For golf bettors and oddsmakers alike, the biggest question in assessing 2021 Masters odds is the health of Brooks Koepka. If recovering from right knee surgery keeps him away from Augusta next month, the field gets a lot more open. If Koepka does take the course, it will be anyone’s guess as to how successful he will be.
So, who looks like a strong contender to take Koepka’s place as the betting favorite? Have Pennsylvania sportsbooks settled on a consensus? Answers to all that and more await you below.
The latest on Koepka and the effect on the 2021 Masters odds
Prior to Koepka’s confirmation of undergoing the aforementioned procedure just about three weeks prior to the Masters, he was a consensus favorite. His momentum was building in this event. He finished second in 2019, then seventh last year.
While Koepka says he will “listen to his body,” the latest rumors have him looking at a recovery timeline of six to eight months. Likely no one is more disappointed about potentially losing a shot at a green jacket than Koepka. It might also add a wrinkle to bettors’ plans, though.
According to some early data from BetMGM Sportsbook, the greatest plurality (10.5%) of the handle on futures for the tourney is on Jordan Spieth. Justin Thomas has been on the greatest percentage of bettors tickets, however, at 7.3%.
Four other competitors have gotten at least six percent of the bets placed at BetMGM, including Koepka. Those same five athletes – Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Koepka, Spieth, and Thomas – have all gotten at least six percent of handle placed on them to win.
Should Koepka withdraw, it will be interesting to see if bettors stick with that grouping or go with contrarian plays. One other player in the field might fit well into that role of a differentiator for bettors who were denied staking their fates on Koepka.
Reed-ing between the lines at PA sportsbooks
While Johnson has taken over the role of odds-on favorite at many books, there’s someone further down the list worthy of consideration. Patrick Reed (currently +2700 at FanDuel Sportsbook PA) might take his second Masters win this year.
Even if you discount his 2018 win and his 10th-place finish in 2020, you still have to acknowledge his short game. Currently, Reed leads the PGA in strokes gained putting. Considering how fast Augusta plays and the changes in elevation, it’s ready-made for such a golfer to maximize that value.
Additionally, Reed showed his form by claiming victory at the Farmers Insurance Open in January. He started off that event by going 8-under in the first round, again, thanks to his putter execution.
Playing to strengths in 2021 Masters betting
If you’d rather take the short odds on Johnson, it’s hard to criticize picking the current world No. 1 and 2020 Masters champion. Going off recent form as well, DeChambeau is hard to pass on.
No one is driving the ball further than him right now, but his history at the Masters leaves much to be desired (29th is his best finish) and he’s only hitting the fairways off the tee 58.17% of the time.
Golf betting often comes down to a course playing to a golfer’s strengths instead of proving who is the best overall player. It’s all about capitalizing on the moment. If Koepka does try to seize the moment despite his recent surgery, expect some more movement in the 2021 Masters odds on PA sports betting apps.
