Masters Odds 2012: Where Do the Top Golfers Stand for PGA's Best Event

It’s all about Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy...Well, at least that’s what Vegas will have you believe at the 2012 edition of the Masters.

The odds have been released, and both players enter the tournament as the clear favorites to put on the green jacket. Woods has opened as the favorite at 4/1, while McIlroy is right behind him at 5/1.

Mike Colbert, risk director for Las Vegas-based Cantor Gaming, lays out the reasoning in rather simple terms (via Golf.com):

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It doesn't matter if it's a computer, my brain or anything else, this year Tiger and Rory are the favorites. We're going to have an opinion, and we're going to post numbers accordingly. And our opinion is that it's going to be Tiger or Rory who wins this thing.

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This isn’t surprising news by any stretch. Woods just recently ended a career-long 30-month winless drought with a five-shot win at Bay Hill, dropping his odds to win the Masters from 10/1 to 4/1. McIlroy had briefly captured the No. 1 ranking in the world after winning the Honda Classic, and last year he was the leader at Augusta National after three rounds before a Sunday meltdown.

Phil Mickelson checks in with the third-highest odds (13/1), while Luke Donald (14/1) and Lee Westwood (15/1) round out the top five.

Other notables include Adam Scott (30/1), last year’s winner Charl Schwartzel (30/1), Keegan Bradley (35/1) and Bubba Watson (50/1).

In the end, it’s all about Tiger. He moves the needle when it comes to TV ratings and when it comes to the sportsbook, as Colbert explains:

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When it comes to golf, we don't take more bets on any other event than the Masters. The fact that Tiger is back and playing well is big for us. With Tiger, it's probably 10 times the action compared to without him. He creates the action.

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The buzz surrounding this weekend continues to be elevated, as the 2012 Masters appears to be the most anticipated edition in the last five to 10 years.

With Woods back in the mix, it’s going to make for an awfully exciting weekend with plenty of wagers on the line. My bet’s on Rory to axe the demons of last year and make a strong statement to the rest of the PGA, beginning the major season with a green jacket. 

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