The chance to slip on a green jacket is one of the most time-honored traditions in sports.
It’s the pinnacle moment in an achievement that will live in golf history.
And talk about the list you join.
Byron Nelson
Ben Hogan
Arnold Palmer
Jack Nicklaus
Tiger Woods
To name just a few.
To win back-to-back Masters championships? Now we’re into an even more exclusive and prestigious group.
In the 87-year history of The Masters, only three men have won consecutive green jackets.
Nicklaus in 1965-66
Nick Faldo in 1989-90
Woods in 2001-02
That’s what lies in front of Dustin Johnson (and golf betting) this week in Augusta, Georgia.
And unlike those other three, Johnson won’t wait a full year. If it feels like Johnson just won The Masters, he did. It was November when he won his first green jacket.
Masters odds
To the surprise of no one, Johnson is the consensus favorite to pull off the repeat this week.
At DraftKings, the No. 1 player in the world is listed at +950.
The question now: will Johnson win?
Johnson obviously has the experience of just winning The Masters. When it comes to golf, Augusta National is the ultimate test, even for those who have mastered the course before. In fact, it’s often described as a test in futility.
And as everyone knows, there is no more fickle of a game than golf. One minute you’re on top of the world, the next you’re Tin Cup with a backwards hat, pockets pulled from your pants and you’re trying to fight off the yips.
Yes, Johnson is the No. 1 player in the world and the reigning champ, but he finished 48th at The Players Championship.
So keep that in your back pocket if you’re planning on betting The Masters this week.
Who could challenge Johnson?
Based on the sports betting odds at DraftKings, Bryson DeChambeau, Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay round out the top five.
In terms of Spieth, he definitely has the momentum entering The Masters. His win on Sunday at the Valero Texas Open is his first on the PGA Tour since 2017. Spieth also has the experience of winning at Augusta National. He won The Masters in 2015. That combination could make Spieth a trendy betting option.
If you look at the results from November, perhaps you could get a feel for possible “longshots.”
After Johnson, Sungjae Im and Cameron Smith tied for second. Im is currently at +4,150 at DraftKings and Smith is at +3,500.
The man who tied McIlroy for fifth, Dylan Frittelli, is an even bigger longshot at +17,500.
You can also never rule out Brooks Koepka, who could catch fire and sit atop the leaderboard from his opening tee shot. Kopeka is currently at +2,800.
What about previous Masters winners?
Perhaps you fancy a previous winner as a possible way to make your wager.
Golfers who have won at Augusta since 2010 (most recent listed first and odds from DraftKings):
- Patrick Reed +3,500
- Sergio Garcia +6,000
- Danny Willett +25,000
- Bubba Watson (two-time winner) +9,000
- Adam Scott +7,500
- Charl Schwartzel +40,000
- Phil Mickelson (three-time winner) +17,500
As is the case with sports betting, if you have a hunch or gut feeling your guy will win, go with it and throw a couple of bucks down.
If you’re not feeling it, skip it and just enjoy the pristine beauty of Amen Corner and all of the azaleias in bloom.
Other ways to bet The Masters
Not everyone who bets on golf wants to wager on who will win. So what are some of the other ways to bet on it? The great thing about golf is the myriad of ways to wager on it, and the Colorado betting apps have you covered.
Perhaps the most popular is to live bet The Masters. Golf is one of the best for live betting in Colorado, especially for first-timers. It’s not nearly as fast as basketball or hockey. So you’re able to gather your thoughts, not feel rushed and miss any of the live action.
If a golfer gets hot or you have a hunch, this is where you could throw a few bucks down as it happens. But you have to act quickly since the sportsbooks adjust lines, odds and props in a flash.
Another popular market for golf betting is to make or miss the cut.
And speaking of props, there are all kinds to choose from.
DraftKings has Tournament Specials that include an Albatross on Hole 2 or Hole 15 to the eventual winner playing in the first tee grouping.
The list doesn’t stop there:
- Top Past Champion
- To go to Playoff
- Top Lefty
- Top Senior Player
Of course we can’t mention golf prop bets and not mention Hole in One Props. Will a golfer ace the iconic 16th green at Augusta?
Each of the sportsbooks will have their own prop bet offers, so explore the apps and choose the ones you like most.
Tradition unlike any other
When it comes to golf, there is nothing like The Masters.
The chance to witness (and bet) on history makes it even better.
Can Johnson become just the fourth golfer in the history of the tournament to win back-to-back green jackets?
At least for now, the tradition of The Masters in early April has returned.
