Only three players in history have managed to successfully repeat as a Masters champion.
Many bettors believe Scottie Scheffler is primed to be No. 4 come Sunday.
Scheffler and Rory McIlroy were the co-favorites at +650 at BetRivers as of Tuesday afternoon. Entering the week at Nos. 1 and 2 in the world rankings, they’re also the two most popular players at the sportsbook this week.
Scheffler leads the field with 10 percent of the total tickets and 11.3 percent of the money backing him to win. McIlroy is right behind him in both markets at 9.1 and 6.8 percent, respectively.
Not surprisingly, third-ranked Jon Rahm is also third with 6.6 percent of the total tickets supporting the Spaniard claiming a second major title this week at +900 odds. However, he is only fifth in total money at 5.1 percent, behind Jordan Spieth (6.8 percent at +1600) and Max Homa (5.2 percent at +2500).
One of the biggest storylines this week is how well the 18 LIV Golf players in the field will fare.
Cameron Smith has posted very middling results through the first three LIV events of 2023. However, he has a runner-up and a T3 the past two years at Augusta National, and has been the most popular LIV player among bettors.
The reigning Open champion has been backed by 4.6 percent of both the total bets and money at +2500 at BetRivers.
Smith has been even more popular at BetMGM, where he has emerged as the sportsbook’s biggest liability this week. Smith’s odds have shortened to +2000 as he has been backed by the most total bets in the field at 6.4 percent and is second with 7.4 percent of the money supporting the Australian to win.
The Masters always presents oddsmakers with a bevy of props to offer. BetMGM reported the action it has seen among its most popular props so far this week.
Tiger Woods to make the cut
–Yes: opened -190, now -200 (46.5% tickets, 60.4% handle)
–No: opened +150, now +160 (53.5% tickets, 39.6% handle)
Most bet to make the cut
–Tiger Woods -200
–Cam Smith -550
–Bernhard Langer +200
Most bet to miss the cut
–Phil Mickelson -135
–Bryson DeChambeau -190
–Brooks Koepka -350
Other most bet props
–Any LIV Tour player to win +500
–A hole in one to happen in Round 1 +750
–An albatross to happen in the tournament +1200
–Gordon Sargent to be the top amateur +130
Meanwhile, BetRivers reported action numbers on the top 10 players in the two primary markets.
Top 10 Players to Win (% of outright money)
1. Scottie Scheffler (+650) — 11.3%
2. Rory McIlroy (+650) — 10.2%
3. Jordan Spieth (+1600) — 6.8%
4. Max Homa (+2500) — 5.2%
5. Jon Rahm (+900) — 5.1%
6. Justin Thomas (+2000) — 5.0%
7. Cameron Smith (+2500) — 4.6%
8. Collin Morikawa (+2500) — 3.9%
9. Brooks Koepka (+3300) — 3.6%
10. Tiger Woods (+7000) — 3.4%
Top 10 Players to Win (% of outright tickets)
1. Scottie Scheffler (+650) — 10.0%
2. Rory McIlroy (+650) — 9.1%
3. Jon Rahm (+900) — 6.6%
4. Cameron Smith (+2500) — 4.6%
5. Jordan Spieth (+1600) — 4.4%
6. Max Homa (+2500) — 4.0%
7. Justin Thomas (+2000) — 3.7%
8. Collin Morikawa (+2500) — 3.6%
9. Will Zalatoris (+4000) — 3.5%
10. Tiger Woods (+7000) — 2.9%
–Field Level Media
