A lot will be riding on the shoulders of the 2021 Masters field as they tee off at a ‘normal’ spring Augusta National on Thursday. ANDRE HUISAMEN takes a look at the bookies’ favourites to come out on top.
History, experience, current form, Georgia love affair – although all these factors play a role in determining who to back, it will mean little once the action gets under way in Georgia on Thursday. That’s how tough, testing and, ultimately, unique the Augusta experience is for the best golfers in the world.
Maybe somewhat surprisingly, maybe not, Jordan Spieth heads into the start of play as one the favourites as per the William Hill Sportsbook. A former Masters champion, three-time Major winner and having returned to form, Spieth certainly gets the nod of many betters to come good this week. He might have won the Valero Texas Open last week, but history suggests that only four players have won on the PGA Tour and Masters in back-to-back weeks. Nonetheless, Spieth sits at a solid 10/1 to secure victory on Sunday.
World No 1 and defending champion Dustin Johnson starts the week off with 9/1 odds as the favourite in the field. No surprise, given his resounding triumph in November last year and, only five months later, Johnson’s memory of that historic win is still fresh to serve as motivation to do the double. The 36-year-old admitted on Tuesday that it’s all ‘coming together’ ahead of tee-off, emphasising his confidence to deliver another impressive performance.
READ: Compleat Golfer picks: 2021 Masters
Justin Thomas is also a favourite among many for this year’s edition, although his putting will undoubtedly be tested on the firm greens. 10/1 has been allocated to the 2021 PLAYERS Championship winner and he certainly possesses all the makings to don the Green Jacket.
Big-hitter Bryson DeChambeau comes in at 11/1 odds, another firm reminder that his explosive ability should not overshadow his exceptional short play around the course. Of course, Augusta is set to provide him with a challenge like no other, but he appears as determined as ever to prove the course, and everyone else, wrong.
He may be be starting the week as a father, and maybe a little on the back foot because he only arrived at Augusta on Wednesday, but Jon Rahm still holds big expectation of breaking his Major drought. The Spaniard sits on 12/1 for the week, hoping to lead the European charge of securing another Masters win.
Full odds (at the time):
1 Dustin Johnson (9/1)
2 Jordan Spieth (10/1)
2 Justin Thomas (10/1)
3 Bryson DeChambeau (11/1)
4 Jon Rahm (12/1)
5 Rory McIlroy (14/1)
6 Patrick Cantlay (20/1)
7 Collin Morikawa (30/1)
8 Viktor Hovland (33/3)
