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Everyone loves an underdog story.
Luckily for golf fans, the PGA Tour has been full of them this season. Chris Kirk. Grayson Murray. Nick Dunlap. Jake Knapp. Austin Eckroat. Peter Malnati.
Anyone who backed those six players to be PGA Tour winners before this year’s Masters must also have this week’s lottery numbers.
But expectations that an unfancied name could slip into a Green Jacket in the Butler Cabin will be tempered. That’s because at Augusta, the cream (usually) rises to the top. The last five Masters champions have been priced at 16/1 or lower, with the exception being Hideki Matsuyama.
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But what we love most about sport is its unpredictability. And there’s still some outsiders in the betting market who will back themselves to contend come the back-nine on Sunday.
Here’s some longshots who could have a chance this year…
Brian Harman 50/1
Harman lives perennially under the radar and a Claret Jug and Ryder Cup debut hasn’t completely changed that. Granted, his Masters record is very poor if you ignore his T12 finish in 2021. But he already has two top-five finishes this season including a T2 at The PLAYERS. He’s a different player after his win at Hoylake and knows how to get over the line on the biggest stage. Harman is quite possibly the best of the rest outside the obvious favourites.
Rickie Fowler 80/1
Playing in his first Masters since 2020, Fowler has a point to prove again on the major stage. He held a 54-hole lead at last year’s US Open but fell away in the final round. Fortunately, he has a wealth of experience and a number of strong finishes to look back on at Augusta National, including a runner-up finish six years ago. Could this be his time?
Russell Henley 90/1
Scroll down the bookmakers’ odds of golfers competing in the Masters and you will eventually find Russell Henley. The unassuming American grew up in Georgia, and barring one missed cut on debut 11 years ago, he hasn’t finished worse than 31st in seven outings. His T4 at Augusta last year was his best major finish and while he won’t be fancied to get the job done, he is certainly worthy of an each-way punt.
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Sahith Theegala 50/1
Theegala would certainly be the people’s champion at Augusta. The popular American finished ninth on debut there last year and already has four top-ten finishes this season. He has his first win under his belt on the PGA Tour, but the Masters is a different stage entirely.
Patrick Reed 80/1
How Reed would love to upset the odds and win a second Masters crown. The LIV golfer hasn’t been firing this season, but his record at Augusta speaks for itself. A win in 2018 and a T4 finish in last year’s renewal. You can get long odds on the American becoming a two-time Masters champion.
Si Woo Kim 125/1
A longshot indeed, but Si Woo Kim is an appealing each-way pick at this price. He’s made the cut in all of his last six appearances at Augusta, including a T12 finish in 2021. The South Korean is yet to win a truly big one after his incredible win at The PLAYERS back in 2017 at the age of 21. But he is certainly in good form after a T6 finish in this year’s renewal at TPC Sawgrass. For those who like to stay away from the favourites, he looks a fine outsider option.
Odds correct at time of publishing. Please gamble responsibly.
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