McIlroy's Masters odds shorten from 8/1 to 6/1

Rory McIlroy waves to the gallery on the third hole during the third round at the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, Calif. on Saturday, June 15, 2019. (Copyright USGA/Chris Keane)

Social distancing has not stopped punters from throwing their hard-earned cash at the bookies and while there is no news on a new date for the postponed Masters Tournament, Rory McIlroy is suddenly an even hotter favourite to win his first green jacket.

With the major tours currently suspended, authorities have been left with a puzzle of how to schedule the four major tournaments this year, with various sources speculating that Augusta National is considering October or November as a potential 2020 date, McIlroy is the fancied horse.

While he has five top 10s in 11 starts at Augusta National - all five coming in his last six starts — McIlroy has never finished better than fourth in the season’s opening major.

However, his brilliant form over the last six months has seen his odds shorten to 6/1 from 8/1 with BoyleSports to win the major he needs to complete the career Grand Slam.

Jon Rahm is 10/1 to become the fourth Spanish winner of the event after Seve Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal and Sergio Garcia.

Tiger Woods' chances of matching Jack Nicklaus' haul of sixth green jackets this year are rated at 14/1. Americans Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas have all attracted their usual band of supporters and sit at 14/1 alongside the reigning Masters champion. 

Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports said: “It'll be strange to see a Butler Cabin ceremony so late in the year if that's what comes to pass, but Rory McIlroy won't complain if he has to wait to win around Augusta for the first time. He was in solid form before the suspension and we're 6/1 from 8/1 about him wearing the green jacket this year whenever it takes place.”

The Masters 2020

6/1         R McIlroy

10/1       J Rahm

14/1       T Woods

14/1       B Koepka

14/1       D Johnson

14/1       J Thomas

22/1       X Shauffele

25/1       T Fleetwood

25/1       P Reed

25/1       A Scott

25/1       P Cantlay

28/1       J Rose

28/1       B DeChambeau

28/1       J Spieth

33/1 bar