It’s a huge week in golf with The Masters scheduled to begin on Thursday at Augusta.

Our preview offers a closer look at the betting favourites and some of the biggest contenders set to hit the course.

Current champ Tiger Woods will be looking to defend his title, but patchy recent form suggests that could be unlikely.

There’s an eager pack of younger challengers ready to take on Tiger and bag the iconic green jacket and $2.07 million winner’s prize.

Here are all the players you need to look out for this week.

Tiger Woods - 40/1

The 45-year-old reigning champion is still one of the biggest names in golf. However, he threw in a terrible performance last time out, missing the cut in the US Open at Winged Foot in September.

He’ll need a huge swing in his form if Tiger is to compete for the top spot in The Masters 2020.

Before anyone has teed off, the bookmakers certainly see Tiger as an outsider. To win, he’s 33/1 with Paddy Power and 40/1 with Bet 365.

Or, if you think Tiger’s going to have another stinker, he’s currently around 13/5 to miss the cut.

Bryson DeChambeau - 8/1

DeChambeau has been making waves with his unorthodox style and pumped-up frame. The young American reportedly put on 20kg of muscle to transform his game, adding a new level of power and precision to his play off the tee.

His average drive is now the longest on the PGA Tour at 320 yards. He bagged his first Major championship win in this year’s US Open, finishing six strokes ahead of Matthew Wolff.

He’s now widely accepted as the betting favourite to win The Masters, having seemingly found a whole new level of form.

He’s 8/1 across the board at time of writing.

Dustin Johnson - 10/1

Perennial contender and current number-one-ranked golfer Dustin Johnson is another key player heading into the tournament. He also has one Major championship win to his name – namely the 2016 US Open – having come close in several other Majors.

‘DJ’ has a great chance, but fluffed his lines last time out, missing a putt to catch Carlos Ortiz in the Houston Open. Since then, he’s had some mandatory time out after testing positive for coronavirus, meaning he comes into this Masters tournament fresh.

He’s seen as second favourite with bookmakers at 10/1.

John Rahm - 10/1

Currently the world number two, John Rahm has been a consistent contender in this tournament over the last couple of years, without ever quite threatening the top spot. Could it finally be his time?

He’s won twice since returning from lockdown and many golf fans feel it’s time for him to finally bag a Major.

Without meriting favouritism, he’s firmly in the chasing pack. Like DJ, he starts as a 10/1 shot.

Rory McIlroy - 12/1

The Northern Irishman is currently ranked fifth in the world, having slipped from the top spot since golf resumed post-lockdown.

The three-time champion has excelled in this tournament before, but needs to get the emotional side of his game under control, as Sir Nick Faldo told BBC Sport.

“Occasionally he throws a bad drive in,” Faldo said. “It starts technically and it affects him emotionally. I think he's the kind of guy who will hit a couple of bad shots and then get down.”

Currently, he’s a 12/1 shot with bookmakers.

Justin Thomas 12/1

The current world number three Justin Thomas just missed out on the Zozo Championship despite holding a three-shot lead going into the final day.

Patrick Cantlay racked up nine birdies, leaving Thomas to share second place with Spaniard and fellow contender John Rahm.

Thomas is seen as a strong contender in The Masters 2020, but will need to be at his sharpest.

Currently bookmakers see him as a 12/1 shot.

Xander Schauffele - 14/1

Currently ranked eighth, Schauffele finished second in The Masters 2019 and second in 2018’s Open Championship. Can he go one better this year and bag his first Major?

The bookmakers certainly see him as a live contender. His price has shortened significantly since betting on the tournament opened.

He was originally available at around 25/1 and now he’s part of the chasing pack, as a 14/1 shot.

Brooks Koepka - 16/1

Four-time Major winner Brooks Koepka scored well in the recent Houston Open and claims he is very happy with his form as he heads to Augusta.

Koepka told Golf.com: “Yeah, played good, played good the last two days… It was nice. Build some confidence, I guess, going into Augusta. Scoring well.”

At his best, Koepka is a huge threat. He’s suffered with knee-related issues across the 2020 season but looks to have recaptured some form in Houston. He’s a live 16/1 shot.

Collin Morikawa - 33/1

Morikawa’s rise is a remarkable one – having finished 2019 ranked 65th in the world, he’s now ranked number four.

The 23-year-old shocked the world when he beat Paul Casey and Dustin Johnson to take the 2020 PGA Championship.

Also notable is the fact that he started his PGA Tour career by making 22 consecutive cuts. Only Tiger Woods has surpassed that achievement.

The young Major-winner is one of the best value propositions, in the betting, outside of the main pack.