The 88th edition of The Masters is set to tee off Thursday, and some of golf's biggest stars will be in the field.

Among them will be Tiger Woods, who hasn't played since February's Genesis Open. The 48-year-old will compete this weekend, though, and he's bringing along veteran caddie Lance Bennett.

Bennett was also on the bag at the Genesis Open.

"We've had the same type of feels in how we look at the golf course and how we read putts, they're very similar," Woods said in February, per Joel Beall of Golf Digest. "I think it's a great—we're going to be a great team and look forward to the challenge."

While Woods' participation will add intrigue to The Masters, he won't be among the favorites in Augusta. Woods (+13000) has long odds to win it all, according to DraftKings, while Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy are the early betting favorites.

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Early Favorites for The Masters 2024

Scottie Scheffler +450

Rory McIlroy +1000

Jon Rahm +1100

Xander Schauffele +1600

Brooks Koepka +2000

Jordan Spieth +2200

*Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

Scheffler and McIlroy are the first- and second-ranked players in the World Golf Rankings, so their spots atop the favorites list are unsurprising. Of course, with the 2024 tournament rapidly approaching, plenty of golf experts have their own opinions about who will take home the green jacket this year.

Jacob Camenker of Sporting News believes Scheffler's spot among the favorites is justified.

"The World No. 1 golfer has won two of his last three tournaments and nearly made it three with a T-2nd finish at the Houston Open," Camenker wrote. "... His putting used to be a weakness compared to his tee-to-green game, but a change to a mallet putter appears to have him catching fire."

According to SportsLine's Sia Nejad, however, McIlroy is a favorite to fade this weekend. Nejad is much higher on Hideki Matsuyama, even though Matsuyama is a +2500 long shot:

"His Masters history is excellent and he's done it by showcasing elite ball striking. He's also starting to trend very well in the short game department and appears to have shaken off whatever nagging injuries ailed him over the last year."

Riley Hamel of GolfWeek views Brooks Koepka as an undervalued option for bettors.

"It's Brooks Koepka at a major championship. How is he not 12/1 or even 10/1?" Hamel wrote. "Koepka missed the cut at Augusta in 2022 and 2021, but he was hurt. Toss those finishes aside."

Koepka tied for second at Augusta last year and had top-10 finishes in three of the last five tournaments.

Naturally, it would be foolish to discount the defending champion, Jon Rahm, as Alex Myers of Golf Digest pointed out.

"He's the defending champ and he's finished in the top 10 in five of his last six starts," Myers wrote. "... While we'd give Scottie Scheffler a slight edge, Rahm at double the odds jumps him to the top spot"

Myers' case for doubting Rahm?

"He's got a lot going on that week including hosting the Champions Dinner."

Golf Monthly editor Neil Tappin believes Rahm is destined for a shining moment: "He'll be relishing the prospect of retaining his title after his move to LIV," Tappin wrote. "He's had a solid season so far and it's only a matter of time before he bursts through. What's more, his game is made for Augusta National. I'd be shocked if he wasn't in contention come Sunday."

History isn't on Rahm's side, though, as Woods was the last golfer to win The Masters in back-to-back years. He did it in 2001 and 2002.

Still, Augusta is the perfect backdrop for intrigue and surprise, so anything could happen. Regardless of who claims victory, fans are sure to be treated to a thrilling weekend of glorious golf.

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