Masters 2024 predictions, odds, picks, props: Golf insider backing Sam Burns at Augusta National

The first golf major of the season is rapidly approaching as the 2024 Masters takes place April 11-14 at Augusta National Golf Club. Jon Rahm will try to become the fourth golfer to earn back-to-back green jackets after finishing four strokes ahead of Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson last year. Should your 2024 Masters picks include backing Rahm to win his second consecutive green jacket, or should you look elsewhere for value? 

According to the latest 2024 Masters odds, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy are 17-2 co-favorites. Rahm is next in line on the PGA odds board at 11-1, followed by Viktor Hovland (15-1), Jordan Spieth (19-1), Koepka (21-1) and Patrick Cantlay (21-1). Before locking in any 2024 Masters picks or golf predictions, you need to see what proven golf betting expert Patrick McDonald has to say, considering his recent track record.

McDonald joined CBS Sports as a golf writer in 2022 after stops at NBC Sports and RyderCup.com. Covering the sport from a broader perspective, McDonald still likes to dip his toes into the betting pools on a weekly basis between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and more. Featured weekly on the Early Wedge, he has given out numerous winners already in 2024, including Jake Knapp (50-1) at the Mexico Open. 

Now, McDonald has focused his attention on the 2024 Masters field and has locked in his best bets, top sleepers and favorites to avoid. You can see only see them at SportsLine.

Top 2024 Masters expert picks

One stunning prediction from McDonald: He is high on Sam Burns, even though Burns is a 55-1 longshot. McDonald knows that Burns is a proven winner on the PGA Tour, having already racked up five career victories. He's also been on fire early this season, finishing 10th or better in four of his first five starts in 2024. 

Burns is a well-rounded player who has shown consistency in multiple areas of his game. The 27-year-old entered March ranked seventh in strokes gained off the tee (0.692), 14th in strokes gained putting (0.736) and 20th in greens in regulation (73.70%). Those impressive statistics are a big reason why Burns averaged 5.05 birdies per round through his first five tournaments, which ranked 12th on tour. 

"Burns isn't a player who has contended in a major championship in his career, but this season looks to be the time for him to do so," McDonald told SportsLine. "He enjoyed a really nice California swing with a near victory at The American Express in addition to top 10s at Riviera and Pebble Beach as well as a podium result at TPC Scottsdale." See who else to back here.

How to make 2024 Masters picks, bets

McDonald is also jumping on an underdog who's had plenty of success at Augusta National but is still listed at nearly 100-1 to win it all. You can only see his 2024 Masters picks at SportsLine.

So, which players should you target or avoid for the 2024 Masters, and which proven golfer in the Masters 2024 field could bring a monster payday of almost 100-1? Check out the odds below then visit SportsLine to see Patrick McDonald's top picks for the Masters 2024, all from the expert who has been red-hot on his PGA Tour picks this season and find out.

2024 Masters odds, field 

Rory McIlroy +850
Scottie Scheffler +850
Jon Rahm +1100
Viktor Hovland +1500
Jordan Spieth +1900
Brooks Koepka +2100
Patrick Cantlay +2100
Cameron Smith +2400
Will Zalatoris +2400
Ludvig Aberg +2400
Justin Thomas +2800
Xander Schauffele +2800
Collin Morikawa +3100
Joaquin Niemann +3100
Hideki Matsuyama +3400
Bryson DeChambeau +3600
Dustin Johnson +3600
Cameron Young +4400
Jason Day +4400
Tony Finau +4400
Max Homa +4400
Tommy Fleetwood +4800
Min Woo Lee +5000
Sam Burns +5500
Matt Fitzpatrick +5500
Sahith Theegala +5500
Wyndham Clark +5500
Shane Lowry +6000
Sung-Jae Im +6500
Tom Kim +7500
Tyrrell Hatton +7500
Patrick Reed +8500
Rickie Fowler +8500
Justin Rose +9000
Corey Conners +9000
Adam Scott +9000
Brian Harman +12000
Tiger Woods +12000
Russell Henley +12000
Jake Knapp +12000
Nicolai Hojgaard +13000
Keegan Bradley +16000
Phil Mickelson +16000
Si Woo Kim +16000
J.T. Poston +16000
Sergio Garcia +16000
Ryan Fox +16000
Thorbjorn Olesen +16000
Eric Cole +16000
Matthieu Pavon +16000
Erik van Rooyen +16000
Gary Woodland +19000
Chris Kirk +19000
Nick Dunlap +19000
Cameron Davis +19000
Adrian Meronk +19000
Sepp Straka +19000
Nick Taylor +19000
Emiliano Grillo +19000
Luke List +21000
Adam Hadwin +21000
Harris English +24000
Charl Schwartzel +28000
Bubba Watson +28000
Kurt Kitayama +28000
Danny Willett +28000
Ryo Hisatsune +28000
Denny McCarthy +28000
Lee Hodges +35000
Taylor Moore +43000
Adam Schenk +43000
Lucas Glover +43000
Grayson Murray +55000
Christo Lamprecht +55000
Santiago De La Fuente +65000
Neal Shipley +65000
Stewart Hagestad +85000
Jasper Stubbs +85000
Zach Johnson +100000