Navigate

The Masters PGA Betting Guide (2021)

by |

Jordan Spieth (+1600) can finally breathe a huge sigh of relief after returning to the winner’s circle for the first time since 2017. Hard work and perseverance paid off for the 27-year-old, who was knocking on the door of a big breakthrough win with four top-10s heading into the event. It was extra special for Spieth, who got the job done in his home state in front of friends and family. Spieth now carries all the momentum and confidence into Augusta National, another place that he holds close to his heart after winning the Masters in 2015.

It’s officially Masters week! The golf world is treated to another memorial week at Augusta National for the second time in five months. Back in its normal time slot, the first Major of 2021 is upon us as The Masters returns in April. Eighty-eight golfers will tee it up for a chance to put on the iconic green jacket on Championship Sunday.

Dustin Johnson (+950) returns to Augusta to defend his record-breaking Masters’ win in November. He was the only player to ever finish the tournament at 20-under-par or better. With Brooks Koepka (+2800) announcing he will return from a knee injury to play, we will see every golfer in the top-50 of the OWGR tee it up. Carlos Ortiz, Will Zalatoris, and Robert MacIntyre will be making their debuts.

Bet $1, Win $100 if Any Golfer Birdies at The Masters >>

Previous Winners

  • 2020: Dustin Johnson (-20)
  • 2019: Tiger Woods (-13)
  • 2018: Patrick Reed (-15)
  • 2017: Sergio Garcia (-9)
  • 2016: Danny Willett (-5)

Course Preview

The 85th edition of the Masters Tournament will be played at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. The course plays at 7,475 yards long, and early reports are the course will play much firmer and faster compared to November. One of the most stunning and well-manicured tracks on the circuit, Augusta features some of the fastest Bentgrass greens on Tour.

There are plenty of birdie holes available on the scorecard, especially with four Par 5s. However, bogey avoidance will be key with many challenging holes. Being patient is a virtue at Augusta National. Difficult pin placements necessitate methodical approach shots. Par can be an excellent score on half of the holes here, and an above-average short game can help tremendously.

Relevant Betting Stats

  • Strokes Gained: Off-the-tee
  • Par 5 scoring
  • Birdie-or-better
  • Bogey Avoidance
  • Performance on Bentgrass Greens

Outright Betting Picks

Jon Rahm (+1250 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
In 11 events this season, Rahm has an impressive ten top-25s, including a T2 (Zozo Championship), two T5’s (Genesis Invitational, WGC-Match Play), and three T7s (Masters, Tournament of Champions, Farmers Insurance Open). The talented Spaniard has three straight top-10 finishes at the Masters (T7, T9, 4th). An uncharacteristic cold putter has prevented him from entering the winner’s circle. It’s only a matter of time before he gets the job done, and what better way to do it than in the first Major tournament of the calendar year.

Patrick Cantlay (+2050 on FanDuel Sportsbook)
The 29-year-old California native has one of the most complete games on Tour. Cantlay rarely shows any emotion on the course but is a fiery competitor who is very patient from tee to green. The world number 10 ranked golfer has two consecutive top-20 finishes at the Masters and is playing some excellent golf in 2021. Cantlay has high finishes of 2nd (American Express), T3 (AT&T Pebble Beach), and T15 (Genesis Invitational) in his last five times out.

Mid-Tier Betting Picks

Cam Smith (+3500 on DraftKings Sportsbook) 
The Aussie was one of a select few coming close to challenging Dustin Johnson in November’s edition of the Masters. Smith became the only golfer to fire all rounds in the 60s in the Masters’ illustrious history. I expect him to keep it rolling at Augusta this week. Since that T2 finish in November of 2020, he has had a fourth-place finish (Genesis Invitational) and a T11 at the WGC-Workday Concession. Smith is tied with Bryson DeChambeau in Par 5 scoring this season and has the short game to save himself.

Webb Simpson (+3500 on DraftKings Sportsbook)   
I expect the course to play more difficult than it did in November. The course will be more firm and fast, and that will play to Simpson’s advantage. He is first on Tour in Bogey Avoidance and is extremely good at avoiding big numbers. The 35-year-old already has four top-10s this season in just 11 events and has had success at Augusta National in the Past (T10 in 2021, T5 in 2019, T20 in 2018).

Other Betting Picks

Abraham Ancer – Top-10 Finish (+500 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
Ancer had an incredible first three days at the Masters last November. He began with rounds of 68, 67, 69, then absolutely imploded with a finishing round of 76. The Mexican still did enough to place T13 in his Masters’ debut and will look to put a full week’s work together this time around. Coming in with four straight top-25s, look for Ancer to compete here once again.

Matt Wallace – Top-10 Finish (+750 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
The Englishman led the entire field in both strokes gained: approach and strokes gained: tee-to-green last week at the Valero Texas Open (finished third). He has a T7 at the Abu Dhabi Championship in January (Euro Tour) and has four international victories to his name at just 30 years old. Wallace will look to improve on his T48 at the Masters in November and is coming into the event with much better form.

Event Plays

Bet $1, Win $100 if Any Golfer Birdies at The Masters >>


Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts

Whether you’re new to sports betting or a betting pro, our How To Bet and Sports Betting Strategy and Advice pages are for you. You can get started with our Sports Betting 101 Section — including 10 Sports Betting Tips for Beginners â€” or head to more advanced sports betting strategy — like Key Numbers When Betting Against the Spread â€” to learn more.

Nic Turner is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Nic, check out his archive and follow him @sportzbandit.