Johnson the bookmakers’ favourite as all eyes turn to Augusta for the Masters

Seamus Rotherick
By Seamus Rotherick March 31, 2021 18:12

There’s something special about The Masters. It’s partly the setting, amid the immaculately manicured grounds at Augusta, it’s partly the immense sense of history and tradition associated with thevent, and it’s partly that indefinable something – like a centre court match at Wimbledon or the opening morning of a test match at Lords’.  

Whatever it is, it’s getting closer. After all the distractions of recent weeks with Tiger Woods crashing his car and Lee Westwood stretching his latest run of form to the point of exhaustion, it’s with a sense of relief that the golfing world can settle down and focus on a major tournament. If you’re still not sure who to back, the golf betting odds that you can find online give a good indication of who is in the best form. They can also provide inspiration for a dark horse or two who might be worth a small wager at longer odds. Here are some to consider for this year’s event.  

Dustin Johnson (8/1) 

Last year’s winner is a popular shout to become the first player to win back-to-back Masters since a certain Tiger Woods almost 20 years ago. The way the revised calendar has worked out, he will feel that he is defending it having only just won it. That could play in his favour, as in all honesty, there’s been no time for anything to change significantly since last November. 

Dustin Johnson of the United States reacts on the 18th green after winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 15, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. Jamie Squire/Getty Images/AFP

 Justin Thomas (11/1) 

 The former world number one has hit form at the perfect time, playing what he described as “the round of my life” to claim victory at TPC Sawgrass last week. The main concern is his inconsistency off the tee, but those characteristic hooks that now seem to be an integral part of his game could even work to his advantage at Augusta, where the majority of fairways favour ball flight from right to left. 

Jon Rahm (11/1) 

Rahm seems to be ever present just off the top of the leaderboard, and you get the feeling that a win is imminent. Could it come at Augusta? He certainly has the ability, the only real question mark is how well he can handle the pressure of being out front if he manages to get ahead of the rest.  

Patrick Cantlay (22/1) 

The first of our outside shots, Cantlay is, like Rahm, a man who has been in such sparkling form that he should have won plenty of tournaments already. The fact that he hasn’t is, perhaps, the only reason the bookmakers are offering such generous odds. Rest assured, though, that first win will come soon, and it could easily be on the biggest stage of all.  

Patrick Reed (25/1) 

Patrick who? It seems bizarre to be talking about the man who lifted the trophy three short years ago as a dark horse for victory, especially when he’s currently leading the PGA Tour in terms of strokes gained/putting and he has a recent tournament win under his belt. For sure, his short game needs work, but for us, those 25/1 odds make Reed worth a couple of pounds of anyone’s money.  

 

Seamus Rotherick
By Seamus Rotherick March 31, 2021 18:12
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