The Masters Betting Tips, Predictions & Odds
Augusta National has a way of narrowing the field long before the closing holes on Sunday. The course may appear generous from the tee, with broad fairways and little rough, but that freedom only shifts the pressure elsewhere. Players still need length to take advantage of the par fives and shorter par fours, yet power alone is rarely enough around these slopes and green complexes.
More than almost any other major venue, Augusta rewards those who control their irons and trust their touch around the greens. Approaches must find the correct section of these vast bentgrass surfaces because being on the green is no guarantee of safety. A putt from the wrong tier can leave a player simply hoping to escape with par, while a slight miss can run into one of the shaved areas that place a premium on chipping and recovery play.
That is why recent champions have tended to come from the very top of the market. Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm have all arrived here in excellent form, and Augusta rarely hands out Green Jackets to players who are not already operating at an elite level.
The bookmakers know that too, which is why the front of the market is often compressed and leaves little value among the favourites. The better angle can be further down the list, particularly with firms paying extra places on the Masters. In a tournament where the same calibre of player often fills the places year after year, there can be value in backing bigger prices each-way if they possess the right attributes for Augusta.
History suggests the market does not always get this tournament right. Four winners between 2007 and 2011 were available at triple-figure prices, while Danny Willett and Hideki Matsuyama were both upwards of 50/1. Augusta usually rewards the elite, but there are enough exceptions to believe one can emerge from further down the board.
So instead of forcing a bet near the top of the market, the selections below are players whose games look suited to Augusta and whose odds leave room for them to outrun expectations.
Free Bets golf expert Ben Smith is here with his golf tips ahead of this week's action from Augusta National.
The Masters Betting Tips
Check out our golf betting tips for The Masters below.
Tip 1: Winner - Marco Penge (Each-Way)
Marco Penge arrives at Augusta having taken a clear step forward over the past 12 months. His recent results show a player trending in the right direction, with a top-four finish at the Valspar and another solid week in Texas where he gained over four strokes on approach and ranked strongly tee-to-green. Those numbers make him look much more appealing than an 80/1 chance.
The appeal lies in how he is doing it. He is driving the ball with intent, giving himself chances, and when the irons click, as they did at Innisbrook, he can compete with far more established names. A previous fast start at Riviera also catches the eye given the similarities in required shot-making.
There is limited major experience, which is the obvious concern, but that is reflected in the odds. At 80/1 with 8 places, he only needs to stay in the mix rather than win to justify support.
Tip 2: Kurt Kitayama (Each-Way)
There are not many triple-figure players with a recent runner-up finish at Riviera and a PGA Tour win in the last 18 months, yet Kurt Kitayama has both. His second place at the Genesis is particularly interesting because Riviera has often been a useful pointer to Augusta form, and he got there by firing 64 on Sunday.
The statistics behind his season are encouraging too. Kitayama has been one of the better approach players on tour for some time and remains particularly effective with the sort of mid-range irons Augusta demands. He is also finding more greens than ever and doing a better job of saving par when he misses them.
His first Masters was forgettable, but last year he reached halfway in the top 15 and closed with 68 after a disastrous third round.
Tip 3: Winner - Sam Stevens (Each-Way)
Sam Stevens (Each-Way) (8 places) - 175/1 bet365
Sam Stevens brings the sort of recent tee-to-green form that makes him attractive at a big price. He was fifth in Houston two weeks ago, gaining nearly eight strokes from tee to green and more than four on approach, exactly the areas that tend to separate players at Augusta.
There are other signs as well. He opened the year with sixth at The American Express, added seventh at the RSM and produced a respectable finish at Riviera, a course comparable enough to catch the eye.
Stevens has the power to take advantage of the scoring holes and his approach play has quietly improved throughout the season. If he adapts quickly to Augusta, there is every chance he can make those each-way terms count.
Tip 4: Winner - Max Greyserman (Each-Way)
Max Greyserman has already shown he can handle major championship golf. Last year he made the weekend at the Masters, U.S. Open and PGA Championship, finishing 32nd, 23rd and 33rd respectively. His Augusta debut was especially encouraging given he lost strokes tee-to-green and still found his way into the top third of the field.
He looks better prepared for Augusta now than he did on last year's debut. He has already posted useful finishes at Bay Hill and Riviera this season, and his touch around the greens remains one of the better aspects of his game.
Greyserman does not need a perfect week to get involved. If the iron play improves slightly on what he showed here last year, a top 10 finish looks a real runner.
Tip 5: Winner - Michael Brennan (Each-Way)
Michael Brennan is easier to make a case for than his price suggests. He has not produced many high finishes this year, but there have been enough flashes to keep him interesting, particularly in Houston where he was 28th and positive both off the tee and with the putter.
What makes him more intriguing is the ceiling. He won the Black Desert Championship in the autumn and gained more than 10 strokes tee-to-green doing so, evidence that his best golf is good enough to creep into the top 12.
The Masters Latest Odds
Check out the latest Masters odds from the top UK betting sites below.
Where to Watch The Masters
If you're planning to follow the action live and get involved with golf betting this weekend, here’s how to watch every shot from The Masters as it happens.
TV Channel
The Masters will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event.
Live Stream Information
Sky Sports subscribers can stream The Masters live via Sky Go, while non-subscribers can watch on NOW with a day or monthly pass.
