Over the decades, The Masters has established itself as a unique and prestigious event in professional golf. Its grandeur and allure, underscored by its famous motto, `a tradition unlike any other,` have cemented its place as one of the most celebrated golf tournaments globally.

For bettors, whether they regularly wager on golf or only engage once a year, this tournament is also a distinctive betting tradition.

Anthony Salleroli, lead golf trader at Caesars Sportsbook, emphasized to ESPN the special status of The Masters in golf betting. He noted the year-long build-up of betting action, culminating in an explosive surge during Masters week. He highlighted the universal engagement and excitement surrounding the event.

Salleroli further explained that the Masters generates double the betting volume of any other golf tournament annually, comparing it to a full day of baseball games or perhaps three days of hockey. Adam Landeka, VP of sportsbook strategy and growth at ESPN BET, stated it attracts more than twice the bets and handle compared to the next largest event, the U.S. Open, and significantly more than a typical PGA Tour event.

The annual tournament at Augusta National Golf Club is also distinctive as the only major consistently played on the same course. It draws a more competitive field than typical PGA Tour or LIV Golf regular-season events, which often use the same courses each year. Consequently, bookmakers utilize their expertise to pinpoint players who match the course and are in form, to accurately set odds for the biggest golf betting event of the year.

Here are some of the major betting storylines to follow as we approach the 2025 Masters.

The Phenomenal Favorites

Leading up to the 2024 Masters, Scottie Scheffler was clearly the top contender, having already won two events that year and holding the shortest odds, less than +1000, to win the tournament before the first round. He ultimately secured his second green jacket that week.

A year later, Scheffler`s situation is less familiar. After a hand injury around Christmas in December, the 28-year-old is yet to win a professional golf event in 2025. This is the first time he enters Masters week without a win since 2021, before his first PGA Tour victory.

Despite this, Scheffler is again at the top of the Masters odds, with similar odds (+475) to those he had before the 2024 tournament, according to ESPN BET. Although he hasn`t won this season, bookmakers recognize his consistent threat at Augusta and believe his current form, including five top-20 finishes in six events, might be sufficient for victory.

`Scottie hasn`t won, but he`s always in contention,` commented Johnny Avello, head of sportsbook at DraftKings, to ESPN. `When he loses, it`s usually close. Now he`s entering a tournament he`s played only five times but won twice… You can`t expect him to falter, as he consistently makes the cut.`

`Scottie charging on Sunday is a nail-biting scenario,` added Salleroli.

This year, he`s not alone at the top of the odds board. Rory McIlroy, with impressive recent form including two wins and top-17 finishes in all other events this year, is close behind Scheffler at +625. This is a significant improvement from his +1100 odds as the second favorite in 2024.

Bettors seem to believe McIlroy might finally achieve the career Grand Slam, as he has attracted the highest percentage of tickets at ESPN BET, DraftKings, and BetMGM, where he is the second-largest liability. However, sportsbooks remain cautiously skeptical until he proves he can win a major again.

`We`ve priced him quite close to Scheffler, and considering their recent form, one could argue Rory should be the favorite this week,` said Landeka. `However, his major drought and the pressure of seeking a green jacket are factors, especially as Scottie has performed better in crucial moments recently.`

LIV on the Edge

Just beyond Scheffler and McIlroy in the odds are recent Masters champion Jon Rahm, who may be slightly overlooked.

Similar to Scheffler, Jon Rahm hasn`t won a LIV Golf event this season, but he has finished ninth or better in all five and had a strong end to 2024 with two LIV wins and a seventh-place finish at The Open Championship. This places him at +1400 on ESPN BET, tied with Collin Morikawa for third in the odds.

Despite this, Rahm hasn`t been a popular choice among bettors, ranking ninth in tickets at BetMGM and outside the top 10 at DraftKings. Instead, his LIV colleague Bryson DeChambeau (+1600) has emerged as one of the most popular bets, attracting the second most at DraftKings, ahead of Scheffler, and the third most at BetMGM, making him their largest liability.

Among LIV players, public interest seems focused on those with recent major wins, explaining the attention on five-time major champion and two-time Masters runner-up Brooks Koepka (+3000).

`DeChambeau will attract bets, no doubt. He`ll likely be a losing outcome for us if he wins, and Koepka might be too,` Avello stated. `They compete in a different golf league, but it`s irrelevant because they are very familiar with this course.`

To some extent, the same applies to Sergio Garcia (+8000) and Phil Mickelson (100-1), both past Masters champions who are currently in good form on LIV. Landeka mentioned significant line movement on Garcia in recent weeks, while Avello describes Mickelson as a nostalgia bet with Tiger Woods absent.

Another name to watch is Joaquín Niemann (+2800), LIV Golf`s current standings leader, aiming for his first major breakthrough.

`I believe LIV has a strong chance this year, and I hope the merger between LIV and PGA doesn`t happen because I enjoy the head-to-head competition leading into majors. It heightens the excitement,` Salleroli commented. `You witness true golf merit during the majors because everyone is fully committed.`

Longer Shots and Live Bets

The Masters` popularity among bettors ensures betting action throughout the year. Beyond bookmakers` power ranking adjustments, this activity drives much of the movement from the opening lines set in April 2024.

`The advantage of having year-long outright odds available is observing the dynamics of betting,` Salleroli explained. `A tournament win or good form for a player prompts Masters bets to trickle in.`

Among 2025 PGA Tour winners, Ludvig Åberg (+1800) has been particularly popular, drawing the fifth-most bets and handle at DraftKings and being the third-largest liability at BetMGM, behind DeChambeau and McIlroy.

Other winners who have seen market boosts due to their victories include Russell Henley (+4500), Min Woo Lee (+4500), and Sepp Straka (+6000).

Several non-winners further down the odds board have also attracted action, notably Akshay Bhatia (+6600), emerging as a rising star. Corey Conners` odds (+5000) have also shortened due to early betting at Caesars and ESPN BET. Avello noted DraftKings has surprisingly high liability on amateur Noah Kent (1,500-1).

He also expressed concern about liability on favorites like Scheffler and McIlroy if bettors capitalize on potential slow starts with live betting. This in-play wagering, especially for the year`s first major tournament, is a significant part of the overall betting volume.

`The public often backs well-known names with a proven track record of major wins and composure under pressure,` Salleroli concluded. `We anticipate this every week, but it`s amplified during the Masters.`