Though the 2014 Masters Tournament is still over two months away, odds-makers didn't take long to anoint 14-time Major Champion and four-time Masters champ Tiger Woods as the early favorite. Currently holding 5-1 odds following a T-4 finish at the 2013 major tournament, the 38-year-old California native is viewed by many as the most likely winner at this year's highly anticipated tournament. Woods was in contention for most of last year's tournament but a second round 73 followed by back-to-back rounds of 70 weren't enough to keep pace with eventual winner Adam Scott, who won his first Major Championship in a playoff over Angel Cabrera.
In his last 10 appearances at the prestigious tournament, Tiger Woods has finished in the top six eight times while finishing in the Top 40 the remainder of the time. As he looks to claim his fifth Green Jacket and creep closer to Jack Nicklaus' all-time Major Championship record of 18, Woods will have to fend of a talented field that includes major champions in Rory McIlroy -- who currently holds the second-best odds at 10-1 -- 2013 British Open champ and five-time major winner Phil Mickelson (12-1), 2013 Masters champ Adam Scott (14-1), 2013 U.S. Open winner Justin Rose (22-1) and 2013 FedEx Cup Champion Henrik Stenson (14-1) among others.
34-year-old Sergio Garcia -- who owns eight career PGA Tour victories but no major titles -- currently holds 40-1 odds to wear the Green Jacket. El Niño's best finish at the Masters came in 2004 when he finished in a tie for fourth. 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson holds an early line of 50-1 while past major winners Keegan Bradley (40-1), Graeme McDowell (50-1) and Webb Simpson (50-1) hold lower odds as well. 2013 runner-up and 2009 Masters champion Angel Cabrera is slated at an early 66-1 line.
The 2014 Masters Tournament begins on Thursday, April 10 from the famed Augusta National Golf Club in August, Georgia.
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