Who will win the Masters?
Masters betting tips: Paul Casey
Masters record: T6, MC, T10, T11, T20, MC, T38, MC, T6, T4, 6, T15
bet365 odds: 25/1
He divides opinion, but you had to admire the way the Englishman faced down Dustin Johnson to defend his Valspar title.
Knowing that he’s entering the twilight of his career, as revealed to NCG, he’s adopting a similar mindset to Lee Westwood in that he’s dangerous but he has nothing to prove.
Westy was another serial Masters high-flier and Casey has been ultra consistent here in the last few years. In fact, his worst finish since 2012 was last year – and he was 15th then thanks to a final round full of fireworks.
Valspar glory followed podiums at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the WGC-Mexico Championship and everything is there to suggest he can hit one last fabulous iron in a bid to go green.
Masters betting tips: Brooks Koepka
Masters record: T33, T21, T11
bet365 odds: 22/1
Here’s another selection where you will need to have a little bit of faith. Outside of a run at the Honda Classic, Brooks’ 2019 season has been variable to say the least.
But I’m of the opinion that it’s only in the heat of major battle that Koepka really comes alive. Consider this, three of his five PGA Tour victories are major championships.
He has won three of the last seven majors – the US Open twice and the PGA Championship – and didn’t even play in the Masters last year because of a wrist injury.
The three years he has played at Augusta have seen him improve year-on-year: from 33rd, to 22nd to 11th.
Koepka’s form means he will come in under-rated and under-valued yet again. Which is probably just how he likes it.
Masters betting tips: Dustin Johnson
Masters record: T30, T38, T38, T13, MC, T6, T4, T10
bet365 odds: 10/1
It’s hard not to include the World No. 1 and he edges out Justin Rose, as I’m not quite sure where his game truly is at the moment, and Jason Day to make the list.
Twice a winner already this season, including having blown away the field at the WGC-Mexico Championship, it’s more of a surprise these days when he isn’t a serious contender.
Whether it’s lapses of concentration, or whether he is simply belying his calm exterior and trying too hard, he has been prone to the odd final round mishap – the Valspar Championship was just the latest example of that.
But he’s still been pretty reliable at Augusta, was 10th last year, and had a notable chance to win when Danny Willett benefitted from Spieth’s collapse at the 12th in 2016.
We’re paying for his stature at 10/1 but it would be a surprise if he didn’t have a say in this championship.
For the latest outright odds for the Masters, visit bet365.
2019 Masters TV coverage
‘To quote Westwood: I’m dangerous because I don’t care’
Danny Willett’s hole-by-hole guide to Augusta
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
