The Masters is traditionally the first Major of the season and it is always one of the most anticipated events on the sporting calendar. With last year’s tournament having been staged in November, golf purists will be delighted to see the 85th edition of this historic competition return to its rightful position in the schedule. Staged at the picturesque Augusta National Golf Club, the pristine undulating greens often tend to catch out inexperienced players, and players who have previous experience here tend to fare best.
With a green jacket and over $2million handed to the winner of this prestigious event, the Masters 2021 is likely to be another hugely competitive showdown.
This event is one of the most watched sporting events of the year, and it is also a hugely popular betting event. Pre-tournament flutters and live in-play wagers are commonplace, with online sportsbooks pricing up hundreds of different golf betting markets ahead of the tournament getting underway. Although favourites rarely succeed in Augusta, 2020 winner Dustin Johnson was second in the betting heading into last year’s tournament. So who do the bookmakers fancy to triumph this time around?
Favourites
Dustin Johnson
Johnson won the delayed 2020 Masters by five strokes and will be aiming to become one of just a handful of players to have retained the green jacket. The last players to go back-to-back in this event was Tiger Woods back in 2001/02 and he will be keen to write himself into sporting history by winning in Augusta for the second time in the space of six months.
It was his second career major, and after setting a tournament scoring record of 20-under 268, he will be in confident mood. The world number one has been in solid enough form in 2021 and can’t be discounted despite previous winners having historically struggling in Augusta.
Bryson Dechambeau
There was plenty of hype surrounding Bryson Dechambeau heading into the 2020 Masters, however, the tournament debutant endured a disappointing four days on the Augusta greens. The pre-tournament favourite ended the event tied 34th, although his performance was hindered by dizzy spells and stomach pains.
As the longest driver on the PGA tour, this course is likely to suit him. Every winner of the last 12 renewals has been in the top 35% in terms of power hitting, and Dechambeau’s approach is likely to pay dividends.
If he’s feeling 100% this time around, there’s no reason why the 2020 US Open winner can’t clinch his second career major.
Jon Rahm
With six of the last ten winners having previously posted a top 10 finish at this event, and seven of the last ten having managed to finish inside the top 20, it’s easy to see why Spaniard Jon Rahm is prominent in the betting for the 2021 Masters.
He was tied seventh last year, and tied ninth in 2019. He also finished in fourth place three years ago, and with two of the three majors last season having been won by first-time winners, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the 26-year old grab his first major success this April.
Justin Thomas
2017 was a breakthrough year for Justin Thomas, however, the Louisville-born player has yet to add a second major to his collection having triumphed in the PGA Championship four years ago. He’s typically struggled here in Augusta, however, last season’s fourth place finish was a huge step forward, and he will be looking to build upon that.
With eight of the last ten winners having also enjoyed recent success on US soil, Thomas’ triumph at the WGC-FedEx St.Jude Invitational in Tennessee last year bodes well.
Jordan Spieth
With three majors under his belt, Jordan Spieth is often towards the top of the betting in these prestigious events. However, his last major victory came 2017 and it’ll be tough to recreate those heroics. He’s endured two disappointing years in Augusta, and an unlikely resurgence appears unlikely.
Brooks Koepka
Until 2019, the Masters had been Koepka’s Achilles heel, and despite winning three majors, he’d struggled in Georgia. However, he’s now posted successive top ten finishes and his 2021 form has been solid enough. He’s posted four top 10 finishes since the turn of the year and was victorious in the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Success in the USA has been key to the chances of players in Augusta, and he arrives in decent spirits.
Masters 2021 Prediction
With 13 of the last 19 majors having been first-timers, it could pay to look at those who haven’t previously enjoyed success in one of the four majors. In Augusta, seven of the last 11 have also been first-timers, and there are several players who fit the bill this time around. Bryson Dechambeau appears well-placed to strike this year as second favourite.
Eight of the last 10 winners have started the tournament at a price of 16/1 or bigger, so it could also be worth taking a chance on Sung Jae-Im. He is yet to clinch a major (which is a positive) and finished tied second at last year’s event. That experience will hugely benefit the Korean, and at a price of around 40/1, he provides some value.
Prediction(s) – Bryson Dechambeau
Sung Jae-Im E/W