The 2018 Masters is still more than five months away. But a lot that’s happened in recent weeks has already shaped the betting market for next year’s first Major. And no one has done more to improve their Masters odds in that time than Justin Thomas.
Westgate Las Vegas Superbook released its latest Masters odds earlier this week and Thomas, coming off his latest win at the US PGA Tour’s inaugural CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges, has moved up to 12/1 to win at Augusta National. The reigning PGA Tour Player of the Year was previously listed at 20/1, and he opened at 25/1 in August. In other words, you missed your chance at a great value bet on JT.
While Thomas has seen his odds slashed in half, Jordan Spieth has remained a solid – and consistent – favourite at 7/1. Spieth, the 2015 Masters champ, also finished runner-up in both 2014 and 2016. This past April, he played himself into the second-to-last group on Sunday, but faded to T-11.
Thomas has finished T-39 and T-22 in his first two career starts at Augusta National. The 24-year-old has also won six times, including picking up his first Major title at the US PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in August, in the past 12-calendar months to climb to No.3 in the Official World Golf Ranking, one spot behind Spieth.
World No.1 Dustin Johnson, who will start his 2017/18 PGA Tour season at this week’s WGC-HSBC Champions, remains the second favourite to win the green jacket at 9-to-1 odds. He’s followed by Rory McIlroy, who will take his fourth crack at completing the career Grand Slam in April, at 10/1.
Jason Day and Rickie Fowler are listed next at 15/1, ahead of Jon Rahm, Justin Rose and Hideki Matsuyama at 20/1. Reigning US Open champ Brooks Koepka is currently the lone man at 25/1, and reigning Masters champ Sergio Garcia and three-time green jacket winner Phil Mickelson lead a group at 30/1.
Other golfers getting notable upgrades in recent weeks are Marc Leishman (80/1 to 50/1), PGA Tour Rookie of the Year and Tour Championship winner Xander Schauffele (100/1 to 60/1), and Tyrell Hatton (150/1 to 80/1), who has won his past two starts on the European Tour to climb to No.17 in the OWGR.
Tiger Woods, despite recent buzz surrounding his impending return to competitive golf, remains at 100/1. The four-time Masters champ has been forced to miss the tournament three of the past four years due to injury.
