For the first time in 20 years, Tiger Woods won’t be part of the Masters field. Back surgery has him outside the ropes for now and his absence means there is a new betting favorite. Even despite his injury and the uncertainty of his status heading into the Masters, Woods opened as the betting choice. With him now officially out, Rory McIlroy takes over as the odds-on favorite.
2014 Masters odds: With Tiger Woods out, Rory McIlroy the betting favorite
The Masters field was shaken up on Monday with Tiger pulling out of the tournament. That decision had wide-ranging ramifications, including on the betting odds.
Mike Ehrmann
While Woods opened up as the betting favorite, his odds slowly dropped as the tournament neared and his back remained an issue. Recently, Woods, McIlroy and Adam Scott were co-favorites at 10/1. Now with Woods out, McIlroy is the sole favorite with his odds up to 8/1, according to GolfOdds.com. McIlroy has never finished better than a tie for 15th at Augusta and hasn’t won on the PGA or European Tour since 2012. His form has been better this season and he nearly came away with a win at the Honda Classic before major issues in the final round.
A world without Tiger
McIlroy is the slight favorite, but there are several players not far behind. Scott, the defending Masters champion, remains at 10/1. He’s joined as the second-favorite by fellow Australian Jason Day, who is also 10/1. Day won the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in February and always seems to be in the mix at the majors. Phil Mickelson, who is battling an injury of his own, is 15/1 to win a fourth green jacket. Dustin Johnson is also 15/1.
Down the board a bit are Henrik Stenson, Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar, all of which are 20/1. Justin Rose, Zach Johnson and Jordan Spieth round out the top 10 at 25/1 odds. The field is a 15/1 bet. Here is a closer look at the current top 15 betting favorites. Via GolfOdds.com:
| Player | Odds |
| Rory McIlroy | 8/1 |
| Adam Scott | 10/1 |
| Jason Day | 10/1 |
| Phil Mickelson | 15/1 |
| Dustin Johnson | 15/1 |
| Henrik Stenson | 20/1 |
| Matt Kuchar | 20/1 |
| Bubba Watson | 20/1 |
| Justin Rose | 25/1 |
| Zach Johnson | 25/1 |
| Jordan Spieth | 25/1 |
| Brandt Snedeker | 30/1 |
| Jason Dufner | 30/1 |
| Keegan Bradley | 30/1 |
| Sergio Garcia | 30/1 |
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