Masters Odds 2012: Underdogs Sure to Give the Favorites Fits

Tiger Woods is ready to show that he is healthy and back on top of his game at the 2012 Masters. Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson will be ready to capitalize should Woods falter, but the green jacket has developed a habit of going to underdogs.

Four of the last five winners at Augusta have been long-shots and there are several to keep an eye on this weekend.

There is one group of golfers that I will exclude from contention…first-time players. This tournament is the ultimate in golf, and nerves alone will cost most golfers several strokes in their inaugural rounds. The course is demanding and it takes golfers dozens of rounds to get a feel for what they can and can’t do at Augusta.

Sergio Garcia was once an 18-year-old phenom that appeared ready to take over and rule the PGA Tour. That was 14 years ago, and he is still trying to win a major tournament on the PGA Tour. Garcia has played well at times, making the cut in nine of his 13 appearances. His best finish was fourth in 2004, but since then he’s missed three cuts and his best finish was a tie for 35th.

It seems like dim odds for Garcia, and the experts agree. He’ll tee off at 50/1 on Thursday, but he’s been playing solid golf, as of late. He produced four solid rounds in the 2011 US Open, and won back-to-back tournaments on the European Tour in October. With no expectations placed on him, he is playing loose and making the most of his new putting grip.

Another player that will attempt to surprise the field at Augusta is Graeme McDowell. Like Garcia, he’s struggled in The Masters. He has made the cut once in four appearances, ending with a 17th place finish in 2009.

McDowell is fresh off a runner-up showing at the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational, and won the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach. He’s currently listed at 66/1 odds but could be primed for a Sunday run.

One player that won’t be sneaking up on anyone is Jason Day. He made his first appearance in August last year and battled to the wire, settling for a second place tie just two strokes off the lead. He’s been solid in 2012, but still operates under the radar of most golfers.

Oddsmakers have taken notice, though. He’s a 40/1 longshot along with last year’s champion, Charl Schwartzel. Day is a borderline long-shot, as there are only nine golfers listed ahead of him, but at 40/1 he makes the cut.

Day’s run at Augusta last year shouldn’t be considered a fluke. He matched his Masters success with a second place finish at the US Open. He didn’t notch a PGA Tour victory last season, but was ninth on the earnings list. His lone tour victory was the 2010 HP Byron Nelson Championship, but that could change on Sunday.

Odds listed were taken from Bovada Sportsbook.