Who will win Masters 2024? Odds review Scottie Scheffler, Max Homa, lead the standings entering Round 4
AUGUSTA, Georgia – Volunteers in charge of changing the numbers behind the large white leaderboard on the 18th hole at Augusta National Golf Club hang the red number 6 where “SCHEFFLER” and “13” meet . It represents an eagle as Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1 player, moves back into the lead at the 2024 Masters, a tournament where he spent the previous few holes going long. A murmur rang out in the crowd at number 18. A man passing by exclaimed: “Oh my god, this is crazy.”
Except… it really isn’t.
You’ve heard about the gravity of the rankings, where players who aren’t equipped to handle the top spot naturally fade from the top of the league. What you haven’t heard about is chart buoyancy, which is what Scheffler represents — and has for the past two years.
It’s hard for the rest of the world to compete when the best iron player is also the best from tee to green while mentally and emotionally elite, the best course manager, tough most and is a fully and completely competitive dog when oxygen is depleted.
After blowing the lead at 35 on Saturday and holding a one-shot lead on the second nine, Scheffler started double bogey-bogey on the second nine and nearly made another shot, needing a putt 5-foot par on the par-3 12th to fail. that he won’t drop to 3-under, well beyond the new 6-under lead held by some of his peers.
One media member called it a “pivotal moment”. Indeed, but Scheffler ignored it and returned to the 13th tee, no doubt thinking the Masters was slipping a bit.
Instead of fading, Scheffler made the drive and reached the 13th green in two shots before making a 31-foot eagle and delivering a business-like fist pump that as the one of his competitors I wouldn’t want to see.
Was it crazy then? Perhaps, especially because he played the first holes of the second nine so poorly. But this is Scottie Scheffler: great golfer, great spirit and someone you don’t want to see across from you in the ring unless you’re willing to fight to the death.
Despite not withdrawing as expected on Saturday, Scheffler still assured – at the end of Round 3 – that the 2024 Masters was still ahead of him. He added a birdie on No. 15 and is now seven under, one shot clear of the rest of the field. Those around him on the leaderboard briefly caught Scheffler, and then suddenly, he ran away. It’s an opportunity they may not get again, and there’s no guarantee they’ll get another chance.
Here’s who could win the Masters on Sunday and why, if Scheffler falters, they have a chance to win the green jacket. Remember, history tells us that anyone who is more than four shots off the lead entering the final 18 holes will have an extremely difficult road ahead to win the Masters; The winner has been within that distance in the last 27 matches of this tournament at Augusta National, according to Justin Ray.
1. Scottie Scheffler (-7)
Odds: 23/20
Why he will win: He’s that guy. The more credit he gets, he’s even better than you think. All in one. Talent, yes, but also heart, fight and perseverance to do what it takes to win major championships. Buy all the inventory — and not just this week. If you need a statistical reason, Scheffler is No. 1 in the field from tee to green wide margin.
- Scottie Scheffler: 13.4 SG
- Ben An: 9.8 SG
- Collin Morikawa: 9.2 SG
Why wouldn’t he: He’s had quite a few hits this week, including a birdie on the first hole on Saturday, a ridiculous birdie on No. 3 from deep and a 31-foot eagle on the 13th hole .Three shots is a lot of shots, and those shots could easily go the other way on Saturday (and possibly on Sunday).
2. Collin Morikawa (-6)
Odds: 7/2
Why he will win: I didn’t see this coming! Morikawa is near the top of the field with his iron play. Only Max Homa is better. Plus, Morikawa already has experience winning major championships. In 16 such appearances, he won two of them. As he nears the majors, he finishes them and Sunday he looks for the third leg of his career Grand Slam.
Why wouldn’t he: Up to now, Morikawa’s form has been quite mediocre this season. Aside from an exciting performance in Hawaii, he’s done basically nothing since then and didn’t enter the event with any buzz. That doesn’t mean much now, but Sunday’s pressure has the potential to expose flaws, and Morikawa has had plenty of them this year (namely, this was the worst approach game of the tournament). his career to date).
3. Max Homa (-5)
Odds: 15/2
Why he will win: Homa was very consistent on Saturday. He is the best iron player on the field and his distance control is extremely good. If it becomes an iron contest — and it often does at Augusta National — there’s no one else I’d rather have (besides Scheffler!) than Max Homa.
Why wouldn’t he: Max, who wears his heart on his sleeve in admirable ways, will feel some things on Sunday that he’s never felt before. This is really his first experience in the cauldron of a major championship, and Scheffler has a huge advantage over him in that regard.
4. Ludvig Åberg (-4)
Odds: 9-1
Why he will win: Sometimes, it’s better not to know what you don’t know. That’s been a refrain around Augusta National at times this week, and Åberg knows less than anyone else in the field given that this is his first appearance in a major championship. He has been excellent the past two days, shooting a 69 on the day on Friday and following it up with a 2-under 70 on Saturday. The score under 5 over the past two days is the best in the field. He is among the few best strikers in the field and those are usually the ones at or near the top late on Sunday. Åberg is the guy many predicted he would be.
Why wouldn’t he: Winning the first major tournament you play is not something that happens often. Åberg is special, but winning the green jacket in his first official appearance would be historic — something that has never really happened before.
5. Bryson DeChambeau (-3)
Odds: 20-1
Why he will win: He was the best driver in the field until this week. He is a former major tournament champion at a major golf course (Winged Foot, 2020 US Open), and he can put himself in some unique positions at this golf course. That doesn’t mean DeChambeau will convert all of those approach shots, but he should at least have a chance, especially on the par 5s, that so many other players chasing probably won’t have. .
“When he drives it like that, he makes this golf course a little bit different,” said Gary Woodland, who played Bryson on Thursday and Friday.
Why wouldn’t he: DeChambeau proved on Sunday that he still struggles a bit with mid-height shots, posting a 7 on No. 15 after hitting his third into the water. I’m not sure that short game is ready for the pressure of a Sunday at a place that demands the creativity that Augusta National demands.
