Spring has officially sprung, as the world’s top golfers have descended on Augusta, Georgia for a shot at claiming The Masters trophy and the coveted Green Jacket. Action is already underway, with Round 1 getting started bright and early on Thursday morning.
Patrick Reed has staked himself to an early lead, but it won’t be long before he fellow golfers mount a serious charge.
The futures market continues to evolve, and bettors can get in on the action at any time. Let’s take a look at the latest BetMGM data to see where the market currently lies.
First-Round Leader
This will be one of the most volatile markets throughout the day. Still, there was a clear frontrunner before golfers teed off, and still time to get a piece of the pie.
Justin Rose was far-and-away the most bet golfer to lead after Round 1, both among public and sharp bettors. The Englishman led in ticket count and handle, earning respective 8.2% and 9.0% splits. Considering his recent form, bettors are taking a bit of a gamble on Rose. He hasn’t shot below 70 in an opening round since the AT&T Pebble Beach. While he typically reserves his best golf for August, we don’t typically see the best Rose has to offer until the weekend.
Bryson DeChambeau is another sharp contender to be the first-round leader. The American has used distance to his advantage throughout his career, and could make some noise in this year’s field. DeChambeau sits second in handle at 6.1%, trumping his 5.0% ticket count.
Finally, Min Woo Lee is the dark horse to keep an eye on throughout Round 1. Formerly a +5000 longshot to win it all, Lee has been gaining betting momentum as we approach the Grandaddy of Them All. The Australian has received a hefty 6.0% of the handle, indicating his unrelenting support from the sharpest bettors.
Final Placement
There can only be one winner at The Masters, but Final Placement has proven to be another lucrative market worth exploring. While Top 5 and Top 10 are the most profitable brackets, there’s also value to be had in Top 20, Top 40, To Make the Cut.
Top 5 & 10
Not surprisingly, you’ll find a plethora of top golfers to finish Top 5. Led by Scottie Scheffler (+110), Ludvig Aberg (+275), Bryson DeChambeau (+220), Jon Rahm (+220), and Xander Schauffele (+275) are the most common bettors to finish near the top of the leaderboard.
Likewise, Schauffele, Aberg, and DeChambeau also find themselves as the top bet golfers to finish in the Top 10. However, they are joined by a pair of Englishmen ready to make a charge. At +188, Matt Fitzpatrick has accumulated the fourth-highest ticket count. Tommy Fleetwood is close behind, albeit at a slightly diminished +175.
Top 20
Patrick Reed has validated a litany of supporters with his hot start at Augusta. A plus-money option, the American led in ticket count to finish in the Top 20. Value bettors are having a field day in this bracket, backing Akshay Bhatia (+140), Justin Rose (+100), Corey Conners (+175), and Jacob Bridgeman (-120), also ranking among the most bet golfers.
Top 40
The value continues to evaporate the further we move down the market, and bettors have shifted their approach in the Top 40. Instead of the plus-money candidates, bettors are seeking reliable commodities who are expected to deliver at Augusta. Corey Conners (-190), Jacob Bridgeman (-190), and Cameron Smith (-120) are among the public favorites, with Max Homa (+120) and Carlos Ortiz (+138) standing out as value candidates.
Tournament Winner
Of course, the most notable futures market is also the most unforgiving. Picking the golfer to win The Masters is almost as challenging as winning it all. The futures board has moved throughout the week, with Bryson DeChambeau emerging as the most-backed golfer to put on the Green Jacket.
The American continues to eat into Scottie Scheffler’s market. Over the past few days, DeChambeau has usurped Scheffler in terms of ticket count and handle. As it stands, his 10.3% ticket count is nearly a full point clear of Scheffler’s 9.4% count. Similarly, DeChambeau’s 14.7% handle has surpassed Scheffler’s 14.3%. Clearly, sharp bettors are counting on DeChambeau to make a run at the third major championship of his career.
The favorites are expected to be in contention, but we’re not discounting some of the other notable names on the board. Cameron Young stands out as an elite mid-range option, which is reflected in his betting support. Priced at +2000, Young has earned a 4.5% ticket count and 5.5% handle ahead of the tournament.
Brooks Koepka is another value candidate, even further down the board. The LIV golfer is a distant +4000, but his 2.8% handle exceeds his 2.2% ticket count, indicating more sharp money flowing in on the American.
Plenty of Golf Ahead
This year’s Masters Tournament is just getting started. Whether you’re looking at first-round leaders, final placement, or tournament winners, the markets will continue to shift throughout the weekend, leaving bettors plenty of entry points to make it a profitable weekend. If nothing else, we’re predicting another magical finish to the most prominent golf tournament in the world.
New to sports betting? First, explore our Introduction to Sports Betting. Then check out our recommendations at Flip The Switch for online sportsbooks, along with offers to get started. And if you’re not an avid sports fan, you can still find some fun and unusual bets to enjoy!
