The highly anticipated first golf major of the year, the Masters, gets underway this week, with play beginning on Thursday lunchtime at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, USA.And Sky Bet are offering punters massive 50/1 odds on Rory McIlroy to make a birdie on Thursday’s opening round, an offer which can be claimed by following this link*.Sky Bet: Get 50/1 on McIlroy to make a birdie in Round 1 – CLAIM HERE*McIlroy completed a historic career Grand Slam with his win at Augusta last year on his 17th attempt.He has made a solid start to the current season, including top-three finishes at the Dubai Invitational and the Genesis Invitational, though he struggled in his latest outing, finishing tied 46th at The Players Championship four weeks ago.World number one Scottie Scheffler arrives at Augusta as the favourite to claim victory on Sunday evening.The American is aiming to secure his third Masters title, having previously triumphed in 2022 and 2024. He began the year in strong form, recording three top-five finishes at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the Phoenix Open and the American Express, winning the latter.Despite that early success, the 29-year-old four-time major champion has not finished inside the top 10 in his last three events and has placed outside the top 20 in his previous two outings. However, he heads to Georgia well rested, having not competed since finishing tied 22nd at The Players Championship.Former Masters champion Jon Rahm is second favourite to claim the green jacket this weekend. The Spaniard has been in impressive form on the LIV Golf tour this year, finishing inside the top five in all six events since the start of the season. His run includes four runner-up finishes and a victory in Hong Kong at the beginning of last month.DeChambeau, a two-time US Open champion, has yet to better a tied-fifth finish at the Masters, which he achieved last year despite beginning the final round in second place. The 32-year-old has been in dominant form on the LIV circuit this year, arriving at Augusta on the back of consecutive victories in Singapore and South Africa.Meanwhile, fellow American Xander Schauffele, who claimed both the PGA Championship and The Open in 2024 but is still chasing his first Masters title, has recorded three top-10 finishes in his last four starts. Highlights include a third-place finish at The Players Championship and a tied fourth at the Valspar Championship more recently.2026 Masters champion odds (Sky Bet):Scottie Scheffler – 13/2Jon Rahm – 11/1Bryson DeChambeau – 12/1Ludvig Aberg – 14/1Rory McIlroy – 14/1Xander Schauffele – 14/1Cameron Young – 22/1Matt Fitzpatrick – 25/1Tommy Fleetwood – 25/128/1 BARHow to watch the Masters TournamentLocation: Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia, USADate and time: Thursday 9th – Sunday 12th April 2026How to watch: Sky Sports GolfAll odds correct at time of writing.Sky Bet: Get 50/1 on McIlroy to make a birdie in Round 1 – CLAIM HERE*Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. TandCs apply. Begambleaware.orgRemember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.begambleaware.orgFor help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.*New customers only. £5 minimum deposit. Qualifying £1 bet on ‘Mcilroy 1+ Birdies in Round 1’ market only. First £1 single bet only. 5 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets are non-withdrawable. 14 Day free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further T&Cs apply.