2011 Masters Golf Betting Odds
The Masters: A tradition unlike any other. The Green Jacket. These hallowed phrases are forever linked to the world’s most prestigious golf tournament and will flow off the tongues of sports pundits worldwide this week as the top players gather to the annual walk through the glorious Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. The first of the four so-called major tournaments begins Thursday, April 7 and ends Sunday, April 10. Phil Mickelson is the defending champion, and comes off a win last week at the Shell Houston Open.
We have the latest odds for the 2011 Masters Tournament listed below. Betting odds are running for the outright winner, plus matchup bets as well. Matchup bets will be available at Sportsbook.com until Sunday morning before the final round begins.
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2011 Masters Tournament Golf Preview
The Augusta National Golf Club is often considered the most beautiful golf course in the world. Designed by Bobby Jones, its fabled 7435 yard par 72 layout has seen some of the greatest moments in golf history.
The infamous “Amen Corner” (holes, 11, 12 and 13) is high risk and high reward and often plays a key role in deciding the winner on Sunday. The 11th is a long 505-yard par 4 with a long narrow green. Sunday’s pin is often cut to the back making the drive critical to set up the proper approach angle. On a windy day, par is an excellent score on this hole.
The 12th, called Golden Bell is the signature hole of the course for its picturesque setting across the Ben Hogan Bridge and it’s tightly guarded green with three bunkers in back and water in front. The 12th is a short 155- yard par three that plays differently all four days of the tournament making club selection crucial. If you hit the sand, a four is a good result.
And finally the 13th, a 510-yard par five is an eagle opportunity as well as a double bogey possibility. Its two-tiered sloped green framed by azaleas is beautiful but well guarded in front by part of Rae’s Creek, which has sucked the life of many a potential Masters champion.
Augusta’s final three holes have seen the storied finishes of golf’s greats from Jones to Nicklaus, Palmer and Woods. The 16th hole is a par three played entirely over water guarded by three bunkers with a pitched green. The 17th and 18th are uphill par fours with fast greens and wicked rough. Poor tee shots on either hole can doom the competitors to bogey or worse.
The golfer with the strongest nerve and most consistent swing over four days is most likely to win the 2011 Masters. Putting is the key. When playing well, no player reads these greens like Tiger Woods. If he can drive consistently and hit good approach shots he will easily outdistance the field. He is still that good at Augusta. The question is can he be consistent getting to the greens. A four-time winner, Woods will be a factor if he plays well on Thursday and Friday.
Three-time champion Phil Mickelson has improved his putting and is still one of the best long iron players around. If he is making his putts and his irons are getting him in tight, he can’t be counted out to repeat. Lee Westwood’s game is well suited here and he finished second to Mickelson in 2010.
2011 Masters Tournament Prediction
The names to watch are world number one Martin Kaymer, Bubba Watson, Ian Poulter, former champion Zach Johnson, and Anthony Kim. The 2011 Masters odds are long on many in the field, but Kim and Kaymer are my best bets. Check out the latest odds above.
If you’re interested in betting on the outright winner, get your bets in now. Once the action begins on Thursday most online sportsbooks remove their outright winner bets and only offer matchup bets.
View the latest odds for all PGA tournaments on our Golf Lines page. For other sports, visit the Sports Betting Lines homepage.
