Tips for the US Masters in Augusta
On April 8th, 2010, the US Masters opens in Augusta and this promises to be the biggest golf betting event in the history of the sport and by far the largest with regard to media interest. Yes folks, that’s right. Tiger Woods makes his much anticipated comeback and obviously the the tournament odds have accounted for his inclusion as favourite. There is value betting to be found for Masters more than any other golf tournament.
Key Betting Tips
In recent years the course has been lengthened and this had a somewhat unexpected effect that many bookmakers have yet to wise up to. The long course, when dry, really suits right-handed long hitters who hit a high draw shot as well as long hitting left-handers with a fade.
The usual rules apply around the greens. You must be putting well to win the US Masters. If the course is dry then the greens will be fast and firm and short hitters will struggle to hold the green on the longer holes if they are coming at them with anything higher than a six iron. If the rain falls then a lot of the short hitters come back into the betting as they will be able to hit and hold the greens with the lower irons. The one constant in all of this is that the course still favours a draw shot off the tee.
Players To Watch
So who exactly does hit a high draw shot on tour these days? There are 4 players who do it consistently well and only 3 of them are playing this week. Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Kenny Perry play Augusta this weekend and, unfortunately, Brandt Snedeker misses out in what is undoubtedly his best chance to win a major championship.
Left-handed fade hitters should also be favoured in the betting this week. Phil Mickelson is the obvious one but Steve Flesch is the lesser known danger.
Genie is going to load up for a retirement fund this weekend in the hope that the tournament goes to one of Kentucky’s finest sons; Kenny Perry. Let me, first of all, dispell the myth that Kenny cannot get over the line. 5 wins in 2 years on the US tour makes a mockery of anyone who tries to make that point. Kenny is a focused man and the cruel defeat that he suffered last year hurt him badly. He has not been in good form so far in 2010 so the odds available on him are generous. Kenny has only 1 top 10 finish from 6 tournaments which, by his recent standards is unusual. History tells us that certain golfers are suited to certain courses and this is more true of Kenny than any other player. Perry plays a high draw shot. He does not attempt to fade the ball which often restricts chances of winning. At the new look Augusta he does not have to worry about any of that. He can play his draw shot comfortably and if he is swinging the club well expect Kenny to be in the mix.
If I was writing the book then Kenny would be 25/1 but, amazingly, Kenny can be backed at odds of 125/1 with Ladbrokes for each-way bettors and 169/1 on betfair if you want to back Kenny to find redemption by claiming the green jacket.
Steve Flesch has missed 5 cuts from 8 tournaments played this year. He is an average tour player but if Steve Flesch could design a golf course to suit his game then that course would look a lot like Augusta. He tends to hit the ball high off the tee with a touch of fade, which is just perfect for a left hander around Augusta. Flesch finished 6th last year and an agonising 5th the year before after shooting a shocker of a 78 on the Sunday. Steve did not play in 2007 or 2006 but had respectable finishes of 17th and 29th in ’04 and ’05 respectively.
Flesch can be backed each-way at 250/1 with Ladbrokes. The price is simply too good to ignore for a player who should be 66/1. He’s also now available at 250/1 with Bet365.
Ernie Els is in top form. The Big Easy recently relocated to America so that his autistic child could receive better care and this seems to have had a massive effect on his game. Ernie has had 2 wins on tour this year and is making it all look very easy. Ernie plays a natural high draw shot and, despite missing the last 3 cuts at Augusta, Ernie has course form with 2 second place finishes and 4 other top 10’s in the past. Odds of 14/1 are available with Paddy Power and he should be considered ahead of other market leaders, like Woods.
Retief Goosen is another South African who has come back to form recently and should take some watching this weekend. Genie fully expects a top ten finish or better from a course expert. The Goose has never yet won the Masters but has had 4 top 3 finishes since 2002. 22/1 with Paddy Power is a decent price but the Goose may have forgotten how to win; just 1 win on the US tour in the past 5 years.
Phil Mickelson is the ultimate course expert at Augusta. 9 top 10 finishes, including 2 wins, in 10 years makes Phil a danger. With the pressure and focus on Woods this week then Phil will enjoy his opportunity to shine and 14/1 available with Paddy Power is massive. Phil has been consistent this year without ever looking brilliant. He has been in the top 25 five times in the seven tournaments that he has played in 2010. Lefty knows this course and has every trick shot in the book. He won’t be far away on Sunday. That’s a promise.
US Masters Special Offers
Ladbrokes have announced that if your player finishes second to Tiger Woods then they will pay it out as a winner.
VC Bet have an extremely generous offer. If your player fails to win but does finish ahead of Tiger Woods you will get your stake refunded as a free bet (up to 50 quid).
Paddy Power will give money back to Tiger Woods backers if he leads after any round but fails to win the green jacket. They are currently offer 9/2 about Woods winning.
Tiger Woods US Masters Betting
Even the mighty Eldrick Woods will feel the pressure of this week. I don’t doubt for a second that Tiger will have his swing in good order and, by all account, he has put in more Augusta practice rounds than ever before. With the phenomenal pressure that will weigh upon his shoulder it is basically unfathomable for him to win this tournament. Avoid the hype and temptation to bet on Tiger Woods at the 6/1 available. On any other year it would be a good bet but this is not any other year.
There are some great Tiger Woods Specials on offer from Paddy Power which may be worth a look if you just want an interest bet.
US Masters Betting Tips Summary
For those betting on the US Masters and who were too lazy to read the entire article then here’s the betting tips summary.
[with €100 to spend]
- Kenny Perry €20 e/w at 125/1 with Ladbrokes.
- Steve Flesch €10 e/w at 250/1 with Bet365
- Mickelson €40 to win at 14/1 with Paddy Power
Check out our free bets table below to steer you in the right direction for a nice free bet on the US Masters.
[table id=1 /]