Some familiar names are among the frontrunners to win in Augusta.
It’s that time of year again. The jaw-dropping scenery of Augusta National will once again be the home of the biggest names in golf, with the 2017 Masters set to begin tomorrow.
Following Danny Willett’s very traditional British champion’s dinner, the players will be practising around the infamous course one last time this evening before the competition begins.
Here are ten players the bookies are favouring to win the opening golf major of 2017.
DUSTIN JOHNSON (11/2)
The world number one is without doubt the favourite going into the tournament. The 32-year old has won his previous three events, the Genesis Open, WGC- Mexico and the WGC-Match Play.
After a sensational 2016, where he won the US Open (the first major win of his career) and helped USA to their first Ryder Cup victory since 2008, the man from South Carolina is hoping to carry on his superb form at a tournament where he has struggled previously. He has only finished in the top 10 twice in the last eight years.
No world number one has won the Masters since Tiger Woods back in 2002.
JORDAN SPIETH (7/1)
Is there any golfer who looks more at home at Augusta than Jordan Spieth? The American won the tournament in 2015, sandwiched between two runner up finishes in 2014 and 2016 respectively. His 2015 success saw him match Wood’s record total of 18-under-par.
The 23-year old has made an indifferent start to the 2017 season. His win at Pebble Beach back on the 9th February was the last time he finished in the top 10 of an event on the PGA Tour. But if there is one place he can turn his form around, it’s the Masters.
RORY MCILROY (8/1)
The Northern Irishman is said to be confident ahead of this year’s tournament. The 27-year old needs just the green jacket in order to complete the Grand Slam. However, Augusta has proved to not be such a happy hunting ground for him.
In 2011, he shot the worst round recorded by the leader of the Masters going into the final round. His round of 80 saw him slip from first to tied 15th.
McIlroy has not really been in any contention to win the tournament since then, but with that objective to win all for majors serving as his motivation, that could change this time around.
JASON DAY (16/1)
The former world number one will play at the tournament following his mother’s cancer diagnosis. In fact, it seems to have made him more determined to win.
The 2015 USPGA champion insists victory this week in Augusta would ‘dwarf the emotion of winning his maiden major’.
Day didn’t play at the WGC-Match Play so that he could be with his mother before she had lung surgery, but the Australian seems ready to battle for the green jacket.
The 29-year old has not got a bad record at the Masters either, finishing in the top 10 three times in the last six years.
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA (18/1)
The 25-year old has become Japan’s golfing prodigy. The Japanese golfer has four PGA Tour wins to his name and has seemed destined to challenge for a major in the near future.
At Augusta, he finished fifth in 2015 and tied for seventh last year. This has made him a name hot on everyones lips going into the tournament.
But recently his form has not been to the level many expect of him. Since winning the Phoenix Open in February, Matsuyama has not finished any higher than 25th at an event.
RICKIE FOWLER (20/1)
Matsuyama was drawn alongside Fowler for this year’s opening two rounds, and the American is a man hoping to finally break his major duck.
The 28-year old came runner up at both the US Open and The Open during his career to date.
As his game has developed, so has his maturity when approaching each shot, making a far dangerous player when he hits top form. The closest he came to a green jacket was back in 2012, where he came fifth.
JON RAHM (22/1)
Young Spanish golfer Jon Rahm has moved up in odds under the radar. Rahm turned Pro last year and has radically climbed up the rankings.
In a matter of only 10 months, Rahm has climbed up from 539 to world number 12 ahead of the Masters.
The 22-year old has one PGA Tour win to his name, the Farmers Insurance Open in January this year.
JUSTIN ROSE (25/1)
The 2013 US Open and current Olympic champion tied second in this tournament two years ago with a respectable 14-under par.
The Hampshire-based golfer failed to make it into the top 10 of his last three events.
PHIL MICKELSON (25/1)
One of America’s most successful golfers, Phil Mickelson is a name that will always pop in when it comes to major contenders.
The three-time Masters Champion is a veteran when compared to the younger men in the field, but with that trusted left hand of his, anything could happen.
ADAM SCOTT (30/1)
The 36-year old won the green jacket back in 2013, becoming the first Australian to complete the feat.
However, since his victorious year, the one-time major winner has struggled to replicate his 2013 performance at Augusta, and has failed to make the top 10 for the past three years.
OTHER NOTABLE GOLFERS
Henrik Stenson (Open Champion 2016) 30/1
Bubba Watson (Masters Champion 2012 and 2014) 40/1
Jimmy Walker (2016 USPGA Champion) 80/1
Danny Willett (2016 Masters Champion) 100/1
Scott Gregory (2016 Amateur Champion) 1000/1
*All odds correct via. SkyBet at time of writing.
Liam Richner 