While the rest of the sports world concentrates on Basketball and the Opening of Baseball season, in my opinion one of the best opportunities to make money via sports handicapping is the Masters Golf tournament.
For even the casual Golf bettor, like no other sport, will you find chances to bet your favorite player in over 100 different props, and then if you like hedge after round one, two etc...You can bet Tiger Woods against the field, against 4-5 other players in matchups, Ov/Un props, 4 Balls, 3 Balls, Round by Round, winning score and others.
Ah yes, Tiger Woods, so good, but the odds so low. On the contrary, I recommend you to always look to bet on Tiger Woods not against him. Sure, even money, 6 to 5 are not good odds, but I have and you can too, find a way to make money on Tiger.
I know a chap in London, UK who make a serious living doing nothing but betting on Tiger Woods. The British sportbooks have plenty of live betting and many types of bets on golf. He says, " We are blessed in a time of our life to see the greatest golf ever being played, by perhaps the greatest golfer ever and we can bet on him."
Yes, Tiger wins every 4.43 times he tees it up in an event. His percentage record is even better in the Masters with four wins in 10 professional starts. My personal record of betting on Tiger in matchups is 15-1, well worth the average price of -210 that I have paid. My favorite angle to bet on Tiger is after he has the lead, I have only lost once and that was three weeks ago at Bay Hill.
Your main handicapping focus should be on current form, secondly, the course Augusta National and who can tame it. Recall, last year when Phil Mickelson came to Augusta after winning the Bell South Classic by daylight. I predicted he would win because he was as sharp as I've ever seen him or anyone at that time.
Length is always a key at the Masters, plus a draw helps, seven holes bend right to left. You can win with a sharp short game and if your putting is off it will really show at Augusta.
Tiger Woods 6 / 5
Tiger is the man to beat. The problem with the rest of the field is that no one charges at him. He wins unless he starts spraying his tee shots or does not get a feel for the greens. His putting stroke looks a little short and quick to me lately.
Phil Mickelson 7 / 1
Not in top form currently. The workouts and weight training really messed his swing up early in the year and he looked weak at Doral where he finished 10 shots behind Tiger.
Ernie Els 12 / 1
Els should have won three green jackets by now. But unfortunately his left knee straightens on tee shots he doesn't finish his follow-through and he pushes the ball right not a good shot for this track. He has the thrid best short game in the world.
Vijay Singh 15 /1
It still is a miracle he won a green jacket in my opinion. It's just that this course does not suit him, he hits a consistent fade and putts with the worst on Tour. However, he is swinging well, won at Bay Hill and should not be bet against unless it is Tiger.
Jim Fuyrk 20 /1
Furyk coming off a wrist injury does not have the length, but the short game to compete.
Sergio Garcia 25 / 1
Easily the best ball stricker on tour with the worst putting stroke. The greens kill Sergio who has finished 46th and missed the cut in his last two tries here.
Retief Goosen 28 / 1
The giant killer. Just when you think he is down and out, he makes five birdies with that deadly putting stroke....third in both of the last two Masters.
Henrk Stenson 30 / 1
The new hot player on the planet that everyone would like to see give Tiger a run for his money. Long, hits a little draw, streaky putter...but...last year he missed the cut by three shots and does not know this course.
Sleepers
Vaughn Taylor 100 / 1
Niclas Fasth 150 / 1
Camillo Villegas 80 / 1
Troy Matteson 150 / 1
Injury Report
Jim Furyk.........recurring left wrist problems
Fred Couples .........withdrew from the AT&T with a bad back, but has a severe claf muscle problem.
Tim Clark.......bad back, not played much.
Chris DiMarco.....took a left shoulder cortison shot during the WGC CA Championship, but played well with Stenson at the Tavistock Cup.
Fred Funk .......has withdrawn from three tournaments because of a back spasm, but is playing the Champions tour event prior to the Masters.
David Howell....back problems, admits he is not playing well at all.
Davis Love III....withdrew after three rounds at Doral, neck problem.
Check back with us later during Masters week for my matchup Selections.
2006.....8-0-1.....in matchups
