Masters Odds 2015: PGA Stars You Should Pick for Thursday Bets
The first day of the Masters is one of the most hotly anticipated occasions on the sporting calendar, as the world's best players get set to plot their paths towards slipping on a green jacket come Sunday evening.
While wire-to-wire victors are a rarity at Augusta National because of the treacherous nature of the course, getting off to a strong start is absolutely vital. And although it's not an accolade the players will necessarily target as a priority this week, the market for the first-round leader represents an intriguing betting opportunity for punters.
With that in mind, here's a look at some of the best value-for-money bets that could get your week off to the best possible start.
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| Outright Winner | |
| Rory McIlroy | 11-2 |
| Jordan Spieth | 11-1 |
| Bubba Watson | 11-1 |
| Jason Day | 12-1 |
| Dustin Johnson | 16-1 |
| Adam Scott | 20-1 |
| Henrik Stenson | 20-1 |
| Phil Mickelson | 20-1 |
| Jimmy Walker | 22-1 |
| Rickie Fowler | 35-1 |
| First-Round Leader | |
| Rory McIlroy | 9-1 |
| Bubba Watson | 14-1 |
| Dustin Johnson | 16-1 |
| Jason Day | 16-1 |
| Jordan Spieth | 16-1 |
| Adam Scott | 18-1 |
| Henrik Stenson | 18-1 |
| Jimmy Walker | 20-1 |
| Phil Mickelson | 22-1 |
| Brandt Snedeker | 25-1 |
For full outright odds click here. For other market odds click here. Odds accurate as of 1 p.m. (BST) April 9.
Bubba Watson - First-Round Leader, 16-1
The reigning champion has the perfect game for Augusta National, with his booming left-handed drives opening up a surfeit of angles to the green most players don't have the luxury of sampling. After two wins in the previous three years, he'll stride to the first tee with irrepressible confidence, too.
As noted by the PGA Tour Twitter account, Watson's ability to hit the ball long has yielded many rudimentary birdie opportunities for him through the years:
Watson has produced exceptional final rounds in both of his wins at Augusta to take the green jacket, but with momentum behind him from the previous two victories, expect him to begin his week with much more conviction this time.
The two-time champion has admitted he's better prepared to start well in the buildup to his opening tee-off, per Sky Sports:
"This time I know what to expect. Doesn't mean I'm going to play better, just I know what to expect, I know how to save some energy.
I know how things are going to happen in the Champions Dinner now. I know more. That doesn't mean it's going to help. It just means that I should be better prepared this time.
"
With the course set to be soft on the opening day, expect the left-handers' natural shot shapes to give them a fundamental edge. Given Watson's pedigree at this competition and the relaxed aura he has emitted all week at Augusta, expect him to fly out of the traps and into an early lead at his favourite competition of the season.
Tiger Woods - To Miss the Cut, 6-5
There's been a lot of speculation this week surrounding the 14-time major champion. Tiger has returned to the course after a two-month hiatus from golf and has been boisterous about his chances, but is there really any conviction in his words given his last major triumph was back in 2008?
It's certainly questionable. As we can see here, courtesy of SportsCenter, Woods has really struggled to recapture his very best form in recent years:
Returning at such a demanding course is potentially a recipe for disaster, too. When Woods withdrew from the Farmers Insurance Open back in February, his driving was skewed, and his touch around the greens was woefully off. Sadly, if he brings that kind of form to Augusta—where those two facets are absolutely vital—this week, he's going to be in trouble a lot.
He hasn't looked in particularly sparkling fettle since he's been at the competition, either, as Dan Jenkins of Golf Digest recently revealed:
It would be an incredible story for a noticeably upbeat Tiger to return to golf and secure glory at the venue where he notched his first-ever major championship win 18 years ago. But given the quality of players in situ at Augusta this week and the lack of competition time Woods has had out on course, his chances of winning here look pretty close to impossible.
Even at odds of 6-5, there's some value to be had in backing Tiger not to make the cut. While there is little to work off when it comes to the last couple of months, tangible evidence points to an early exit for the four-time winner here. Take sentiment out of it and lump on Woods to miss the weekend before play starts; if he begins poorly, that price will quickly shorten.
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