Does Rory McIlroy Benefit The Most From The Masters Rain Delay?

• The Masters has been postponed due to inclement weather in the area. The course officials are hoping to resume play at 10:30 am ET.
• Current odds have Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson as co-favorites at +750 odds, followed by Jon Rahm (+1000) and Justin Thomas (+1100).

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The 2020 Masters Tournament is officially under a rain delay. The tournament “Unlike Any Other” was set to begin at 7:55 a.m. ET Thursday morning in Georgia, before bands from the nearby Hurricane Eta distributed scattered storms throughout the area of the golf course.

Fans and competitors knew it was going to be a wet start to this year’s Masters, but were hoping to be able to play through instead of push the already packed schedule back.

However, a flash flood watch was issued by the National Weather Service at 7:48 a.m. EST Thursday morning, with three inches of rain predicted for Augusta.

We've expanded the Flash Flood Watch to include our entire area - until 7p this evening. Expecting a wide area of 2-6" of rain today, which could lead to flash flooding. If you come across a flooded roadway - turn around, don't drown! #scwx #gawx pic.twitter.com/MUqiJq9lPC

— NWS Columbia (@NWSColumbia) November 12, 2020

The goal is to still get each threesome on the course and playing before the sun sets. Due to the Fall start time of the Masters coming after daylight savings time, the sun sets in Georgia around 5:30 p.m. EST.

Not all was lost Thursday morning however, as Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player were able to hit their opening tee shots, which traditionally signal the official beginning of play each year at the Masters.

This morning Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player continued the Honorary Starter tradition that began in 1963. #themasters pic.twitter.com/sDC20f1avp

— The Masters (@TheMasters) November 12, 2020

Shortly after, play was able to begin. Unfortunately, the pageantry was cut short as players were soon called off of the course as the horn was sounded.

According to the leaderboard, nine players were able to finish at least one hole before the suspension.

Those betting on the Masters are no doubt following these events closely, with many wondering if this will affect their betting picks for the weekend.

Odds for the overall winner of the tournament are still available on all of the major online sportsbooks.

While the odds currently remain unchanged, some pundits have noted that certain players perform better historically in unpleasant conditions.

One of which is Rory McIlroy, whose four major championships have all come in tournaments that have been delayed or postponed due to weather.

Another important nugget is how this will affect first-round performance. After all, the last 14 Masters champions have all shot under par in the first round. Each of those winners was also no worse than tied for 11th following the first day of competition.

The last Masters winner to shoot over par in the first round was none other than defending champion Tiger Woods in 2005. Woods shot a 74 on the first day but went on to win the green jacket over Chris DiMarco in a playoff.

The tournament has just resumed at 10:30 a.m. ET, where betting favorite Bryson DeChambeau will be amongst the first groups to tee off.