Michael Shamburger
Well, we’re finally all caught up after the Thursday rain delay and after starting Saturday with four tied for the lead at Augusta, things have finally settled down. For now, this tournament appears to be Dustin Johnson’s to lose.
You’ve probably heard that before, but something feels different with Johnson right now. There are only two blemishes on his card this week, a bogey on 14 and 15 on Friday. Otherwise, he’s been perfect and it’s hard to beat DJ when he’s playing this well.
However, it’s not impossible. This is the Masters and the tournament doesn’t really start until the back nine on Sunday. There have been many who have entered that final stretch and not walked away with a green jacket. I won’t run through them all right now though. Let’s just say, the list is long.
With that said, here are the FINAL odds, presented by FanDuel, entering Sunday.
Dustin Johnson -280
DJ has held a 54-hole lead in a major four times before and lost it, but something feels different this year. DJ was my favorite coming into this week. He is the number one ranked player in the world right now for a reason and he’s showing it this week. If you got him early, congrats because he’s played the front-nine at nine-under and eagled the second twice this week. If that continues, and he enters the back nine with a four or five-stroke lead, he can relax and play safe knowing that the guys behind him will have to chase him down.
Position: 1 – Sixteen-under
Cameron Smith +1400
Smith has been up here before. He finished tied for fifth in 2018, but it just doesn’t feel like it’s his year. A green jacket may be in Cameron Smith’s future because of how well he plays at Augusta, but I don’t think it’s this year.
Position: T2 – Twelve-under
Sungjae Im +1400
Well, I told you to take Im as the top debutant this year in my props post. I hope you all listened.
Position: T2 – Twelve-under
Abraham Ancer +1800
What a story. Abraham Ancer turned pro in 2013 and worked his way up through the Web.com Tour, now the Korn Ferry Tour, and held a share of the lead at Augusta on Friday. Despite having not won a PGA Tour event, it’s great to see a guy like him having success at Augusta.
Position: T2 – Twelve-under
Justin Thomas +2600
Thomas at 26/1 may be the best bet on the board to run down DJ, but the guy just below him, Rahm, is the second-best. Thomas had a great chance to make a big run entering Saturday, but with four bogies on the back nine, he finds himself trying to chase a red hot DJ.
Position: 6 – Ten-under
Jon Rahm +3700
Rahm made only two mistakes on Saturday, but they were costly. A double on the par-five eighth and bogey on the 18th may have cost him a green jacket.
Position: T9 – Seven-under thru 12
Dylan Frittelli +4100
In just his second start at Augusta, Frittelli has a shot. It’s a very long shot, but still a shot for a guy who has just one PGA Tour win.
Position: 5 – Eleven-under
Rory McIlroy +5000
Wow. Rory appeared to be headed home after an opening round of 75, but he relaxed and played like he had nothing to lose and it paid off. A second-round 66 and third-round 67 have him looking at yet another top 10.
Position: T10 – Eight-under
Brooks Koepka +6500
Brooks needs to hope DJ comes back to the field to have a real shot here, otherwise, he’s looking at yet another top 10 major performance.
Position: T10 – Eight-under
Patrick Reed +6500
Reed just seems to play well at Augusta. I don’t think he’s going to win this year, but to be in the spot he is as, let’s be honest, an afterthought entering the week, is kind of impressive.
Position: T7 – Nine-under
Hideki Matsuyama +15000
It appears as though the Hideki Matsuyama we all knew a couple of years ago has made a return. He’s in the top 10 in a major and playing well, but there’s a reason he’s listed at 150/1. It won’t be his year this year.
Position: T10 – Eight-under
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The “Big Cat” Eldrick LOL