Odds to Win 2010 Masters: Tiger is Still Favorite

Photo courtesy of Midwest Sports Fans

Good Long Shots Available with Tiger as a Favorite

Written by Todd Jacobs

The 2010 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, April 8th through 11th, could be the most wide open betting opportunity in years. With Tiger Woods still being touted as the favorite by the Las Vegas sportsbooks, there are plenty of potential long shots to make a bet on.

The Masters is historically a long ball hitter’s best opportunity for a major, that is why Tiger is always the favorite to wear the green jacket at Augusta. If Tiger elects to pass on The Masters, Phil Mickelson will immediately be in line to be the favorite. Mickelson at 6-1 is a decent bet, but his odds are not correct. Although Mickelson is going to be on the leader board going into Day four of The Masters, 6-1 is too short a price to get any value.

Don’t play every suggestion made, pick and choose. Do bet the best bet and the long shot.

Tiger Woods 7-2.
Tiger is definitely the favorite if he returns for The Masters, the real question will be how soon before The Masters will he return. Will he play in Arnold Palmer’s tournament weeks before or will he go into The Masters cold turkey. It isn’t likely Tiger will make The Masters his first start, therefore, if he isn’t at the Arnold Palmer tournament, he won’t play The Masters. The best chance to make a bet on someone other than Tiger will be that weekend. No bet.

Phil Mickelson 6-1.

Phil Mickelson, the big lefty, has a solid opportunity to win another major in April. If Tiger does show up, this could be the single best Masters in decades. The only problem with Mickelson is the odds are just too short to bet. He has a great chance and Mickelson fans should still bet him for the extra thrill of hitting a ticket when their favorite player gets the green jacket. No bet.

Padraig Harrington 15-1.

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington has won three majors, two British Opens and one PGA Championship. Harrington was in the running at The Masters last year but fell short. 15-1 is not a bad rice but also not true value for Harrington. A small bet wouldn’t hurt say $10 to $150.

Rory McIlroy 20-1.

Rory McIlroy, another golfer from the emerald isle, has never won a major but is getting a lot of respect by the odds makers. Makes one wonder what do they know about this young up and coming pro. Still say no bet.

Lee Westwood 20-1.

Lee Westwood’s best finish in The Masters was a 6th in 1999. Westwood has placed 3rd in three of his last six majors he has participated in. Still that doesn’t warrant even a small play on Westwood. Not bet.

Geoff Oglivy 25-1.

Geoff Oglivy already has a jump on the competition, winning the first event he entered in 2010. The only problem with Oglivy in The Masters is that he is below the tour average in driving distance and that won’t help him at Augusta. No bet.

Jim Furyk 25-1.

Jim Furyk is due for a major soon but not this one. Furyk has struggled in the majors lately and his true odds should really be 50-1. No bet.

Retief Goosen 30-1.

Retief Goosen ranks 15th in the PGA in driving distance but he is 14 on the PGA tour in driving accuracy. Goosen with Tiger out of the mix will get bet down also, so if taking him bet him early. Take Goosen for a small play $10 will get you $300.

Anthony Kim 30-1.

Anthony Kim at 30-1 is a very nice play in The Masters. One of the best PGA regulars that is a bomber with a driver, Kim isn’t the most accurate and it will be a matter of consistency the weekend of The Masters. Worth a small play at $10 to win $300.

Sergio Garcia 30-1.
Sergio Garcia has one win in four years but Garcia is always considered a slim favorite for The Masters because of his ability to hit ball for distance. Don’t get sucked in the Garcia hype. No bet.

Steve Stricker 30-1. (Best Bet)

Steve Stricker is an up and coming striker that can put it all together and be a surprise name on the top of the leader board heading into Sunday at The Masters. Not only is Stricker a top long ball hitter he is also at the top of the charts in regards to accuracy. Stricker is worth a $20 play to win $600.

7 players at 40-1 the two best picks:

Ernie may have lost some over the years but he can still launch the ball and that is half the battle at Augusta. Els has only won one PGA tournament in four years but he has a shot, don’t count him out. Small bet $5 to win $200.

Adam Scott 40-1.
Adam Scott didn’t win a tournament in 2009, the first year in four years he hadn’t won a tournament. Scott has the distance and the accuracy to win The Masters and at 40-1 not a bad play. Throw $5 on Scott to win $200, just for fun.

5 players at 50-1 the two best picks:

Vijay Singh 50-1.

Vijay Singh may be fading fast into the sunset but if he is going to have one last great tournament, this could be the one. Singh can still sting the ball and is a smart golfer, two aspects of his game that will propel him to the top of the leader board. If Singh doesn’t make the cut this year at Augusta, it may be the beginning of the end. Singh is worth a $5 lay to win $250.

Kenny Perry 50-1.

Kenny Perry has five wins in two years but The Masters is probably not his best opportunity for one. Fans of Perry may want to place a wager on Perry at 50-1 though. Not a bad play $5 to win $250.

6 players at 60-1 the two best picks:

Mike Weir still has potential to win a major, finishing 10th in last years US Open. Weir will be hurt by his inability to hit the long ball but he can overcome that deficiency. Small bet on Weir $5 to win $300.

Stewart Cink 60-1.

Stewart Cink at 60-1 is not a horrible play. How is that for a ringing endorsement? Cink has the driving distance required to make the top ten at Augusta and is strong at making the greens in regulation. A mall bet on Cink at $5 to win $300 is not a bad play.

Stuart Appleby 80-1.

Stuart Appleby at 80-1 is possibly the best long shot bet on the board. Appleby can blast the ball with the best of the PGA and and is consistent. At 80-1 give him a ride and bet $10 to win $800. Appleby earns best long shot at The Masters.

source:
www.pga.com
www.masters.com

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