Jon Rahm
Brooks Koepka
Viktor Hovland
Byeong Hun An (each-way)
Davis Riley (each-way)
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Spring is in the air, Easter is nearly upon us and in terms of the golfing calendar that can only mean one thing, it is time for the first Major of the year, The Masters at Augusta.
A par 72 measuring to 7555 yards the key to success at Augusta is two-fold. Firstly, take advantage of the four Par fives and secondly find the right spots on the greens with your approach play. Find the wrong level on the lightning fast surfaces and it is nigh on impossible to get down in two.
Scottie Scheffler arrives to defend the Green Jacket he won for the second time in three years last year. This year though after a delayed start to his season following a hand injury, he is yet to post a victory. He has cut a more frustrated figure on the course at times this year and with the added pressure of defending I am happy to pass.
Snapping at Scheffler’s heels in the market is Rory McIlroy and this would appear to represent the Ulsterman’s best chance for many years of finally landing the one Major that has eluded him. Without a Major win now in more than 10 years I can’t bring myself to back him to break that drought at the single-figure odds.
Here are my 5 contenders who may slip into the Green Jacktet come Sunday.
1. Jon Rahm
With third favourite Collin Morikawa also struggling to convert chances of late I will Instead start our team with 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm.
2024 was undeniably a disappointing year at the Majors for the Spaniard and plying his trade now on LIV of course there is an argument he has lost his competitive edge.
Rahm did land the LIV individual title in 2024 though and with five straight top tens so far this year, including last week in Miami, he has started the year strongly.
45th place at Augusta last year aside, where he had the distraction of defending, his Masters record is superb with five top tens in his previous six visits including the win.
There is a precedent for players who have landed their maiden Green Jacket to then regain it two years later with Scheffler the latest to do this last year and I can see Rahm repeating that feat this week.
2. Brooks Koepka
Next up I will return to Major behemoth Brooks Koepka. The five time Major champion comes in to the week slightly under the radar, however with a runner up finish in LIV Singapore just two starts ago he is in decent nick.
With his iron play firing nicely this year and still smarting from losing out to Rahm in 2023, he looks primed for another big challenge this time around.
3. Viktor Hovland
Just behind Koepka in the market I will take a chance on Viktor Hovland.
The jury is still out as to whether Hovland’s recent win at the Valspar was a flash in the pan or whether he is truly back to his best, however his odds certainly factor that risk in.
Seventh here in 2023 when third heading in to the final round, if firing the Norwegian’s stellar Iron play is perfect for Augusta.
Hovland showed his class when closing out his recent win and I expect him to build on that and produce a big week here.
4. Byeong Hun An (each-way)
In an event where Paddy are paying to ten places each-way I shall finish with a couple of big priced plays and first up is Byeong Hun An.
An is no doubt hard to win with, however he has been hugely consistent on tour over the past couple of years and arrives here in decent form with two top 20s in his past three starts.
Long off the tee the Korean was 16th here last year and he could just produce a big run at juicy odds.
5. Davis Riley (each-way)
Riley meanwhile, a player who undoubtedly blows hot and cold at his best, has the touch of class to make an impact at this level.
After a horrendous start to the year he has found his game over recent weeks with his iron play and short game around the greens, both key to success here, firing and I can see him taking to Augusta on his debut.
Masters 2025 Betting Tips
Jon Rahm
Brooks Koepka
Viktor Hovland
Byeong Hun An (each-way)
Davis Riley (each-way)
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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