The Masters: Best Bets by Brian Kirschner

The Masters has finally arrived. A tradition unlike any other that will have sports fans all over the world tuned in to the best golfers on Tour as they battle it out for that elusive green jacket. This event is one that brings everyone together. No matter your interest level in the PGA Tour on a week-to-week basis, people will tune in for The Masters. 

For someone like me who bets and heavily follows the PGA Tour every week, this is my Super Bowl. This is the week that everyone comes out of the woodwork asking for my favorite plays and bets. In my opinion, golf is the greatest and most profitable sport to bet on. Therefore I am always excited when people want to see that for themselves. 

In short, I am looking for in-form ball strikers that have great short games and have proven that can contend at this course. Trends have proven this to be the case in many of the previous renditions of The Masters. 

My overall strategy for this week in the outright market is to pick two elite golfers under 25/1, it’s really hard to go wrong using this strategy. I always advise having a certain number in mind of what you want to win on an outright ($1,000), and a number that you are willing to risk on outrights every week ($200)  and stick to that. It does not make sense to bet the same amount on all golfers and it doesn’t make sense to go over your allotment every week. 

Another aspect of golf betting is the placement markets, and for these, I like to wager 1.5U on plays ranging from +100 to +200. I feel as if this is the range that hits the most often and I never advise on laying juice in golf betting. 

There are many different ways to bet this event and I’m prepared to give you, in my opinion, the best plays in various markets.

Outright Jordan Spieth +2200 (Ceasars) 

This is in my opinion an outrageous number on one of the best Masters players of the past decade. Jordan Spieth is known for his immaculate short game, great putting, and magic around courses. All of those aspects of the game are going to be needed this week. 

For the 2015 Masters Champion who also has two runner-ups and a third-place finish just a year ago, I will take my chances at 22/1. Jordan Spieth certainly had no problems tee to green last week, gaining 10.9 strokes. His poor finish was due to his putting performance. Spieth has always taken a liking to these greens, so I don’t see that as an issue. 

Another thing I noticed about him is that he tends to putt well after poor results on the greens the week before. Spieth lost 2.2 at the PGA last year and gained 7.1 the next week. He lost 1.8 at The Players, and won the Valero the next week. There is so much value and no one else I love in this range. Bet Jordan Spieth to win the 2022 Masters. 

Top 10: Will Zalatoris +275 (Ceasars) 

Much like Spieth, I expect Willy Z to be a force to be reckoned with for years to come at Augusta. Runner up finisher last year, there is no reason that Zalatoris cannot come within the top 10 once again. 

There is no denying that Will is one of the best ball strikers on Tour. Over the past 24 rounds, he ranks 2nd to only Jon Rahm in SG: Ball Striking. The concern will him is his putting, however, he made some putter changes recently, that showed to be extremely advantageous at the Match Play. Over the past years, Augusta National has increased the distance of a few holes. These will now require longer approach shots and favor longer hitters. Zalatoris is one of the best long iron players tour and hits it a mile off the tee.

Zalatoris also putted exceptionally well on these greens last year. Green jacket winners have proven to not always be the best putters and I think Zalatrois fits that mold. 

Top 20: Shane Lowry +150 (DraftKings) 

I am playing in-form ball strikers at Augusta and Shane Lowry is the perfect example of that. Lowry has been red hot with his irons recently and I expect no different this week at the Masters. In his last three starts, Lowry has gone 2nd, 13th, and 12th and has gained on average five strokes on approach. These are exactly the type of numbers I am looking for this week. 

Lowry is also no stranger to winning big events. 2019 champion golfer of the year and past WGC winner on tour, he can handle the pressure down the stretch. Lowry also finished just outside the top 20 in his last two appearances, I think he finishes just a stroke better to cash this play. 

Top 40: Robert Macintyre +105 (FanDuel) 

This European Lefty has shown promise in his first appearance down Magnolia Lane and I expect more of that this week. A 12th place finish in his only appearance at Augusta, I see no reason as to why Bobby Mac can finish inside the top 40 at plus money. 

Lefties have proven to be successful at this event and distance off the tee is going to be important as well. Another reason that I like this play is that although a staple on the DP World Tour, Macintyre always gets up for his starts on the PGA Tour. He was 12th at the Genesis, 15th at WGC St. Jude, and notched an 8th place finish at the Open Championship. This bet should cash easily. 

There are also way fewer golfers in the field this week, which makes it easier to finish within the top 40. He just needs to make the cut and play average over the weekend for this to be a profitable bet.

Matchup: Marc Leishman over Adam Scott (+100) 

We have a battle of the Australians on our hands this week as my favorite matchup! I think there is no reason that Leishman should be getting overlooked this week and I’m prepared to play him. 

This short game wizard has three top 13 finishes at The Masters in his last four appearances and I expect another one this week. Leishman is known for his experience on tour, crafty short game, and well-balanced tee to green performances. The only concern is his recent form, however, last year he was coming off of two missed cuts and still managed a top-5 finish. 

In my opinion, Adam Scott has been relying on his putting too much, which is not his strength. He has also been trending in the opposite direction in terms of his Masters’ finishes since his 2013 victory. 

I wish you the absolute best of luck in your bets this week. Let’s have a profitable Masters week.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images