Masters 2013: Updated Betting Tips for Golf's Top Event

Betting on golf is never easy, and the 2013 Masters is no different. However, there are certainly some tips that can increase one's chances of success. 

I'm going to share some of my tips for identifying a winner at the iconic Augusta course, and then give you my pick for the three best bets in this talented field. 

Things to Look for in Masters Picks

As far as majors go, Augusta is not the most difficult course. If a player gets a hot hand, and has the nerve to go for risky shots, he can go low. This is especially true on the par fives. Typically, the winner of the Masters is going to have great success on those holes. 

So, one of the first things I look for in a player who will have success is distance. Obviously, a player who booms it off the tee is going to have an easier time on the par fives. 

To go along with this, that player must have good distance control on their approach shots. The break-heavy greens at Augusta require a player to not only hit the green, but bring it to rest in the right spot to set up for a makeable putt. 

Next, of course, is the putting. That is vital in every tournament, and especially true in this tournament. 

One thing that's not of vital importance is driving accuracy. The rough is manageable at Augusta, and it takes a really wild drive for the ball to be unplayable. 

Best Bets at the 2013 Masters

*odds according to Bovada on April 8.

Let's get this out of the way first: If I'm picking one golfer to win Augusta, I'm going with Tiger Woods. However, at 7/2, I'm not going to bet on Tiger. This just doesn't offer a big enough reward. While Tiger enters this tournament in good form, this isn't the first time he has done so since his last win in 2005. 

With that in mind, here are some golfers whose odds offer a little more bang for the buck. 

Justin Rose, 20/1

After Tiger Woods, Justin Rose is my second pick to win the 2013 Masters. 

Rose is in a good groove. He was second at Bay Hill his last time out, and came in eighth and fourth in his two tournaments leading up to that. 

Rose is also solid in several key areas. He is ninth in driving distance at 301.3 yards per drive, and he's been much improved with his putter as some tweaks in his putting stroke begin to pay off for him.

Rose has also looked good at Augusta with an eighth-place finish last year and an 11th the year before. 

Hunter Mahan, 40/1

Hunter Mahan has been on the cusp of greatness for a while now. Perhaps this is the tournament he fulfills that potential. At 40/1, it is a solid bet that he will. 

The big problem with Mahan is that he has not been in his best form. He missed the cut his last time out at the Houston Open, and he was 21st and 28th in his two tournaments leading up to that, which followed a second-place finish at the Accenture Match Play Championships. 

Still, Mahan has a good game for Augusta. He has decent length, and he is a marvelous ball striker. Mahan is 17th in greens in regulation, and he has the control to put the ball in the right place on the greens. 

Mahan is also a good putter as he's 18th in strokes gained putting. 

Steve Stricker, 50/1

Steve Stricker doesn't have the kind of length I like with my Masters selections. He is 170th in driving distance at 274.2 yards, but he has the kind of game that can make up for it. 

Stricker has tremendous control, and he can place the ball where he wants to. Stricker is No. 1 in greens in regulation this year. 

Also, Stricker is one of the all-time great putters, and he is 10th in strokes gained putting this year. 

Stricker has played a light schedule this year, but has looked good and has two second-place finishes in his four Tour events.