The first major of the year is finally here! The best golfers in the world will descend on Augusta, Georgia this week for The Masters. As always, we have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the massive event below.
The Masters Betting Tips
Thursday 6th - Sunday 9th April
It was a stellar week for BeforeYouBet golf followers at the Valero Texas Open last week, as we hit on all three of our place bets, with all selections finishing inside the top 10 at healthy odds. Matt Kuchar finished T3 while Rickie Fowler and Ben Martin both finished T10 to help us to a profitable week. We’ll be looking to continue that form as we preview the first major of the year below.
The Field
As you’d expect for a major championship, the field is absolutely jam packed full of talent this week. There are so many storylines heading into this week, but the biggest is obviously the return of the GOAT, Tiger Woods. The five time Green Jacket winner will be back in action for the first just the 2nd time this season, not having played since he hosted The Genesis Invitational at Riviera back in February. Tiger might not have played a lot of golf in recent times, but there is no doubt he knows Augusta National like the back of his hand, and should never be counted out on the hallowed turf.
If there is one storyline that has given Tiger a run for his money this week, it’s that of the LIV golfers. 18 LIV contracted players will tee it up this week at Augusta, including former champions Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia Patrick Reed and Charl Schawartzel. Arguably the best hope for the contingent of defectors, however, is Australian Cameron Smith. Smith has finished in the top 10 of The Masters four of the last five years and will be looking to win back to back majors after claiming The Open at St. Andrews last season.
Rory McIlroy comes into the tournament as one of the top favourites. The Northern Irishman is still chasing a green jacket to complete the career grand slam. Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler join him at the top of the betting markets while other notable names include Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele.
The Course
Augusta National, Georgia
Par 72, 7,545 Yards
What more can be said about Augusta National? The course is arguably the most famous golf course in the world and has been the host of The Masters since all the way back in 1934. It was designed by the famous duo Bobby Jones and Alister McKenzie and is how you’d expect a course to look on a video game, perfectly manicured to the blade of grass.
Every hole at Augusta has a story of its own, but arguably the most well known stretch of holes is 11-13, more commonly known as Amen Corner. The Par 3 twelfth has had countless memorable moments over the history of The Masters, and it’s often where the tournament is won or lost on the final day.
Professional golfers often talk about the ability to shape the ball both ways as being the most important skill required to be successful at Augusta. Crafty iron players such as Tiger Woods, Patrick Reed, Jordan Spieth, Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson generally play well at Augusta, due to the tight nature of the tree lined course and severity of the dog-legs.
Betting Tips
We’ll be giving you our standard three plays this week, but since its a major, we’ll also be sprinkling in a few extra props for the week to keep you engaged and entertained!
Rory McIlroy ($8.00/Top 8 $2.05)
I think it’s time for McIlroy to finally break the hoodoo this season. The Northern Irishman has been near unstoppable at Augusta in previous years despite the glaring lack of a win. Since 2014, he has finished T8, T4, T10, T7, T5, T21, T5, MC and 2nd last season. Was fantastic at the WGC Matchplay a few weeks ago and seems to have worked out some issues with the short stick after switching to a blade Scotty Cameron in recent events.
Jason Day ($26/Top 20 $1.90
The Australian is in some stellar form at the moment and almost looks back to his very best. We know that Augusta is a putters paradise and we know that arguably no-one rolls the rock better than Jason Day. He ranks well above the tour average in SG putting, putting average, putts per round and one putt %. Also has a great record at Augusta National, finishing in the top 25 on 7/10 trips to The Masters.
Russell Henley ($151/Top 30 $2.45)
My dark horse pick this week is the No.38 golfer in the world, Russel Henley. The American has been rounding into some nice form on the PGA Tour, finishing T53, T19 and T17 in his last three starts. Also has a solid record at Augusta, making the cut in his last five trips to The Masters, all of which saw him finish 31st or higher. Think there is even more opportunity to finish high in the leaderboard this season with the amount of spots in the field taken up by aging winners and LIV contracted players.
Quick Props
Scottie Scheffler to Win a Major in 2023 ($4.00 at Ladbrokes)
Market price on comparisons looks to be around $2.30 for this bet, massive value with the $4.00 at Ladbrokes.
Rahm, Scheffler, Mcilroy vs The Field ($3.25 at Bet365)
Harrison Crowe Top Amateur ($5.00 at Bet365)
Si Woo Kim Top Asian ($5.25 at Bet365)
Jason Day Top Australasian ($3.10 at Bet365)
Corey Conners Top Canadian ($1.83 at Bet365)
Viktor Hovland Top Continental European ($4.50 at Bet365)
Sahith Theegala Top Debutant ($6.50 at Bet365)
Tyrrell Hatton Top Englishman ($4.00 at Bet365)
Phil Mickelson Top Senior ($3.00 at Bet365)
