Dustin Johnson proves fitness with three strong rounds in Houston

Masters week started with bookmakers sorting out their prices in the aftermath of the Houston Open, while also unveiling their fancy each-way terms for the final Major of the year.

The cancellation of the Open Championship and the Ryder Cup means the Masters has undisputed status as the most prestigious golf event of the year - and the layers are looking to generate further interest and turnover with their place offers.

Betfair, BoyleSports and Paddy Power are offering a fifth the odds, ten places, while nine payout spots are available with Hills. The competition for custom saw bet365 briefly dangle 14-1 Rory McIlroy on Monday morning, but the Northern Irishman's fans quickly devoured the quote as excitement builds towards his bid for a career Grand Slam.

US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau remains clear favourite, but Dustin Johnson laid down a late Masters marker by finishing second in the Houston Open. Johnson started the event slowly, but built a head of steam from Friday through Sunday, finishing two shots shy of ante-post 150-1 chance Carlos Ortiz.

Johnson, who was making his first start in Houston since testing positive for Covid-19 prior to the CJ Cup, proved his fitness with his 11-under-par effort at Memorial Park and double-figure Masters quotes are disappearing fast.

Brooks Koepka, who tied for fifth in Houston, can be backed at 16-1 for the Masters, while Hideki Matsuyama, tied second with Johnson on Sunday, has become a 30-1 chance.

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