Augusta National Golf Club was a different experience in November, and the 2021 Masters will feature firm fairways and a select number of patrons when the event tees off Thursday, April 8. The softer landing spots at the 2020 event gave the long hitters the advantage, and red-hot Dustin Johnson seized his chance, cruising to a five-stroke victory at a record 20-under. He will try to join Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Nick Faldo as the only players to win the Masters Tournament in consecutive years.William Hill Sportsbook lists the defending champion as the 8-1 favorite in its latest 2021 Masters odds. Others from the 2021 Masters field high up on the PGA odds board include reigning U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau (9-1), Justin Thomas (11-1), Jon Rahm (11-1), Rory McIlroy (14-1) and Jordan Spieth (14-1). Before you lock in any 2021 Masters picks or PGA Tour predictions, you have to see who Sal Johnson is backing.A media legend and consummate golf insider, Johnson has a strong feel for what it takes to win at Augusta National. He was all over Dustin Johnson before the 2020 Masters, and even he had Woods as a shocking pick the previous year.Before November’s event, he tabbed Johnson as the top choice in his best bets. “When he gets on a roll like this, he is nearly impossible to beat,” the golf guru told SportsLine. “He is a man with a purpose, and that is to win another major.” Johnson simply ran away with the event, leading wire-to-wire and winning by five shots for his second major championship.
Even more stunning, Sal Johnson was on top of Woods before his emotional comeback victory in 2019. He featured Woods in his best bets despite the 15-time major winner coming off back surgery. Johnson noted Woods’ tee-to-green game looked almost as sharp as it did in his prime. “And this will be the reason for him winning.” The result? Woods shot 13-under to earn his fifth green jacket.The golf expert knows these players and how they fit the courses. At the Arnold Palmer Invitational last month, he singled out DeChambeau as his top choice to win before he took his second victory of the year.He also knows when surging players are poised for a breakthrough. He tabbed Sungjae Im as a top contender before his first Tour win at the Honda Classic last season and touted Tyrell Hatton to get his first tour victory the following week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Anyone who has followed Johnson’s advice has cashed in huge.