Purse: $8,000,000
odds on the exchanges
Updated Wednesday 4th April
Woods or McIlroy?

McIlroy: Paired with Bubba Watson and Angel Cabrera
I’m going to get this out of the way first and foremost by choosing between Tiger Woods at 6/1 and Rory McIlroy at 8/1. Both are just too short odds for me pre-tournament but I certainly don’t want to chicken out of a decision. I’m a McIlroy fan and he played three rounds like a champ last year and though most will remember his final round 80, he bounced back in style showing grit and determination to win the US Open.
On this occasion however I have to go with Woods even though I’m still very wary of his tendency to flash the odd tee shot wide. Woods is an honours student of Augusta with his four wins. Some will argue he hasn’t produced the goods since his last win in 2005, but in his six attempts since, he’s never been outside the top six. I believe he achieved those results mainly with course knowledge and determination. This year Woods brings all that plus a win, a swing, a putting stroke and an experienced Augusta caddie in Joey LeCava. Things rarely pan out as you might expect but all the odds seem stacked in Woods favour this time around. Especially those given by the bookies. In the past few days all the money on the exchanges has come for Woods. Rory has slipped from 7's to a very generous 8/1.
View my new 2012 What’s In The Bag Tiger Woods Post Here
View my 2012 What’s In The Bag Rory McIlroy Post Here
Keegan Bradley 38/1 (was 44/1)

Adam Scott 34/1 (was 42/1)

Somewhat of a veteran now in his 11th Masters. A pair of 67’s at the weekend last year saw Scott finish in a tie for second, his best Augusta finish yet. He always had the repetitive swing to contend at Majors, now he has the putter and the caddie to boot. Struggled last time out at the weekend from a promising position at the WGC Cadillac but I fancy this guy has a Major in him and why not now?
Reported to be playing well during the practice rounds after weeks training in the Bahamas and odds have come in.
Geoff Ogilvy 90/1 (was 120/1)

Best Of The Rest Preview

Bo Van Pelt 75/1 (was 120/1) was one over par heading into his second round last year and finished up tying for eighth. He putts just about as good as anyone on the Tour and has already clocked up top-10’s this year at Scottsdale, Riviera, Doral and Innisbrook. Look for odds for Bo to finish in the top-10. Paired with Scott and Kaymer which should help his cause also.
Hunter Mahan 36/1 (was 65/1) sees his odds halved after winning in Houston. Long off the tee and extremely accurate he’s been in the top 10 in two out of the last three years. Mahan proved he knows how to win big in the desert and with most bookies paying out for the top six places Mahan is worth a punt. The only possible question is is his new Ping Nome putter that little bit too heavy for the slick Augusta greens?
The way Augusta is going distance is all important and converting on the par fives. Bubba Watson 55/1 (50/1) hits it crazy long, he’s number one on the PGA stats and surprisingly also tops the greens in regulation count. Bubba's odds have lengthened a little after practice, I would have thought they would move the opposite direction after all the rain at the course.
Nick Watney 65/1 (was 70/1) plays his fifth Masters this year and on paper has the game for Augusta. Didn’t break par any day last year but in his three appearances prior to that has always been inside the top 20.