Masters 2013: Analyzing Most Intriguing Prop Bets

The more you analyze the 2013 Masters field, the more you think it's going to be a great tournament this year.

That makes the ever-popular prop bets all the more intriguing heading into Augusta.

There is a great mix of acclaimed veterans and younger players potentially on the brink of something special as we look ahead to the first day of the 2013 Masters on April 11.

Here's a look at some of the prop bets that intrigued me the most, complete with analysis.

*Prop bets via Bovada

Tiger to Win by Five or More Shots

Odds: 10/1

As well as Tiger is playing this year, I don't see him winning by five or more strokes. The depth of the field this year is impressive, from Rory McIlroy to three-time Masters champions Phil Mickelson to some contenders who could break through (more specifically, Justin Rose, Adam Scott and Keegan Bradley).

I have Woods as the favorite, but that doesn't mean I think he's just going to run away with it. In a less impressive field, he could given the way he's been playing as of late, but the field as a whole figures to challenge him down the stretch.

Top Englishman

Justin Rose: 7/4

Lee Westwood: 9/4

Luke Donald: 11/4

Ian Poulter: 9/2

This is a very intriguing field of Englishmen. Justin Rose is my favorite, but Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Ian Poulter have all placed well at the Masters in the past.

The book on Westwood and Donald is that they've played so well for so many years, yet have never won a major (let alone the Masters). However, Westwood placed second, 11th and third at Augusta in 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively. He also has two top-10 finishes in six stroke-play PGA Tour events this year.

Donald placed fourth in 2011, but finished a disappointing 32nd last year. He placed fourth at the Tampa Bay Championship (formerly the Transitions Championship) in March, but recently missed the cut at the Malaysian Open.

As for Poulter, we all know about his outstanding match-play performances throughout the years, but it's worth noting that he's been close in all four majors.

Last year, he placed in the top 10 at the Masters (seventh), British Open (ninth) and PGA Championship (third).

On the other hand, Poulter hasn't placed better than 21st in his last three tournaments this year.

I ultimately would order the group as follows: Justin Rose, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Luke Donald.

What Age Will the Winner Be?

35 Years or Older: 10/11

34 Years or Younger: 5/6

If you are strictly going by the top four guys in the odds (Tiger, McIlroy, Mickelson and Rose), this is a very interesting bet. 

Tiger and Mickelson break off into the top group, while McIlroy and Rose break off into the bottom group. 

Tiger and Mickelson have the history (not to mention, Tiger is playing excellent golf lately), while McIlroy and Rose are playing solid golf coming into Augusta and have the opportunity to capture their first green jacket.

Rose finished eighth at the Masters last year and has notched three top-10 finishes in his only three stroke-play PGA Tour events this year. McIlroy is coming off a second-place finish at the Valero Texas Open, posting a six-under-par 66 in the final round at TPC San Antonio.

I have Tiger and Mickelson as my top two favorites, so I would go with the "35 years or older" group. But I'm actually pulling for McIlroy and Rose and I wouldn't be surprised if one of them shocked the legends. I think this is going to be a great Masters this year.

Top Left-Hander

Phil Mickelson: 2/5

Bubba Watson: 15/8

This is an intriguing bet for me because Mickelson has had more success throughout his career than Watson, but Watson won the Masters last year, and he did so in spectacular fashion.

Before breaking through at Augusta last year, Watson had never finished better than 20th at the Masters. And while he hasn't won a tournament this year, he's placed better than 20th in five of his six PGA Tour events. That includes a fourth-place finish at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions to start his 2013 campaign.

On the flip side, Mickelson has 14 career top-10 finishes at the Masters, including three victories. He last won the tournament in 2010 and he placed third last year.

"Lefty" has been all over the place this year, but he did win the Phoenix Open and he's placed in the top 20 in two of his last three PGA Tour events (including finishing third at the WGC-Cadillac Championship).

I like Mickelson's chances over Watson's, but winning the Masters last year will surely give Bubba some confidence heading into Augusta.