• Koepka backed by the bookies

    Brooks Koepka
    Brooks Koepka

    Brooks Koepka might share the first-round lead, but local bookmakers have installed him as the favourite to replace Patrick Reed as Masters champion come Sunday night.

    ROUND TWO TEE TIMES

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    Koepka opened with a 66 to share the lead with DeChambeau, who is third favorite now, according to bookmakers Betcoza.

    Between them is World No 2 Dustin Johnson, who opened with a 68 and is two off the lead. The bookmakers, though, are not making any bold predictions at this point with little to separate the trio.

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    Rounding out the top five is Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson. The former played in the penultimate group last year, but found the water at the par-5 15th hole to see his chances of a first Major dissolve.

    Mickelson is a three-time Green Jacket wearer and is bidding to become the oldest Major winner at the age of 48. He turns 49 in June.

    The current record is owned by Julius Boros, who was 48 and 140 days when he claimed the 1968 PGA Championship, while the mark at the Masters is 46 (Jack Nicklaus in 1986).

    Selected Masters odds:

    Brooks Koepka 4.75/1

    Dustin Johnson 5.50-1

    Bryson DeChambeau 6.50-1

    Jon Rahm 10.75-1

    Phil Mickelson 12.50

    Tiger Woods 15.00-1

    Rickie Fowler 16.50-1

    Rory McIlroy 23-1

    Louis Oosthuizen 49-1

    Justin Harding, Justin Rose, Xander Schauffele, Charley Hoffman 124-1

    Branden Grace 229-1

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