Seek value across the board.
That’s a realistic philosophy for Mountain State bettors as the celebrated Masters, the first of the PGA majors, dawns Thursday-Sunday from Augusta, Georgia.
Good prices are abundant and, unlike other sports, many long shots are live.
Hideki Matsuyama is the defending champion, and his DraftKings Sportsbook WV odds are +2500 to win, +500 for the top five and +225 for the top 10. Why wouldn’t he be capable of producing another strong run?
Scottie Scheffler is second on the DraftKings board at +1200. But he’s the leading 2022 money-winner at just over $7.4 million, according to recent figures. Why couldn’t he deliver big?
There are opportunities galore in this field of 90.
Masters odds at WV sportsbooks
Here was the first listing at DraftKings:
Jon Rahm was listed as the favorite. When isn’t he? Rahm is +850.
Scheffler is next at +1200. Justin Thomas opened at +1400, along with Cameron Smith.
Dustin Johnson was +1600.
But there are some attractive prices below this, too. Look at these other big values:
- Viktor Hovland +1800
- Jordan Spieth +1800
- Will Zalatoris +3500
Zalatoris was the runner-up last year, losing by just one stroke.
And, dare we say it, reports are that five-time champion Tiger Woods may return. This could be a game-time decision. But WV sportsbooks jumped all over the word “may.” He is +4000 and remote, but he is the unofficial patron saint of legalized golf betting.
His 2019 Masters triumph unfolded just as states were beginning to offer legal sports wagering, and Woods was the subject of individual matchups, next-hole scores and more.
He will be a sentimental favorite for other reasons, too. Woods nearly lost his right leg in a car accident in February 2021 and has not played a competitive tournament in 17 months (since the Masters in November 2020).
Something about the Masters brings Woods back to the fountain of youth. He won this in 2019, 22 years after taking his first one. We’ll see if the heart and soul of the Masters makes an appearance.
Bettors have to prepare for both if he will and won’t play.
How to watch the 2022 Masters
- Thursday-Friday: ESPN, 3-7:30 p.m. ET
- Saturday: CBS, 3-7 p.m.
- Sunday: CBS, 2-7 p.m.
Analyzing Augusta National Golf Club
The field is no more than 90, down from the normal 144 because this is an invitation-only tournament process.
There are some handicapping tips in regard to the course. See if the holes listed hardest and easiest on the Augusta scorecard measure up.
The second hole is listed as the toughest, but its downhill terrain and par-5 status suggest birdie opportunities.
The 15th could be a significant hole. It is a big par 5 with a risk-reward body of water in front of the long, narrow green. There was once a double-eagle two recorded on this hole. And there was also a 13.
The 12th is listed as one of the most famous par 3s in the world, with water in front and traps guarding a small green.
See how the pros play it early to get an idea of what might make sense for next-hole scores of birdie, par or bogey.
Almost no golfer goes wire-to-wire. There is a slightly higher chance of that in this smaller field.
With that in mind, don’t lose faith if the golfer you backed has just an average first round. A strong second 18 can put him in the mix.
Betting on the 2022 Masters
There is a string of long-shot possibilities for any particular player to notch a hole-in-one.
It’s a lottery ticket, but there were two recorded in the 2021 Masters. Tommy Fleetwood and Corey Conners did the trick.
There are two ways to take a whack at this. One, take +6500 odds on practically any player in the field. Two, select odds of +150 that there will be at least two hole-in-ones in the entire tournament.
There are three-way considerations in which any player in a block of three can win the tournament. This is a nice hedge, bringing more possibilities into play.
BetMGM Sportsbook WV presents a shopping opportunity.
Gamblers who like Rahm get a better price here, at +1000. Backers of Matsuyama will get +3300, also a nice comparative price.
Golf offers gamblers more significant price changes at the books because of the large field sizes and differences in opinion about how the players are evaluated.
There also is a litany of props involving Woods. They pay significantly well, but gamblers will want to take an objective view of him before deciding.
Find the golfer you want and go shopping, looking at each book.
There’s a quality sample from Caesars WV for betting on these blocks of players.
Here’s a pairing of four golfers who are relative long shots, placed into a package for reduced odds.
Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, Tony Finau and Paul Casey combine for a payout of +750. The payout is far less than each player individually but gives the gambler four different players to win the tournament.