US Masters tips: Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith set to challenge world top three at Augusta

The Masters key stats:

• When: April 11-14 2024
• Where: Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia
• How long: 7,555 yards - par 72
• What to expect: An all-round golfing test, tree-line fairways, five water-hazards, fast greens
• Who won last year: Jon Rahm (-12)

Augusta provides a stern examination of all the golf skills required to win a Major tournament, with five water hazards, tricky bunkers and slick nuanced greens all combining to ensure that only the best golfers prevail.

The fact that there has not been a rookie winner since Fuzzy Zoeller highlights the importance of previous experience at a course that demands a combination of accuracy off the tee and on approach, good scrambling skills around the green when required, plus a deft touch when on the putting surface.

• Top Price On The Planet: Best odds for Scheffler, McIlroy and Rahm, and 50% back if your bet leads after any round but then loses

The defending champion is Jon Rahm, but Scottie Scheffler is the short-odds favourite this week at a miserly 4/1 (now 5/1 with PlanetSportBet’s Top price on the Planet).

The world number one won here two years ago and is currently in stellar form, apart from the ongoing putting issues that he looks close to overcoming.

Rory McIlroy is next in the betting market at 10/1 (now 12/1 with PlanetSportBet’s Top price on the Planet) and the Northern Irishman needs this one to complete his career Grand Slam . 

That’s the same task Rory has faced in the decade since his last Major wins in 2014, and although he knows this course inside out, the pressure on him to perform at his peak here just builds year on year.

Rahm lines up trying to win back-to-back at Augusta - a feat only Tiger Woods has achieved since the turn of the century.

Rahmbo has begun to find his form since his controversial move to LIV Golf, and the Spaniard also has a knack for raising his game at the Majors, while in interviews he has shown that he is really fired up for his title defence.

• Top Price On The Planet: Jon Rahm was 10/1, now 14/1 with PlanetSportBet

Beyond the Big Three, Xander Schauffele continues to contend in tournaments without winning, having notched a second, third and tenth place finish already in 2024. 

Xander will have his supporters at 12/1, but he needs to show that he can produce the goods when the chips are down on a Sunday.

Brooks Koepka is a demon at the Majors and is another Liv exile to catch the eye here after his near miss a year ago, when he had topped the leaderboard after three days. 

Koepka really gets up for the big events and needs to win The Masters to add to his list of Major successes, so the 16/1 available looks decent each-way value.

Suggested bet: Brooks Koepka (16/1) each-way in The Masters

Last, but a long way from least, is another LIV representative in Cameron Smith, who has been off his game of late on the breakaway tour, but is a Major winner and was runner-up here in 2021 before being placed again a year later. 

His current pre-tournament price of 28/1 looks very tasty based upon his obvious ability when on his game, and given his previous course efforts those odds could seem huge on Sunday afternoon.

Suggested bet: Cameron Smith (28/1) each-way in The Masters

Suggested bet summary:

• Jon Rahm (14/1) - 5 points each-way
• Brooks Koepka (16/1) - 3 points each-way 
• Cameron Smith (28/1) - 1.5 points each-way

All displayed prices are from PlanetSportBet and could be subject to change

READ MORE: Who will win the Masters: Best bets and dark horses at Augusta