The 2024 Masters promises a field full of elite golfers at the top of their games. Scottie Scheffler is the No. 1-ranked player in the world, while Jon Rahm will enter Augusta National Golf Club as the defending champion. If Rahm can finish on top of the 2024 Masters leaderboard, he'll be the first repeat champion since Tiger Woods in 2001-02.

Scheffler is the 13-4 favorite according to the latest 2024 Masters odds. Looking to complete his career grand slam, Rory McIlroy is next in line on the PGA odds board at 10-1, followed by Brooks Koepka (11-1) and Rahm (12-1). Woods is a massive 100-1 longshot in the latest 2024 Masters odds after opening at 75-1 and withdrawing from the tournament last year. The Masters 2024 begins on Thursday, April 11, from Augusta National Golf Club, where the latest 2024 Masters weather forecast is calling for rain for Round 1.

Before you consider any 2024 Masters picks, make sure you check out the 2024 Masters predictions and best bets from golf insider Patrick McDonald.

McDonald joined CBS Sports as a golf writer in 2022 after stops at NBC Sports and RyderCup.com. Covering the sport from a broader perspective, McDonald still likes to dip his toes into the betting pools on a weekly basis between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and more. Featured weekly on the Early Wedge, he has given out numerous winners already in 2024, including Jake Knapp (50-1) at the Mexico Open. 

Now, McDonald has scoured the 2024 Masters field for the best value and locked in his best bets and longshots to back. We can tell you that McDonald is high on Sam Burns, even though he's a massive 50-1 longshot! McDonald knows that Burns is a proven winner on the PGA Tour, having already racked up five career victories. He's also been on fire early this season, finishing 10th or better in four of his first five starts in 2024. 

"Burns isn't a player who has contended in a major championship in his career, but this season looks to be the time for him to do so," McDonald told SportsLine. "He enjoyed a really nice California swing with a near victory at The American Express in addition to top 10s at Riviera and Pebble Beach as well as a podium result at TPC Scottsdale."

McDonald is also jumping on an underdog who's had plenty of success at Augusta National, but is still listed at more than 100-1 to win it all! This player is a former major champion and McDonald notes this golfer's game is as "well-rounded as they come." If he can pull off a STUNNING victory, anyone who backs him would cash in HUGE! You ABSOLUTELY need to see who it is before locking in any 2024 Masters picks of your own!

So which 2024 Masters players should you target or avoid, and which golfer in the Masters 2024 field could bring a MONSTER payday of more than 100-1? ... Join SportsLine right now to see Patrick McDonald's top picks for the 2024 Masters, all from the expert up who's been red-hot on his PGA Tour picks, and find out!