We’re just a couple of days away from the 2015 Masters and anticipation is mounting for the year’s first major golf championship. Tiger Woods returns this week and the news that he looks to be in devastating form once again. With McIlroy poised to complete the career Grand Slam in this year’s Masters as well, it’s bound to be one unforgettable major tournament.
To add more flavor to your Masters viewing, we have listed down some of the top prop bets on offer for this week’s event. Read on as we preview some of these offerings and while you’re at it check out our complete preview of the 2015 Masters here.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]2015 Masters Prop Bets Picks
Tiger Woods to Finish in the Top Five
Yes +600, No -1,000 – see prop
[sc:Golf240banner ]He’s back! After a two-month absence, Tiger Woods finally makes his grand return to the golfing scene at the Masters this week with plenty of uncertainty still surrounding the state of his game. It has been a woeful 2015 season for Woods, who has just played two tournaments this year. He only played 47 holes in those two events and his short game was definitely cringe-worthy to say the least during that time.
Much has been said about Woods’ struggles with some even saying that this is the beginning of the end for the former World No. 1. But just when we thought Woods will be a laughingstock at this year’s Masters, here he comes with guns blazing in his first practice round, displaying the form that made him the 14-time major champion.
Of course this is just a practice round but the signs are good that we are close to seeing the Tiger Woods of old. If he has indeed fixed his short game that was simply horrendous earlier this year, it isn’t far-fetched to see Woods right at the top of the leaderboard this coming weekend. One advantage he has against all the other competitors this week is his experience with Augusta National.
He has already won this event four times, grabbing the green jacket back in 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005. He is also a perennial contender in this event, finishing in the top 5 11 times. If there’s one golfer who can come from a long lay-off and contend right away, it’s got to be Tiger Woods.
Writer’s Prediction: Woods (+600) shocks the sporting world with a top-5 finish at the Masters this week.
Winning Nationality
USA -130, Europe +210, Any Other +400 – see prop
One of the greatest mysteries in golf right now is Europe’s recent struggles at Augusta National. They may boast of the world’s best golfer (Rory McIlroy) and may be the undisputed kings of the Ryder Cup right now but in terms of the Masters, the Europeans (+210) have been left behind.
During this century, the Europeans have won four US Opens, five Open Championships and four PGA Championships. Surprisingly, though, they have not won a single green jacket. That is a shock considering that prior to this stretch Europeans have won this event 11 out of 19 times culminating with Jose Maria Olazabal’s triumph back in 1999.
Of course it didn’t help matters that the American duo of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson combined for a total of six green jackets since the turn of the millennium. With Bubba Watson joining the fray as well, the American contingent is well represented at this tournament.
This might be Europe’s best shot, though, to end its barren run with Northern Irishman McIlroy looking to complete the career Grand Slam this week.
Writer’s Prediction: The coveted green jacket will remain with the USA (-130) this year.
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Winner to Play in the Final Pairing
Yes -210, No +165 – see prop
Being in the final pairing doesn’t guarantee a golfer a green jacket but he will sure like his chances of grabbing the Masters title if he finds himself in the final twosome on Sunday afternoon. Through 2014, 20 of the past 24 winners have come out of the final pairing on Sunday. That includes defending Masters champion Bubba Watson who was in the final group last year alongside Jordan Spieth.
Apart from being at the top of the leaderboard heading into the final round, one advantage that the final group has against the rest of the field is that they will tackle the dreaded back nine of Augusta National on Sunday afternoon with almost no wind. That lessens the difficulty factor of Amen Corner which is a beast when played with howling winds.
Writer’s Prediction: Look for the winner of the 2015 Masters to come in the final pairing (-210).
Will the Course Record Be Broken (62 or less)?
Yes +1,000, No -2,000 – see prop
Two golfers share the course record here at Augusta National, namely Nick Price and Greg Norman who shot stunning rounds of nine-under-par 63 back in 1986 and 1996 respectively. Posting those low scores were much easier before, though, with Augusta National still possessing some wide fairways back then.
Nowadays, the Masters have proven to be one of the toughest tests in world golf. The course is now 7,435 yards long with narrow fairways and punishing greens. Any wayward drive will be rewarded with a difficult approach shot from the rough. It’s hard seeing anyone shooting at least a 62 in this brutal set-up.
Writer’s Prediction: The course record will not be broken (-2,000) this year.
Rory McIlroy to Finish in the Top 5
Yes +135, No -170 – see prop
Apart from Tiger Woods’ much-anticipated return this week, the main storyline in this year’s Masters is McIlroy’s pursuit of the career Grand Slam. A victory this week here at Augusta will help McIlroy join legendary golfers Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gene Sarazen, Gary Player and Tiger Woods as the only players to manage such a feat.
Given his recent success, it’s surprising to find out that the world No. 1 has yet to finish in the top five in his six Masters starts. His best finish here came last year where he ended up in a tie for eighth. We must all remember, though, that McIlroy came close to winning this event in the past. He held a four-shot lead heading into the final round back in 2011 but imploded with an eight-over-par 80 on Sunday afternoon to bow out of contention.
McIlroy, however, is a much different golfer now compared to the one that suffered a huge meltdown back then. Look for McIlroy to be right in the hunt this coming weekend and be in the running for his first green jacket.
Writer’s Prediction: McIlroy will grab his first top-5 finish at the Masters this week (+135).
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