Sports Interaction’s Al Dannity breaks down the best betting options for this weekend’s <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
ffice:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region> Masters in <st1
lace w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Augusta</st1:City></st1lace>.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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Tiger is back but he’s by no means out of the Woods yet. The media frenzy surrounding his scandalous affairs is going to climax at <st1lace w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Augusta</st1:City></st1lace> this weekend as he finally makes a return to the golf course. At +375 Tiger is the hot favorite to cap off his comeback with a Green Jacket but those odds are far from generous for a golfer coming back from a long lay-off. If you want to back the greatest golfer alive today there’s more value to be had in some of the specials available with Sports Interaction.
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If Tiger is on form coming into <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Augusta</st1lace></st1:City> it’s worth backing him to go on a hot streak and win wire-to-wire where he’s available at +1100. Alternatively look at some of the straight heads-up matches. Tiger is available at +100 to win his first round three ball with KJ Choi and Matt Kuchar. Alternatively you can back Tiger at -164 to beat Phil Mickelson over the course of the tournament, Lefty’s poor form in 2010 makes this a particularly attractive bet.
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While Tiger is hungry for success there will be plenty of challengers out there looking to spoil the party. Savvy bettors will steer clear of two of Tiger’s fiercest rivals. Phil Mickelson (+1100) has done about as much on the golf course in 2010 as Tiger, the only difference is Lefty isn’t making his first appearance of the year in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Augusta</st1lace></st1:City>. While Mickelson is known to falter when expectations are highest, a complete absence of good form is not a reason to bet on him to pull of an upset victory. Lefty will right himself but not this weekend.
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The other big name to avoid is Ernie Els (+1200). The South African has made the unusual call of dropping his regular caddy Ricci Roberts for the Masters in favor of former NHL player Dan Quinn. The duo have split caddying assignments with Els this season but the decision is bizarre as Roberts has carried Els’ bag for all of his major victories as well as two tournament victories this season.
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European challengers Lee Westwood (+1800) and Harrington (+1600) should not be discounted but the better value in overseas’ contenders comes with the outside challengers like Sergio Garcia at +5000 and Rory McIlroy at +4500. If you’re looking for a player who can handle the pressure over the course of four days, the best value may be through KJ Choi at +6600. If Choi can perform while playing alongside Tiger in the opening rounds then he will be well able for the pressure of the closing stages.
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For my money the best value betting options available are with the home-grown challenger. Given the superb form he’s shown in 2010 Steve Stricker is a great price at +2200 as is Anthony Kim at +2500. Back a <st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region> golfer to win big with Sports Interaction this weekend in <st1lace w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Augusta</st1:City></st1lace>.
ffice:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region> Masters in <st1lace w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Augusta</st1:City></st1lace>.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o><o
> </o>Tiger is back but he’s by no means out of the Woods yet. The media frenzy surrounding his scandalous affairs is going to climax at <st1
lace w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Augusta</st1:City></st1lace> this weekend as he finally makes a return to the golf course. At +375 Tiger is the hot favorite to cap off his comeback with a Green Jacket but those odds are far from generous for a golfer coming back from a long lay-off. If you want to back the greatest golfer alive today there’s more value to be had in some of the specials available with Sports Interaction. <o
> </o>If Tiger is on form coming into <st1:City w:st="on"><st1
lace w:st="on">Augusta</st1lace></st1:City> it’s worth backing him to go on a hot streak and win wire-to-wire where he’s available at +1100. Alternatively look at some of the straight heads-up matches. Tiger is available at +100 to win his first round three ball with KJ Choi and Matt Kuchar. Alternatively you can back Tiger at -164 to beat Phil Mickelson over the course of the tournament, Lefty’s poor form in 2010 makes this a particularly attractive bet.<o
> </o>While Tiger is hungry for success there will be plenty of challengers out there looking to spoil the party. Savvy bettors will steer clear of two of Tiger’s fiercest rivals. Phil Mickelson (+1100) has done about as much on the golf course in 2010 as Tiger, the only difference is Lefty isn’t making his first appearance of the year in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1
lace w:st="on">Augusta</st1lace></st1:City>. While Mickelson is known to falter when expectations are highest, a complete absence of good form is not a reason to bet on him to pull of an upset victory. Lefty will right himself but not this weekend.<o
> </o>The other big name to avoid is Ernie Els (+1200). The South African has made the unusual call of dropping his regular caddy Ricci Roberts for the Masters in favor of former NHL player Dan Quinn. The duo have split caddying assignments with Els this season but the decision is bizarre as Roberts has carried Els’ bag for all of his major victories as well as two tournament victories this season.
<o
> </o>European challengers Lee Westwood (+1800) and Harrington (+1600) should not be discounted but the better value in overseas’ contenders comes with the outside challengers like Sergio Garcia at +5000 and Rory McIlroy at +4500. If you’re looking for a player who can handle the pressure over the course of four days, the best value may be through KJ Choi at +6600. If Choi can perform while playing alongside Tiger in the opening rounds then he will be well able for the pressure of the closing stages.
<o
> </o>For my money the best value betting options available are with the home-grown challenger. Given the superb form he’s shown in 2010 Steve Stricker is a great price at +2200 as is Anthony Kim at +2500. Back a <st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region> golfer to win big with Sports Interaction this weekend in <st1
lace w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Augusta</st1:City></st1lace>.
