Chip shots: Brian Blessing’s best bets for the Masters
Brian Blessing (Sportsbookradio.com) is using a mythical bankroll of $200 to bet the Masters futures board at the Westgate:
I am looking for long shots to start the week, knowing we can get top-shelf players at decent odds on the weekend if they sit several shots off the pace. Rain is in the forecast, and that could make the Augusta National course play longer, which gives defending champion Bubba Watson, favorite Rory McIlroy and young star Jordan Spieth an added boost. Jason Day also should be a major factor this week.
BRANDT SNEDEKER $50 AT 40-1
Snedeker won at Pebble Beach in mid-February and was last seen recording a 13th-place result at Bay Hill. This guy can roll the rock with the best of them. It’s hard to forget 2008, when in the final group on Sunday he shot 77 and broke down in tears. Despite the blowup that day, he finished third. Snedeker went on to win the 2012 FedEx Cup and got to No. 4 in the world rankings. His game is coming back around, so it could be tears of joy for Snedeker and his backers.
SERGIO GARCIA $20 AT 40-1
Many bettors will cringe at seeing this name, but Garcia has length and ability to go low. He and Lee Westwood carry the mantle now as the best players to never have won a major. He has recorded one top-five and three top-10 results in his career at Augusta. At age 35, maybe patience becomes part of the equation for Garcia, who could be within striking distance.
PHIL MICKELSON $20 AT 20-1
The Masters is a unique major in that players have the opportunity to play at Augusta every year. That lends itself to having a comfort level and a working knowledge of the course for certain players. Enter Mickelson, who had many shining moments last week in Houston. Knowing that he was prepping for this week, and lefties have had such incredible recent success in this event, a small play is in order.
VICTOR DUBUISSON $20 AT 80-1
This is way too high of a price. I’ve just gotten over him coming up short for me at 100-1 last year on the fifth extra hole in the WGC Match Play. He teased me again last weekend in Houston, where he blew up with a 78 on Saturday. But his other three rounds were 67, 68 and a final-round 66. He finished seventh in the PGA Championship in August.
J.B. HOLMES $20 AT 40-1
We’ve seen players take down Augusta with length off the tee that brings short irons into play on the par 4s and mid-irons on the par 5s. Holmes used that formula to win in Houston.
BROOKS KOEPKA $20 AT 80-1
Koepka had three top-10s early this season, including a win in Phoenix by bombing it off the tee. He has been hampered by a rib injury, which is why the price is inflated.
PAUL CASEY $10 AT 60-1
Forty-fourth in the world rankings, Casey’s game is clearly on an upswing. He has three top-10 finishes in his past five events.
OTHERS
Last year, the South African contingent failed me. I’d be bitter if one of them stepped up and got the job done this year and I was on the sidelines. Charl Schwartzel, the Masters champ in 2011, leads the group. I’ll place $10 wagers on Schwartzel (80-1), Louis Oosthuizen (50-1), Branden Grace (150-1) and Ernie Els (150-1).
