In a year like no other, the golfing world finds themselves playing a tournament like no other seven months later than expected. Having been held in April since the tournament’s beginnings, this is the first year that The Masters is being held during the fall season in November. The current COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world we live in and a year of sports dramatically, but one thing we can be certain of, is that we are so fortunate to be able to have a Masters Tournament in 2020.
Of the four majors in golf, The Open Championship was the only one that was cancelled, with the PGA Championship and US Open delayed. The return to play has seen tournaments held with no spectators and it is most noticeable this week at Augusta with no patrons and no Augusta roars. The tournament still has a unique energy, given what a special place Augusta National is. Players still understand the intensity required to perform well to slip on that green jacket on Sunday.
With a few months of tournament play under most players belts, you can bet that the top players in the world are ready to compete for the season’s last Major. Tiger Woods (+1800) will be teeing it up as the defending champion, with perhaps the most memorable and dramatic Masters tournament in recent memory. What a storyline a repeat victory at The Masters would be for Tiger Woods, a player I would put money on – Brandel Chamblee of Golf Channel sure pointed out a compelling fact:
Jack Nicklaus won his 6th Masters in 1986, 23 years after his first. He was ranked 33rd in the world going into that week.
If Tiger wins this week, it will be his 6th Masters, 23 years after his first. He is ranked 33rd in the world going into this week.
— Brandel Chamblee (@chambleebrandel) November 11, 2020
Another player the golfing world is eager to see take on Augusta National is 2020 US Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau (+800). He has changed his body and his game since the pandemic started with a focus on speed and power. Will this help him to overpower a golf course that requires so much finesse? Surely, a Bryson victory would further ignite the conversation of distance in the sport of golf. Of course, Rory McIlroy (+1300) is one player we’re all rooting for to win at Augusta one day. A Green Jacket would complete his career grand slam. Dustin Johnson (+800), currently world number 1, is another player you’d want to watch, as well as youngsters such as Justin Thomas (+1200) and Jon Rahm (+1000). As can be seen from the odds at Sports Betting Dime, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson are on par with taking home the winning title of the last major of the year. It is going to be an interesting battle between these two top contenders.
Source: The Masters
