Masters 2016: Odds update

Did you grab any of the 10/1 odds available on Jordan Spieth before he hit his first tee shot at Augusta National on Thursday morning? Lucky you.

The defending champion’s price to hang on to the green jacket has shortened just a little following his bogey-free opening round 66.

Spieth, bidding to become the first player since Tiger Woods in 2002 to claim back-to-back wins, is now a best-priced 2/1 to grab his second successive Masters title.

He’s as short as 6/4 in some places with many oddsmakers already taking the view that the tournament is his to lose.

That does mean, for punters who feel the Texan may still falter, that there are some big outright prices elsewhere.

Shane Lowry and Danny Lee both impressed with opening round 68s but bookies aren’t ready to see either as genuine contenders just yet.

You can back the Irishman at 25/1 in some places, while Lee is touching as big as 40. Remember each-way places, now paying out for the top four at a quarter of the odds, are still available with most firms.

The oddsmakers feel Rory McIlroy will emerge as the strongest contender to Spieth.

His opening 70 is his best effort since a first round 65 in 2011. Despite being four off Spieth’s fast pace, he is hovering between 5 and 6/1 with most firms.

Despite a sobering back nine 41 that saw him drop from Spieth’s immediate challenger into a tie for 21st, those in the know are unwilling to give up on Jason Day just yet. Generally available at 9/1, that might be a bit too stingy for some given he is six shots adrift.

Potentially the best value, if Spieth is not your man, lies with Justin Rose. The Englishan, tied second last year, began with a -3 69 but can easily be backed at 10/1 to win a second Major title.

With players this side of the pond enjoying such a stellar first day, you can still get a piece of Paul Casey at 28/1, Danny Willett at 40s and Ian Poulter at 60s.