Masters Odds 2013: Breaking Down the Smartest Plays at Augusta

Any average Joe can put his money behind Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy or Phil Mickelson at Augusta, but none of the top three contenders represents great value.

People can't seem to stop singing Woods' praises as The Masters approaches, and it's evident in his 3-1 odds at Bovada. McIlroy and Mickelson aren't much better values, coming in at 8-1 and 10-1, respectively.

Besides, betting on the big names is boring, right? I've compiled four players I think represent the best values at this year's tournament. All four are players to watch at Augusta.

Charl Schwartzel

Schwartzel is always going to be a popular pick, seeing as he won The Masters in 2011. But don't be swayed by the past alone—Schwartzel is playing quite well this season.

He's made all five of his cuts and has two top-10 finishes and four top-25 finishes on the season. Add in his three top-five finishes in European tournaments, and you have a player that will enter the Masters on quite the hot streak.

At 22-1 odds you're still paying for the recognition that came with his 2011 win, but he's a legitimate contender at Augusta and is getting much more favorable odds than the top three contenders.

Keegan Bradley

Keegan Bradley is on fire!

The 26-year-old has been excellent in 2013, with five top-10 finishes and seven top-25 finishes. Bradley only finished 27th at The Masters a year ago but he's certainly not intimidated by the major tournaments, as he won the 2011 PGA Championship and finished third at that tournament last season.

With 28-1 odds, he's a smart play.

Matt Kuchar

Kuchar is another player having an excellent season, with three top-10 finishes, six top-25 finishes and a win on the season. 

He also finished third at The Masters a season ago, so he's proven he can handle this course. At 33-1 odds, Kuchar is one of my favorite plays of the tournament.

Brandt Snedeker

It's been a tale of two seasons for Brandt Snedeker. On one hand, he started the year on fire, with four top-three finishes in his first five tournaments and a 23rd-place showing at the Humana Challenge. On the other hand, he's missed the last two cuts.

So which Snedeker will show up at Augusta?

He traditionally plays well on the course, with two top-20 finishes the past two years and a third-place finish in 2008. If Snedeker can return to his pre-March form, look out. And at 28-1 odds, you don't have to give up much to get a lot back in return.