The Masters has returned, featuring the finest golfers worldwide vying against each other for a chance to claim $15 million and wear the prestigious green jacket.
On Thursday, the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia will host the top talent of the sport as they compete in the Masters, the first major championship of the year. With a highly competitive field, this event promises to be a thrilling affair. Will Scottie Scheffler successfully defend his title? Can Tiger Woods make a strong comeback?
From LIV Golf players stepping onto the course to the legendary 13th hole undergoing a transformation, there are various captivating storylines to explore.
As the 87th Masters approaches, it offers numerous opportunities for Virginia sports betting. In order to help you make the most of the golf action, we have curated a comprehensive viewer’s guide.
How to watch the 2025 Masters
If the weather allows, the 87th Masters Tournament will have extensive coverage, beginning with honorary starters Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson before Round 1 on Thursday.
Fans eager to witness the seasoned veterans kick off the year’s first major can access the Masters website or app as early as 7:45 a.m. ET.
Regarding the remaining part 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 2025 Masters
First and foremost, it would be remiss not to mention Scottie Scheffler, who is the defending champion and the clear favorite based on the odds.
In the entirety of golf history, there have been just three instances where a player managed to win consecutive green jackets: Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods. It is worth noting that Woods achieved this remarkable feat more than two decades ago. However, in recent times, one golfer who has exhibited exceptional consistency and success is Scheffler. Since February 2022, Scheffler has secured an impressive six victories, including a notable win at The Players Championship last month.
However, it is expected that Rory McIlroy will attract a lot of attention during the weekend. The golfer from Northern Ireland will be participating in his ninth try to achieve the career grand slam, a feat accomplished by only five other players.
Last year, McIlroy achieved top 10 finishes in all four major tournaments, with a notable second place at the Masters. Impressively, McIlroy has secured a top 10 position at Augusta National in seven out of the last nine tournaments.
Instead of focusing on other players with notable storylines, we turn our attention to Tiger Woods. Is this possibly his last appearance in the Masters? With three major championships to go before he matches Nicklaus’ record of 18 and one green jacket away from tying Nicklaus’ record of six, Woods is also currently tied with Sam Snead for the highest number of PGA Tour wins at 82.
Could this be the final chapter of Woods’ Masters journey, marking his 25th appearance, after creating countless iconic moments such as his historic win in 1997 as the youngest champion, the heartwarming embrace with his father at the 18th hole, the memorable chip shot at No. 16, and his remarkable triumph in 2019?
What else to watch for at the Masters
Although the pursuit of the highly sought-after green jacket remains a prominent narrative at the Masters, the 2025 tournament unveils a storyline completely unrelated to the championship.
Do you remember when several top-tier PGA players made the decision to depart and join the LIV Golf tour? This notable group includes six former Masters champions, namely Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson.
From that point onward, PGA players have directed their attention towards the emerging rival league and its staff, including LIV CEO Greg Norman and certain golfers. However, LIV has also reciprocated by expressing criticisms towards the PGA. This has led to personal conflicts, such as Tiger Woods severing ties with Bryson DeChambeau when the latter joined LIV.
The PGA, in essence, imposed restrictions on those players, preventing them from taking part in their tournaments. However, in December, Augusta National made an announcement that LIV golfers would now be permitted to compete in the annual spring championship. Chairman Fred Ridley stated that the tournament’s main goal was to “pay tribute to the tradition of assembling a distinguished group of golfers.”
Consequently, the 2025 Masters field will consist of 18 golfers from LIV. What will be the emotional response if LIV and PGA are paired together? How will people react if a LIV player wins the prestigious green jacket? And what would the atmosphere be like if his fellow LIV teammates rush onto the 18th green to celebrate this achievement?
In addition to the LIV-PGA drama, the course itself possesses some captivating features that are worth watching.
Best holes to watch
Augusta National is famous for its azaleas and dogwoods, and it is home to some of the most renowned holes in the game of golf.
Amen Corner, consisting of the 11th, 12th, and 13th holes, is widely regarded as the most challenging stretch of the course. Over two decades ago, esteemed writer Rick Reilly humorously noted that more green jackets have been surrendered at the treacherous 12th hole than at the local dry cleaners in Augusta.
The iconic par-5 13th hole, known as the final segment, has been extended by an additional 35 yards, now measuring 545 yards in total. Previously, many players would strategically cut the corner on this hole to position themselves for a more accessible second shot towards the green and a potential eagle putt. However, with the recent changes, this strategy will no longer be viable.
No. 16 is undeniably the center of attention. This par-3 hole has gained a significant following among patrons. It’s not surprising considering that out of the 34 holes-in-one achieved at the Masters, an impressive 24 have taken place at the 16th. Moreover, almost half of these remarkable shots have occurred in the last decade.
Interesting markets for 2025 Masters betting
Even though the tournament is happening 400 miles south, bettors in Virginia can still stay connected to the Masters through the budding sports betting industry in the state. Here are a few betting markets that may catch your attention.
Scottie Scheffler favored to win the 2025 Masters
Scheffler continues to be the frontrunner in golf betting for the 2025 Masters, according to leading sportsbooks such as FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars. These three major operators unanimously rank the same five golfers as their top favorites.
Scheffler’s chances of winning it all are +550 at Caesars, +650 at DraftKings, and +700 at FanDuel, as per the odds.
It should not be surprising that Scheffler is the favorite, given his victory in last year’s competition with a score of 10-under. Rory McIlroy secured the second position with a score of 7-under.
McIlroy and Scheffler are both listed at +700 odds to win it all on FanDuel. On DraftKings, McIlroy’s odds are +750, while on Caesars they are +600. As for Jon Rahm, his odds range from +850 to +950 depending on the sportsbook.
Tiger Woods prop bets for the Masters
For the upcoming Masters event, FanDuel and DraftKings have a range of Tiger Woods specials available. These include various markets to bet on regarding Woods’ performance during the event.
- He aimed to achieve a birdie or better on the inaugural hole of the tournament.
- In order to achieve a position within the top 10, regardless of any ties.
- To be in the leading position after round two, taking into account any ties.
- Wire to wire winner
- The woods are about to shatter the course record.
Woods is quite familiar with the feeling of victory at the Masters. With five wins to his name, including a recent triumph in the 2019 Masters, Woods has proven his prowess on the course. From 1997 to 2005, he claimed an impressive four titles, but then faced a long drought of 14 years without a Masters victory. However, his remarkable comeback in the 2019 Masters has become a legendary tale in his career.
Since 2019, Woods has not experienced the same level of success in the two Masters events. In 2020, he achieved a tie for 38th place, while last year he secured a 47th place finish.
As Thursday approaches, Woods’ chances of winning in 2025 are not very promising. According to the odds provided by various sportsbooks, FanDuel gives him a +7000 chance of winning, Caesars has him at +8000, and DraftKings lists him at +9000.
Hole-in-one odds at the 2025 Masters
Users of DraftKings and Fanduel have the opportunity to place bets on the occurrence of a hole-in-one on various holes throughout the week.
Among the four holes available for the hole in one bet, No. 16 offers the most favorable odds (-152 on FanDuel, -135 on DraftKings). From 1934 to present, a total of 24 holes-in-one have occurred at the 16th hole, with eight of them happening since 2016.
Do you believe there will be multiple aces this week? FanDuel is giving +160 odds for the occurrence of at least two holes-in-one during this week.
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