Masters Odds 2013: Breaking Down Best and Worst Selections at Augusta

There’s just something about Augusta National in April.

The allure of the green jacket and a major tournament title will once again draw golf’s finest to its pristine fairways and awe-inspiring beauty for the Masters on April 11, marking the 77th edition of the sport’s most prestigious event.

From Tea Olive to Amen Corner and one of the most iconic finishing holes in golf, Augusta National has an aura of mysticism that continues to provide some of the most compelling storylines in the world of golf.

Bubba Watson’s miraculous first-place finish last year was one of the most iconic moments in recent Masters history. While the 34-year-old will look to duplicate his success at Augusta this year, the tournament field is packed with tremendous newcomers and former winners with their eyes fixed on the green jacket.

Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Trevor Immelman and Angel Cabrera are among a bevy of former Masters champions in this year’s tournament field. Nothing instills confidence in a golfer quite like returning to the site of a major tournament victory.

Who will leave Augusta National with the green jacket this year? We’ll break down some of the favorites to do so and highlight a couple challengers who may struggle amongst its towering pines, despite favorable odds to win the event.

*Betting odds acquired from Bovada.lv.

Risky Venture: Rory McIlroy (8/1)

It seems crazy to underestimate the world’s No. 2 golfer in the biggest tournament of the year, but Rory McIlroy hasn’t done much to instill much confidence this young season.

The 23-year-old has struggled with inconsistency since the year began, posting just two top-25 finishes in his first five events. While McIlroy did manage to post a second-place finish at the Texas Open last weekend, he didn’t exactly do it with much stability, posting scores of 72, 67, 71 and 66 for the tournament.

Paired with some questionable showings earlier in the year (withdrawing from the Honda Classic being the most notable) and his infamous collapse at Augusta in 2011, McIlroy’s 8/1 odds to win the event seem a little inflated.

There’s no denying McIlroy’s incredible talent and immense potential, but he’ll have uphill battle this weekend, especially with the world’s No. 1 golfer back in top form.

Overrated: Phil Mickelson (10/1)

Masters wins in 2004, 2006 and 2010 would suggest Lefty will be back in the hunt for the green jacket this weekend, but his up-and-down season is reason to be skeptical.

Mickelson won the Waste Management Phoenix Open in early February, but he hasn’t been very consistent since that event. In the five tournaments that followed, the 42-year-old posted just three top-25 finishes, including a missed cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

I’m not suggesting Mickelson is a longshot to win another green jacket this weekend, but his 10/1 odds to do so don’t accurately represent how he’s been playing this year. A third-place finish at the World Golf Championships in March was a good sign, though his following two performances (missed cut, T-16th) didn’t exactly create much momentum for the Masters.

Mickelson certainly has a chance to add a fourth Masters victory to his resume, but at 10/1 odds, I wouldn’t put money on it.

Big Money: Bubba Watson (33/1)

It’s only fitting that a golfer who plays with a high-risk/high-reward mentality would have lucrative odds to win the Masters again this year.

Watson is a huge hitter with creativity that is unmatched by many on the PGA Tour. The lefty can hit any shot imaginable, but he also has the tendency to lose focus and find himself in the trees.

Watson also has the ability to hit a miracle hook from the pines to save his tournament, as he did in winning the green jacket last year. There isn’t anything Watson can’t do with a club; the question is whether he will.

Given a less favorable return on investment, Watson probably wouldn’t be your best choice for a wager. At 33/1, however, banking on the reigning Masters champion isn’t a bad idea.

Best Bet: Tiger Woods (7/2)

The question has already been answered. Tiger Woods is back, and he’s the odds-on favorite to take home a fifth green jacket this year.

Woods regained his No. 1 ranking with a win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March—his third win in five official events this year. The 37-year-old has already earned $3,787,600 in tournament winnings this season, boosted by top-40 finishes in each of his other two events.

Tiger is still battling some inconsistency with his driver, but that’s always been a detriment to his style of play. This year, Woods has found a way to minimize the impact of wayward tee shots by improving his ball striking to a vintage-Tiger level.

The golf world has been looking for a reason to once again bank on the planet’s best golfer in major tournaments. A tremendous start to the season is reason enough.

At 7/2, Woods isn’t the most profitable option, but he is certainly the most prepared to win at Augusta. Smart money is on Tiger to earn another green jacket this weekend.