Fresh of a win last week in Houstin here's my 2017 US Masters Betting Preview and Tips. As ever I'm looking for each way and there is plenty to be had with Leishman and Fitzpatrick in there at long odds.
2017 US Masters Betting Preview and Tips
It's Masters 2017 week and here is my betting preview with top five picks.
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| Buckle up! It's time for the 2017 US Masters betting tips. |
Key rule to betting on The Masters? Never back the favourite, i.e. anyone quoted 10/1 or less, before the tournament. Yes you'll be tempted to back Dustin and Spieth from sixes or sevens but historically it doesn't work. Wait until the first round is over before pouncing on the win only market.
Before the tournament I'm looking for good each way value and there's plenty on offer!
Doc's Five Top Bets For The 2017 Masters
Phil Mickelson 25/1 |
| Phil. Life in the old dog yet. |
As feared Phil put in a half hearted effort in Houston last week but I've fancied him for a while for The Masters and at 25/1 he can certainly oblige with a place. Missed the cut when highly fancied last year but recent bests of T2 in 2015 and T3 in 2012 are still relevant to the three time Masters Champion. Yes Phil will need an improved Greens in Regulation week; his numbers in this stat are just are not where they need to be so far in 2017, but Augusta is the place to do it given that straight driving here is inconsequential. Around the greens Leftie is as good, if not better, than ever. First on Tour in Putts per Round, second in putting average, third in birdie conversion percentage, second in strokes gained around the greens and first in scrambling from the fringe; Phil has gotten up and down 19 times from 19 attempts from the edge this season! Recent best of T7 in Mexico and solid all season, I really fancy him to contend.
Matt Fitzpatrick 60/1
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| Matt Fitz. Under the radar. |
I think Matt looks a real value for money bet at 60/1 and is way overpriced for me. We know he has the temperament for the big time after taking our Tour Championship in November. Top 20's in Mexico and at the Arnie recently show solid form heading into his second Masters where valuable experience was gained last year. To top the Greens in Regulation stats with 54 greens hit was an incredible feat as was ripping through the field with a 67 on Sunday to post a T7 finish. Don't say I didn't tell you!
Marc Leishman 60/1
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| Marc. Happy and its showing on the course. |
Probably right on the money at 60/1 because Marc has not been consistent at The Masters. But for me, the Marc Leishman who won the Arnold Palmer Invitational, was a different man. I saw a happy man with a fully healthy wife Audrey about to give birth again in July and that translated to the golf course. So forget about the two missed cuts in '16 and '14 and look more to his T4 here in 2013. For me it was no surprise to see him popping up too in the playoff at The Open in 2015; he has the big tournament temperament. Third on Tour in strokes gained putting and solid all season.
Justin Rose 25/1
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| Rosey spraying it all over the garden but that is ok here. |
You have to think there's a Masters win in Justin Rose somewhere along the line and why not this year. Top 15 in five of his last six Masters with a recent best of T2 in 2015 alongside Phil and behind Spieth. Top fives at the Sony, Farmers and Genesis have been followed by a T13 at The Arnie and T15 in Houston represent very solid form too. The reason that Rose performs better at The Masters is that the focus is not on driving accuracy, where his perceived weakness lies (no top 20 driving accuracy performance yet in 2017). Take that test out of the occasion and you have a real live contender who knows how to win a Major.
Paul Casey 40/1
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| Casey. King of calamity. |
Casey likes The Masters and has a tonne of course experience. Since making it back into the event in 2015 he's improved from T6 to T4 last year. That's a career total of four top-10's and six top-20's at Augusta. Not bad. Always goes about his business calmly whatever the calamity; and there will be plenty. Showed his mettle in 2016 recovering from from a 77 in round two last year to finish with a 67 and jump 12 places to T4. Solid GIR numbers in his last three starts say he has a chance.
Long Odds Glory Shots
Charley Hoffman 100/1
Great odds for The Hoff at The Masters! T4 at The Genesis and T2 at The Arnie and T23 in Houston coming in and a Masters best of T9 in 2015. Overpriced and not afraid to go well.
Shane Lowry 100/1
How could I leave out my countryman and one of my favourite players Shane Lowry? Withdrew last time out at The Genesis Open but pounded the greens at Pebble and in Phoenix. Yet to really contend after five Masters starts but last year at the US Open he could so easily have become a Major Champion. Hopefully the golfing Gods will smile on him this week.
Didn't Make My Cut
Brandt Snedeker 50/1
The shortlist included Sneds, Westwood, Oosty, Casey and even Rahm for the last slot. T3 and tears in 2008, T6 in 2013 and T10 last year. Coming in off top-10's at The Farmers, Pebble and Mexico show good form.
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