The Masters Expert Betting Picks: Live Long Shots to Wager On
The Masters is still more than a week off, but to be honest I'm already a little bored of the tournament. Or, more correctly, I'm board of the storylines that are going to be talked about heading into and during the tournament. Tiger, Tiger, Tiger. Can Tiger beat Dustin Johnson? Can Tiger Beat Rory? Can Tiger beat Justin Thomas? Or Jordan Spieth? Can Anyone beat Tiger? Tiger, Tiger, Tiger. Yawn. I guess this proves that when it comes to Tiger I am over it. All of it.
So, to keep things interesting, I am going to completely ignore those storylines and look further down the field. The majors are where long shots often shine, so let's take a look at six Masters long shots that could provide some nice betting value ( Odds are from Bovada ):
Tyrrell Hatton (+5000): This young Brit has three wins on the European tour since October of 2016, so he is in solid form. He handles adversity well, too. He found himself in the eye of a storm after his behavior while collapsing after leading the British Masters was called into question. Instead of letting it bother him or distract him, he went out the next week and won. He missed the cut in all four majors last year but finished fifth in the Open Championship and 10th in the PGA Championship in 2016, so he has some big game credentials. And he finished third in this year's season opening World Golf Championship event. I wouldn't want this price to be any lower, but I like it where it is.
Bryson DeChambeau (+7000): With so many good young Americans out there, we might as well jump on one at a big price. In 2016 DeChambeau became just the fifth guy to win the U.S. Amateur and the NCAA title in the same season. Tiger and Phil have both done it, so he's in pretty good company. He only turned pro after the Masters in 2016, and he won his first event last year, so he is only scratching the surface of what he can do. He was the low amateur here the only time he played, so he likes the course, too.
Charl Schwartzel (+8000): One easy way to find futures value is to pick guys who have already won a major. We know they can win under pressure because they already have. Even better, Schwartzel's lone major win came at Augusta in 2011. And he was third in the tournament last year, too. He clearly loves the course. And while he isn't in peak form, he can still play. He fits the bill as a live long shot. As an added bonus, his champion's dinner in 2012 was one of the weirder menus in recent times, so it would be great to see what he would be served if he won again.
Charley Hoffman (+8000): Hoffman has played the Masters four times, making the cut each time and never finishing worse than 29th. He was tied for ninth in 2016 and had strong results in all four majors last year. This is a guy who likes big stages, and he likes Augusta a lot. He has played well in WGC events this year, too. Hoffman is 41, so his window is closing at this level. As an old guy myself, I suggest you get on board and support old guys out there who need love, too.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat (+10000): Part of me hopes he is a serious contender just because of how fun it will be to hear people try to say or spell his name. And part of me is rooting for him because he's an easy guy to root for. They don't call him the Asian John Daly for nothing - all-you-can-eat buffets in the Augusta area will want to be stocked up just in case he stops by. That aside, the guy can golf, too. He had a win in February on the European Tour, so the Thai golfer is in good form. And he finished 15th last year in his first visit to Augusta, so he likes this course and knows what to expect. He's done well in World Golf Championships this year as well - tied for fifth in the opening event and the quarterfinals of Match Play - so he rises to the occasion against top competition. Well worth a gamble at this price.
Adam Hadwin (+12500): Sure, part of the reason I love this price is because he is my fellow Canadian. But more than that, the guy can golf. He won on Tour last year. He made the cut last year in his first appearance in Augusta. And he has performed well in both WGC events this year. He's going to have a breakthrough at some point, so jump on the bandwagon at this price.
Doc's Sports is offering $60 worth of member's picks absolutely free - no obligation, no sales people - you don't even have to enter credit card information. You can use this $60 credit any way you please for any handicapper and any sport on Doc's Sports list of expert sports handicappers. Get $60 worth of premium members' picks free .
Read more articles by Trevor Whenham