No concerts. No fans. Cancelled tournaments. Postponed seasons. The wait is over. Finally, we have a week that feels (kind of) normal. It’s a tradition unlike any other, the 2020 Masters Tournament.
“Masters Week” 2020 is the greatest week of the year for golf fans. Sure, it will be weird. Without any fans we don’t get roars when Tiger makes a birdie or oohs and ahs when the ball finds the water at Amen Corner, but who cares? This is the greatest tournament at the greatest golf course in America. The drama will be there on Thursday at the opening tee until Sunday at the 72nd.
2020 Masters Tournament Favorites
Here are the top five favorites to win this week (Vegas Insider):
Bryson DeChambeau (+800)
The Rock, I mean Bryson, dominated Winged Foot and won the U.S. Open this year. He’s got the power, but one thing to watch at Augusta: accuracy. If he has accuracy and power, I don’t see anyone that can beat him.
Dustin Johnson (+800)
Similar to Bryson, look for Dustin to attempt to overpower the golf course. He’s looking for his second major championship and first Masters after finishing tied second in 2019. He’s got a good chance as long as it isn’t “snowing” in Augusta, Georgia.
Jon Rahm (+1000)
Hulk Smash! Noticing a trend? Jon Rahm can blast the ball. He averages 315.4 yards per drive, but if he doesn’t have accuracy, look out! Rahm has improved in his anger recently, but at the biggest tournament of the season, look for adrenaline to be at an all-time high.
Justin Thomas (+1200)
Thomas is one of the golfers looking to win that elusive second major. After winning the 2017 PGA Championship, JT is looking to bounce back after his best finish at the Masters, a T12 in 2019.
Rory McIlroy (+1300)
Will he get the monkey off his back? The four-time major winner looks to get his first green jacket. His best finish at the Masters is 4th in 2015 and has a history of collapsing at Augusta. His last major win was 2014.
Other Notables
Colin Morikawa (+3500)
Colin hasn’t played in a Masters win so it will be interesting to see how he fairs in his first tournament at Augusta. He won the PGA this year without any fans so we’ll see if that helps him against the competition this week.
Tiger Woods (+4200)
Tiger only has five Green Jackets and 15 major wins total (not the most ever, pretty embarrassing). He’ll look to repeat from his 2019 Masters win and add one more coat hanger to his closet.
Justin Rose (+6500)
The 2013 U.S. Open winner and Masters runner-up in 2015 & 2017 looks to add to his trophy case with a second major win. Rose finished ninth at the PGA and missed the cut at the U.S. Open.
Jordan Spieth (+7000)
I can’t figure this guy out. He could go out and shoot 80/80 on Thursday/Friday and I wouldn’t be surprised. He could shot 67/68 and be tied for the lead going to the weekend and I wouldn’t be surprised. After his win in 2015 and the first 65 holes in 2016, no one could compete with Spieth at the Masters. Then hole 12 happened and he puts two balls in the water and loses the tournament. Since then he won the 2017 Open Championship, he doesn’t have a win on tour and has only had one top 10 since the tour returned this season.
Phil Mickelson (+7500)
Lefty isn’t winning this week. He’s earned the right to be on the notables, but I think it’s time for him to dominate the Champions Tour.
My Official Pick for the 2020 Masters Tournament
Patrick Cantlay (+2500)
Look for the young guns to sweep the 2020 Majors. Following Bryson & Morikawa, look for Cantlay to get his first major in 2020 after finishing T9 and T3 at the 2019 Masters and PGA Championship. After a strong showing at the 2019 Masters, Cantlay looks to use his experience under pressure to power through and win his first major.
We’ve never seen Augusta National in November, so Thursday and Friday can hopefully give us a preview of the weekend. Look for chilly weather and wind to make an impact on the early groups Thursday and Friday.
