Written by Kyle Porter at CBSSports.com
The 2016 Masters is a mere 233 days away, and we certainly won’t be short on storylines.
Phil Mickelson will be trying to pull a Jack Nicklaus. Tiger Woods will be trying to pull a Phil Mickelson. Jordan Spieth will be going for a repeat. Bubba Watson will be going for three in five years. Rory McIlroy will vie for the career Grand Slam. Jason Day will be trying to win his second straight major championship.
We are rife with storylines.
But what about the odds of those golfers I just mentioned? Here’s a look at who is currently favored (all odds via Westgate Las Vegas).
Favorites
Jordan Spieth: 5-1
Rory McIlroy: 6-1
McIlroy is the play here. Basically, whoever you can get at a better number is the play here. We’re a long way from April and if one golfer has The Gift in this generation, it’s McIlroy. Spieth gets the praise right now, and deservedly so, but McIlroy will not go quietly. If I had to pick a winner right now in August, it would be the Ulsterman.
Other favorites
Jason Day: 10-1
Bubba Watson: 15-1
Dustin Johnson: 15-1
Justin Rose: 25-1
Adam Scott: 25-1
Rickie Fowler: 25-1
Tiger Woods: 25-1
I understand why Woods’ number has to be 25-1 given that we’re still eight months away, and he could (theoretically) right the ship by then. But I wouldn’t waste any dough on that. Same with Scott. he’s not winning his first major with a non-anchored putter.
Watson at 15-1 intrigues. Johnson at 15-1 less so. It feels like the good play here is Rose at 25-1. He finished 14 under last season which gets into a playoff or wins all but five Masters’ ever.
Fringe favorites
Phil Mickelson: 30-1
Henrik Stenson: 30-1
Hideki Matsuyama: 40-1
Brooks Koepka: 40-1
Matt Kuchar: 40-1
Sergio Garcia: 50-1
Jimmy Walker: 50-1
Patrick Reed: 50-1
Louis Oosthuizen: 50-1
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