Masters betting guide: First round leader bets
Sergio Garcia (33/1)
There’s no way the Spaniard should be this price. Starting this tournament has never been a problem for Garcia. He’s broken 70 six times in the opening round and won this market in 2013.
His recent first round record reads: fourth, sixth, 40th, first, 29th, seventh. He’s also got two seconds and a third in there as well going back to 2000.
Having won in Dubai already this season, his game’s in good enough shape to enjoy another fast opening. One of these days, he’ll carry it through to Sunday.
Importantly, he’s a good wind player – just look at what he does on links courses – and, out late today, he might also get the best of the weather.
Rickie Fowler (25/1)
Led after the first round in Houston last week and leads the PGA Tour in first round scoring average with 68.14.
It will be interesting to see how he responds after faltering in the final round at Houston and he’s clearly still working through some technical issues in his swing.
His first round 68 in 2013, which saw him fourth on the leaderboard at the end of play, is his best effort to date but there’s enough in his game – and the price – for me to take a look.
Paul Casey (33/1)
Again, the price compels me to dive in. Eighth and fourth after the opening round over the past two years, he’s also packing a 68.40 first round scoring average in 10 PGA Tour events this season.
He’s probably going to need a bit of luck with the weather. If the wind gets up as forecast, Casey is going to be out there in the worst of it.
But that’s factored into the price and it’s big enough for me to back.
To see who I’ve already backed to win, and who could be flying under the radar, visit our dedicated Masters site.
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Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
