2011 Masters Betting Preview

The most historic and popular stop on the PGA Tour is Augusta National, where the 75th Masters tournament marks the first major of the season. The finest golfers will tee up, with play getting underway Thursday.

Tiger Woods remains among sportsbooks’ favorites, despite his drop in play the past two years. Bodog.com has the former No. 1 golfer priced at +1,000, leaning more on Woods’ past success at Augusta than his sporadic play since his personal life was aired in 2009.

Woods finished fourth at last year’s Masters, opening with a sensational round of 68 on the Thursday. He’s placed inside the Top 6 in his last six trips to Augusta, something he hasn’t done in stroke-play action this season. Woods’ best placing was 24th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational two weeks ago, shooting 1-under par.

The one golfer with the most momentum entering the Masters is Phil Mickelson, who is the favorite to win the 2011 Masters at +600. Not only is Lefty the defending champion at Augusta, but he’s coming off a terrific showing at the Houston Open this past week. Mickelson finished 20-under par in the tuneup tournament, claiming the Houston title over many of the top golfers taking the course at Augusta this week.

Golf bettors looking for some solid value at Augusta should keep an eye on Englishman Luke Donald, who is priced at +2,500. In his four PGA Tour events this season, Donald has placed inside the Top 10 three times, including a win at the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship.

Donald’s best finish at The Masters was a T-3 showing in 2005. Last year, he missed the cut following scores of 74 and 75, but brings a secret weapon with him this April. Donald has his former college coach, Pat Goss, backing him up this week and adding any quick fixes to his game.

Another tempting wager outside of the notable favorites is Matt Kuchar, who is set at +2,800 to win the 2011 Masters. Kuchar picked up his sixth Top-10 performance of the season, placing eighth at the Houston Open this past week. The Georgia Tech alum ranks among the best putters on tour, sitting fourth in putting and ninth in birdies per round. Last year, Kuchar finished tied for 24th at The Masters. His best finish at Augusta is a T-21 in 1998, which is why his odds don’t reflect his recent play.