How the recent Players Championship may affect the Masters
A stunning win from Justin Thomas has set golf enthusiasts alight with the possibility of an incredible Masters. Justin shot a final-round 68, which took him to victory. This was his 14th PGA Tour title and most likely not his last.
Although Justin's last win was in 2017, he is only 27 and being crowned as one of the best players of this generation. It will come as no surprise then that it also landed him the biggest payoff of his career to date.
For the first place, he scooped a massive $2.7 million. The total purse was $15. Due to the 2020 cancellation, this considerable cash prize means that this even has been the more lucrative tournament in gold history.
With all the excitement, and based on the current Masters odds, it is no wonder that there has been a feverish jump at the opportunity for betting.
Which tournaments pay the most?
Open Championship: $1.935 million to the winner with a $10.75 million purse
PGA Championship: $2.7 million with a $15 million purse
Masters: $2.07 million to the winner and a purse of $11.5 million
*most recent payouts
Those are some impressive payouts. But what did that look like in 1974?
In 1974, the PGA Tour's total purse was $250,000, and the winner, Jack Nicklaus, won a $50,000 wedge.
In today's money, that $50,000 is worth $266,748 and some change.
Who finished where, and what did they get paid?
Looking specifically at the top five players at TPC Sawgrass, here is where they finished and what they won.
Winner: Justin Thomas, 274/-14 $2.7 million
2: Less Westwood, 275/-13 $1.6 million
T3: Bryson DeChambeau, 276/-12 $885,000
T3: Brian Harman, 276/-12 $885,000
T5: Paul Casey, 277/-11 $579,375
T5: Talor Goosh, 277/-11 $579,375
The place in which each player finished will directly impact how people bet for the Masters. The odds will be adjusted based on the recent performance.
Justin was incredibly close to making history; however, even with his huge win, he came up short.
Literally by a few centimeters, Justin missed the chase to make all 18 greens in regulation. Something that hasn't been seen since 1983.
The Masters
Most often, the next time you see a golfer after the PGA Tour is at the masters.
The PGA Tour changes the odds for the Masters and gives golf enthusiasts a clearer idea of where to place their bets.
Significant changes of note:
- Tiger Woods was removed from the odds board due to a car accident.
- Brooks Koepka withdrew himself from the Players due to knee injury, which was disappointing after his Waste Management Pheonix Open win; while still on the favorites table, it is unsure if he will be there
- Justin Thomas leaping up the table to a sold third prediction
Currently, the top 5 on the favorites tables looks like this:
Dustin Johnson
Dustin is a strong contender and likely to come out with clubs swinging, as never before has a Masters champion been required to defend their title.
Bryson DeChambeau
Bryson already has three wins under his belt, including his first major. He has worked on his putting, which had been a concern.
Justin Thomas
His previous performances have been geared towards that Players win. Following the trend of his performances, it makes sense that he would win the Masters.
Jon Rahm
Jon's last three visits to Augusta have seen him firmly in the top 10. With such strong performances, it is a matter of time before he wins. Although the Master's last November wasn't his most exemplary performance, he is a strong contender.
Jordan Spieth
While the Players didn't demonstrate it well, Jordan is a strong contender. He has four consecutive top-15s, and that includes three top-fives.
Who else should you keep an eye on?
- Patrick Reed, having won previously, certainly has what it takes to win the Masters once more.
- Collin Morikawa and Tiger Woods have something in common. They have both won the WGC before the age of 25. If those are the footsteps you are following, then a win is on the cards.
Which golfers have won the most Masters?
- Jack Nicklaus has won the Masters 3 times, including the very first Masters
- While Tiger Woods has won the most money for the Masters, he is 1 win behind Jack Nicklaus
- Arnold Palmer has won the Masters 4 times
In 4th place are with three wins each is:
- Jimmy Demaret
- Sam Snead
- Gary Player
- Nick Faldo
- Phil Mickelson
Breakdown of the previous Masters purse
Most of the time, the Master purse will increase each year; however, it has remained the same for the previous two years.
$11.5 million.
That $11.5 pot gets broken down into a winning amount for each of the players. Those who are removed from the field get $10,000, and amateurs get nothing.
If you are wondering who has won the most money in golf from the Masters, then you won't be surprised to learn it is Tiger Woods.
Tiger Woods, the golfer extraordinaire, has earned a huge $9,494,136 from the Masters alone.
The purse for the Masters is usually announced during the tournament week, and we might see another surprise $10,000 for players who don't make it beyond the 36-hole cut.
The Masters is one of the most exciting golf events to watch and certainly to take part in. While the prize money is incredible, players are really going after two things.
The first coveted prize is the green jacket, and the other is going down in the Masters Golf Tournament history.