The Masters: When It Starts, How To Watch, Betting Odds For Golf’s First Major Of 2024

AUGUSTA, Georgia – The Masters begins Thursday at Augusta National, where defending winner Jon Rahm will compete against Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Tiger Woods, and other top golfers in the year’s first major competition.

With a divide still dividing PGA Tour stars from those competing in the rival LIV Golf League, the allure of the flowering azaleas, Amen Corner, and the Hogan Bridge has drawn a field of 89 players contending for the green jacket.

Here’s what you should know going up to the Masters.

WHEN ARE THE MASTERS?

The first round begins at 8:15 a.m. EDT Thursday, with honorary starters Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson teeing off on Tea Olive, Augusta National’s first hole. Jock Hutchison and Fred McLeod were the first honorary starters in 1963, but it wasn’t until Byron Nelson and Gene Sarazen took over in 1981 that it became such a popular tradition.

As stated Tuesday, the rest of the field will tee off in groups of three. Following the second round, the top 50 players and ties advance to the weekend, when they are matched based on the score for the last two rounds.

How can I watch the Masters?

The Masters broadcasts live on its website throughout the week, starting with pre-tournament presentations at 9 a.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday’s par 3 battle will also air on ESPN+ at noon and ESPN at 3 p.m.

The Masters live for the first round begins at 8:15 a.m. on Thursday and runs throughout the day, with cameras highlighting holes and groups. On Thursday and Friday at 3 p.m., ESPN will broadcast the first two rounds. CBS broadcasts the remaining two rounds on Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The competition may also be seen on ESPN+, Paramount+, and Fubo+.

What are the Masters’ betting odds?

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Scheffler, the 2022 champion and world’s top player, is a 4-1 favorite. McIlroy is 10-1 to end a ten-year major drought. Rahm is 11-1 to become only the fourth player to win the title twice. Xander Schauffele is 14-1, 2021 champion Hideki Matsuyama is 20-1, and reigning PGA Champion Brooks Koepka is 22-1. Woods is 150-1.

Who Should I Watch at the Masters?

Scheffler is such a strong favorite that several bookies are allowing betting on him against the field. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational for the second time in March, became the first to defend his title at The Players Championship the following week, and tied for second at the Houston Open a few weeks ago.

Rahm has been in good form, finishing tied for fourth on Sunday at the LIV Golf event in Miami. Koepka struggled in the same competition, finishing 7 over and tied for 45th. Jordan Spieth recovered from missed cuts at The Players and the Valspar Championship to share tenth place last weekend at the Texas Open, while McIlroy closed with a 66 to finish third and gain momentum.

What happened last year at the Masters?

Rahm persisted last year and became the fourth Spaniard to win the Masters. He shared the first-round lead with Koepka and Viktor Hovland, then remained in contention throughout a second round that was twice interrupted due to oncoming thunderstorms and finished when three towering pines toppled near the 17th tee.

Torrential rain also delayed play on Saturday, and Rahm started four strokes behind Koepka on Sunday. But he cut the margin in half by the end of the third round, and Rahm’s final-round 69 put him four shots ahead of the fading Koepka and fan favorite Phil Mickelson, who finished with a 65 at the age of 52, making him the oldest player to finish in the top five.

SOURCE – (AP)