The first golf major of the year is upon us as players and fans alike gear up for the 2024 Masters.
The storied traditions of Augusta National are set to take centre-stage and a glittering field will compete for a famous Green Jacket next Sunday.
Jon Rahm is the defending champion after the Spaniard shrugged off pressure from Brooks Koepka to claim the title last year.
Rahm now plays on the LIV Golf circuit with the breakaway players ready for a reunion with their PGA Tour rivals in Georgia.
A host of top names should be in contention for glory but one stands well above the rest…
Scottie Scheffler 4/1
Not since the halcyon days of prime Tiger Woods as a player been such a red hot favourite leading into The Masters.
Scheffler is indisputably the best in the world right now and already has two wins in 2024.
He blew away the field at the Arnold Palmer Invitational before coming from behind to clinch The Players title and few are looking elsewhere for their Masters champion.
Scheffler won at Augusta in 2022 and finished a credible T10 in his title defence last year.
For all his brilliance, he is yet to claim a second major title, something you can bet he’ll be eager to change as soon as possible.
Rory McIlroy 11/1
Rory McIlroy and his Masters chances are a key topic each year.
As is well-documented by now, McIlroy’s long wait for another major win went on throughout 2023.
He missed the cut at Augusta last year, carding a second-round 77 to once again end his hopes of completing the career Grand Slam.
McIlroy’s preparations for his latest shot at glory have been underwhelming at best. He won the Dubai Desert Classic in mid-January but has struggled in the big events on the PGA Tour this year.
While he did claim third at the Valero Texas Open last weekend, sadly for Rory fans, there’s not a lot more suggesting that this will be his year.
Jon Rahm 12/1
Not since Tiger Woods in 2001 and 2002 has The Masters had a repeat champion but Rahm will look to change that this year.
Rahm was brilliant in his four-stroke win last spring, dominating the final day to see off his rivals and collect a second major title.
The 29-year-old is since joined LIV Golf and is yet to win on the breakaway tour.
He did finish joint fourth at last week’s LIV event in Miami and led his Legion XIII to victory in the team event.
But he will still have to deal with questions about his sharpness and motivation this week while also undertaking all the usual roles of a defending Masters champion which can be a distraction.
It’ll be a tall order for Rahm to defend his crown but he would dearly love to do so to prove his decision to defect to LIV was correct.
Xander Schauffele 16/1
Schauffele is arguably the best player in the game right now without a major win.
The 30-year-old Olympic champion has seven PGA Tour victories to his name but is yet to truly turn up at the majors.
He finished second at Augusta in 2019 and claimed T10 at the famous course last year.
Schauffele is also in good form having performed well at The Players, the Genesis and The American Express already this year.
But questions remain over his temperament and his ability to be cut-throat when it really matters and kick on to glory.
Brooks Koepka 20/1
Koepka is a major machine and the perfect game for the hardest of golf courses.
The American pushed Rahm all the way at the Augusta last year before having to settle for T2 after an underwhelming Sunday.
But he used that as fuel to clinch his fifth major title at the PGA Championship just four weeks later.
Koepka has a good record at The Masters and won LIV Golf Jeddah last October.
He is not in the best form but does that really matter? You can guarantee, he’ll bring his best to he big dance.
Jordan Spieth 22/1
The top three are the clear favourites for victory in Georgia and it may come as a surprise to see Spieth as their main challenger (at least according to the bookies).
But the Texan is trending in the right direction with good performances at The Sentry and Phoenix Open in recent months.
He also claimed a T4 finish at The Masters last year, racing through the field with a final day 66.
Spieth knows how to get it done at Augusta too.
During his history-book 2015 season, Spieth secured his Green Jacket in style and will be eager to end his six-year major drought.
Viktor Hovland 33/1
Another fine player heading to Augusta under the radar is Hovland.
After a stunning 2023 campaign and a shining role in Europe’s Ryder Cup win in September, Hovland’s form as dropped off dramatically.
To many people’s surprise, Hovland decided to change coach and revamp his swing during the off-season and he is yet to see the benefits.
A T19 at the Genesis Open in February has been his best so far this year.
But Hovland is a bona fide superstar and has finished T7 or better in three of his last five majors.
If his new swing can finally click, the 26-year-old Norwegian could contend and add a major title to his already stellar CV.
Check out all The Masters betting odds from talkSPORT BET
News Summary:
- The Masters 2024 betting tips: Who are the favourites for glory at Augusta as Rahm defends against red hot favourite
- Check all news and articles from the latest Golf updates.