Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

A Blind Stab at Betting on the Masters

Masters

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Golf fans watch practice on the par three 16th hole during a practice round of The Masters, Monday, April 4, 2011 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga.

Let me preface this by saying golf handicapping lands somewhere in between competing in ironman triathlons and gardening on my personal strengths ladder. Translation: I’m not a golf bettor.

Walk from the Strip to the Las Vegas Hilton Superbook and the gentleman you encounter with the “Why Lie? Need Money For Beer” sign has as good a chance — ergh, maybe better — of providing winners.

But it’s Masters week, after all. The one stretch of the year where even the most casual sports fan will question why 2007 champion Zach Johnson ranks in the bottom five of the PGA Tour in driving distance.

That’s a real stat by the way. I looked it up.

On the flipside, I watch and bet on a lot of college basketball. That didn’t stop me from going 0-4 in the Final Four entry on this blog, so why not take a shot on the Masters prop board?

All of the wagers below come from the Hilton, where there are already a number of head-to-head matchups and props posted with more to come. We’ll try to focus on a few wagers that involve golfers with local ties.

Will Ryan Moore make the cut?

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Ryan Moore gives a celebratory fist pump after sinking a putt at a recent tournament. Bettors backing Moore to make the cut at the Masters will have a similar reaction.

Take “yes” -200

The 2005 UNLV graduate is relatively underrated for what he’s accomplished on the Tour so far. Although he withdrew from one event this year after the opening round, he’s made the cut at every other stop and finished 14th at last year’s Masters. Don’t be frightened by the chalky price, Moore’s good for it.

Tournament Matchup: Charley Hoffman vs. Kevin Na

Take Na -110

Hoffman, a member of the 1998 UNLV national championship team, is competing in his first Masters this year. Na has played at Augusta National before and, more importantly, is off to a good start this year with three top 25 finishes. Sorry Charley.

Tournament Matchup: Phil Mickelson vs. Tiger Woods

Take Woods +130

All the pressure and expectations are on Mickelson. Besides that, it’s a plus-price on Woods against one other golfer at the Masters. That’s an automatic wager. Keep an eye on the number because action is slamming in on Lefty at the Hilton and Tiger could wind up an even bigger underdog before his 10:48 tee time Thursday.

Finish Position By Rickie Fowler: Over/Under 34.5

Fowler Under 34.5

The 22-year old Fowler — who may or may not live in Las Vegas but does own a home here — is not the type to get overwhelmed by his first Masters appearance. The 2010 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year is the future. It’s not hard to imagine him announcing it once again by putting together a nice weekend in Augusta.

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Gary Woodland kisses the trophy he won two weeks ago with a victory at the Transitions Championship in Palm Harbor, Fla. Woodland and this blogger went to college together at the University of Kansas, which appears as a good enough reason to throw away money and bet on the field at 12-to-1.

As for picks on who will win, my first inclination points to Lee Westwood at 15-to-1. Mickelson Mania has overshadowed Westwood this week, but don’t forget he had a one-stroke lead heading into the final day last year. And Westwood, the world’s No. 2 ranked golfer, is bound to mark his name off the dreaded best-to-never-win-a-major list soon.

It’s hard not to like the field at 12-to-1. Keep in mind Johnson, Trevor Immelman and Angel Cabrera account for three of the past four champions. Included in the field this year are a few personal favorites — my University of Kansas classmate Gary Woodland and the past two champions of Las Vegas’ PGA Tour stop in Jonathan Byrd and Martin Laird.

Since it’s practically a requirement to take one golfer with more than 100-to-1 odds, check out Robert Allenby at 125-to-1. The Australian had a nice showing at last week’s Houston Open, finishing sixth, and has recorded a solid greens in regulation percentage this year.

I looked that stat up, too. I still don’t know anything about professional golf.

Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.

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