The 2021 Masters gets under way on April 8th, back in its normal slot after the November switch in 2020, and it promises to be another exciting week as a stellar field prepares to walk down Magnolia Lane.
Only Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods have managed to successfully defend their Augusta National crown in the last 50 years, but reigning champion Dustin Johnson will be hoping to add his name to the list after his record-breaking tournament score back in November.
Conditions at the Georgia venue were softer just six months ago and some of next week’s field have already said how firm and fast the course is playing, suggesting an on-point short game will be required to land the coveted Green Jacket.
DJ leads the betting at 8/1 for the 2021 edition, just ahead of big-hitting Bryson DeChambeau at 9/1, while Justin Thomas and Jon Rahm are both priced at 11/1.
Jordan Spieth, champion in 2015, is starting to rediscover some of that Major-winning form and is 12/1 to clinch a second Green Jacket, while Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy is 14/1 to complete a career Grand Slam.
There is a real sense of intrigue heading into the first Major of the campaign and there could be some value in looking further down the betting list, with MansionBet paying a 1/4 of the odds for the first five places in the each-way department.
US Stalwart Could End Major Wait
World number 43 Matt Kuchar has achieved a lot in his career, having turned professional in 2000, but success in one of the four Major championships is yet to be tasted.
The American, a 17-time PGA Tour winner and a four-time Ryder Cup player, is starting to find some form at the right time and recently finished third at the WGC Match Play, narrowly missing out on a place in the final.
If Kuchar, who has four top-10 finishes at Augusta to his name, can maintain his impressive accuracy off the tee, which has him 13th in the PGA Tour standings this season, and get a good roll with the flat stick, there is every chance he could challenge for Masters glory at huge odds of 100/1.
Thomas to Make Bold Challenge
Justin Thomas kicked off 2021 with a third-place finish at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, before he then managed to land the Players Championship for his 14th success on the US circuit.
Already a Major champion after his success at the 2017 US PGA, the 27-year-old has one of the best wedge games around and if he can get his long game going next week, the Green Jacket could be his.
From his five previous Masters appearances, the American has finished T39, T22, T17, T12 and fourth, and it is worth noting his improvement on his final position each year.
At 11/1, Thomas is the player that looks worth taking on at the top end of the market.
Conners to Fly Canadian Flag
Corey Conners is enjoying a fine season and he came close to landing his second PGA Tour title on two occasions recently, finishing third at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and then seventh at the Players Championship.
Those two events were played on tough courses – Bay Hill and TPC Sawgrass – and it was pleasing to see how well the Canadian adapted to the demanding set-ups.
Conners has a solid tee-to-green game and he finished tied-10th at the 2020 Masters on his third appearance, so he certainly has course knowledge and he could go close next week at odds of 66/1.
*All odds correct at time of writing