There are 95 players teeing it up in the first round of the 2025 Masters on Thursday, and each one earned his way into the field by doing something special. Maybe it’s the venerated status of being a past champion; maybe he’s one of the world’s top amateurs; or maybe he squeaked into the field via world ranking.
Regardless, everyone starts from Square 1 on Thursday morning, and on Sunday, someone’s life will be changed with the bestowing of a green jacket.
Who’s is going to be? As golf’s resident gambling expert Brady Kannon noted in this week’s betting guide, the Masters is unique as the only major championship that is played at the same venue year after year, which gives us plenty of informative data for the contenders.
According to Fanatics Sportsbook, defending champion Scottie Scheffler is the tournament’s top prospect, at +400 to win. He’s followed on the oddsboard by Rory McIlroy (+650), Jon Rahm (+1400) and Collin Morikawa (+1600).
Other big names in the field include Bryson DeChambeau (+1800), Ludvig Aberg (+1800) and Xander Schauffele (+2000).
Subpar hosts Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz are looking a bit farther down the oddsboard for their top betting picks this week, though.
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Stoltz has been on a heater with top-20 selections, cashing on four out of five picks over the last several weeks. And he’s sticking with what’s been working.
“You gotta go a ways down the board before you even get to plus money for top 20s out there,” Stoltz said. “But I’m going with the guy, coming off his best finish of the year, 5th in Houston, great weekend — 64-64 — he’s figured out a little something in his putting. He smashes it off the tee, also one of the better putters in the world when he gets going. Those are two things that are pretty valuable around here. All bias aside, Wyndham Clark, top 20, +230.”
“That is your son, so no surprise to see you pick him,” Knost joked. “I’m going to go in the top 20 bet as well, +160, he’s got a number of top 10s here. He’s loves this place, great ball striker. Just make some putts for me this week: Corey Conners.”
Because it’s a major week, Knost and Stoltz also picked winners, with Stoltz going with Morikawa, and Knost taking Scheffler.
“I think he’s gonna be the first guy to go back-to-back since Tiger Woods did it,” Knost said.
You can find complete Fanatics Sportsbook betting odds for the Masters here, and you can listen to the full episode of the latest Subpar (with guest Mark O’Meara) here or by watching the YouTube video below.
