2024 Masters First-Round Leader Picks: Updated Odds Amid Thursday's Weather Delay

As the first major of the 2024 golf season tees off on Thursday morning, there's no better way to start the week than with some early gratification via our Masters first-round leader picks and predictions based on the odds from our best golf betting sites.

The 2024 Masters tee times and pairings for the first and second rounds were released Tuesday afternoon. Erik van Rooyen and Jake Knapp will have the honor of leading the way for the 89-man field, but their opening tee time has been pushed back to 10:30 a.m. ET amid a weather delay at Augusta National Golf Course.

These tee times impacted the Masters odds ever so slightly, as rain delayed the tournament's start and wind is expected to be a factor during the first and/or second round of the tournament at Augusta National.

Be sure to monitor the forecast, but as of Wednesday, we're targeting the late morning/early afternoon wave for our 2024 Masters first-round leader picks.

Masters first-round leader odds

Note: The first-round leader market is decided once everyone in the field has completed their first 18 holes. This may be Friday morning in the event of a weather delay.

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Masters picks: 18-hole leader

Rory McIlroy

We've looked at McIlroy's Masters odds and our expert pick for the Northern Irishman, but this is another great chance to get action on the golfer with the second-shortest outright odds this week.

McIlroy ranks second to Scheffler in strokes gained: off-the-tee across the last 20 measured rounds for both golfers. The difference is that McIlroy has a sizable advantage in driving distance, and that'll come in handy when these two tee off (along with Xander Schauffele) at 10:42 a.m. ET on Thursday with the course expected to be at its softest for the week following the early-morning rain.

These +1800 imply a 5.26% win probability. That's added value from the best price of +1100 (8.33% probability) for McIlroy to win the tournament. A $10 bet would return a profit of $180.

Best odds: +1800 via bet365

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Shane Lowry

Lowry ranks second on the PGA Tour this season in Round 1 scoring average. He was also three shots off the lead at 4-under par after the first 18 holes last April.

We discussed Lowry at length in our Masters outright picks, but this gives one more chance to get in on the former major champion. He'll tee off Thursday at 12:24 p.m. ET as the course begins to firm up. We're not worried about him in more difficult conditions, as he ranks fourth among qualified golfers this season in SG: approach and will have an easier time than most navigating the tricky bounces off of Augusta National greens.

Best odds: +4500 via Caesars

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Cameron Young

Young was two back of the 18-hole lead in the 2023 Masters, and he went on to finish T-7 with a Sunday round of 4-under par 68. He's 33rd on the PGA Tour for the 2024 season in Round 1 scoring average

Young ranks just behind Lowry in SG: approach and is among the best in the field in SG: off-the-tee. He'll tee off at 1:12 p.m. ET for his first round in drier conditions. The wind will be picking up, but that's likely to benefit the back-to-back top 10 finisher in the British Open.

Best odds: +4500 via BetMGM

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2024 Masters betting pages

• Masters odds
• 2024 Masters prop picks & odds
• 2024 Masters outright picks
• Masters long-shot picks
• Masters power rankings
• Scottie Scheffler Masters odds & picks
• Rory McIlroy Masters odds
• Jon Rahm Masters odds
• Tiger Woods Masters odds
• Masters picks
• Masters prop bets
• Masters projected cut odds
• Best Masters moments for every hole

Masters weather

The weather forecast has cleared up for Augusta, Ga., ahead of Thursday's opening round of the 2024 Masters. Thursday was once calling for over an inch of rain, but that has been dialed back to an expected half inch on Thursday morning, and that's all the precipitation expected this week.

Winds may be another matter. Thursday and Friday call for gusts in excess of 20 mph.

When targeting the Masters pairings and tee times for your picks, the late Thursday morning/early Friday afternoon wave seems to be the preferred draw.

How to bet on golf

When betting on the Masters, it's essential to understand the various types of bets available, such as picking the outright winner, making each-way bets covering a win or top finish, or selecting head-to-head matchups between players. Additionally, consider proposition bets specific to Augusta National Golf Course, like predicting the number of birdies or eagles on certain holes, or betting on whether a player will hit the iconic "Golden Bell" on the 12th hole.

Once you've chosen the types of bets you're interested in, delve into research specific to the Masters and Augusta National. Analyze how players have performed historically at the Masters, paying close attention to their records at Augusta National Golf Course. Consider factors such as course conditions, which can vary greatly due to Augusta's undulating greens and challenging layout. Look at how players have navigated Amen Corner, the famous stretch of holes 11, 12, and 13, which can often make or break a player's chances of winning the tournament.

Additionally, keep an eye on any changes or renovations to the course, as these can impact player strategies and performances. By considering these factors alongside player statistics and recent form, you can make more informed betting decisions and increase your chances of success when betting on the Masters.

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