The Masters will not be taking place at its regularly scheduled time this week. Like everything else in the pro sports world, the PGA major event, originally scheduled for April 9-12, was postponed last month.
While events impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic remain to be a never-ending list, there is finally some positive news.
Statement from Chairman Ridley:
"We have identified Nov 9-15 as the intended dates to host the 2020 Masters. We hope the anticipation of staging the Tournament brings a moment of joy to the Augusta community and those who love the game."
Full details at https://t.co/rSr9YUhCX2 pic.twitter.com/1lVmbq8jzJ
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 6, 2020
This marks the first time since World War II (1943-45) that the Masters have been delayed or canceled.
And it’s not the only event getting a late start. Here is the updated PGA schedule:
The Open: cancelled
PGA Championship: Aug 6th-9th
US Open: Sept 17th-20th
Ryder Cup: Sept 25th-27th
The Masters: Nov 12th-15thThere is a new look to the Majors this year… https://t.co/ORUH0cviv0
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) April 6, 2020
FanDuel Sportsbook + Fox Bet NJ Masters odds
While there is still a seven-month wait, NJ sports betting customers don’t have to wait until the fall.
FanDuel Sportsbook and Fox Bet NJ have released the Masters betting odds on the 2020 outright winner.
Defending champion Tiger Woods is currently +1200. So is Brooks Koepka, who won the ’19 PGA Championship.
In terms of how the two golfers stack up against the rest of the field, here are the current odds:
| FanDuel Sportsbook | Fox Bet NJ |
|---|---|
| Rory McIlroy +600 | Rory McIlroy +650 |
| Jon Rahm +1100 | Jon Rahm +1100 |
| Brooks Koepka +1200 | Brooks Koepka +1200 |
| Tiger Woods +1200 | Tiger Woods +1200 |
| Dustin Johnson +1400 | Justin Thomas +1400 |
| Justin Thomas +1400 | Dustin Johnson +1600 |
| Patrick Cantlay +2200 | Xavier Schauffele +2200 |
| Xavier Schauffele +2200 | Adam Scott +2500 |
| Adam Scott +2700 | Patrick Cantlay +2500 |
| Jordan Spieth +2700 | Patrick Reed +2500 |
| Justin Rose +2700 | Bryson DeChambeau +2800 |
| Patrick Reed +2700 | Hideki Matsuyama +2800 |
| Tommy Fleetwood +2900 | Jordan Spieth +2800 |
| Bryson DeChambeau +2900 | Justin Rose +2800 |
| Tony Finau +2900 | Ricky Fowler +2800 |
| Bubba Watson +3100 | Tommy Fleetwood +2800 |
| Hideki Matsuyama +3100 | Bubba Watson +3300 |
| Jason Day +3300 | Jason Day +3300 |
| Ricky Fowler +3300 | Tony Finau +3300 |
Woods has won five green jackets, which puts him one behind Jack Nicklaus on the all-time list.
Dustin Johnson, Koepka and Xander Schauffele finished in a three-way tie for second (one stroke back) at last year’s Masters. Patrick Reed won the ’18 event.
What about other sporting events?
The PGA is the first of the major sports leagues to announce a revised schedule. The tour season will have one less major this year as a result of The Open being canceled.
It is with a heavy heart that we have to cancel The Open for the first time since WWII. We appreciate that this will be disappointing for a great many people but we have to act responsibly during this pandemic and it is the right thing to do.
Statement: https://t.co/brJfuOZSFP pic.twitter.com/iizOupOk4m— The Open (@TheOpen) April 6, 2020
The status of the NBA, MLB and NHL, meanwhile, remains in limbo.
The recent NBA playoff chatter included Atlantic City being mentioned as a possible location. But until the leagues start sharing updated schedules and logistics, the waiting game will continue.
In the short term, the NFL Draft, taking place April 23-25, will fill the immediate NJ sports wagering void.
And, before we know it, Woods will be back on the links.