Masters Odds 2018: Predictions for Top Favorites Heading into Augusta
The field for the 2018 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club features plenty of in-form stars and Tiger Woods' return to a major.
Hype won't matter once they tee off Thursday, but below are three favorites and where they might finish Sunday.
Predictions for Top Favorites
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Tiger Woods (+1400; bet $100 to win $1,400)
No matter how much you love or hate Tiger Woods, you are going to pay attention to what he does in four rounds at Augusta. After dealing with injuries for years, he appears to be back to his old form following an incredible March.
Although there are plenty of young faces in the field, Woods is the main draw any time he takes the course, bringing every type of fan to the sport.
While the fanfare surrounding Woods' return to a major tournament for the first time since the 2015 PGA Championship can't be ignored, neither can his recent history at Grand Slams.
Woods hasn't made the cut at a major since 2013, when he tied for fourth at Augusta and tied for sixth at the U.S. Open. When he last played the full set of four majors in 2015, he made the cut in one event (Masters).
What makes fans so excited about the prospect that Woods trots down the fairway in his Sunday red is his track record at Augusta, where he has 13 top-10 finishes, including a stretch of seven in a row from 2005 to 2011.
Even though he's 42 now and not near his peak, the 14-time major winner may provide more magic at Augusta after an impressive March.
Prediction: Top 15
Justin Thomas (+1100)
Justin Thomas' play from the start of the 2018 PGA Tour season suggests he will be in contention Sunday.
Thomas finished in the top 10 in each of his last three stroke-play events and earned a fourth-place finish at the Dell Match Play.
Going back to the start of the campaign in October, Thomas hasn't finished lower than 22nd in 10 tournaments.
His terrific form comes on the heels of his best run of major results yet in 2017, as he won the PGA Championship and tied for ninth at the U.S. Open.
While he wasn't at the top of the leaderboard a year ago in Augusta, Thomas earned a respectable tie for 22nd, a 15-place improvement from 2016.
Confidence won't be an issue for the 24-year-old, who is third on the PGA Tour in scoring average and eighth in driving distance.
Although he doesn't have a wealth of experience like Woods and others, Thomas is playing the best golf of his life, and that should help him overcome many of Augusta's unique quirks.
Prediction: Top 10
Dustin Johnson (+1100)
A year ago, Dustin Johnson was in the same position as Thomas, entering Augusta in incredible early-season form. However, he was forced to withdraw from the season's first major due to a back injury.
With Johnson out of the picture, Sergio Garcia captured his first major in a dramatic playoff over Justin Rose.
After not competing at The Masters, the 2016 U.S. Open champion struggled in major tournaments in 2017, missing the cut at the U.S. Open and tying for 54th at The Open.
Johnson salvaged his major season with a 13th-place mark at the PGA Championship, but that was nothing compared to the six top-10 finishes in two years in 2015 and 2016.
While he isn't in the form he was a year ago, Johnson still enters with momentum. He is the No. 1 player in the World Golf Ranking and has two second-place finishes and a victory to his name in 2018.
Johnson is first on the PGA Tour in eagles per hole and birdie average, while he sits second in scoring average at 68.843 per round. The only statistic that strikes up any concern is his driving accuracy; he is 162nd, with 161 of 263 possible fairways hit.
Sure, the 33-year-old is capable of bombing the ball 300 yards off the tee, but if his tee shots aren't accurate, he could find himself in some trouble.
Prediction: Top 15
Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90
Statistics obtained from PGATour.com
Odds obtained from OddsShark
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
