2022 Masters picks, odds: Professional predictions, favorites to win out of betting subject at Augusta Nationwide
With the 86th Masters quick approaching, the important thing query everybody’s asking is similar throughout the golf world: Who’re you selecting to win at Augusta Nationwide? With an amazing subject that includes many of the greatest professionals and some of the highest amateurs on the earth, the primary main of 2022 needs to be an epic trip from Thursday’s first spherical onward.
This 12 months’s Masters is as extensive open as any in current reminiscence. There isn’t any favourite within the single digits this time round, and no person has emerged as the participant to beat over 72 holes. The favorites, technically, are Jon Rahm (10-1) and Justin Thomas (12-1) as they prime the oddsboard on Caesars Sportsbook. Each have super, aggressive histories at Augusta Nationwide, however neither has claimed a inexperienced jacket as of but.
The 2 hottest gamers on the earth — Cameron Smith and Scottie Scheffler — are each good picks however not thought of heavyweight favorites at Augusta. Conversely, most of the prime stars on the earth haven’t received to date in 2022 and several other of them have a dodgy historical past with this course.
Then there’s the Tiger Woods conundrum. What do you do with a five-time Masters winner who has not performed an official occasion in 17 months but additionally would possibly know the golf course higher than anybody who has ever performed it? Woods indicated that he’s certainly going to tee it up on Thursday morning alongside Louis Oosthuizen and Joaquin Niemann, and the potential outcomes for him is likely to be wider than anybody else within the subject.
Add all of it up, and it will seem that we’re in for a wild Masters week stuffed with surprising twists and turns but additionally plenty of acquainted names atop the leaderboard. As such, you are not going to wish to miss a minute of motion, so be sure you take a look at (and bookmark) our 2022 Masters TV schedule and protection information so you may keep tuned in all week.
So what will occur this week at Augusta? Let’s check out a full set of predictions and picks from our CBS Sports activities consultants as we try and venture who will win — and what is going to occur — on the most prestigious golf match on the earth. Try a full set of 2022 Masters odds offered by Caesars Sportsbook.
Watch all 4 rounds of the 2022 Masters beginning Thursday with Masters Reside as we comply with the perfect golfers on the earth all through Augusta Nationwide with Featured Teams, examine in on the famed Amen Nook and see leaders around the activate holes 15 & 16. Watch reside on CBSSports.com, the CBS Sports activities App and Paramount+.
2022 Masters knowledgeable picks, predictions
Kyle Porter, golf author
Winner — Justin Thomas (12-1): I’ve some conflicted emotions about J.T. at Augusta Nationwide, the place he clearly does not putt the ball well. Nevertheless, within the weeks main into this one, it has felt (and appeared, statistically) as if he was constructing towards a large victory. You can have stated the identical over the primary few rounds on the Masters final 12 months, too, earlier than an 8 on the par-5 thirteenth led to 75 and undid his probabilities of successful. His driving can get wayward at instances so the large quantity is all the time a priority, but when the climate will get a little bit squirrely later this week — and it’d — Thomas proved on the Gamers Championship that he has in all probability extra recreation than anybody to face as much as it.
Sleeper — Si Woo Kim (65-1): There are some things I like about Kim this week. The primary is that he is confirmed the propensity to win large occasions earlier than (he dominated the 2017 Gamers), and the second is that he low-key performs Augusta Nationwide tremendously. Kim has 4 straight made cuts right here, together with three prime 25s and a sneaky T12 in 2021 when he putted together with his 3-wood for a part of the match. There are a handful of gamers at 50-1 or longer (Adam Scott and Russell Henley included) that stand out, however Kim is my favourite of the bunch.
Prime 10 lock — Brooks Koepka: There’s so much to love about Koepka this week. He is been taking part in good golf (three prime 20s in his final 4 begins). He is seemingly as wholesome as he is been in a very long time (definitely more healthy than final 12 months when he was climbing up the hill on No. 13 following a knee challenge). And naturally, the truth that he simply destroys at main championships with 12 (twelve!) prime 10s in his final 16 begins on the 4 greatest occasions.
