Masters 2016: What do the oddsmakers think?

It wasn’t so much a big-time fight as a first round knockout – but Jordan Spieth’s double bogey at the last has given his pursuers renewed hope ahead of today’s final round at the Masters.

Spieth’s pairing with Rory McIlroy failed to live up to the pre-match hype, with the oddsmakers taking a dim view of the Northern Irishman’s third round struggles.

McIlroy is freely available to back at 20/1 ahead of his final round but I’m not sure there will be too many takers. He looked uncomfortable and frustrated from the very start.

Spieth, meanwhile, was as short as 4/11 before his stumble at the final hole. So, for those who think he is still unbeatable round Augusta, prices of 11/8 on him now will surely appeal.

The bookies believe Jason Day is his nearest challenger.

The Australian, 11/2 with many firms, should garner support with each-way places to third, at a 1/5 of the odds, still knocking around.

Bernhard Langer, who rolled back the years and is bidding to become the oldest Major champion in history, has largely been dismissed.

Regardless of his fine play through three rounds, and in the worst of conditions, you can get 33/1 on the German winning green jacket number three today.

Smylie Kaufman may be Spieth’s nearest challenger – just a shot adrift – but the bookies aren’t flooding to axe the price of the young American.

If you think going head-to-head with Spieth in the final group won’t faze him, a little money at 14/1 might appeal.

Read more

• Masters 2016: Defending champion Jordan Spieth still in pole position to retain crown
• Masters 2016: Round 4 tee times at Augusta
• Masters 2016: Day three at Augusta – The best and worst