Masters Futures – Keep an Eye on Mickelson

Tiger Woods is still the favorite in the golf futures to win the annual Masters Tournament, but with close betting odds to defending champion Phil Mickelson.

Teeing off Thursday from Augusta, Georgia, Mickelson comes into the PGA tournament the best golf pick to win again and defend his green jacket.

Masters Tournament

Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia

April 7 – 10, 2011

The premier golf tournament in the United States, the Masters is the first major tournament of the year.

Mickelson, at 40, has won the Masters three times and is the golf Sportsbook pick to do it again after winning the Houston Open last week at 20-under-par. The victory in Houston was Mickelson’s first since winning the green jacket last year, and golf betting experts believe that his game is peaking just at the right time to the win the Masters again.

Sitting at number three in the world golf rankings, Mickelson surpassed Woods, who fell to seventh.

Masters Odds

Tigers Woods                     +750

Phil Mickelson                   +800

Lee Westwood                   +1200

Martin Kaymer                  +1600

Luke Donald                       +2500

Graeme McDowell               +2800

Paul Casey                          +3000

Woods, at +750, finished the Arnold Palmer Invitational tied for 24th place, in a tournament marked by inconsistent play. Woods is averaging a score of 71.17 in 2011. This week he returns the Masters, the first tournament he played in after taking a break last year following the reports of his many infidelities and his divorce. Woods tied for fourth place in the 2010 Masters.

Lee Westwood sits at +1200 in the Masters futures, finishing the Houston Open in a tie for 30th place.  However, Westwood brings experience to this tournament, having finished in second place in 2010, just three strokes behind winner Mickelson.

A key factor to remember in betting the Masters is that experience truly does make a difference in this tournament, being the only major played on the same course each year.  So the golfers manage to get the hang of it, leading to several repeat winners.

Despite Woods’ previous success, his game is still not on track, whereas Mickelson is playing solid golf.  With his game in top form and the experience of winning the Masters, make Mickelson your 2011 Masters betting pick!

Masters Betting – Phil Mickelson +800!