Masters Odds 2017: Latest Vegas Lines for Underrated Sleepers in the Field
With the 2017 Masters starting Thursday, Dustin Johnson enters the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, as the heavy favorite, but Danny Willett's win in 2016 illustrates how the first major tournament of the year can produce surprising results.
OddsShark lists Johnson (11-2) as having the best odds of winning the Masters, with Jordan Spieth (7-1) close behind. The 2016 U.S. Open champion already has three wins and five top-10 finishes in seven PGA Tour events this year.
While Johnson is a sensible pick to take home the green jacket Sunday, there are still value picks to choose from.
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Looking at the odds for the rest of the field, these three golfers could spring a surprise at the Masters.
Masters Favorites
| Dustin Johnson | 11/2 |
| Jordan Spieth | 7/1 |
| Rory McIlroy | 8/1 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | 18/1 |
| Jason Day | 18/1 |
| Jon Rahm | 18/1 |
| Rickie Fowler | 20/1 |
| Justin Rose | 25/1 |
| Justin Thomas | 25/1 |
| Phil Mickelson | 25/1 |
Masters Sleepers
Adam Hadwin (80-1)
Adam Hadwin has never played in the Masters before. He earned the right to compete at Augusta with his Valspar Championship win March 12.
"Playing in your first Masters is so special, just being on the grounds and the history and all the tradition, per John Cherwa of the Los Angeles Times. "If I can't get up for that, I don't know what event I will be able to."
Winning the Masters is difficult enough for golfers who have made multiple trips to Augusta and become comfortable with the course conditions. The task grows even more difficult for golfers who are making their maiden voyage.
At the same time, Hadwin will take the first tee Thursday without the burden of any past disappointments in the event. Largely free of expectation, he has nothing to lose.
Hadwin has performed well in 2017. In addition to his Valspar Championship victory, he has three other top-10 finishes, most recently at the Arnold Palmer Invitational March 19.
Charley Hoffman (125-1)
Charley Hoffman has three Masters appearances under his belt. He tied for 27th in 2011, ninth in 2015 and then 29th in 2016.
Much like his record at Augusta, his performance in 2017 has been hit or miss. Hoffman has competed in 12 PGA Tour events, missing the cut half the time.
A big question for Hoffman will be whether he can improve his putting enough to be any sort of threat at Augusta. According to the PGA Tour's official site, the 40-year-old ranks 28th in strokes gained from tee to green but 175th in strokes gained putting.
Augusta National is an unforgiving course, so it's easy to see how Hoffman's title hopes could be derailed early. However, his top-10 finish in 2015 is evidence that he can tame the tough greens.
Daniel Berger (75-1)
Daniel Berger was in Hadwin's shoes this time last year. The 23-year-old made the most of his Masters debut, tying for 10th place.
Since then, Berger won his first PGA Tour event at the FedEx St. Jude Classic last June. In the 2017 campaign, he has three top-10 finishes in 11 events.
Golf Digest's Ryan Herrington doesn't think fans should overlook Berger this week:
"Berger has quietly made $1.3 million already this year on tour and sits at 21st on the FedEx Cup points standings while also ranking 18th in strokes gained/putting. The 23-year-old is playing in his second Masters after a T-10 debut a year ago. We bet he knows the last two Masters champs, Jordan Spieth and [Willett], won in their second go-around Augusta.
"
In his last six tournaments, Berger has alternated missed cuts and playing through the weekend. In his last start, he placed fifth in the Shell Houston Open. Should the trend continue, his 2017 Masters excursion will end after two days.
The Masters would be a great time for Berger to break the streak.
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