Star who undoubtedly will not win — Rory McIlroy: It pains me to say it, however McIlroy has been struggling together with his irons greater than any person who desires to win at Augusta Nationwide ought to. His top-10 report at this occasion is super (no person has greater than his six over the past 10 years), however he has but to correctly execute what he referenced earlier this week as a “unfavourable” recreation plan the place he performs away from bother, takes full benefit of the par 5s and hits all the things pin excessive. I’d like to see that occur this week, however even final week on the Texas Open, he struggled with distance management which didn’t engender a ton of optimism.
Shock prediction — Tiger Woods makes the reduce: Maybe this is able to be thought of extra stunning three weeks or two months in the past than it’s after seeing how wholesome and match Woods appeared initially of the week. Nevertheless, it ought to nonetheless be fully astonishing if any person who almost misplaced a leg 14 months in the past is taking part in the weekend on the most prestigious golf match on the earth.
Lowest spherical: 65 (-7)
Profitable rating: 275 (-13)
Winner’s Sunday rating: 69 (-3)
Chip Patterson, author
Winner — Xander Schauffele (20-1): If he stays true to kind, Schauffele can be at a minimal within the combine to win and in case you’re constantly placing your self inside a handful of pictures of the lead the chances favor the match breaking your method ultimately. Schauffele’s final two begins at Augusta in April have been T2 and T3, arising simply in need of Hideki Matsuyama final 12 months thanks partially to splashing his tee shot on the par-3 sixteenth. He can play this course properly and I anticipate him to take action based mostly on current kind, and that is nice worth on a participant with a excessive flooring for efficiency on this match.
Sleeper — Kevin Kisner (100-1): Seeing Kisner have a powerful exhibiting at a match play occasion just isn’t an enormous shock. The WGC-Dell Applied sciences Match Play has been the setting for 3 of Kisner’s 5 greatest finishes (one win, two runner-ups), nevertheless it’s the opposite outcomes this 12 months which have me intrigued in his probabilities. He began the 12 months with back-to-back top-10s in Hawaii then after a pair up-and-down weeks resurfaced as a contender at The Gamers, the place he completed solo fourth. Contending right here would admittedly be a giant bounce from his Masters finishes (two missed Curts and no top-20 finishes in six begins), however the Aiken, South Carolina, native and former Georgia Bulldogs golfer may rapidly turn into a patron favourite if he strings collectively a pair good rounds.
Prime 10 lock — Jon Rahm: No betting favourite has received the Masters since Tiger in 2005, however that does not imply we should not line up with Rahm because the surest wager to complete on the primary web page of the leaderboard. He is received 4 top-10 finishes in his final 4 Masters begins and went on a run earlier this 12 months that included three top-10 finishes in 4 begins. The consistency with Rahm is so robust that even when he has one terrible spherical, you continue to have an opportunity for him to backdoor a top-10 by going low in an early morning weekend spherical.
Star who undoubtedly will not win — Dustin Johnson: The 2020 Masters champ got here again to the property 5 months laster and missed the reduce in 2021, and that was the primary of 5 missed cuts throughout his final 20 begins. I am not anticipating D.J. to overlook the reduce once more, however because the begin of final 12 months, he is been a star who’s been good however not glorious. Truly successful the Masters often requires excellence, and if he D.J. can faucet into that, it will be a flip of kind based mostly on current outcomes.
Shock prediction — Tony Finau finishes within the prime 10: Why is it a shock prediction that somebody with three top-10 finishes in final 4 Masters begins would possibly achieve this once more? Nicely, if you have not checked in on Large Tone not too long ago, issues have been transferring within the incorrect path. In 9 begins because the starting of 2022, Finau has completed within the prime 20 simply as soon as (a T19 in Hawaii in early January) and missed the reduce thrice. His world rating peaked at No. 9 after beating Cam Smith in a playoff on the Northern Belief final August however has since slid all the way down to No. 22. My shock prediction is that this particular place — the place he popped his ankle again into place and shot a 68 the following day again in 2018 — brings a particular efficiency from Finau.
Lowest spherical: 63 (-9)
Profitable rating: 275 (-13)
Winner’s Sunday Rating: 69 (-3)
Who will win the Masters, and which lengthy pictures will stun {the golfing} world? Go to SportsLine now to see the projected Masters leaderboard, all from the mannequin that is nailed seven golf majors and is up nearly $10,000 because the restart.
