Masters Betting
Golf`s first Major comes out way this week – the famed Augusta National will host the world`s best for a chance to be fitted with the Green Jacket. Augusta National is a par 72, featuring the full lineup of par 3s and par 5s, and will play 7,435 yards.
The 2014 Masters
Location: Augusta, Georgia, United States
Course: Augusta National
Date: Apr 10-13, 2014
Total Purse: US $ 8,000,000
Winner’s Share: US $ 1,440,000 (18% of total purse)
Golf Odds from Bovada
Defending Champion: Adam Scott ($1,440,000)
Length is important; hitting greens will be essential and top notch scrambling abilities as always will be an asset this week. A hot putter is nice but not paramount, provided the scrambling numbers are there. Driving accuracy is another stat that doesn`t seem as crucial as one would think.
So with all that in mind, who should we be keeping our eyes on this week? Let`s take a look.
The Favorites:
Adam Scott 9/1
Scott has been the most consistently solid golfer on the planet since his breakthrough win at Augusta last year – four wins and five more top fives since that remarkable Sunday. His record here is impressive as well – a T18-T2-T8-Win in his last four starts. Scott was last seen finishing third at Bay Hill so we know he is in fine form ahead of this week. It’s pretty hard to bet against Scott – let’s see if there are some more gems.
Rory McIlroy 9/1
We are still waiting for Rory to put four rounds together but he appears to be in good form ahead of this week – a final round 65 and a T7 at the Shell Houston Open has a lot of McIlroy supporters salivating! He has three top 25s at the Masters and if his driver shows up like it did last week, Rory is an automatic threat.
Phil Mickelson 12/1
Three time winner here came back from injury and finished a good T12 at Houston. Although he hasn’t been terrific this year Phil returns to arguably his favorite track this week looking to make a little noise.
The Contenders:
Jason Day 14/1
I love Day on this track – he scares me a tad this week however. He is coming off a thumb injury – who knows where he`s at with that? But he was solo third last year at the Masters and T2 in 2011 so course history is definitely on his side. Day is the sentimental favorite in his first start since winning the Match Play.
Matt Kuchar 20/1
Yikes! Kuchar, for the second straight tournament blew a lead only to lose with his second place finish in Houston. His finishing ability has me scared! He is as consistent as they come however and has the all around game to be near the top again. He has finished top 10 in his last two appearances at Augusta.
Dustin Johnson 22/1
Withdrew from the Shell Houston Open – sore back. Johnson has been terrific on TOUR this year and may be the best value on the board right now. He has finished top-4 in his last three events played and ranks first in par 5 scoring, second in par 4 scoring, second in driving distance and is tied for 13th in 3-putt avoidance. DJ enters in fine form and was T13 here last year.
Sergio Garcia 22/1
Garcia was in contention last week and now has 14 straight top 20s on TOUR – T8, T16 and solo third in his last three starts. Garcia has three top 10s at Augusta and was T8 here last year and enters this year in arguably his best career form. He ranks first in par 4 scoring, eighth in 3-putt avoidance and inside the top 35 in SGP, driving distance, proximity and approaches from over 200 yards – all important stats for Augusta.
Bubba Watson 25/1
The 2012 champion had a T2 at Doral which is a terrific measuring stick for Augusta. He has been on fire this year – a win and two T2s in previous three stroke-play starts. He withdrew at Bay Hill because of allergies but should be ready this week. Watson enters first in driving distance, fifth in 3-putt avoidance and ninth in par 4 scoring average – great numbers as we head to Augusta.
Justin Rose 28/1
Has made the cut all eight times he’s played here with two top 10s and another four top 25s but is coming off a MC at Bay Hill! He did finish T8 at Copperhead so we know his game isn’t a total disaster right now.
Zach Johnson 28/1
2007 champion hasn’t been great on this track since – no top 20 finishes in his last six appearances. He has been very good this year – a T6 at the Valero has brought about a sense of optimism for Mr. Johnson but his recent track record here has me looking elsewhere.
Brandt Snedeker 33/1
Finally starting to come on after a less-than-flattering start to his season. He had a T8 a Bay Hill and has finished inside the top 20 in his last five starts on this track.
Charl Schwartzel 35/1
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2011 Masters Champion is coming off a T19 at Houston and has eleven 20s in last 15 starts worldwide. He hasn’t done enough for me lately however.
Hunter Mahan 40/1
Hip and back injuries raise red flags for Mahan ahead of the Masters – his return to a T31 is another. He has played this track very well however – three top 12s in his last five appearances.
Jason Dufner 40/1
It’s pretty hard not to look at Duf on a tough track on the bigger stages. He hasn’t been tremendous this year but he does have top 15s in his last three events played on TOUR this season. He has finished between 20th and 30th in all three trips to Augusta but a hunch has me thinking he betters that this year.
Lee Westwood 40/1
Lee Westwood – where have you been? He had his best 2014 result last week – a T17 at Houston! But we all know that Westy will show up in the Majors – he may not win but he will certainly give it a run. He has three top 10s and a T11 in his last four trips here but enters in sketchy form this year.
The Sleepers (50/1 or higher):
Jimmy Walker 50/1
FedExCup points leader will play Augusta for the first time. He has been inside the top 25 in eight of nine starts on TOUR this year –as solid as they come so far.
Patrick Reed 60/1
If you listen to Reed – he should be the overwhelming favorite with Tiger on the sidelines! He has been very good this year – two wins and seven top 25s already. He plays this track for the first time looking to make a little more noise.
Graham DeLaet 66/1
Still waiting for that breakthrough – this week may be it! He remains at or near the top in almost every driving category and is a sneaky 66/1 this week. DeLaet WILL WIN sometime!
Harris English 66/1
Impressive rookie leads the TOUR in GIR and has to be mentioned because of that alone. He is also third in par 4 and fourth in par 5 scoring, and he did finish T16 at Doral.
Gary Woodland 100/1
Super sleeper – Woodland has finished inside the top 20 in his last three starts. His driver makes him a contender – let’s hope the rest of his game follows suit!
The Pick:
I am tempted to go with Matt Kuchar this week – he has been playing in the final groups the last two tournaments but common sense has set in.
Adam Scott at 9/1 is my pick. He has been the best golfer in the world for a year now – his eyes are clearly fixed on the prize. History and present form makes this an obvious pick.
My sleeper is Harris English at 66/1. He is a terrific ball striker and his putter is an excellent compliment.
