It is time for the Masters, the first golf major of the year. The story heading into August is the revival of Tiger Woods. Is he capable of adding another major to his collection? Let’s take a closer look at the field.
It all starts with Woods (+1200), who has recharged a lot of interest in the sport. The four-time Masters winner is back for the first time since 2015 and he has some momentum. He finished solo 12th, T-2 and T-5 in his last three starts. Woods is healthy and there are few who know Augusta better than he does.
The Masters is the only tournament that Rory McIlroy (+1000) needs to complete the Grand Slam. He has finished in the top 10 in four straight starts here, so he’s been close. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in March and if he is putting well, he can make a run.
Justin Thomas (+1200) is the No. 2-ranked player in the world but he doesn’t command as much respect. He won the Honda Classic and placed second and fourth in the last two World Golf Championship events. He finished T-22 at the Masters last year, but a lot has happened for Thomas since then.
Dustin Johnson (+1200), the world No. 1, finished T-6 and T-4 at the last two Masters before he slipped last year and hurt his back, causing him to miss the event. He won in Hawaii this season and has three top-10s in stroke-play starts. If he plays to his potential, there isn’t a better golfer in the world.
Jordan Spieth (+1200) has finishes of T-2, 1, T-2 and T-11 in four starts at Augusta. He comes in on the heels of a strong start, finishing T-3 in Houston last weekend. He has struggled with the putter this season but loves Augusta and knows how to get around there.
Justin Rose (+1400) has finished T-2, T-10 and second in his last three Masters starts and is one of the most solid players from tee to green in the world. He had finished in the top five in two straight events before struggling in Houston. He and Bubba Watson (+1600) are the last two players inside of +2000. Watson has two Masters wins under his belt, although he missed the cut in 2017.
Phil Mickelson (+2000) is a three-time Masters winner but placed T-22 last year. He did win the WGC-Mexico Championship in March, though, so Lefty still has the magic. We’ll see if it works for him here. Jason Day (+2000) comes in at the same price. He won the Farmers Insurance Open in January and was T-2 at Pebble Beach, so he’s played well in 2018. He has three top-10s in seven Masters starts.
Rickie Fowler (+2200) has been inconsistent this season but he has finished in the top 12 in three of the last four Masters. Can he finally put it all together? Jon Rahm (+2200) comes in with the same odds as Fowler but Rahm finished much lower last year. He placed T-27 in his Masters debut but he’s now the No. 3 in the world. The issue is that he hasn’t cracked the top 10 in his last five starts overall.
The field is stacked with stars, so it should be a very competitive event. All of the action tees off Thursday.