a top threat at any event.
Sleeper: Gary Woodland (100-1)
Willett is pretty far down the line considering he is the defending champion, which could make him worth a small wager. J.B. Holmes also played well last year and has the talent to make a run.
Still, one underrated player to watch out for in the coming week is Gary Woodland.
Woodland withdrew from the Match Play tournament last week due to a family emergency, although he explained in a statement on his Twitter account his plan to play in the Masters. It is impossible to predict his state of mind, but at 100 percent, the 32-year-old is a real threat this week.
The American has been a consistent presence on tour this year with 10 cuts made in 11 stroke-play events. He has also finished among the top six in four different tournaments, including two second-place showings.
At an average of 304.5 yards per drive, Woodland is one of the best in the world off the tee and can make up a lot of ground at Augusta with his length. If his putting doesn't hold him back, there could be another surprise winner at this event in 2017.
Statistics courtesy of PGATour.com. Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com.
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