Bryson DeChambeau fired a 7-under 65 to take the early lead at the Masters on Thursday, and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler — rather predictably — is right behind thanks to a 6-under 66.
Scheffler, already the overwhelming favorite at the start of the week, saw his odds to win shrink to a mere +140 at DraftKings and +150 at BetMGM once first-round play at Augusta National was suspended Thursday night. DeChambeau moved into the second spot at +550 and +600, respectively.
But despite the hot starts from these former major winners, the tournament is no two-horse race.
Related: The Masters TV schedule – Tee times, channels and more
Here are five players off the pace who can still rally to win the Masters — and whether their odds are enticing enough to bite.
Nicolai Hojgaard
By no means a household name, this 23-year-old from Denmark finds himself alone in third place at 5 under through 15 holes. It may be his first Masters start, but Hojgaard has experience in high-stakes events. Just last November, he won the DP World Tour Championship thanks to a final-round 64, fending off the likes of Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood.
Unfazed by Augusta so far, Hojgaard made three straight birdies for a memorable first trip around Amen Corner. No Masters debutant has won the green jacket since 1979, but at +3500 at DraftKings and +3300 at BetMGM, Hojgaard may be worth jumping on now in case his birdie binge continues Friday morning.
Max Homa
Playing in Tiger Woods’ group didn’t distract Homa as he joined a tie for fourth at 4 under through 13 holes. Homa racked up five birdies, making some slippery putts along the way, and will hope his flatstick stays hot when he returns to the course Friday.
Homa is among the best players in the world who’ve yet to win a major. Is he about to have his moment in the sun? He’s leapt to the third spot on DraftKings’ board at +1400 to win and is tied for third at BetMGM (+1600). Those aren’t long enough to make it worth the risk, but the fan favorite is absolutely worth keeping an eye on.
Related: Winners and losers from The Masters Round 1
Tyrrell Hatton
Hatton declared before the tournament that he had “no chance” to win. After that start, the betting community respectfully disagrees! The Englishman has five birdies through 14 holes but also bogeyed a pair of par-3 holes, leaving him in a tie for sixth at 3 under.
Hatton has produced steady results in his first season with LIV Golf, including a 5-under round or better in four of his five starts, but it was difficult to know how that would translate to major championship golf. Now Hatton has shot up the board to +2200 to win on DraftKings and a more worthwhile +2800 on BetMGM.
Will Zalatoris
Back surgery kept him out of last year’s Masters, but with a 2-under 70 Thursday, Zalatoris trumpeted his return to Augusta — where he placed second to Hideki Matsuyama in his debut in 2021 before a T6 in 2022. He made a terrific eagle at the 13th and went 4 under through 15 holes before a tough bogey-bogey finish.
With six top-10s in majors, Zalatoris’ breakthrough has long felt like a “when,” not an “if.” At +3300 at BetMGM and +3500 at DraftKings, he might be the best value pick on this list.
Also Read: Tiger Woods and The Masters – Everything You need To know
Rory McIlroy
The names at 1-under 71 include Hovland, Matt Fitzpatrick, Cam Smith, Patrick Cantlay and Tony Finau, but are you really going to ignore McIlroy here? The Northern Irishman, long desperate to end his major drought and complete the career Grand Slam, said patience and discipline would be key this week. He shook off a few early bogeys and righted the ship, a promising sign.
McIlroy missed the cut last year, but he generally plays better at the Masters as the tournament wears on. A six-shot deficit is a molehill, not a mountain. (But at +1600 at both BetMGM and DraftKings, it may be worth waiting to see if he starts slow Friday and his live odds lengthen to something a bit more bettable.)