Golf Betting Trends: What They Can Teach You About Masters Contest Picks

When Masters week rolls around, every Splash user is searching for that extra edge. Betting markets often hold the secrets that can transform your contest picks from solid to elite, especially in One & Done and Tiers contests on Splash Sports. Here’s how analyzing recent betting trends can sharpen your strategy and guide your selections.

One & Done: Using Betting Favorites and Odds Trends

In One & Done contests, your goal is simple: pick one golfer per event whose earnings equal your points. At the Masters, a tournament known for its high purse (last year's purse was a massive $20 million), selecting the right golfer can dramatically impact your season.

Historically, betting favorites consistently perform well at Augusta, making them safer bets for a major payday. Over the past several Masters tournaments, pre-tournament favorites such as Scottie Scheffler (+650 in 2023 and +325 in 2024), Collin Morikawa (+2000 in 2022), and Rory McIlroy (consistently near the top) frequently contended, validating bookmakers' confidence.

For example, Scheffler’s short odds of +325 in 2024 reflected strong expectations—and with good reason, given his recent Masters history. If you still have an elite player like Scheffler, Rahm, or McIlroy available, betting markets suggest these are optimal weeks to deploy them. Just remember - once you use ‘em, you lose ‘em. Betting odds don’t tell the whole story, so be sure to consider things like that golfer’s performance at Augusta, your plans to use them in future high-purse tournaments, and their recent form. 

Betting trends also highlight the potential value of less obvious picks. In 2023, Brooks Koepka entered at longer odds (+3000) but delivered an impressive performance. Similarly, Viktor Hovland (+2800 in 2023) consistently outperforms mid-range odds. This demonstrates the value of strategically pivoting away from top-tier names if you’ve already burned them earlier in the season.

Another angle unique to the Masters is leveraging LIV golfers. Players like Cameron Smith (+2800 in 2024) and Bryson DeChambeau (+3500 in 2024) offer considerable upside since they're excluded from regular PGA Tour events but available here, often at attractive odds. Betting markets provide valuable insight into LIV players' realistic potential at Augusta, helping you make informed decisions if you're looking to differentiate your pick.

Tiers Contests: Finding Hidden Value in the Betting Lines

In Tiers contests, where golfers are divided into several groups and your cumulative score across selected golfers determines your finish, betting markets are incredibly useful for identifying undervalued talent within each tier.

Typically, your top tiers will feature favorites such as Scheffler, McIlroy, and Rahm. Here, bookmakers provide a clear hierarchy, helping you minimize risk by opting for players with the shortest odds. Lower-tier strategy, however, is where the real advantage lies in dissecting betting trends.

Players priced in the mid-tier range—between +3500 and +7500—frequently outperform expectations at Augusta. Golfers like Corey Conners (+7500 in 2024) and Sungjae Im (+7500 in 2024), who boast strong course history yet receive modest odds, represent smart tier picks. Similarly, Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton (often in the +5500 to +6000 range) can be outstanding mid-tier selections given their consistent appearances on leaderboards in recent years.

Digging deeper into long-shot odds (+10000 and beyond), experienced players with Augusta success, such as Justin Rose (+9000 in 2024) or Phil Mickelson (+10000 in 2024), can offer exceptional value for your lower-tier selections. Betting markets often undervalue these veterans due to recent form or age, ignoring Augusta’s favorable impact on experienced players.

A Look Ahead: The 2025 Odds

The initial odds for the 2025 Masters provide valuable early insights. Scottie Scheffler (+490) and Rory McIlroy (+600) again lead the field as strong favorites, affirming their continued relevance as top-tier One & Done selections. Interesting value emerges just beyond these favorites, with Ludvig Aberg and Jon Rahm both at +1500, indicating strong confidence in their potential at Augusta.

Further down, golfers like Brooks Koepka (+3100), Patrick Cantlay (+3200), and Cameron Smith (+5000) represent attractive mid-range choices with proven Augusta performance and significant upside. Additionally, Dustin Johnson (+5500) and Viktor Hovland (+6500) offer excellent value relative to their proven capabilities in majors, indicating potential opportunities in the middle tiers of contests.

Notably, deeper long shots like Adam Scott (+13000) and Phil Mickelson (+20000) could become intriguing choices for the lowest-tier spots, combining experience and upside. The betting odds for 2025 clearly reinforce the value of strategically balancing established favorites with calculated mid-range and longer-odds selections.

Learning from the Past: Key Takeaways

Analyzing betting odds from recent Masters reveals clear strategic insights:

• Favorites deliver consistently, making them prime One & Done selections if available.

• Mid-tier odds regularly produce strong finishes; these golfers offer the best balance of risk and reward in your middle tiers.

• Experienced players at longer odds frequently overperform at Augusta, providing an excellent chance to gain a competitive edge in lower tiers.

• LIV golfers represent an intriguing and potentially high-value group due to limited availability in other events, highlighted clearly by betting markets.

By aligning your fantasy picks with smartly analyzed betting trends, you’re positioning yourself to maximize performance at the Masters. Whether aiming for a season-defining One & Done payday or crafting the perfect balanced Tiers lineup, paying attention to the betting odds is one of your most valuable fantasy tools. When you're ready to lock in your picks, join the $350K Augusta Showdown and compete for the top prize of $100K! Plus, every entry gives you a shot at a completely free round of golf with our guy Rick Gehman and John Daly. Yes, seriously. John Daly. Join here!