The Masters is back, with the world’s best golfers competing against one and other for a change to win $15 million and don a green jacket.
Starting Thursday, the sport’s top talent face off at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. The Masters stands as the calendar year’s first major championship. With a stacked field, it’s shaping up to be another classic. Can Scottie Scheffler go back-to-back? Will Tiger Woods make a run?
Storylines about, from LIV Golf players entering the field to the iconic 13th hole getting a makeover.
While the 87th Masters obviously brings plenty of Virginia sports betting opportunities, we present to you the complete viewer’s guide to catch as much of the golf action as possible.
How to watch the 2023 Masters
Weather permitting, there will be no shortage of coverage of the 87th Masters Tournament, starting with honorary starters Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson prior to Round 1 on Thursday.
Die-hards who want to see the old guard tee off the first major of the year can tune into the Masters website or app beginning at 7:45 a.m. ET.
As for the rest of the tournament:
| Thursday, Round 1 | Friday, Round 2 | Saturday, Round 3 | Sunday, Round 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Featured groups* | 9:15 a.m.-7:30 p.m. | 9:15 a.m.-7:30 p.m. | 10:15 a.m.-7 p.m. | 10:15 a.m.-7 p.m. |
| Featured holes 4-5-6* | 8:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | 8:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. |
| Featured holes 11-12-13* | 10:45 a.m.-6 p.m. | 10:45 a.m.-6 p.m. | 11:45 a.m.-6 p.m. | 11:45 a.m.-6 p.m. |
| Featured holes 15-16* | 11:45 a.m.-7 p.m. | 11:45 a.m.-7 p.m. | 12:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. | 12:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. |
| Full Coverage | 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. (ESPN) | 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. (ESPN) | 3 p.m.-7 p.m. (CBS) | 3 p.m.-7 p.m. (CBS) |
| *Masters.com/Masters app |
Who to watch at the 2023 Masters
It would be irresponsible not to mention the defending champion and odds-on favorite, Scottie Scheffler, first and foremost.
Only three times in history has a player won back-to-back green jackets: Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods. And Woods’ accomplishment came over 20 years ago. Over the past year, arguably no golfer has performed as consistently and successfully as Scheffler, who has logged six wins since February 2022, including victories at The Players Championship last month.
That said, Rory McIlroy with garner much of the spotlight throughout the weekend. The Northern Irishman will make his ninth attempt to complete the career grand slam and join only five other players to do so.
McIlroy placed in the top 10 at each of the four majors a year ago, including a runner-up finish at the Masters. In fact, McIlroy has logged top-10 showings at August National seven times in the past nine tournaments.
While many other players might carry noteworthy storylines, we instead bring up Tiger Woods. Could this be the final time Woods competes in the Masters? He’s three major championships shy of Nicklaus’ record of 18 and one green jacket short of Nicklaus’ record of six. He’s tied with Sam Snead for the most PGA Tour wins at 82.
Woods has authored some of the most iconic Masters moments, from becoming the youngest winner in 1997 (and his ensuing hug with his father at the 18th) to the chip shot at No. 16 to his improbable victory in 2019. But could this, his 25th Masters, be the final chapter?
What else to watch for at the Masters
While the quest for the coveted green jacket is always among the chief storylines at the Masters, the 2023 tournament features a plot that has nothing to do with the championship, really.
If you recall, a number of high-level PGA players decided to break out and join the LIV Golf tour. That includes six past Masters champs like Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson.
Since then, PGA players have targeted the nascent rival league and its personnel, such as LIV CEO Greg Norman and select golfers. But it’s been a two-way street, with LIV delivering critiques toward the PGA. Even personal strifes emerged, like Tiger Woods cutting off Bryson DeChambeau after the latter jumped to LIV.
For its part, the PGA essentially restricted those players from participating in its tournaments. Then, in December, Augusta National announced that it would allow LIV golfers to participate in the annual spring championship. What chairman Fred Ridley declared as the tournament’s focus to “honor the tradition of bringing together a preeminent field of golfers.”
As a result, 18 LIV golfers are in the 2023 Masters field. How will emotions look if LIV and PGA are paired together? If a LIV player puts on the green jacket? If his LIV cohorts storm the 18th green to celebrate the feat?
Aside from this LIV-PGA drama, the course itself has some must-watch characteristics.
Best holes to watch
Known for its azaleas and dogwoods, Augusta National boasts some of the more iconic holes in golf.
Perhaps none more than Amen Corner, the closely situated 11th, 12th and 13th holes that stand as arguably the most difficult section of the course. As the great Rick Reilly wrote nearly 25 years ago: “More green jackets have been lost at the 12th than at the Augusta City Dry Cleaners.”
The final segment, the iconic par-5 13th hole, actually became longer, increasing 35 yards to 545 yards. It’s on this hole that most players cut the corner to set up a manageable second shot to the green to set up an eagle putt. That won’t happen anymore.
Perhaps, though, No. 16 draws the most interest. The par-3 is a popular spot for patrons. Stands to reason: Of the 34 holes-in-one at the Masters, 24 have occurred at the 16th. Nearly half have come in the past 10 years.
Interesting markets for 2023 Masters betting
While the tournament itself takes place some 400 miles south, bettors in Virginia can still remain close to the Masters with the nascent sports betting industry in the state. Here are a few betting markets that might pique your interest.
Scottie Scheffler favored to win the 2023 Masters
Scheffler is remains the golf betting favorite to win the 2023 Masters by most major sportsbooks. The three main operators — FanDuel, DraftKings and Caesars — all list the same five golfers as their top-five favorites.
Scheffler boasts +550 odds to win it all at Caesars, +650 at DraftKings and +700 at FanDuel.
Those odds shouldn’t come as a surprise. Scheffler won last year’s competition, shooting 10-under. Rory McIlroy came in second at 7-under.
FanDuel also gives McIlroy the same odds to win it all, listing both him and Scheffler at +700. McIlroy is +750 on DraftKings and +600 on Caesars. Jon Rahm’s odds are anywhere from +850 to +950, depending on the sportsbook.
Tiger Woods prop bets for the Masters
FanDuel VA and DraftKings VA offer a handful of Tiger Woods specials for the upcoming Masters event. Among the different markets for Woods’ performance this week:
- To make birdie or better on his first hole of the tournament
- To finish inside the top 10, including ties
- To lead after round two (including ties)
- Wire to wire winner
- Woods to break the course record
Woods is no stranger to winning the Masters. He enters this week as a five-time winner, including a recent 2019 Masters championship. Woods captured four titles from 1997-2005 before going 14 years without a Masters victory. The 2019 Masters served as a career comeback story for the ages.
In the two Masters events since 2019, Woods hasn’t enjoyed similar success. In 2020 he tied for 38th. Last year, he placed 47th.
Heading into Thursday, Woods doesn’t boast great odds to win in 2023. FanDuel gives him +7000 odds to win it all. Caesars has him at +8000, while DraftKings lists him at +9000.
Hole-in-one odds at the 2023 Masters
DraftKings and Fanduel let users wager if there will be a hole-in-one on some of the different holes this week.
Out of the four holes offered by the two sportsbooks for their hole in one bet, No. 16 has the best odds (-152 on FanDuel, -135 on DraftKings). There have been 24 holes-in-one at the 16th since 1934, including eight since 2016.
Think there will be more than one aces this week? FanDuel offers +160 odds for at least two holes-in-one this week.
