2018 Masters: predictions, betting odds and live TV details

Apr 3, 2018

It’s April and for golf fans that means only one thing - the Masters at Augusta

Rob Carr/Getty Images

The 2018 Masters starts on 5 April at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, US

The 2018 Masters, the first golfing major of the season, will be played this week at the Augusta National Golf Club.

Leading up to the tournament, which runs from 5 to 8 April, we’ve seen Tiger Woods roar back to form, Rory McIlroy return to winning ways and Ian Poulter secure a late entry after his triumph at the Houston Open.

To say that this year’s Masters is wide open would be an understatement. Each day the bookies’ favourite changes and today the name at the top of the odds list is American star Jordan Spieth, a Masters winner in 2015.

Spain’s Sergio Garcia returns to the course where he saw success in 2017 while Justin Rose and Paul Casey fly the flag for Europe. American hopes will rest on Spieth, Justin Thomas and Dustin Johnson.

McIlroy is seeking a Masters victory to complete a career Grand Slam after winning the US Open (2011), the Open (2014) and the PGA Championship (2012 and 2014). While Sky Sports says that the Northern Irishman is “refusing to put pressure on himself” at Augusta, columnist and coaching supremo Butch Harmon believes McIlroy’s win at Bay Hill last month “was huge for his confidence going into the Masters”.

In this 2018 Masters event guide we look at the pundit predictions, UK live TV schedule and latest betting odds.

2018 Masters Tournament event guide

When: 5-8 April 2018
Where: Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia
Defending champion: Sergio Garcia
Official website: masters.com

What time does each day’s play start?

The United Kingdom is five hours ahead of the US state of Georgia meaning each round will tee off at around 1pm UK time. Radio Times reports that strict coverage restrictions mean that UK viewers will not be able to watch the whole tournament live.

Why do the caddies wear white overalls?

Caddies at the Masters are easy to spot - keep an eye out for the guys in the white boiler suits and green hats. But why do the Masters caddies wear this uniform? Golf Monthly explains: “Until the 1983 US Masters tournament, all the caddies at the Masters were provided by the host club, Augusta National. Players were not allowed to bring their own caddie. When it changed this policy, the Masters Tournament Committee still required all visiting caddies to wear the traditional uniform of the club’s own caddies. This uniform thus became a tradition - and Augusta National does like its traditions.”

2018 Masters predictions: who will win?

Mike Stachura, Golf Digest: “The winner of the Masters this year will be a familiar face. A man on the comeback trail, a man recovering from injury and personal turmoil, a man with a hot start to 2018. By now you know who I’m talking about, a real feel-good winner to this year’s Masters. That’s right: Paul Casey.”

Josh Sens, contributing writer, GOLF: “Justin Rose. He’s in great form and has a great track record at a course where past performance means so much. We’ll end up looking at last year’s painfully close call as the necessary prelude to his getting it done at 11 under.”

Dylan Dethier, associate editor, GOLF.com: “We’re not going to see the old Tiger Woods, but we’ll see the new one will his way around the course to victory.”

Jeff Ritter, digital development editor, GOLF.com: “I’ve also been on [Justin] Rose for a while, but now that we’re here, I have this funny feeling about [Rory] McIlroy. He’s had terrible mojo at Augusta ever since his crackup on Sunday in 2011, but at some point he’s bound to win on a course that plays straight into his strengths… isn’t he?”

Alan Shipnuck, senior writer, GOLF: “I am recusing myself because once you make a pick you have to keep rooting for it to come true, no matter what else is happening. There are so many great storylines I just want to let myself get swept away in the excitement.”

Alec Brzezinski, Sporting News: “Tiger Woods is again relevant on the PGA Tour, but he will not win the 2018 Masters. He shouldn’t even be listed among the favourites. Guys like Dustin Johnson, Jason Day, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and Hideki Matsuyama are also more likely to win the Masters this year than Woods.”

Craig Middleton, National Club Golfer: “This is one of the toughest years to pick a Masters winner, but I’ll go for [Justin] Thomas - he’s the best player in the world right now.”

James Savage, National Club Golf: “Rory McIlroy. It’s different this year and he’s still the best player in the world when on top form.”

How to watch the 2018 Masters

Sky Sports and the BBC will have live coverage from the 2018 Masters.

Tomorrow: Sky Sports will show live Masters On The Range coverage from 2pm followed by the Masters Par 3 event at 7pm.

Thursday and Friday: coverage of the Masters first and second rounds is live on Sky Sports starting at 7pm UK time. BBC Two will also show an hour’s worth of highlights on Friday from 5.45pm to 6.45pm.

Saturday: Sky Sports will show live coverage of Saturday’s third round at 7pm. BBC Two’s coverage starts at 7.30pm.

Sunday: the final round from Augusta will be shown live on Sky Sports (6pm start) and on BBC Two (6.30pm start).