Golf: 2009 US Masters Betting Update
The premier golf event on the calendar arrives this week, with its emerald green fairways, blooming azaleas and its other colorful array of flowers and shrubs. This is a 2009 US Masters update provided by Sportsbook.com. Open an account today and get a 20 percent cash bonus when you refer a friend. Earn even more by referring all your buddies
The Masters this year has a different feel and anticipation from the last several for reasons outside of the tournament.
The defending champion Trevor Immelman is trying to become just the fourth back-to-back champion but rest assured he will draw little if any wagering action at +10000, since he all but disappeared after winning at Augusta.
One story almost nobody is talking about is Padraig Harrington. He has won three of the last six majors, including two in a row and is halfway to the Paddy-Slam. Why Harrington isn't receiving his just due is because a certain Mr. Tiger Woods was recuperating from knee surgery having won the previous major, the U.S. Open, before being forced to shut it down.
In some circles, though it is ludicrous, Harrington being the reigning British Open and PGA champion, is viewed like the Houston Rockets winning back to back championships when Hall of Famer to be Michael Jordan was finding out he couldn't hit the curveball during a two year hiatus. Harrington is +1500 wager to snare a third consecutive major.
A couple of oldies but goodies will be playing at The Masters, with one such golfer making first appearance in some time. Fred Couples is almost eligible for the senior tour and was in the hunt at the Houston Open last week until he played the last three holes, three over.
Maybe its wedded bliss, tired of being successful at everything he touches or just has a bit of the golf bug back, but Greg Norman returns to Augusta for the first time in seven years.
Neither player is expected to be in contention; nevertheless, seeing them even at advanced ages is like watching your favorite rock band from 12-20 years ago.
While nostalgia has its place, eventually everybody is replaced by a younger more skilled competitor. Two that fit this mold are Anthony Kim and Rory McIlroy. Kim (+3000) was the best player last fall and has been globe-trotting a little too much to likely be a factor. McIlroy (+2500) is 19 and has serious game, as he proved at WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.
Everybody wants to find that long-shot which could come in, yet still is considered a very good player that offers value. Sergio Garcia (+2500), Camilo Villegas (+4000) and Ernie Els (+3000) are ranked in the top 20 of the World Golf Rankings and would be the type of players that would make sensible wager. One problem, this trio has failed to make the cut each of the last two years in Georgia.
There are a number of other players with golf skills that have to be considered like Retief Gossen and Paul Casey at +2500. Jim Furyk (+3000) always gets a look as a grinder and Luke Donald and Lee Westwood are renowned players and are part of a group at +5000.
The second choice is Phil Mickelson at +800 and he expects to be in the hunt for third green jacket since 2004. Lefty has been hitting irons brilliantly all year, including adding a draw from distance since the off-season. His driving has been more erratic (even for Phil), but that has to do with mindset.
Lastly is Tiger Woods at +220 to win a fifth green jacket. Woods added to his ever growing legend at Bay Hill with long birdie putt to win, which pronounced him as back. Tiger is a rare athlete, always able to find the slightest motivation to create burning desire and though some way work as hard today, nobody works harder in golf to be their best.
It's no fun to pick Tiger Woods or even Phil Mickelson, but on golf's grandest stage, it is the safest bet.
Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
