The Masters is with us again from Augusta

The Masters at Augusta is again with us the weekend after Easter so here are some interesting stats to help you with your online betting plus an overview of available odds, and there are some differences worth knowing about. Firstly the chances of a first time visitor winning are remote, the last time it happened was in 1979 when Fuzzy Zoeller got the green jacket. Only Mark O’Meara, Ben Crenshaw and Jack Nicklaus have won at over the age of 40; Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Jiminez, Vijay Singh and Steve Stricker are among those over 40. A player who has not yet won on the PGA tour is unlikely to achieve their first win at Augusta and they include Ross Fischer and Graeme McDowell. If a player has never finished in the top ten at the Masters they probably don’t like the course so their chances are slim. Putting is a huge part of the game at Augusta so will Sergio Garcia or Lee Westwood really come good now? Defending champions do not do well, the last time somebody won back to back was Tiger Woods in 2002; Angel Cabrera was last years winner. So who  is left you might ask? The favourite is of course Tiger Woods but can he really come back and overcome all the pressure? If you think so then 4/1 is about the best you can get at Bet365, Ladbrokes, BetFred or William Hill. Next in line is Phil Mickelson who must stand a great chance but don’t back him at less than the 9/1 which is available at Bwin or William Hill. Padraig Harrington is the Irish pick and he certainly has the game despite poor recent form but don’t take the miserly 14/1 at Paddy Power when you can get 20/1 at BetFred or William Hill. If you fancy an Englishman to take the prize how about Paul Casey? Best at 25/1 at Ladbrokes or William Hill. After that, if we are following history as above, we are looking at big odds but it would not be the first time a big odds winner has come through. The important thing in backing outsiders is to get your bet on before the first round because the odds will drop quickly with a good first round. Amongst this group are Stewart Cink at 80/1 widely available; Jim Furyk best at 35/1, Zak Johnson best at 70/1 with William Hill or a real outsider who might have a chance is Rory Sabbatini. He has been here 7 times before finished tied 2^nd in 2007 and was one shot off winning in Hawaii at the start of the year widely available at 100/1 but go for Paddy Power where you can still get 150/1.

The best of luck.