Golf’s most iconic tournament–The Masters–begins on Thursday at the venerable Augusta National Golf Course in Augusta, Georgia. The Masters dates back to the mid-1930s and was started by golf legend Bobby Jones and businessman Clifford Roberts. After winning the 1930 Grand Slam, Jones bought a piece of property that was previously a plant nursery. The course, designed by Jones and course architect Alister MacKenzie became known as the Augusta National–one of the most prestigious and insular private golf courses in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Masters is laden with tradition. The famed ‘green jacket’ awarded to the winner is a tradition that dates back to 1949 is plays a part in a time honored ritual. The previous year’s winner must return his green jacket to the clubhouse before the start of the following year’s tournament. The jacket remains his personal property though it remains in the Augusta National clubhouse cloakroom stored with the jackets of other winners. Typically, only a first time winner is allowed to remove his jacket from the Augusta National grounds and only during his title reign. Golfers that win the event more than once don’t get an additional jacket–they’re ‘awarded’ the jacket they’ve already received.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gambling and golf have always been synonymous within the game but in recent years it’s become a popular betting proposition at sportsbooks worldwide. In many ways, it’s a perfect sport for betting. There’s seldom a player so dominant that the rest of a tournament field doesn’t have a viable chance. There’s a ton of statistical data on the performance of individual golfers, the tendencies of specific courses and even how golfers fare statistically from one venue to another. The ‘big names’ like Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose don’t always win. With extensive television coverage and a leisurely pace, there’s plenty of betting opportunities and plenty of time to wager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Masters golf futures betting odds<\/a> have Rory McIlroy installed as the favorite at +800 followed by Dustin Johnson (+1100), Justin Rose (+1400), Jon Rahm (+1800), Rickie Fowler (+1800) and a resurgent Tiger Woods (+1800). Interestingly, with the exception of four time winner Woods none of the top six betting interests have won The Masters. After Tiger Woods, the shortest price for a former Masters winner is Jordan Spieth (+2500) who took the green jacket in 2015 with a record tying -18 under par.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The weather is a factor at any golf tournament and particularly The Masters. The forecast for the weekend is typical for April in the South–Thursday’s opening round is expected to be sunny and warm with a light east wind. The rest of the weekend forecast expects cloudy skies with highs in the low 80’s and a chance of showers and thunderstorms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To bet successfully on golf it’s essential to do your research and look beyond the big names. The golfers at the top of the betting board are usually excellent golfers and well known names. You may find lower profile players down the board a bit that might excel at a specific course and\/or be in better form. If you’d like an in-depth handicapping analysis from a golf betting expert check out the Under Review<\/em> podcast featuring Matt Wiley from the Golflandia<\/em> podcast<\/p>\n\n\n\n UNDER REVIEW PODCAST–2019 MASTERS ODDS AND PICKS WITH MATT WILEY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n