Master Special Bets: First Round Leader, Top Left-Hander, and Hole-In-One
The Masters 2026 tees off at Augusta National this week. Filmogaz.com has compiled staff picks, Baz Plummer’s best bets, and a set of sleeper ideas for bettors.
First-round markets and early leader choices
Justin Rose is a headline pick for early-round glory. He led after the opening round at The Masters last year and owns a record five first-round leads at Augusta. Rose is 45 and added a wire-to-wire win at Torrey Pines this season.
He lost a playoff to Rory McIlroy last year and will look to start fast. Bookmakers list him at +2800 (28/1) to be first-round leader. There is also a +750 (15/2) price for Rose to finish inside the top five after round one. This section highlights Master Special Bets: First Round Leader for readers exploring that market.
Bryson DeChambeau is another notable first-week contender. He has won consecutive LIV Golf events recently. DeChambeau finished sixth and fifth at the last two Masters. BetMGM offers +450 (9/2) for him to lead or share the lead after any completed round.
Top finishers, sleepers and big-name form
Ludvig Aberg is recommended for a top-five finish. He recently lost a final-round lead at The Players Championship. Aberg finished fifth at the Valero Texas Open and posted finishes of 5-5-3 in his last three starts. BetMGM quotes +335 (10/3) for a top-five at Augusta.
Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau are cited among tournament favorites. They are both prominent in betting lists. Scottie Scheffler faces personal news and a minor dip in form. Rory McIlroy is noted as handling defending champion duties.
Top Australasian pick
Jason Day is proposed as a dark-horse selection in the Australasian market. Min Woo Lee is the market favorite. Day finished eighth at The Masters last year and has five top-10s at Augusta. He was runner-up on debut in 2011 and placed sixth in his last PGA Tour start. BetMGM prices Day at +350 (7/2) in the top-Australasian market.
Top left-hander competition
The left-handed contest at Augusta draws interesting contrasts. Brian Harman has missed three cuts in four starts at the venue. Robert MacIntyre is a market favorite after a near miss at the Valero Texas Open. He posted second and fourth in his last two events.
Akshay Bhatia also features in the duel against MacIntyre. Bhatia missed a cut in India but has a Bay Hill victory this season. He made both cuts in his two prior Masters appearances. Bhatia ranks eighth in Strokes Gained: Approach on the PGA Tour. MacIntyre sits near 123rd in the same metric. Emotions from narrowly missing a win in Texas could influence form. BetMGM lists Bhatia at +225 (9/4) for the Top Left-Hander market.
Hole-in-one outlook and par-3 history
Bookmakers are backing an ace at Augusta. The Hole-In-One market is priced around -150 (4/6). The Masters has now gone three tournaments without an ace. The last hole-in-one came in 2022, when Stewart Cink aced the 16th hole.
Between 2016 and 2022 there was at least one ace in six of those seven tournaments. The 16th hole has produced multiple aces in recent renewals, including three aces in 2016 and two in 2019. Shane Lowry recorded one of those aces in 2016 and has carded another this season. The PGA Tour saw 25 holes-in-one last season. Historically, the 16th has yielded 24 aces, while the other three par-3s combined for 10.
Filmogaz.com will track betting markets and late changes through the week. Check the site for updated odds and expert notes.
