The Masters 2023: Preview, best bets, how to watch, more

The Masters is finally here.

The first Major Championship of the 2023 season is upon us, and all eyes once again fall on the magic of Augusta National Golf Course. The best players in the world are set to duel it out for the grandest prize in all of Golf, and it’s not just the PGA Tour players, but the ones from LIV Golf as well.

Below we’ll break down the favorites plus some of our best bets and best value bets of the event.

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How to Watch the Masters:

Round 1: Thursday, April 6th – 8 am – 7:30 pm (3-7:30 p.m. on ESPN)
Round 2: Friday, April 7th – 8:30 am – 7:30 pm (3-7:30 p.m. on ESPN)
Round 3: Saturday, April 8th – 10:30 am – 7:00 pm (3 – 7 p.m. on CBS)
Round 4: Sunday, April 9th – 10:30 am – 7:00 pm (2-7 p.m. on CBS)

Entire day coverage streaming on CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App and also available on Paramount+

Masters 2023 Odds

Golfer	Odds to win
Scottie Scheffler	+700
Rory McIlroy	+700
John Rahm	+900
Patrick Cantlay	+1600
Jordan Spieth	+1600
Tony Finau	+2000
Justin Thomas	+2000
Xander Schauffele	+2200
Jason Day	+2200
Dustin Johnson	+2200

Favorites

Scottie Scheffler (+700) and Rory McIlroy (+700) head the odds going into this weekend. Scheffler is not only coming off winning his Maiden Green Jacket last year but is riding a streak of 3 consecutive top-five finishes including a win at The Players Championship. The last back-to-back Masters champion was Tiger Woods back in 2002, so to say that a repeat would be a ridiculous achievement would almost be an understatement.

As for Rory, he’s still searching for that first win at Augusta. He’s had 3 top-five finishes here dating back to 2018 and notably came second to Scottie last year. Could this be the year he finally gets the weight off his shoulder? Well, he currently ranks 2nd in strokes gained off the tee, and 3rd in tee-to-green. He’s playing great golf and doing so at the perfect time.

It’s also hard to ignore John Rahm (+900). He’s tucked in behind McIlroy and Scheffler. Prior to last year’s 21st-place finish, Rahm had four top-5 finishes in a row here, which at least makes him a very viable candidate for an Each Way bet (which offers 1/5 of the odds for a top-8 finish). He’s also fifth in strokes-gained-putting, which, on this course, could be all the difference.

Rory McIlroy The Masters — Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, watches his tee shot on the 14th hole during a practice round for the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Value Picks

If you are looking for a favorite – nine of the last 10 winners at The Masters have finished inside the top-six in a major in one of the previous two years (Per Andy Lack of Rick Run Good). That narrows it down quite significantly and also calls into play one of the LIV Golfers, Cam Smith (+2200).

The British Open winner is out to make a statement at Augusta this week and the extra chip on his shoulder could be a vital one. It is worth noting that his form has been anything other than convincing, with two missed cuts overseas in other PGA events and LIV hardly providing an accurate barometer for form. Still, it could be a chance to ‘buy the dip’.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a week at Augusta without Tiger Woods. The GOAT registered a 45th-place finish at The Genesis Invitational and we all remember his heroic win here just a few years ago. Is there a little more gas in the tank for someone who once dominated The Masters?

Max Homa (+2800) has never had a ton of success here, but he’s a very different golfer in 2023. Homa has been exceptional and oh-so nearly won the Genesis Invitational. He’s one of the best all-around golfers in the field and could well be in the frame come Sunday.

Will Zalatoris (+3500) is also an intriguing value option. He arguably hasn’t been the same since his injury, but that has pushed his price to an enticing +3500. He’s had three consecutive top-5 finishes here and always ends up in the picture at majors. He could be a valuable play as someone who almost shocked the world at The Masters just a few years ago.

Lastly, 9f you’re looking for a mid-tier player who has the upside to win this thing, look no further than Shane Lowry (+5500). Lowry started out the 2023 season red-hot and comes into Augusta on the back of a 3rd place finish at The Masters in 2022 and two top-25 finished before that. We’ve yet to see the best of the crafty approach player this year and if he can find a rhythm with the putter, this could be the perfect spot for the breakout that’s always just over the hill.

Shane Lowry The Masters — Shane Lowry, of Ireland, putts on the 13th hole during a practice round for the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Masters Best Bets

My head says Rory McIlroy and my heart says Max Homa. Both are great bets, but I feel like Homa’s narrow defeat at a tournament he really wanted to win will spur him on around Augusta to shock the world.

I also like betting on Mito Pereira +450 for a top-10 finish. Mito is yet to finish outside the top 20 this year. He came 4th at the Shriners at the end of 2022 and 45th at the ZOZO before ultimately taking his talents to LIV. He leads this entire field in GIR% and is second only to Rory in driving distance, which makes me intrigued by his ability to finish near the top.