Masters Odds – Searching for Super Sleepers

When handicapping the Masters odds, finding the heavy favorites isn’t exactly rocket science. It doesn’t take a genius to know Tiger Woods (four green jackets), Retief Goosen (four top-threes at Augusta in five years), Phil Mickelson (nine top 10s in last 10 years at Augusta), Padraig Harrington (won the last two majors) or Geoff Ogilvy (two PGA betting wins this year) warrant consideration. But what about the sleepers? Here are a few under-the-radar guys to consider at the sportsbook in Masters betting this week.

Henrik Stenson (+4000)

The Swedish putting machine is playing his best golf at just the right time, as he finished third at last week’s Shell Houston Open. He has two straight 17th-place finishes at the Masters and has drained 80 per cent of his putts from four to eight feet this season. Anyone who excels on the greens has a shot at Augusta, so don’t forget Stenson at the sportsbook.

Mike Weir (+6600)

Sticking with the putting theme, the diminutive Weir could sneak up on the field the same way he did in the 2003 Masters odds. He started the year strongly with a T-3 at the Bob Hope Classic and a second-place finish at Pebble Beach. He’s fourth on Tour in putting average this season and already has a green jacket, so he could contend this week.

Steve Stricker (+6600)

Even though he missed the cut at last week’s Shell Houston Open, Stricker’s peripherals suggest he has a shot to surprise in the Masters odds. He has three top-four finishes this season and ranks in the top 10 on Tour in scoring average and putting average. The main problem: he has missed two straight cuts at Augusta. Does that mean he’ll flop again, or does that just give him even better value this week?

Rory McIlroy (+3300)

Due to his media hype, sportsbook odds don’t really peg him as a sleeper, but he still deserves that label considering this is his first Masters odds. He’s a bomber off the tee who is also accurate in his approaches, as he has hit almost 70 per cent of greens in regulation this season. The youngster hasn’t looked overmatched this season, cracking the top 20 in each of his four tournaments. Can he handle the Augusta greens?

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