The Masters betting preview: Scottie Scheffler favored to win at Augusta

The most prestigious major of them all is finally around the corner. The 2024 Masters begins on Thursday and runs until Sunday at Augusta National. There are 89 golfers in total taking part in the first major of the year, with countless stars from both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. Scottie Scheffler, who remains with the PGA for the time being, heads in as a favorite to win, but reigning champion Jon Rahm is also among the contenders.

Tiger Woods will also compete in the event, although he’s not exactly considered a guy who will be competing for the Green Jacket anymore. Below, we’ll discuss a handful of players who should be in the mix when it’s all said and done.

Scottie Scheffler

Bodog sportsbook has given Scheffler +450 odds to win outright at Augusta. That’s a lot higher than anyone else, but it’s warranted. Scheffler is easily the best golfer in the world right now. He won back-to-back tournaments at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and THE PLAYERS Championship before following that up with a second-place finish at the Houston Open. He’s finished within the top-10 in all but one PGA Tour event this season. That’s mind-boggling in itself. Scheffler showed well at the 2023 Masters, finishing tied for 10th.

Jon Rahm

How can you ignore the last winner? Even though Rahm has left the PGA for LIV Golf, he’s still elite. Rahm won by four strokes a year ago and has landed in the top-10 in five of his last six appearances at Augusta. In five LIV Golf tournaments this season, he has finished third, eighth, fifth, eighth, and fourth. Rahm is a great putter and a top-notch driver. The Spaniard will be in the mix this weekend.

Rory McIlroy

McIlroy has had success in majors in his career, winning every single major but The Masters. That presents even more motivation for the Northern Ireland native, who is looking for the career Grand Slam. His last major win came way back in 2014. McIlroy isn’t having the best season so far, however, only finishing within the top-10 once. That came this past weekend at the Valero Texas Open. Perhaps it’s a sign of better things to come? Most betting sites have McIlroy within the top five in the Masters odds. 

Xander Schauffele

Schauffele is definitely one to watch. Currently the fifth-ranked player in the world, Schauffele’s best finish at Augusta came in 2019 when he was second. In eight tournaments this season, the 30-year-old has only finished outside of the top-10 twice. He was runner-up at THE PLAYERS Championship to Scheffler and then fifth at the Valspar Championship. Schauffele was 10th at the last edition of the Masters. He’s in good form and should be a contender this weekend. 

Brooks Koepka

Remember when Brooks Koepka jumped ship for LIV Golf and then proceeded to nearly win the Masters last year? Yeah, everyone does. Koepka proved that he’s still one of the premier golfers in the world, winning five career majors, with his most recent victory coming at the 2023 PGA Championship. He hasn’t done that well in LIV events this year, but I don’t think that’s any reason to doubt Koepka. He turns up when the lights shine brightest.