Two rounds gone, two rounds to go, we’re here to help you make the weekend at Augusta more profitable for you.
So, how are you doing after two days of golf at the Masters? Many of us feel like this
Yes, with the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Angel Cabrera and Charl Schwartzel, all genuine contenders on Thursday morning, now facing a the weekend off, we decided to give you a new betting update to see who you could back if your original pick either bit the dust or slipped out of contention.
Top of the leaderboard, by an impressive three strokes this morning at -7, is 2012 winner Bubba Watson. We don’t wish to blow our own trumpet too soon but we did say that ‘Bubba is our best bet for a straight up win punt’ in our preview on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Bubba was a juicy 25/1 with BetPack. This morning he is at 13/8 but that still may be worth a bet. Bubba has the biggest halfway lead in the event since 2006 but the halfway leader wins the Masters only about 35 per cent of the time. The last to do it was Trevor Immelman in 2008 and the omens are good Bubba follow in the South African’s footsteps.
He has played exceptional golf so far. He has only two bogeys, he has missed only eight greens and his run of five consecutive birdies on the back nine yesterday was simply stunning. If Bubba continues to play as he has for the last two days, he won’t be caught.
However, if the leader’s advantage does begin to slip, then who is poised to step in? Last year’s winner Adam Scott at 9/2 has to be worth a bet. Sitting four back of Bubba on -3, three birdies on the back nine yesterday put the Australian right back in it and he looks the most likely big name to make a surge.
Another Major winner in the chasing pack is Jim Furyk. We honestly didn’t think the 43-year-old American had the length off the tee to compete at Augusta but a flawless round of 68 yesterday (four birdies, no bogeys) proved us wrong. That round put him right in the mix at -2. At 20/1, he is worth an EW shout.
The history of this tournament suggests that anyone within eight shots of the leader has a chance. The most anyone has ever been behind at the halfway stage at Augusta and come back to win was eight strokes, by Jack Burke in 1956. Using that logic, the 25 golfers up to +1 have a shot.
With that in mind, the likes of Matt Kuchar (Even) at 25/1, Louis Oosthuizen (Even) at 50/1 and Brandt Snedeker (Even) at 40/1 all represent value.
But away from picking the green jacket winner, we think there is some value to be found too. One or two of those who just make the cut usually have a stormer over the weekend and get themselves into the shake-up. They rarely win but backing them for a top-five finish can be profitable.
Rory McIlroy’s four-over back nine yesterday probably scuppered his hopes of a win and he only just made the cut. Sitting 11 shots back from Bubba he surely can’t win from here but he is only eight off those in second and you could easily imagine Rory putting together back-to-back 68s at the weekend. At 12/1 for a top five, we think that will give you a good run for your money.
Gary Woodland, who finished with four bogeys in a row last night, is a monster off the tee so if he can rediscover the form he had over the first 32 holes, he could charge up from his current score of +3. At 28/1 he is overpriced for a top five.
However, if you really need to recoup some losses then have a look at the 50/1 available for former Masters champ Mike Weir to finish in the top five. Sitting on +1, the left hander is very experienced and skilled around Augusta. He has seven birdies in two rounds so if he can cut out the bogeys he has a great shot of finishing in the mix.
And don’t forget about BetPack’s Bet-In-Play markets, with a special offer JOE readers.
