US Masters 2015 Odds – Golf Betting April 9 – 12

Kuchar and Westwood represents Augusta value

Golf Betting

Tiger Woods has declared himself fit and ready to bid for a fifth US Masters title but don’t get pulled into this myth that the former world number one is anywhere near recapturing former glories.

Yes, he’s enjoyed some of his finest moments at the Augusta National. But in two outings this year he’s shot an 82 to miss the cut in the Phoenix Open and only lasted 11 holes in the Farmers Insurance Open in February, his last appearance. Time waits for no man and, Tigers neither apparently, and his day looks to have gone – he’s a general 50/1 this week.

Most bookmakers are paying out each-way bets on the first five at Augusta but Skybet, Paddy Power and betWay are paying out on the first six while betfair will pay out down to seventh place with betWay matching that for new customers. If you open an account with Coral, they will treble your odds on any bet on the US Masters.

Rory McIlroy is the general 6/1 favourite at Augusta but is, of course, still awaiting his first victory in Georgia. Who can forget his capitulation in 2011 when taking a four-stroke lead into the final round? The Ulsterman claims that disastrous final-round 80 was the making of him but he must still have nightmares about that day and Augusta certainly hasn’t got any easier in the interim. Holes nine, 10, 11 and 12 – Carolina Cherry, Camellia, White Dogwood and Golden Bell – generally make-or-break a round and are among the hardest in world golf. McIlroy tied for eighth last year but still has a lot to prove.
Lee Westwood
Jordan Spieth tied for second last year and it’s no surprise that the 21-year-old Texan is among the market leaders this time. He’s in terrific form, only losing the Houston Open in a play-off last week. He won the Valspar Championship last month and also finished second in the Texas Open so there should be plenty of takers at Betfred‘s 11/1.

Defending champions Bubba Watson is 12/1 with Stan James and deserves respect. Jason Day (a general 16/1) is also prominent in the betting, as is Australian Adam Scott (a general 20/1). Justin Rose is a general 40/1 and the shortest-priced Englishman in the betting. But my two against the field are Matt Kuchar (also a general 40/1) and Lee Westwood.

‘Not Westwood again,’ I hear everyone say with disdain in their voice, ‘ but he’s never won a Major!’ That’s true and time is running out but he is just so consistent around Augusta and the general 50/1 makes plenty appeal on those aforementioned place terms. He’s 8/1 to be top GB and Ireland player with Ladbrokes, Skybet and Stan James.

Kuchar is another who loves the Augusta National – he’s never finished outside the top 30 in five previous visits and has finished third, fifth and eighth in the last three years. He’s played in 10 tournaments this year on the US PGA Tour and has made the cut each time, finishing in the top 25 on seven occasions. That consistency means he won’t be liable to attacks of panic in the Masters and he should give backers a decent run for their money over the four days.