Kyle Boone, author
Winner — Collin Morikawa (20-1): Two-time main champion, nonetheless 25 years previous, one in all golf’s greatest and most constant ball-strikers. What’s to not like right here, particularly at 20-1? His placing has improved considerably, too, and tee-to-green he is among the finest on the PGA Tour. Finishing the third leg of the profession grand slam at his age would put him in some rarefied air.
Sleeper — Tiger Woods (50-1): It has been properly over a 12 months since Tiger performed in an actual occasion, so I would not empty the checking account right here simply because Woods’ odds to win a Masters are this lengthy. He may simply be again dwelling by Saturday. However … it is Tiger … at 50-1. And he is apparently appeared sharp in observe rounds. There are in all probability worse, much less enjoyable methods to wager cash than on the G.O.A.T.
Prime 10 lock — Jordan Spieth: With two top-three finishes in his final 4 Masters outings and 5 in his profession, Spieth is sort of all the time within the combine at Augusta Nationwide, having by no means missed a reduce. His previous few occasions have stored the hype practice largely away from him getting into this 12 months, however Spieth at Augusta Nationwide is Spieth at Augusta Nationwide — he needs to be within the hunt to the top.
Star who undoubtedly will not win — Rory McIlroy: Rory’s trajectory at Augusta Nationwide and up to date play this season suggests he could also be within the thick of issues this weekend, which generally is the precise spot the place he tends to underperform. Bodily, there are few as gifted as him and succesful to take the course, however he is by no means fairly cracked the Masters code and this week would not really feel just like the place he does.
Shock prediction — Tiger finishes within the prime 25: Sure, sure, I do know he is not performed on the PGA Tour in properly over a 12 months. And going from coaching and observe rounds to 4 grinding days at Augusta is kind of the chore. However Tiger’s proved doubters incorrect earlier than, and I actually do not assume he’d rush his method again onto the most important stage in golf solely to do some form of grand look to show he is wholesome. I believe he desires to show him and his recreation are each in a wholesome spot.
Lowest spherical: 65 (-7)
Profitable rating: 277 (-11)
Winner’s Sunday rating: 67 (-5)
Jacob Hallex, producer
Winner — Cameron Smith (16-1): I have been massive on this Aussie since his beautiful efficiency on the 2020 Masters. Smith involves Augusta with two victories and a T4 in his previous 5 worldwide begins. He opened 2022 with a win at Kapalua, a course that traditionally performs just like Augusta Nationwide with creativity and hitting off dramatic slopes a key part to success. His final begin noticed him hoisting the trophy at TPC Sawgrass at an albeit fluky Gamers Championship. He has remarked that Augusta reminds him of the Sandbelt programs he grew-up taking part in in Australia. Can he get a little bit free off the tee with the motive force? Completely, that is a giant concern. His capacity to scramble has been essential to success right here up to now and I am anticipating it to assist him this week.
Sleeper — Luke Checklist (80-1): I get it, he is a debutante and solely very not too long ago turned winner on the PGA Tour. His weapon is the motive force and infrequently he will get sizzling with the irons. The putter all the time appears to carry him again, however as we have seen earlier than at Augusta Nationwide, it is OK to be a mediocre putter so long as you have got a ceiling week with the flatstick. Sergio Garcia, Hideki Matsuyama and Will Zalatoris come to thoughts as current success tales who match this narrative. Checklist received at Torrey Pines with a ceiling week on the greens. The previous main historical past is not nice however a solo sixth on the PGA Championship in 2019 provides me hope he can presumably string collectively an honest efficiency this week.
Prime 10 lock — Justin Thomas: You can make the argument J.T. is the perfect participant on the earth proper now, if you solely are trying on the strokes gained information. He is solely completed outdoors the highest 20 twice this season: T33 at a storm-soaked Gamers Championship and a T35 on the WGC Match Play. He has but to lose strokes within the strategy class over a match this season and his across the inexperienced recreation is super at a course that rewards guys who can scramble. On the bag, he has Jim “Bones” Mackay, who looped for Phil Mickelson in his three Masters victories. J.T. additionally performed observe rounds and occurs to be good buddies with a person named Tiger Woods. The mix of current kind and information round him makes me assume he is a lock to complete on the prime of this subject
Star who undoubtedly will not win — Bryson DeChambeau: It feels low cost to maintain selecting on B.A.D., however he is coming to Augusta in dangerous kind. Velocity coaching has caught as much as him within the type of a lingering hip damage that is lastly began to rear its ugly head. Issues received worse when, apparently in Saudi Arabia, he went and “Charlie Brown’d” himself, falling on his wrist throughout a ping-pong match towards Garcia and Niemann. DeChambeau remarked in his press convention that he’s feeling “round 80% proper now” and that he “cannot go all-out”. If Bryson cannot go all out, then I’m out on him to carry out properly this week, particularly since he has solely damaged his “private par” of 67 at Augusta Nationwide as soon as in 20 match rounds.
