We’re only a few days away from the start of the 2016 Masters and excitement is definitely building for the first golfing major of the year. A total of $10 million is at stake for the 89-man field with the winner grabbing not only the $1.8 million top prize but also the tournament’s coveted green jacket.
Who will emerge victorious in this year’s Masters? Read on below for an in-depth breakdown of this prestigious event and while you’re at it, you can check out our sleeper picks for the golf season’s opening major.
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2016 Masters Championship Betting Preview
Where: Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta
When: April 7-10
Line: view all 2016 Masters Championship lines
Favorites – Jason Day and Jordan Spieth
Day (+650) will look to make it three wins in a row when he tees off at Augusta National this week. He will fancy his chances of doing just that as he has fared extremely well in this event in the past. The reigning PGA champion already has two top-three Augusta finishes to his name. With the form that he is in right now and his experience with this demanding golf course, expect Day to contend this week at the Masters.
If there’s one golfer, though, who can stop Day at the Masters this year, it’s got to be defending champion Jordan Spieth (+750). The two-time major winner loves playing here at Augusta as evidenced by his runner-up finish in 2014 and his runaway victory in this event last year. Even though he has failed to crack the top-10 in his last six PGA Tour starts, the former World no. 1 is still playing some solid golf this season. He is fourth in the PGA Tour in birdie average (4.65) and 10th in scoring average (70.055). Look for Spieth to be in the hunt once again come Sunday afternoon.
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High-Value Sleepers – Danny Willett and Brooks Koepka
Looking for a great sleeper this week? How about the red-hot Danny Willett (+5,000)? The 28-year-old has finished in the top-4 in four of his last seven starts, including a dramatic victory at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic last February. Willett finished 38th in his first Masters appearance last year, and he absolutely has the all-around game to win the coveted green jacket this week.
Another golfer who’s making waves in the PGA Tour this season is Brooks Koepka (+5,000). He has recorded four top-10 finishes in the PGA Tour this season, including a tie for third at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions last January. Key to Koepka’s ascent this year has been his incredible driving. Koepka is a big hitter who is averaging 307.4 yards off the tee, ranked ninth overall on the PGA Tour. Thanks to that extreme length, Koepka is now 36th in the PGA Tour in scoring with a solid 70.578 average.
That tremendous power will come in handy for Koepka when tackling the long 7,435 yard, par-72 Augusta National course. With the form that he is in right now, expect Koepka to post some red numbers this week and be in contention for his first major crown.
Long Shot – Fred Couples
One golfer who can definitely surprise this weekend is Fred Couples. He has recorded 11 top-10 finishes in this event, including a stunning victory back in 1992. Couples may already be 56 years old but don’t let that old age fool you. Prior to his missed cut last year, the American finished sixth, T15, T12, T13, and T20 here at Augusta. Not bad for a guy who’s already plying his trade in the Senior Tour. Couples may be a long shot but he’s definitely worth a punt at +15,000.
Writer’s Prediction
Day (+650) wins his first Masters title.
