With the glut of favorites clogging the top of the betting board for the 2018 Masters Tournament, which starts Thursday, it might be smart for bettors to set their sites on a longshot to win at Augusta National. These golfers further down the list at sportsbooks feature attractive odds of 20/1 or better.
There hasn’t been a lot of talk about them because of the emphasis on the top four favorites. Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, and Rory McIlroy are all listed as top picks depending on which sportsbook gamblers visit.
Then there is Tiger Woods. Much has been made of his chances to win his fifth Masters, and the 42-year-old has done nothing to quell the rumblings that he may be victorious.
It might, however, be the year someone other than those five claim the first major championship of the season. With all the attention at the top, guys who typically might have better odds are getting overlooked. Below are several candidates who might be worth your consideration.
Small Risk, Big Reward
Jason Day
The odds of 20/1 on Day seem high considering that he won the Farmers Insurance Open against a tough field, and followed up that victory by tying for second at the Pebble Beach Pro Am.
So why is he not higher on the board? He’s finished third and tied for second at Augusta in previous Masters. On Monday, he told reporters he definitely believes he can win.
“This is a tournament that I’ve always focused to try and win every single year,” Day said. “I’m striving towards hopefully one day slipping that Green Jacket on and being able to call myself a Masters champion.
Rickie Fowler
Eight trips to Augusta National could have prepared Fowler well to capture his first major. He is listed as a 22/1 longshot. In his last four appearances he has finished in the top 15 three times. He also appears to have the confidence to win.
“I know I can hit all the shots needed around here,” Fowler said. “I know I’m a great putter and can make putts here. I’ve putted well here.”
Bettors have already gotten on the Fowler bandwagon. Jeff Sherman, who handles golf odds for the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, tweeted more money has been bet on Fowler than any others.
Betting Leaders at Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook
ticket count:
T Woods
P Mickelson
B Watson
R Fowler
J Thomas
J Rose
J Spieth
R McIlroy
D Johnson
M Kucharmoney wagered leaders:
R Fowler
J Thomas
T Woods
D Johnson
J Rose
J Rahm
P Mickelson
J Spieth
J Day
R McIlroysource: @golfodds
Not-So-Longshots
Sergio Garcia
How the defending champion is listed at 33/1 is almost unfathomable. Do people really believe his first major of his career was a fluke? The Spaniard has finished 10 times in the top 5 in majors, including four second-place finishes.
Yes, it took him a while to win his first, but conventional duffers’ wisdom contends that once you get one, the second is infinitely easier. Garcia has three top 10 finishes on the PGA Tour this year. A new father, he is at peace with both his professional and personal life — a formula that seems helpful for securing big wins.
Matt Kuchar
Here is a player who could be hanging around the leaderboard on Sunday despite being listed at 45/1. Kuchar has a decent record at the Masters and enough experience to not let anything throw him.
He has four top 10s at Augusta, including a tie for fourth last year. He also has a tie for ninth and a tie for eighth at his last two events.
