OK, we know Tiger Woods is going to win the Masters for a record third straight time. But there is a 'prop' has to at least tempt you to go against Woods.
Station Casino hotels in Las Vegas has Woods minus $2.20 to finish higher than the entry of Ernie Els, Davis Love III, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh, who are plus $1.80.
Mickelson has played only once the past five weeks, Singh is coming off a rib injury and Els may not be 100 percent because of a sore wrist, but Love is one of the hottest players on Tour and is big off the tee.
"That line is outrageous," golf handicapper Alf Musketa said about getting Els, Love, Mickelson and Singh against Woods at nearly 2/1. "If it weren't the Masters, I'd play it.
"If it were any other tournament, I'd do it. If it were the PGA, U.S. Open, British Open. But not the Masters."
There's a major reason why the odds on Woods to win the tournament are even- money at Station properties, Coast hotels and the Leroy's books. The Masters course is tailor-made for his outstanding long game and putting skills.
With rainy conditions expected, the course should play longer. This favors big hitters even more because wet grass slows the ball. Woods, who averages 293.3 yards off the tee, won last year's Masters under wet conditions.
"Even-money odds are ridiculous for a golfer," said Bob Smith, chief supervisor for the Leroy's sports books. "And when you say it's a golfer in the Masters, it's even more ridiculous. But then you look at Tiger's record and what he's done on this course. When a guy wins as much as he wins, you have to give the guy his due."
No tournament draws more action than the Masters and no golfer has more tickets written on him than Woods. He has single-handily elevated not only golf, but also greatly impacted the amount wagered on the sport.
It's rarely good for the house when Woods wins. However, Smith has a mixed reaction whenever Woods comes finishes in the top spot.
"It's a double edged sword," he said. "When he wins it creates excitement and more people bet golf."
Musketa believes Woods wins easily this weekend. In five tournaments this season, Woods is 47 under par and has only finished out of the top-five once.
But if you're going against Woods, it certainly makes sense to shop. This isn't a pro football game where all the numbers are identical.
For instance, there were a number of differences Monday night at Stations and Coast properties. Mickelson was 8/1 at Station's compared to 3/1 at Coast, while Els was 17/1 at Coast but just 4/1 at Station's.
Coast had David Duval at 25/1, while Stations listed him at 40/1. Love was 12/1 at Station's and 7/1 at Coast. Sergio Garcia was 23/1 at Coast, but 15/1 at Station's. David Toms was 25/1 at Station's and 14/1 at Coast.
Station Casino hotels in Las Vegas has Woods minus $2.20 to finish higher than the entry of Ernie Els, Davis Love III, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh, who are plus $1.80.
Mickelson has played only once the past five weeks, Singh is coming off a rib injury and Els may not be 100 percent because of a sore wrist, but Love is one of the hottest players on Tour and is big off the tee.
"That line is outrageous," golf handicapper Alf Musketa said about getting Els, Love, Mickelson and Singh against Woods at nearly 2/1. "If it weren't the Masters, I'd play it.
"If it were any other tournament, I'd do it. If it were the PGA, U.S. Open, British Open. But not the Masters."
There's a major reason why the odds on Woods to win the tournament are even- money at Station properties, Coast hotels and the Leroy's books. The Masters course is tailor-made for his outstanding long game and putting skills.
With rainy conditions expected, the course should play longer. This favors big hitters even more because wet grass slows the ball. Woods, who averages 293.3 yards off the tee, won last year's Masters under wet conditions.
"Even-money odds are ridiculous for a golfer," said Bob Smith, chief supervisor for the Leroy's sports books. "And when you say it's a golfer in the Masters, it's even more ridiculous. But then you look at Tiger's record and what he's done on this course. When a guy wins as much as he wins, you have to give the guy his due."
No tournament draws more action than the Masters and no golfer has more tickets written on him than Woods. He has single-handily elevated not only golf, but also greatly impacted the amount wagered on the sport.
It's rarely good for the house when Woods wins. However, Smith has a mixed reaction whenever Woods comes finishes in the top spot.
"It's a double edged sword," he said. "When he wins it creates excitement and more people bet golf."
Musketa believes Woods wins easily this weekend. In five tournaments this season, Woods is 47 under par and has only finished out of the top-five once.
But if you're going against Woods, it certainly makes sense to shop. This isn't a pro football game where all the numbers are identical.
For instance, there were a number of differences Monday night at Stations and Coast properties. Mickelson was 8/1 at Station's compared to 3/1 at Coast, while Els was 17/1 at Coast but just 4/1 at Station's.
Coast had David Duval at 25/1, while Stations listed him at 40/1. Love was 12/1 at Station's and 7/1 at Coast. Sergio Garcia was 23/1 at Coast, but 15/1 at Station's. David Toms was 25/1 at Station's and 14/1 at Coast.
