2025 Masters First Round Leader Bets: Can Sepp Straka, Russell Henley Start Hot on Thursday?
2025 Masters First Round Leader Bets: Can Sepp Straka, Russell Henley Start Hot on Thursday?
The Masters is the first major of the 2025 PGA Tour season, so naturally, we're locked into finding the best First Round Leader bets to place ahead of Thursday's opening round at Augusta National Golf Club. There are a couple of different First Round Leader betting markets that we'll explore to increase our chances of making profit in Round 1.
PGA handicapper Matt MacKay is here with his favorite First Round Leader bets to tail at the Masters using the latest odds. Follow Matt's X account for more PGA betting analysis and free picks throughout the 2025 PGA Tour season.
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2025 Masters First Round Leader Odds
Click here for complete 2025 Masters Odds
2025 MASTERS DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: Thursday, April 10 - Sunday, April 13, 2025
- Time: 7:30 AM - 7:30 PM ET
- How to Watch: Masters.com, Masters app, Paramount+, CBS
2025 MASTERS FIRST ROUND LEADER BETS
First Round Leader Pick: RUSSELL HENLEY (+5000) Click here for the best First Round Leader Odds
Russell Henley is on my radar in a lot of different betting markets, including First Round Leader. Henley has only gone under 70 once in eight trips to Augusta National but this could be the year where the Georgia native starts hot.
Henley ranks fifth in Round 1 scoring average this season (68.43) and he's got plenty of confidence from his comeback win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Ranked sixth total strokes gained, including 22nd SG: Approach and 19th SG: Putting, Henley's also third at finding greens in regulation (72.8%) and sixth in proximity.
There's a lot to like about Henley's game right now and I think he'll have one of the best opening round performances at Augusta National on Thursday. Let's sprinkle a 0.10 unit wager on Henley's First Round Leader odds at +5000.
First Round Leader Pick: SEPP STRAKA (+6000) Click here for the best First Round Leader Odds
Another golfer who has produced a ton of circles on his scorecards in 2025 is Sepp Straka. The Austrian golfer won The American Express in January and has three top 10 finishes in 10 events.
Straka ranks 32nd in Round 1 scoring average (69.7) and seventh on the PGA Tour in total strokes gained. He's fifth SG: Approach, ninth in driving accuracy, and second at hitting greens in regulation. Straka is also second in proximity and scoring average, while sitting 19th for putting average.
At 60-1 odds, one more 0.10 unit sprinkle nets us six units of profit if Straka gets hot and climbs the leaderboard with his tee-to-green precision on Thursday.
First Round TOP 5 Finish: ZACH JOHNSON (+2800) Click here for the best First Round Leader Odds
Now we'll pivot to the End of Round 1 Top 5 Leader betting market and back 2007 Masters champion, Zach Johnson, at +2800 odds. Johnson is 11th on the PGA Tour in Round 1 scoring average this season and is very familiar with Augusta National, playing this major for the 21st time.
It's been a bit ugly for Johnson at the Masters since a T9 finish recorded in 2015. He's missed the cut five times in the last decade, including 2024 when he shot 76-75.
At 28-1, a 0.10 unit sprinkle is still warranted. Johnson is 12th SG: Putting, 16th in driving accuracy, and 36th proximity. Off-the-tee and on approach is where the veteran has been struggling, which is why we're only investing a small amount of our bankroll on this prop.
First Round TOP 5 Finish: COLLIN MORIKAWA (+550) Click here for the best First Round Leader Odds
Collin Morikawa has been playing phenomenal golf in 2025. Morikawa was contending for the outright win at the Masters last year before fading away due to a shaky putter.
Morikawa ranks 37th in Round 1 scoring average (69.8) and he's got one of the most impressive statistical resumés on the PGA Tour this season. He's ranked second in total strokes gained. This includes 12th SG: Off-the-Tee, first SG: Approach and proximity, ninth at finding greens in regulation, and 20th scrambling.
Morikawa is fourth in driving accuracy, fifth in putting average, fourth in scoring average, and first in birdie average this year. He's on top of his game right now and should be able to climb into a top-five finish by the end of Round 1 on Thursday.
Let's bet half a unit on Morikawa to card a top 5 finish in Round 1 at +550 odds.
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Matt is an avid writer, editor, and researcher. He enjoys analyzing the game within the game which is fantasy sports and sports betting. Music is another constant in his daily life. Matt loves spending time with his wife and three pets. He likes to read, listen to podcasts, and is constantly motivated to create the most accurate and engaging content in the sports betting industry.