The stars will be in Augusta, Ga. this week for the 2020 Masters and bettors around the world can hardly contain themselves.
It's hard to remember a major championship where so many of the game's top players are in such splendid form. Tournament favorite Bryson DeChambeau is getting plenty of hype, but the top of the board is loaded with elite players at the top of their games.
With a field this deep, there are some tantalizing matchups on the betting board. These are our favorites:
Jason Sobel
Justin Thomas (+105) over Bryson DeChambeau
I usually prefer to dig beneath the surface of elite-level players for my favorite matchups, but I want to get some value here in fading Bryson, so I’d take any of the other top five on the board against him — Rahm, DJ, Rory or JT, who is the obvious play for me.
Really, it comes down to how each player’s game fits this course. It should come as no surprise, but Augusta sets up as a second-shot track — and I’d gladly take Thomas from 125 yards out than DeChambeau from 75. Trust me: I respect the hell out of how Bryson has changed his body and his game to fit what the analytics have told us — and I expect his success to continue. Just not this week, where I expect the weakest part of his game — short irons and wedges — will become exposed, despite those booming drives.
Chris Murphy
Abraham Ancer (-110) over Ian Poulter
I really like this bet from a couple of different angles. The first is that at this stage of both player’s careers, Ancer is simply a better player than Poulter. Ancer has been one of the top young players in the game over the past 12 months and is trending for a breakthrough finish sooner than later.
Poulter certainly has the experience factor on his side around Augusta National, but he’s fighting both father time and a bout with back spasms that forced him to withdraw last week in Houston. The potential for those back issues flaring up, along with him not being the player he once was, make this matchup a bit curious at even odds. I’ll take the younger, better player in Ancer for his debut this week at the Masters.
Matt Vincenzi
Adam Scott (-137) over Louis Oosthuizen
Simply put, I trust Scott at Augusta National.
While not in the best form as of late, everything the Aussie does is geared towards being ready to compete at Augusta. Last week in Houston, Scott gained 3.9 strokes on approach, which was the most he’s gained in his past seven starts.
It’s plausible that Scott has worked out the kinks in order to get him game where it needs to be for the major championship he has the best chance to win. Louis has a solid track record at Augusta, but it’s been proven he can’t win on American soil. I’m taking the guy who I truly believe has a shot this week.
