The Masters isn’t the time to be bold when it comes to predictions.
I mean, sure: Sprinkle your betting budget on some sleepers and underdogs, because the payoff could be huge.
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But staring down four days of playing at Augusta at the tournament with the most prestige and pressure, at a course that requires experience? If I’m picking one player straight up to win, it won’t be a dark horse (although we’ve seen guys like Danny Willett win it occasionally).
I will, however, be bold with saying: One of these 10 players will be putting on a green jacket on Sunday (All odds courtesy of BetMGM):
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1
Rory McIlroy (+700)
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
We start with the one you WANT to win. But you saw last year why he’s knocking at the door at Augusta, and how he’s played really well this year despite a MC at the Players.
2
Patrick Cantlay (+1800)
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Alright, so he hasn’t won of late. But if you like stat, he’s the stathead’s pick with great strokes gained numbers. So maybe he puts it all together this week.
3
Scottie Scheffler (+700)
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Him? Again? YEAH! He keeps winning big tournaments without much of a problem — in Sscottsdale and at the Players in March — and has the exact kind of game to win a second straight time at Augusta.
4
Jon Rahm (+900)
Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
What, you’re going to tell me that a T39 at Bay Hill and a WD from the Players is going to dissuade you from the guy with top-nine finishes in four of his last five visits to Augusta? C’mon.
5
Collin Morikawa (+2200)
(Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
Another one with the game and experience to do it. Also, the stats like this:
The last 10 Masters winners were averaging roughly +2.10 strokes gained per round in the lead up to their victories. Currently —
• Scheffler: +3.05
• Rahm: +2.86
• Day: +2.55
• Homa: +2.41
• Cantlay: +2.30
• Rory: +2.26
• Finau: +2.19
• Morikawa: +2.12
• Xander: +2.01— Patrick McDonald (@AmateurStatus) March 31, 2023
6
Cameron Smith (+2000)
(Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Yes, he’s a LIV golfer. Yes, he’s coming in with a chip on his shoulder. And yes, he’s finished top-five at the Masters three times. So, yeah. He deserves to be on this list.
7
Justin Thomas (+2000)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
We know he can win majors. We also know he’s an elite ball striker, something necessary to win here.
8
Jordan Spieth (+1800)
AP
Do we get good Jordan Spieth or bad Jordan Spieth? I think he’ll contend this week.
9
Jason Day (+2500)
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
What a story this would be after all of his ups and downs. He missed the cut here twice in his last two appearances … but he’s been top-5 three times.
10
Xander Schauffele (+2200)
Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
You know the drill: MC’d last year. T2 in 2019. T3 in 2021. Not the best of form right now but he could put it all together this week.
