The Masters 2020: The best bets at the halfway stage at Augusta

We are almost halfway through the Masters at Augusta National Golf Course, with Thursday’s spell of rain and thunder putting us a little behind schedule. But who cares about punctuality when the golf is this damn good!

At the time of writing we have a four-way tie for the lead between Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, and Abraham Ancer who are all at 9-under-par.

In the last six years, four green jacket winners were leading after 36 holes which is a positive sign for one of those men, but the big question is who?!

Can DJ overcome the curse of being World No. 1?

World No. 1 Dustin Johnson was second favourite in the market at +750 before the tournament began and can now be backed at +450. At one point DJ threatened to run away with it on Friday with some exquisite golf but back-to-back bogeys on the 14th and 15th hole bought him back to the pack, after three consecutive birdies.

DJ’s biggest concern might be the curse of being World No. 1, as only three players have won the green jacket while ranked No. 1 in the world: Tiger Woods in 2001 and 2002, Fred Couples in 1992, and Ian Woosnam in 1991.

Thomas the best in-play bet

Justin Thomas is +600 after starting the event at +1100 and he may be the best shot at this stage for those in-play bettors. JT had to play 27 holes on Friday after getting delayed on Thursday and that will have taken its toll, but Thomas still sits on top of the leaderboard. In Round 3 he will be coming in fresh and that could be a difference maker. His short game is just spectacular.

Will the green jacket go down under?

Aussie Cameron Smith was fifth in the Masters in 2018 and will fancy himself to be in the mix again after finishing on top after 36 holes. Finishing with an eagle and three birdies was an excellent way to sign off, and he is still +2000 in-play after being +6600 before we teed off. Smith hit a final round 66 in that 2018 Masters so a big day on Sunday is not beyond him.

Ancer will feel the heat of being a rookie

Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 is the only rookie to win the Masters so that is a huge red flag against Mexican golfer Abraham Ancer. He shot a 67 on Friday, but the record of debutants at Augusta is enough to put me off even at +2200. Last year, Louis Oosthuizen was top of the leaderboard after 36 holes and fell to finish 29th. A similar drop is more likely for Ancer than him going on to win this event.

Rahm is in fine form

John Rahm is yet to finish his second round due to the fading light, but the Spaniard is only one shot off the lead with a birdie chance on 13 when they come back. He could well top the leaderboard officially at half-way and that is why he is the +335 favourite in-play. Great news for anyone who followed me in at +900.

In the last six years only once has somebody won the Masters after being more than one shot off the lead at half-way, and that was Danny Willett after the Jordan Spieth meltdown in 2011. So that keeps a whole host of players at -8 in with a chance, including Patrick Cantlay +1200 and Hideki Matsuyama at +1600.

Overall if you have backed Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, or John Rahm pre-tournament you’re probably sitting very pretty right now. Anyone who took an each-way bet on Cameron Smith must also be delighted, a lot more so than bettors on Bryson DeChambeau, who was the +700 favourite and in real danger of getting cut.

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Get in the swing of things with BetAmerica's odds and props for the 2020 Masters.