2021 Masters Tournament Betting Picks: Our Favorite Prop Bets & Matchups at Augusta National
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images. Pictured: Will Zalatoris
The Masters is one of the biggest gambling events of the year. Bettors all over the world will be getting action down at the sportsbook, on DFS platforms, in pools at their local bars or all of the above. This is the tournament where casuals, die-hards and everyone in between gets together to have a flutter on the golf. It’s a beautiful thing and it’s going to be a fun week.
As usual, bookmakers have pulled out all the stops for the Masters. There's a full menu of props for bettors to choose from all over the marketplace. These are our favorite props and matchup bets at Augusta National:
Props
Jason Sobel
Will Zalatoris Top Debutant (+110)
You know what they say about Augusta National: It takes a lot of experience to figure out this course, so forget about those Masters rookies. By and large – though not unanimously – this is true for winners, but it really hasn’t been the case for top-20s. Last year, five first-timers cashed top-20 tickets – Sungjae Im, C.T. Pan, Abraham Ancer, Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Champ.
Zalatoris is a strong bet to mirror this feat, because, well, he seemingly finishes top-20 every week. Since last year’s U.S. Open, he’s played 14 events on the PGA TOUR and claimed eight top-20s – and that includes recent near-misses of 21st, 22nd and 28th in three of his last four starts.
Like I wrote about Corey Conners, Zalatoris is an elite iron player, which is the name of the game at Augusta National. Expect him to finish top-20 and expect people to gush with shock over this result, even though it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.
Chris Murphy
Will Zalatoris Top Debutant (+110)
I’m trying to figure out how I can get some exposure to my guy Willy Z, and after reading his interview today, this is my favorite spot. It’ll be the Wake Forest Alum’s first Masters, but while he was playing in college, he got his first rounds in at Augusta National.
He will have a bit more course knowledge than some others in this category, and his elite iron play sets him up well to perform at this course.
I like that I can get some plus-money in this spot matching Zalatoris against just five others, rather than going the route of paying juice for something like a Top 30.
Matt Vincenzi
Jason Kokrak Top-5 Finish (+550)
If the rain holds off this week, Augusta National is setting up to play as difficult as ever thanks to its firm and fast conditions. In his past 24 rounds, Kokrak ranks first in the field in Strokes Gained: Total when conditions are difficult, firm and fast.
Additionally, the big man has been playing some of the best golf of his career of late with finishes of 9th, 8th and 9th in his past three stroke-play events. At THE PLAYERS, Kokrak gained 4.6 strokes on approach and 3.0 off of the tee. Kokrak is a streaky golfer who has the current form and ability to deal with tough conditions to get into the mix this week.
Landon Silinsky
Patrick Cantlay (+1200) without D. Johnson, DeChambeau, Rahm & Spieth
Mr. Chris Murphy is all over Cantlay this week and for good reason, but I love him even more in this format, where anyone one of the top five players in the betting market could win and you still cash the bet even if Cantlay finishes in sixth behind all of them.
Prior to THE PLAYERS, Cantlay had been one of the hottest players on TOUR. He ranks No. 3 in this field in total strokes gained over his past 12 rounds and already has a top-10 at Augusta on his resume. At 12/1 there is serious value here.
Rob Bolton
Parlay: Jon Rahm/Rory McIlroy to Finish Top-5 (+1200)
As you may recall when I hit on the four-way parlay to make the cut at THE PLAYERS, it’s my favorite bet because it doesn’t require a win and the odds are longer because of the multiplied risk. As it concerns this duo, Rahm is in the best place of his life AND he’s still chasing his first major. McIlroy’s recent disconnection is mildly concerning AND he’s constantly reminded of the Masters as the missing piece of the career grand slam, but I don’t need either to win to pay.
I love this parlay so much that I’d be tempted if the target for both was a podium finish.
Matchups
Matthew Vincenzi
Jordan Spieth (-137) over Scottie Scheffler
Spieth is an incredibly safe play at the Masters this week. In seven starts at Augusta National he has five finishes in the top-11. Coming off of a win in Texas, Jordan is playing excellent golf and gaining strokes in all categories including an impressive 12.9 strokes from tee to green. While he may not win, It’s hard to envision a scenario where he doesn’t get involved on the weekend.
On the other hand, Scheffler comes into the week after a grueling seven rounds at the WGC Match Play followed by a poor performance at the Valero Texas Open.
Last week, he lost 2.4 strokes on approach on his way to a 54th-place finish in his home state of Texas. This matchup seems like a no brainer to me.
Landon Silinsky
Cameron Champ (+115) over Sebastian Munoz
There’s no way around it, Champ has been really bad of late. He did, however, show some life at the Valero by finishing in a tie for 34th. It’s been his short game as usual that's haunted him, but he did finish T-19 in his debut here in November. He’s been pretty locked in with his off-the-tee play of late, ranking No. 3 in this field in that category over his past 12 rounds.
Munoz also finished T-19 here in November, but he’s been a little too reliant on his putter of late, so I’ll hope Champ could putt somewhat close to average this week and win this H2H.
Rob Bolton
Justin Thomas (-120) over Bryson DeChambeau
As I endure the learning curve, my instinct has evolved into ignoring the line to focus on the head-to-head. This is probably basic and the default for many of you reading, but I’ve needed to dismiss the possibility that any of the houses would err in the setup.
This isn’t to say that I won’t continue to review the lines, but I’d gamble with JT at any sticker price in this matchup. I’ve been a DeChambeau fan since he was half his size, so I feel qualified to cite that he cannot break Augusta National down like another track and quickly enough to warrant elevated expectations. (It’s the primary influence on his soft entry at No. 17 in my Power Rankings.)
I was an early promoter that he’s as much an artist as he is an analyst, and I fully expect him to solve the course at some point, but it’s too soon. Not this place and not yet.
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