Masters longshot picks: Best bets in the field with longest odds
The Masters has always loved the underdog narrative.
There was a 46-year-old Jack Nicklaus silencing Father Time in 1986, and there was Larry Mize's improbable chip-in against Greg Norman in 1987. Zach Johnson defied the odds in 2007, and Trevor Immelman followed a year later by wearing the Green Jacket.
Who could forget a 43-year-old Tiger Woods uniting the golf world to break an 11-year major drought in 2019?
For every Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler there's been a Charl Schwartzel and Angel Cabrera doing the improbable. Who'll be this year's longshot to cause a Sunday stir? These candidates below have as good a chance as anyone.
If you're looking for a Masters prediction for someone with long odds, try these four players.
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Masters longshot picks, predictions
Si Woo Kim (+8000)
After missing the cut in his inaugural Masters, Kim has been the model of consistency since 2018 with T24, T21, T34, T12 and T39 appearances. What he lacks in length off the tee is made up for with a top-five driving accuracy. He's also 11th in strokes gained of the tee and fourth in strokes gained tee-to-green, where he is top five in avoiding three-putts.
If he can get a few more putts to fall, Kim can easily be in the Green Jacket hunt this weekend.
Akshay Bhatia (+10000)
It'll be a full-circle moment for the 22-year-old, who returns to Augusta National 10 years after competing in the inaugural Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals at Augusta National. Last week's Valero Texas Open title punched his ticket and, from initial optics, he's not a novelty act.
A peak into the stats reveals he belongs. In 2024, Bhatia ranks top five in scoring average and in strokes gained with the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Wyndham Clark. He's also 13th in greens in regulation, 12th in driving metrics and third in proximity to the hole on approach shots. Simply put, from tee to green everything is clicking. Don't be surprised if he rides this wave and comes out low on Thursday.
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Rickie Fowler (+12500)
You'd be hard-pressed to find a better underdog story than Fowler, who fell so far down the world golf ranks that he didn't even qualify for the Masters the last three years. Long known as the best player without a major, Fowler has finished 2, T5 and T9 at Augusta National, three of his 13 top-five finishes at majors since 2011.
Through a reunion with Butch Harmon, Fowler is back. One major win, like Fred Couples, would cement his legacy. The +12500 odds are too good to pass up.
Phil Mickelson (+20000)
At 50 years old, he captured the PGA Championship. Why not the Masters at 53?
Phil loves Augusta National and Augusta National loves him, the two joined by Masters wins in 2004, 2006 and 2010 and an astounding 16 top-10 finishes. That includes a T2 last year at the age of 52. His controversial exit to LIV Golf mixed with his age has quieted the hype, but no one will be surprised if – or when – he's in contention on Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Masters longshot picks, predictions: Best bets in field, with long odds
