This may be the most open Masters in history

Masters-2016

Who’s the favourite to win the Masters this year? 

Technically, the answer is Jason Day, priced at around 7/1 with most bookmakers. 

But the real answer is that there isn’t one. This year, perhaps for the first time ever, there is no discernible favourite to be picked from the field. 

“I don’t think that’s been the case in a major championship for a long, long time,” says Justin Rose, himself one of what you’d call at least a dozen definite contenders. “It tells you the depth and strength of the field.”

Along with Rose and Day, you’ve got Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson, Adam Scott, Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson and Louis Oosthuizen – and you could make an equally strong case for any one of them.

And that’s before you get to the likes of 2011 Masters winner Charl Schartzel, an in-form Patrick Reed, and 2015 Open champ Zach Johnson, who triumphed at Augusta in 2007. 

The absence of Tiger Woods will be sorely felt, but only adds to the feeling that this Masters is anyone’s for the taking. 

Some would say that last year’s winner, Jordan Spieth, is the man to watch. He’s not so sure. 

“There’s a lot of guys who have a lot of success here that really brought some strong finishes and motivation and some momentum into this week,” said Spieth. “He can be the favourite,” he added, when asked about new world number one Jason Day.

NEXT: The TG picks to win the Masters