Shock prediction — Rory McIlroy finishes within the prime 5: I believe the eye on Tiger will assist propel Rors to a top-five end this week. The current kind on the mundane PGA Tour stops hasn’t been nice. I selected to have a look at the Dubai Desert Traditional, the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the CJ Cup, which he received. Just about everybody desires to see Rory win the profession grand slam. He simply must not play himself out of it on Thursday, and I believe he has an ideal shot to slide on the inexperienced jacket.
Lowest spherical: 67 (-5)
Profitable rating: 278 (-10)
Winner’s Sunday rating: 69 (-3)
Adam Silverstein, managing editor
Winner — Justin Thomas (12-1): J.T. has the sport to win this match, and he got here excruciatingly shut in 2020 with a fourth-place end. In six profession Masters, he is completed inside the highest 40 each time and inside the highest 22 in every of the final 5 years. There is no doubt that 2021 was a disappointment as he began 4 beneath getting into the weekend however went 4 over throughout his ultimate 36 holes. To maybe treatment the state of affairs, he is spent the final week at Augusta Nationwide taking part in rounds with … Tiger Woods. You already know, the five-time inexperienced jacket holder who is aware of Augusta just like the again of his hand. It is clearly unlikely that Woods wins this week, however the information gained by Thomas from strolling the grounds with the perfect to ever do it for dozens of holes just isn’t simply replicated. Is that maybe a little bit of a superfluous cause to choose Thomas? Perhaps. Is it one thing I will low cost after I already appreciated him as one in all my favorites? Completely not.
Sleeper — Webb Simpson (100-1): Granted, that is extra of a longshot than a sleeper, per se, given Simpson has been taking part in uninspired golf this season together with his final prime 10 end coming on the RSM Traditional in November 2021. However there is a change that activates for Webb, and given the lengthy odds he faces, it is one that’s doubtless price driving. Regardless of his solely main win coming 10 years in the past on the U.S. Open, Simpson seems to have found out Augusta (as a lot as one can). He has three top-12 finishes in as a few years and all the time appears to be within the hunt early.
Prime 10 lock — Jon Rahm: No have to overthink this. The perfect golfer on the earth proper now has 4 straight prime 10s at Augusta. He additionally has 4 straight prime 10s in majors, interval, doing so in each occasion final 12 months (together with his first main win coming within the 2021 U.S. Open). He might not have a victory but this season, however Rahm’s probability of a top-10 end must be greater than anybody else within the loaded subject.
Star who undoubtedly will not win — Bryson DeChambeau: It is powerful to grasp why anybody would consider in DeChambeau this 12 months, which is why so few do. Neglect for a second the truth that he is not 100% wholesome and simply take a look at the stats, which point out a falling driving accuracy and struggles hitting greens. Neglect undoubtedly not successful the Masters, Bryson could also be at risk of creating the reduce on Friday night.
Shock prediction — Tiger Woods sits within the prime 10 after no less than one spherical: Fourteen months faraway from taking part in skilled golf, Woods goes to swimsuit up and play his favourite occasion with maybe the least strain he is ever confronted. He is not the defending champion. Patrons and media perceive he might have issue even finishing all 72 holes from a bodily standpoint, and nobody believes he truly has an opportunity to win … besides Tiger himself. At his press convention Tuesday, Woods didn’t sound like a golfer happy to compete at his second dwelling. He was poised and assured as typical, anticipating to be in rivalry as he has been so many instances earlier than. However that surgically-repaired leg stays a priority. So whereas the story of alls tories could be Woods being within the hunt Sunday, him being among the many prime 10 on the leaderboard after any day could be an extremely praiseworthy accomplishment — and one which’s definitely achievable given his expertise and acumen round this course.
Lowest spherical: 65 (-7)
Profitable rating: 276 (-12)
Winner’s Sunday rating: 68 (-4)
