Masters betting: Our tipster picks out his favourites from the specials markets
Picking the outright winner is never quite enough during a major so we’ve got some Masters specials betting tips for you, starting with…
Masters specials betting tips: First round leader
Jordan Spieth
Off the back of his first win since the 2017 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, Spieth could not wish to be entering the Masters in better form. His win at the Valero Texas Open ended a drought of 1,351 days, so when you consider how impressive his form is at Augusta he certainly stands out in this market. The 2015 champion is out in the final group of the day, meaning he will also know the target he requires to keep pace with the leaders. The familiar momentum of his fast start in Texas last week could easily transfer to Augusta, and with the weight of the drought off his back he should be free-wheeling to a solid opening round. Spieth is currently listed at +1150 to win the 2021 Masters, third favourite behind Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau.
Lee Westwood
Westwood is another player who arrives at Augusta in sublime form, with back-to-back second place finishes in big events last month. His performances at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship were hugely impressive, but his Masters record is what appeals most. Westwood has played in the Masters ten times in the last twelve years, with two runner-up finishes among a series of other solid performances. Experience counts for a lot at Augusta, and Westwood has plenty, so this bet looks to be a great value shout at the price offered.
Corey Conners
Conners impressed in this competition back in November, finishing 10th on his third Masters start. Despite the event being shifted back to its traditional April slot, therefore changing the likely conditions of the course, he arrives in good form so has a chance. Conners finished third at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March, and followed that with a 7th place finish at the Players Championship, indicating he can hold his own in some of the biggest events on the PGA Tour. It is also worth noting that Conners opened with an impressive 66 at Bay Hill, suggesting he has a fast start in him. The Canadian may not win the event this week, but he definitely looks to be a solid each-way bet in this market.
Masters special betting tips: In-play
Tony Finau – To finish in the top 10
Finau has proven himself to be a top 10 machine in recent years, not just in regular PGA Tour events but at Augusta National too. Finau had a reasonable start on a tricky opening day, shooting a two-over-par 74 that showed some signs of promise. Four birdies for Finau helped to cancel out some of the damage, and with three rounds still to play I am surprised you can get him at around 4/1 to secure another top 10 finish. a T10 in 2018 and a T5 in 2019, both played in the usual April slot, demonstrate some promise in this selection and for that reason I will be investing before the second round commences.
Bubba Watson – To finish in the top 10
We all know how huge this tournament has been in Bubba Watson’s career, and considering his fantastic record I am astonished that you can still get Bubba at around 8/1 to finish in the top 10. His opening round was respectable, shooting a two-over-par 74 which could have been so much better if not for a disappointing finish. Having won the Masters twice, and finishing in the top 20 a further three times, few on the course will have the sort of experience here that Bubba boasts. At a big price, he could be worth siding with as the conditions catch out other competitors.
Jordan Spieth – Winner w/o Hideki Matsuyama
I am sure Spieth will be disappointed with how the third round panned out, with moments of brilliance on the 8th and 10th holes not enough to prevent an average even-par 72. Still, those moments of brilliance are enough to convince me that Spieth is up to his old tricks, which could be a real asset in the final round. He is only two shots back of second place, and has plenty of experience being in contention at the Masters. At around 7/1 in this market, I am expecting one last big push from Spieth who certainly won’t feel he is out of this yet.
