And just like that, it’s time for the Masters again. Last year, Patrick Reed toppled the competition and outlasted the rest of the field to cop the highly coveted green jacket. The odds are stacked against Reed repeating in Augusta for the simple reason that only Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus are the only players in the tournament’s history to win it consecutive times. If not Reed, any of the players listed below could take home the top prize this April. While any are a solid bet, which one makes the cut as this writer’s pick? Let’s find out.
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Early Picks for the PGA’s The Masters Golf Tournament Running from April 11-14 2019
Rory McIlroy (+800)
Rory (+800 to win the 2019 Masters) needs just a win at the Masters to complete a career grand slam. The closest he’s gone to wearing the green jacket was in 2015 when he placed fourth. But there’s some increasing confidence in the Northern Irishman that this could the year that he finally manages to win the elusive win in Augusta. McIlroy is the top PGA player in strokes gained off-the-tee, which some experts consider is a huge telling factor with regards to his chances of winning in the event. Prior to losing his matchup with Tiger Woods in the recent WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, McIlroy was playing like a house on fire with a T6 or better finish in six straight starts, including a win at THE PLAYERS Championship early in March.
Justin Thomas (+1400)
The former world No. 1 player is among the top players to watch in this year’s the Masters. With odds of +1,400 to win the green jacket, Thomas will bring his explosive style of play into Augusta. Thomas is first among all PGA players in birdie average (5.14) and scoring average (69.432). He is also ninth in birdie average (5.14) and 10th in eagles per hole (81.0). While he has those fancy stats to encourage his bettors, his best finish at the Masters was a 17th last year.
Jordan Spieth (+1400)
It’s been a rough season for the 2013 PGA Rookie of the Year. Following an early exit at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, Spieth saw his drought for a win this season extend. Out of his first nine starts this season, Spieth hasn’t even finished with a T25 or better. He’s made the cut five times and missed it four times. The Masters, however, could give the Dallas native a much-needed spark to his season. Spieth is always a force in Augusta during this time of the year. In fact, Spieth is a former Masters champion, having took home a green jacket back in 2015. Apart from that, he also has a pair of runner-ups and a third-place finish in five starts at the Masters. Last year, he shot a 64 in the final round on his way to a third-place finish. Spieth is priced at +1,400 to get his second green jacket in his career this year.
Tiger Woods (+1000)
Tiger Woods hasn’t won a Grand Slam for what seems like an eternity now, but he remains as one of the top favorites to win at the Masters for simply being Tiger Woods. For all the heartbreaks, near-misses, and failures he’s had in this chapter in his golf career, Woods is still revered by many, especially during this event. After all, he’s got four green jackets hanging inside his cabinet at home. Woods has topped the tournament in 1997, 2001, 2002, and 2005. Last year, Woods finished with a T32 on a one-over-part performance overall. It was his worst finish at the Masters since turning pro, but he’s done enough to warrant some of the expectations set by his current odds of +1,000 to end his drought at the event this year. In the British Open last year, he had a sizzling performance in the back nine of the The Open, then he had a 64 in the final round of the PGA Championship. Woods is ranked 14th in the world right now.
Dustin Johnson (+1000)
Johnson only has a win in the PGA season as of this writing, but boy is he in fine for. Johnson, who is currently the top-ranked player in the world, topped the WGC-Mexico Championship last February and followed that up with back-to-back top-six finishes at THE PLAYERS Championship (T5) and at the Valspar Championship (T6). His win in Mexico definitely boosted his stock that continues to soar heading into the 2019 Masters. Johnson finished 10th last year at the Masters and will be looking to win his first at the Masters and second overall Grand Slam event in his career. Johnson is penciled in with a +1,000 odds to win in Augusta.
Writer’s Prediction
Rory McIlroy (+800) finally nails a career grand slam with a win in Augusta.
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