Masters Odds 2019: Latest Lines for Top Favorites at Augusta

The elite will return to Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday as the Masters Tournament gets under way, with Patrick Reed hoping to become the first player in almost 20 years to retain the Green Jacket.

Tiger Woods was the last player to win back-to-back Masters crowns in 2001 and 2002, and the four-time champion will be hoping to disrupt Reed's rhythm some 14 years after last triumphing in Augusta.

Rory McIlroy is a hot contender to finally complete his career Grand Slam at Augusta in 2019, according to the bookmakers, and a big victory at the Players Championship in March was a key result in his warm-up.

Dustin Johnson and Justin Rose will also among the front-runners for the title, with the latter having finished with at least a share of second twice in the past four tournaments.

Visit PGA.com to see the field list in full.        

Top-20 Odds Leaders

Rory McIlroy: 7-1

Dustin Johnson: 9-1

Justin Rose: 12-1

Tiger Woods: 14-1

Jon Rahm: 16-1

Justin Thomas: 18-1

Jordan Spieth: 20-1

Rickie Fowler: 20-1

Brooks Koepka: 22-1

Francesco Molinari: 22-1

Tommy Fleetwood: 25-1

Bryson DeChambeau: 25-1

Jason Day: 25-1

Paul Casey: 28-1

Bubba Watson: 33-1

Hideki Matsuyama: 33-1

Phil Mickelson: 40-1

Xander Schauffele: 40-1

Patrick Reed: 40-1

Sergio Garcia: 45-1

Via Oddschecker.com

Preview

Although McIlroy is out ahead of the field as odds leader, the Northern Irishman knows all too well the pain of failing to live up to expectations.

Five top-10 finishes—including two top-five—in the past five years are bound to have taken their toll on the 29-year-old's patience, though it also showcases terrific consistency and an ability to contend.

Woods and McIlroy played out an enthralling match at the recent WGC-Dell Technologies Match, which the former won 2&1, as the PGA Tour highlighted:

McIlroy backs himself to one day end his run at Augusta, and he recently told the Daily Mail's Derek Lawrenson:

"I just feel I've made a lot of progress over the last few years. I've learned so much. Take 2011, and one of the worst days of my career. Two months later I turned it into one of the best with my victory at the US Open.

"I'm getting more attuned to the demands. I've had five top 10s in a row. Every experience is making me stronger and I know I'm going to win there one day. To me it feels like the fable of the tortoise and the hare, and I'm inching ever closer."

Assuming Woods is fully fit—or as fit as can be expected of him—there's no reason to doubt his 14-1 casting as anything other than potentially good value on a star who's won here four times in the past.

ESPN's Tom Rinaldi looked at the changes both he and Augusta have undergone since winning his first title here in 1997:

Reed has only one Masters win to his name and wasn't a particularly popular pick to take the Green Jacket in 2018. Regarded as something of a controversial figure, the Georgia University alumnus could capitalise on the familiar comforts in Augusta once more.

The American recently looked to address some concerns by adding swing coach David Leadbetter to his team, per broadcaster Tim Rosaforte:

Reed is a considerable gamble at 45-1, the same odds at which 2017 winner Sergio Garcia has been priced. Another perennial contender in the mix is Jason Day at 25-1, with the Australian offering a potential high-value pick.

Tommy Fleetwood is also priced at 25-1 and could launch a charge at the Green Jacket with a bright enough start, having finished third and fifth in his last two tournaments.