“Between Bets” is an article series revealing our staff’s best wagers across the NFL, NASCAR and PGA Tour. This week’s bets features our favorite wagers ahead of The Masters Tournament.
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
The Masters Tournament: Early Picks
• Rory McIlroy (+750)
• Scottie Scheffler (+1300)
• Brooks Koepka (+3600)
The Masters is just about a month away, and it should be no surprise to my readers who I will be lining up to bet.
Rory McIlroy (+750 outright)
Rory McIlroy just needs a Masters Victory to claim golf’s grand slam, winning all four majors.
I am more interested in McIlroy now than in previous years because his odds continue to slide. His play has been anything but confidence-inspiring lately, and he will seemingly miss the cut this week at THE PLAYERS Championship. So I might hold off until Monday to see if his number slides even more.
I won’t carry on and on about McIlroy’s stats. We all know who he is. We all know that he may, in fact, be the best golfer on the planet when he is firing on all cylinders. Unfortunately, McIlroy has been missing the killer instinct, but the Masters means more than any other tournament to him. Everything about McIlroy fits here, and he knows this course. He has seven T10s in his last nine appearances at The Masters and finished second last year. So don’t be surprised to see McIlroy go wire to wire here and dawn the green jacket on Sunday.
Scottie Scheffler (+1300)
Scottie Scheffler is another golfer I have my eye on. He is the defending champion, and after a few questionable outings early this season, he seems to be rounding into form and just in time. Scheffler sees a shot and hits the shot. His approach has been excellent, and his off-the-tee game has been excellent as well. His putting has been shaky but not abysmal by any stretch.
He had a near win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and now he is a contender two days into THE PLAYERS Championship. He seems to be finding his stride. Scheffler is someone who will rise to the occasion and fight for the win. He has won here and knows what it takes when to go for it and when to play it safe. Augusta requires a level of knowledge and experience to compete, and Scottie has proven he has that. Even when Scheffler was more unknown in his rookie and sophomore seasons on the Tour, he finished 19th and 18th at The Masters, respectively.
I love the +1300 on someone who will most likely be the world No.1 following a John Rahm withdrawal this week. I would snag this number before Sunday, as it will likely get shorter after THE PLAYERS Championship.
Brooks Koepka (+3600)
My last pick will be very unpopular, but we are here to win money, not make friends. Brooks Koepka, THE big game hunter, returns. Now of Netflix stardom, Koepka is rumored to be looking for a way out of jail from the LIV Golf Tour and back onto the PGA Tour.
This may very well be Koepka’s last chance at The Masters. Koepka is a dangerous man when he feels challenged, and no one wants to win more than him on a typical day. However, I believe that burning desire will be hotter than the sun come time for The Masters.
This is a golfer who, two years ago, you would blindly bet at every Major because “It’s Koepka, and it’s a Major.” He competes at the big ones.
Now, that was two years ago. He has since had surgeries and rehabilitation, along with a significant downgrade to his competitive play. Still, I think the fierce competitor is in there, and what a compelling case for acceptance back to the PGA when he can add “reigning Masters Champion” to the job experience line of the application.
My first two picks are by far and away more solid educated picks. However, Koepka at that number and the story with villainous drama that could follow would sure make for an epic battle and conclusion to The Masters this year.
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