Who is the favorite to win the 2024 Masters at Augusta National? Predictions, expert picks

With the 2024 Masters tournament just around the corner, golf enthusiasts are always keen on analyzing the odds for potential winners. Augusta National is known for its long 7,500 yards of undulating parkland, and players will find the course running fast. However, significant wind and rain are predicted for Thursday and Friday before a glorious weekend forecast. It is expected that these conditions may even work things out for the shorter hitters off the tee. Players must strategically place their approach shots in the best areas of the slick Bentgrass greens, which has always been paramount at Augusta.

Scottie Scheffler

Scottie Scheffler is a prominent figure in current discussions about the Masters tournament. He is the favorite to win with odds of 4.5-to-1, which puts him at the top of the betting market. Scheffler’s excellent performance on the course has earned him recognition as a formidable contender for the coveted green jacket. The twenty-seven-year-old golfer from New Jersey has dominated the field, making him the standout betting favorite this week.

Scheffler’s ball striking is reaching, and in some cases surpassing, the impressive stats that Tiger Woods put up when he was at his best. However, Scheffler struggled with putting during his first Masters win in 2022, which hindered his progress. Nonetheless, a recent putter change before his Arnold Palmer win has brought his short-game stats in line with the rest, giving him newfound confidence and allowing him to win the following week at the Player Championship.

Rory McIlroy

Several other noteworthy golf players share the spotlight with Sheffler, each with their odds and expectations. One of the favorites, Rory McIlroy, has odds of 10-to-1. He played a strong game of golf at the Valero Open in San Antonio, finishing third. His iron play has improved after a brief session with Butch Harmon, which is a positive sign. If he can effectively use his driver as a weapon this week, he should have numerous opportunities to excel.

Jon Rahm

Meanwhile, the reigning Masters champion, John Ram, follows closely behind at 11-to-1. He’s the defending champ and finished in the top 10 in five of his last six starts. The Spanish-Augusta love is real. And while we’d give Scottie Scheffler a slight edge, Rahm, at double the odds, jumps him to the top spot. Again, this is our ranking of best bets, not best golfers. He will be fired up for his title defense. He will undoubtedly face many questions about LIV and the possible merger with the PGA Tour, but that is likely to make him even more determined to make a proper go at trying to become a back-to-back Masters champion.

Brooks Koepka

Brooks Koepka, with his odds of 20-to-1, has managed to grab the attention of many. Despite being the runner-up from the previous year and a former PGA champion, he is still considered a potential surprise package. People had overlooked him in last year’s rankings, but he proved them wrong. Koepka led at Augusta after 54 holes in 2023 before becoming a runner-up for the second time. As a five-time major champion, he will likely win the Masters at some point in the future.

Will Zalatoris

Will Zalatoris, the american golfer, can win the Augusta tournament, priced at 35-1. Although he has not played many games at Augusta, he has performed well in the games he has played, making him a dark horse who could significantly influence the outcome of the tournament. In 2021, he debuted at The Masters and finished second to Hideki Matsuyama. He followed that up with a sixth-place finish in 2022. Zalatoris had a good run with three consecutive finishes of 13th or better at the Farmers Insurance Open, the Genesis Invitational, and the Arnold Palmer, including a runner-up at Riviera and a fourth-place finish at Bay Hill. However, he had a disappointing performance at THE PLAYERS Championship, missing the cut and ending his four-event streak of cutting. Zalatoris is a high-risk, high-reward player to bet on at The Masters. Based on his course history, he is a player to target, as he has never finished lower than sixth in his two previous outings. He ranks ninth on the PGA Tour in strokes gained: an approach to the green, one of the key stats of focus for Augusta National. However, he ranks 146th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained: putting, which is well below the field average.

Predictions - 2024 Masters Augusta

Augusta National Golf Club is located in Augusta, Georgia, and is one of the most prestigious golf courses in the world. This golf paradise is stunning and meticulously maintained, with every detail considered to ensure the ultimate golfing experience. The course is known for its iconic holes, including the par-3 12th and the par-5 13th, which are both challenging and breathtakingly beautiful.

What sets Augusta apart from other courses is its ability to test a player’s course-management skills and short game. The greens are lightning-fast, and the bunkers and water hazards are strategically placed to challenge even the most skilled golfers. The course requires precision and careful strategy from tee to green; every shot counts.

Experts will undoubtedly evaluate the significance of statistical dominance versus performance on the prestigious Augusta National course. While Scheffler’s track record showcases his skill, the unique challenges presented by Augusta’s greens add complexity to the equation. Nevertheless, Scheffler’s past successes, including a remarkable victory at the Masters in 2022, instill confidence in his ability to excel under pressure.