2023 Masters Odds: Golf Picks and Predictions

With the start of first round action at Augusta National Golf Club just hours away, it remains a tight three-way race at the top of the Masters odds, with Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler knotted as +700 co-favourites. But with LIV golfers set to battle their newfound PGA Tour rivals for the first time since the renegade golf league began play last season, there are no shortages of storylines and betting opportunities at the Masters.

Here’s a look at some of the best bets available at this year’s tournament.

Tiger Woods Dominates the Masters Props

Once again, all eyes will be on Tiger Woods as he returns to Augusta in search of his sixth career Green Jacket win. Tiger’s long +6600 odds to win the Masters reflect his lack of activity since last summer, with the 47-year-old making just one tour appearance this year, a 45^th-place finish at the Genesis Invitational two months ago.

Tiger is just three years removed from his last victory at the Masters, and with 13 career top ten finishes at this event, he sports +650 odds to finish among the top eight this weekend. However, weather poses a real threat to Woods’ ability to compete this week. If the rain in the forecast materializes, it is likely to take a toll on Woods and his surgically repaired leg. Accordingly, the value can best be found in the +161 odds of Tiger missing the cut at this event for the first time since 1996.  

Mickelson Seeks Redemption in Return to Augusta

While Tiger Woods is expected to attract the attention of media and adoring fans, Phil Mickelson makes his return to Augusta cast in the role of the villain. The 53-year-old has attracted fierce criticism, particularly from some members of the media devoted to the PGA Tour, for his leading role in the exodus of players to rival LIV Golf.

The controversy contributed to Lefty’s decision to skip last year’s Masters, and his slow start this season in LIV action, where he has failed to crack the top 25 through three events have left him as a massive +20000 longshot in Masters betting. 

Indeed, the rain in the forecast could also work against Mickelson, who in the past has stated that inclement weather robs players with course knowledge of their advantage at Augusta. But after a year of criticism, Mickelson arrives at this year’s tourney with unfinished business, and if he can hang near the top of the leaderboard throughout the weekend, it could become the big story of the tournament. Accordingly, fans of the three-time Masters winner will want to get in on the lucrative +1100 odds of Mickelson finishing top ten, and his -152 odds to make the cut.

Johnson, Koepka Bring LIV Rivalry to Masters

Brooks Koepka returns to Augusta with a lot to prove in the wake of his disastrous performances at last year’s major tournaments. The four-time major winner missed the cut at the Masters for a second straight year in 2023, and failed to finish higher than 55^th at any of last year’s major events.

Koepka took a big step toward turning around a slow start to the season with last weekend’s victory at LIV Orlando, and sits shy of the favourites on the Masters odds as a +3300 bet to claim his first green jacket. However, it remains to be seen whether Koepka has truly put the injuries that have plagued him over the past two years behind him. 

With Thursday forecast to have the best weather of the weekend, Koepka offers solid value as a +114 bet to edge out Danny Willett and Gary Woodland in first round three ball. However, as the weather degrades, it is 2020 Masters champion Dustin Johnson who should catch the attention of sports bettors as -128 chalk to finish ahead of Koepka at this year’s tournament.