All of the media, storylines and bets at this year's Masters are focused on one man, Tiger Woods.
Woods understandably has gotten more coverage than anyone else. The story is incredible, with this being his first competitive PGA Tournament since his car accident in February 2021. Woods is the No. 1 story any time he tees it up and that popularity has transferred to the betting market.
This is the first year of a regulated, open Ontario sports betting market. It launched on Monday, just in time for the Masters.
Woods is the most bet-on golfer this week at his current odds of +4000, according to DraftKings Ontario. But with all the coverage focused on Woods, several other golfers are able to come into this week more under the radar than usual, including a Canadian.
Four to Watch at Masters
| ⭐Rory McIlroy | +2000 |
| ⭐Jordan Spieth | +2200 |
| ⭐Corey Conners | +5500 |
| ⭐Tony Finau | +6000 |
*Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook Ontario
Rory McIlroy, +2000
Rory McIlroy is always a big story at the Masters as this is the only major that he has not won, though he has been in the mix on several occasions. He missed the cut last year after a brutal start in the first round, but his four starts prior to that were much more promising with three top 10 finishes and a T21.
His high ball flight and natural shot shape of a draw off the tee has always fit well at Augusta National, where driving the ball well has always paid dividends.
Generally a heavy favorite at the Masters, he’s coming in this week at odds of +2000, tied for sixth on the odds board. The biggest concern would be his recent form, as a missed cut at the Valero Texas Open last week won’t give bettors much confidence.
McIlroy skipped out on the Match Play the week before in preparation for the Masters so he should come into this week with as much energy as anyone else. The missed cut at the Valero was an anomaly, as his three prior starts on the PGA Tour this year have resulted in finishes of 33rd, 13th and 10th. He also won the CJ Cup in October 2021.
Jordan Spieth, +2200
When thinking of the Masters, it’s hard not to think about Jordan Spieth. His history here is excellent, as even when his form on the PGA Tour has been poor he always has been able to compete well at Augusta.
Somewhat surprisingly, he’s only won the Masters once, in 2015. He was second in his debut in 2014 and second the year after his win as well, losing in heartbreaking fashion to Danny Willett in a tournament Speith seemed to have locked up before a devastating performance at the 12th hole in the final round.
Overall, in eight appearances Spieth has been in the top five an incredible five times. Last year he finished third the week after winning the Valero (and breaking a long win drought in the process). This year he is also trending well coming into the tournament, finishing 35th last week but gaining strokes with both his driver and his irons while struggling with the putter.
Putting has always been his strength here and he has mentioned several times that he loves the speed of these greens and how they fit his putting style. If he keeps striking the ball the way he has been all year and he putts as well as he usually does at Augusta he will be tough to beat. With odds to win of +2200 Spieth is one of the best bets you can make this week.
Corey Conners, +5500
The beauty of betting on golf tournaments is that there are always viable options at odds of +5000 or below, meaning that if you bet on one of these players and they win you are getting at least a 50x return on your investment. Two players with an excellent history at the Masters can be found in this range in Corey Conners (+5500) and Tony Finau (+6000).
In a normal week, these players can’t be found at such long odds. But with so many elite players teeing it up this week, some golfers had to be bumped back on the odds board.
Conners has had an excellent start to his Masters career with two top-10 finishes in his first three starts. The Canadian has proven to be one of the most consistent players on tour and checks the necessary boxes usually required to compete at Augusta.
As mentioned, his course history is excellent, as is his recent form, which helped improve his Masters odds. He is just two weeks removed from finishing third at the Dell Match Play. His major track record is also improving every year as he had three top-20 finishes in the four majors last year.
Everything is pointing toward Conners contending again at this year's Masters Tournament and he can be found at odds of +5500.
Tony Finau, +6000
Finau shed the label of a player who can’t win late last year, winning The Northern Trust in late August. That was a FedEx Cup playoff event with a similar field to this year’s Masters, meaning many of golf’s biggest stars were in the field.
But Finau has slumped to start the year, leading his odds to drift to a place we haven’t seen them in a long time. However, his ball striking has remained excellent, as he has gained strokes on approach in all but one of his last 13 events. His usually strong play around the green has been what has let him down.
He got back on track last week, finishing 29th at the Valero and showing promising signs with his driver and irons. His Masters history is excellent with three top-10 finishes in his four starts. With his game rounding back into shape after a brief post-win slump and his history at this storied event, Tony Finau is an excellent value at +6000.
While it will remain the Tiger Woods show in the lead up to the Masters, bettors can’t forget that there are several other options to bet on this year that have an excellent chance to slip on the green jacket come Sunday afternoon.
