2024 PGA Picks: The Masters Golf Odds and Expert Betting Predictions

The anticipated wait is finally over, and the first major of the season has arrived. Augusta National Golf Course radiates tradition and the memories of triumph and defeat that officially welcomes in spring and begins the true golf season for many fans. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is the heavy favorite heading into the week, followed by Rory Mcllroy, defending champion Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, and Brooks Koepka. Last week, Akshay Bhatia’s win at the Valero Texas Open catapulted him into this week’s field, solidifying the 88 players vying for a Green Jacket. Only one player can wear the sports coat on Sunday and etch himself into the history books. In what should be a wild week at this historic venue, Doc’s Sports will break down some of the best bets below from Augusta.

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A Look at the Field

Here is a look at the Top 12 and ties with the lowest golf odds to win it all at online sportsbooks

Scottie Scheffler +450 – Rory Mcllroy +1000 – Jon Rahm +1100 – Xander Schauffele +1400

Brooks Koepka +2000 – Hideki Matsuyama +2000 – Jordan Spieth +2500 – Joaquin Niemann +2800

Ludvig Aberg +3000 – Bryson DeChambeau +3500 – Viktor Hovland +3500 – Matt Fitzpatrick +3500

Course Characteristics of Those Who Can Win or Secure Winning Golf Bets

Golf enthusiasts are about to witness the greatest piece of golf course architecture on the planet this week. Augusta National opened in 1933 by Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones. The 2024 Masters will play as a par-72 and has been extended to stretch to 7,555 yards, making it the third-longest course on the PGA Tour schedule this year. They pushed back the tee on the par-5 second hole to attempt to bring the fairway bunker back into play for long hitters. Augusta National is the ultimate test for players and their complete skill set. There will be holes that test patience, holes that require aggressiveness and guts, and holes that must avoid the improper miss. This will be the first time all season that players see Bent Grass greens. The greens are extremely firm heading into this week, and players must understand the intense slopes and contours to make 15+ foot putts. There are five holes where water comes into play, mostly on the back nine. One major defining feature of Augusta National is the elevation change per hole. On each set of nines, the holes begin by moving downhill and finish by climbing back upwards. This can alter distances, angles, and play mind games with players throughout the 18-hole stretch. The most important holes will be the par-5s, where nearly 70% of the scoring takes place. The rest of the holes are spent attempting to make par and avoid bogeys. All the par-5s are reachable in two shots for most players, and that will be the key to succeeding this week.

Xander Schauffele +1400

Schauffele should be playing with a chip on his shoulder and seems poised to break through at a major. He annually finds himself in contention at Major Championships. He briefly had the lead at the 2019 Masters on the back nine, finished in 3rd place in 2021, and recorded a T10 in the 2023 edition of the Masters. Schauffele has gained over +2.5 strokes off the tee in each of his last four starts, with three top-five finishes as a result. He even switched drivers for 2024 with the Callaway AI Smoke Driver. If you have been watching Schauffele’s game, he looks at ease and as poised as ever. I truly believe that 2024 is the year that Xander finally wins a Major.

Joaquin Niemann +2800

Niemann has been nothing but dominant to start the 2024 season, and we will look to ride his current momentum to a Green Jacket. He won twice in three LIV events at Mexico and Jeddah, respectively. He is looking to become the eighth LIV player to win the Masters. The Chilean also won on the DP World Tour in December at the ISPS Handa Australian Open. In the last three months, he ranks 3rd in the field for strokes gained: tee-to-green and ranks 3rd in driving distance. He finished T16 at the Masters last season and has improved every year in his four starts at Augusta. With five top-4 finishes in his last six events, Niemann is the best in-form player in this field besides Scheffler.

Viktor Hovland +3500

Hovland’s play around the green has not been up to his standards this season, but that is why you are getting such a great price tag for the reigning FedEx Cup winner. He skipped the Texas swing of the PGA Tour schedule to solely focus on conquering Augusta. If his game off the tee and irons are in top form, it will mitigate the chipping woes. Do not forget, he took down three loaded-field events and carded top-20 results at all four majors last season, including a T7 at Augusta National. He also boasts three straight top-30 finishes at Augusta. Chipping might not even matter when the rest of his game is still elite.

Will Zalatoris +3500

This is a player that you should not be overthinking as his ball-striking is magnificent. Even with his last two poor outings, the numbers say he is trending in the right direction. He missed the cut at The Players and had a very poor four days in Houston. However, he gained strokes ball-striking in both of those starts and was let down by the putter. If you take out those two events, he was putting tremendously throughout the start of 2024. Now he heads to Augusta, where he has putted well in his career, gaining at least a stroke per round in each of his two appearances, which resulted in a solo second and T6. I am not worried about the past two outings as his ball-striking is the best it has ever been. Look for Zalatoris to break through for a Green Jacket.

Sahith Theegala +5000

The 26-year-old is making his second start at the Masters after finishing 9th in 2023. He arrives at Augusta National off the back of three top-10 finishes in his last five starts. In the last three months, he ranks 7th for strokes gained: total in this field and his putter has come alive in 2024. The former Pepperdine standout holds tremendous value at 50-1 odds, especially with a final round of 67 last year, including a chip-in on the par-3 16th hole. Theegala has the skill set to wear a Green Jacket on Sunday evening.

Patrick Reed +7000

Reed’s lackluster start to the LIV season computes to this inflated price. However, make no mistake about it, he was made for Augusta National. He won the 2018 Masters and has carded three top-10 finishes since, including last season’s T4. He finished third in true strokes gained around the green, sixth in tee-to-green, and 11th in true strokes gained putting. He is also coming off his best start on the LIV Circuit, finishing T9 at LIV Miami. He also finished T4 at the Asian Tour’s Macau event in March. Don’t look now, but Reed’s gaining form heading into a track where he is extremely comfortable playing.

Golf Picks: Who to Consider This Week:

To win: Schauffele, Niemann, Hovland, Zalatoris, Theegala, Reed

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