Yes, betting on The Masters futures odds can be a fun endeavor. Sprinkle some money on players at various plus-money odds to win at Augusta, and hope one of them dons the green jacket. But picking the winner of a golf tournament, especially a major, is no easy task. So perhaps you’re better served wading into the Masters prop bets pool.
There’s certainly no shortage of Masters props, made all the more attractive by the very likely presence of Tiger Woods.
Props.com tapped the brain of VSIN host and avid golf bettor Brady Kannon, who provided five Masters prop bets he thinks are worth a shot.
Tiger To Survive … Until The Weekend
Woods hasn’t played a round of legit competitive golf since the 2020 Masters, which you might recall was contested in November, due to the pandemic. He subsequently had back surgery, then in February 2021 was in a serious auto accident that nearly cost him his right leg.
Up until a couple of weeks ago, most oddsmakers didn’t think Tiger would tee it up at Augusta. But recent practice rounds, followed by a Tuesday declaration by Woods himself that he intends to play, have changed that thinking.
Even though Woods hasn’t played in 16 months, Kannon said the five-time Masters champ is worth wagering on — to a certain point.
“On the prop of will Tiger make the cut, No is in the neighborhood of -130, Yes +110,” said Kannon, who hosts the Long Shots golf betting program on VSIN. “When I was asked two weeks ago whether Tiger would even play, I thought his chances were about 20 percent. That’s obviously changed. I don’t think Tiger spends all this time and effort — physical therapy, doctor’s care, training — not knowing if he can contend.
“He’s not going through all of this just to say, ‘Gosh, I want to make the cut.’ He only has to play 36 holes — 36 holes well — to make the cut.”
And that’s what Kannon believes Tiger has in his gas tank this week.
“Augusta National is very hilly. Over three to four days, that is gonna wear on him. How’s he going to deal with the pain?” Kannon pondered. “Taking plus money on Tiger to make the cut is not a bad bet.”
Rory On The Rise
Rory McIlroy has four major titles to his credit, missing only a Masters championship, but his last major victory came in 2014. So although McIlroy is in the +2,000 range to win this week, he’s lurking rather quietly. In fact, amid all the Woods noise, a lot of very good players are flying under the radar.
“I think Rory McIlroy is going to have a good week, and a lot of this has to do with Tiger,” Kannon said. “All the media attention is going to Tiger. Guys like Rory and Brooks Koepka can go about their business and stay out of the spotlight. That’s good for Rory.”
Not necessarily good enough to win and complete a career grand slam, but enough to very much be in the thick of things.
“Rory to finish top 10 at almost 2/1, that’s a pretty good bet,” Kannon said, noting he’s seeing +180 or thereabouts on that prop. “Rain has the potential to soften the course a little bit. That’s where Rory tends to flourish. There’s also some wind in the forecast, and Rory is definitely a good wind player.”
Give Lowry A Look
Speaking of golfers who know how to tame the wind, Kannon pointed out Shane Lowry, the 2019 British Open champion. In The Masters prop bets market, Lowry is at modest plus money, in the +115 range, to post a top-20 finish.
“Lowry typically has not done great at Augusta. But this is his seventh time there, and the last two times, he was in the top 25,” Kannon said, referring to the Irishman’s tie for 25th in 2020 and tie for 21st last year. “Lowry is at the point where he’s starting to figure out this course. I like his chances to finish in the top 20.”
Head-To-Head Matchups
Kannon wrapped up his Masters prop bets suggestions with a pair of head-to-head matchups (encompassing all four rounds of the tournament). The first of those: McIlroy vs. Collin Morikawa.
Even though Morikawa has two majors in the past two years — the 2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 British Open — Kannon said he’s laying some juice with McIlroy.
“I took Rory -140 over Collin Morikawa,” Kannon said of going back to the well for a second McIlroy prop. “Morikawa just hasn’t been in great form, and the type of player Morikawa is just isn’t necessarily suited to Augusta.”
The second matchup is among a couple of dark horses in this field, though both are certainly name brands.
“I took Adam Scott +110 over Tony Finau,” Kannon said. “Finau is struggling with his short game altogether, chipping and putting. He hasn’t been in good form as of late. Scott is obviously a former Masters winner (2013). In this matchup, at worst, Scott should at least be a pick ’em, if not a small favorite.”
For more Masters and general golf-betting insights, follow Kannon on Twitter.