Koepka Given 4-1 Odds to Win Masters After Round 1; Tiger Listed at 11-1, Phil Still Getting 14-1
- Brooks Koepka & Bryson DeChambeau tied for lead after Day 1 of the Masters
- Mickelson one shot back, Tiger lurking and McIlroy struggles
- See the updated live odds entering Friday of the 2019 Masters Tournament
The first round of the 2019 Masters is in the books and it’s anybody’s ballgame with a bunched up leaderboard headed by Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau.
One important historical stat to note – the last 13 eventual Masters champions have all been inside the top-10 after the first day of play – the last was Tiger Woods in 2005, his last green jacket.
Here’s a look at how the Masters odds have changed after one day.
2019 Masters Odds Entering 2nd Round
| Golfer | Position | Score | Odds at Book 1 | Odds at Book 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooks Koepka | T-1st | -6 (66) | +400 | +400 |
| Bryson DeChambeau | T-1st | -6 (66) | +650 | +600 |
| Phil Mickelson | 3rd | -5 (67) | +1400 | +1400 |
| Dustin Johnson | T-4th | -4 (68) | +600 | +500 |
| Ian Poulter | T-4th | -4 (68) | +2500 | +2500 |
| Jon Rahm | T-6th | -3 (69) | +1100 | +1200 |
| Adam Scott | T-6th | -3 (69) | +2500 | +2500 |
| Kevin Kisner | T-6th | -3 (69) | +4000 | +4000 |
| Kiradech Aphibarnrat | T-6th | -3 (69) | +6600 | +6600 |
| Justin Harding | T-6th | -3 (69) | +12500 | +10000 |
| Tiger Woods | T-11th | -2 (70) | +1100 | +1200 |
| Rickie Fowler | T-11th | -2 (70) | +1600 | +1400 |
Odds taken April 11th.
Brooks Koepka on Top of Another Major Leaderboard
Brooks Koepka has been a total machine in majors and we certainly hope you took our advice to bet on him to be the first round leader.
Brooks Koepka continues to step up big in majors, collecting his 8th round led since the start of 2017.
He's only held a round lead/co-lead four times across that span in non-majors. pic.twitter.com/bEuhlK1RIw
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 11, 2019
Should he emerge victorious, Koepka would remarkably rack up his fourth major title in his last seven contested.
He also quelled any concerns over the controversy Golf Channel personality Brandel Chamblee riled up about his recent weight loss.
ICYMI: Brandel Chamblee rips Brooks Koepka over his recent diet, calling it 'the most reckless self-sabotage that I have ever seen of an athlete in his prime.'https://t.co/tbSM8L74Dd pic.twitter.com/s10Cube5y8
— Golf Central (@GolfCentral) April 10, 2019
The +400 odds are quite short, and for that I wouldn’t be inclined to bet on him given that he hasn’t posted a top-10 in any of his three Masters appearances, and has a missed cut and two 56th place duds in his last three tour events.
Can Phil Mickelson Become Oldest Major Champion Ever?
Never underestimate Phil Mickelson. He has a victory this year at the AT&T Pebble Beach and Lefty finds himself back in contention after a sizzling 5-under, 67.
Lefty magic from @PhilMickelson. 👍#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/G9SEYSwF6C
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 12, 2019
Most importantly to Phil, should he earn his fourth career green jacket (and first since 2010), he would become the oldest major champion ever.
Oldest Major Champions in Golf History
| Golfer | Age |
|---|---|
| Phil Mickelson??? (2019 Masters) | 48 years, 9 months |
| Julius Boros (1968 PGA Championship) | 48 years, 4 months |
| Old Tom Morris (1867 Open Championship) | 46 years, 3 months |
| Jack Nicklaus (1986 Masters) | 46 years, 2 months |
Is there one more run in the crafty veteran? With so many young guns hovering around the leaderboard, the +1400 odds just aren’t enticing enough.
Tiger Woods Lurking After First Round
Save for a few short putts missed, Tiger Woods put together a relatively tidy 2-under, 70 (T-11th), which has him right in the thick of things for his first major title since the 2008 US Open.
Tiger hit 9/14 fairways, 11/18 greens and had 27 putts.
— Tiger Tracker (@GCTigerTracker) April 11, 2019
Interestingly, that round should evoke some very fine memories for Tiger.
Tiger opens with 70 – same first round score from his Masters wins in 1997, 2001 and 2002 (in 2005 he opened with 74). #theMasters
— Damon Hack (@damonhackGC) April 11, 2019
The four-time Masters Champ tees off in the second to last group out Friday, so a wise move would be to hold off wagering to see how the early morning players fare.
There should be some good numbers posted, which will move his odds in bettors’ favor.
Best Live Value Picks at 2019 Masters Tournament
- Adam Scott (+2500): The 2013 Masters champ is just three back and was pure Thursday, hitting 14 of 18 greens. Has a second place finish this year and was third in the latest major, the 2018 PGA Championship.
- Kevin Kisner (+4000): The steady Kisner is also three back and he won his last event, the WGC-Dell Match Play, and was second in last year’s Open Championship to go along with the 54-hole leader at 2017 PGA. His game is translating better and better on the biggest stages.
- JB Holmes (+10000): Incredible odds for the long bomber just four back. Won the Genesis Open two months ago and finished in a tie for fourth at the 2016 Masters. Can be a volatile player results wise, but when he is on, he rarely backs down.
Michael "Hound Dog" Harrison is well known in the sports industry as the resident statistician for the SC with Jay Onrait Show. He has worked at TSN for over 16 years, where he's been featured on Sportscentre, That's Hockey, That's Hockey 2Nite, The Masters preview shows, and several more.
