Like Kobe in the fourth quarter, snow on Christmas or me on the dance floor when I had a couple too many, something magical happens when Tiger Woods plays Augusta National.
2020 Masters betting tees off Thursday and all eyes will be on the five-time and defending tournament winner. Woods is still the biggest name in golf and draws plenty of action at the sportsbook, on either his odds to win or the long list of Masters betting props focused solely on his efforts.
We break down our best golf picks and Tiger Woods bets for the Masters.
Tiger Woods Betting Picks and Predictions for the 2020 Masters
Tiger Woods birdies or better: Over/Under 13.5
You’ve got to go back to 2012 to find the last Masters tournament in which Woods failed to card at least 13 birdies over the four-day event.
Granted, he’s only played at Augusta National four times in the past seven years due to injuries. Last year, Tiger blasted the leaderboard with 22 birdies for the tournament, en route to his fifth Green Jacket and has posted at least 14 holes of birdie or better in those previous four appearances.
He owned a birdie or better percentage of 21.63 in 2020 and currently sits at 22.22 percent for the 2021 campaign (which we’re in right now), putting him 116th after only two events. Woods fired five birdies in the opening round of the PGA Championship in September but combined for just four the next two days before finishing the final round with five. At the ZOZO Championship last month, Tiger carded 27 birds for the tournament but faces a much tougher test at Augusta this week.
While the wet weather could make the course play longer than in the spring, the greens at Augusta are expected to remain fast and true, thanks to the tireless work of the grounds crew trying to maintain a springtime feel to the course. And no one knows these greens better than Eldrick T. Woods.
PREDICTION: Over 13.5 birdies or better (-115)
Will Tiger Woods make an eagle: Yes/No?
Tiger won the 2019 Masters title without recording an eagle and since “Tiger proofing” Augusta, Woods hasn’t recorded an eagle in any of his past four tournament titles there.
That’s not to say Woods hasn’t fired plenty of eagles at the famed course, most recently carding one on No. 15 in Round 4 of the 2018 Masters as well as a Round 4 eagle on No. 13 in 2015.
However, his power off the tee has diminished in recent years and with the fairways playing much softer in November, Woods just doesn’t have the same pop to set up those solid approach shots. On top of that, the cooler climate, north winds and possible rain make following the breadcrumbs left in tournaments past very difficult, including any tendencies with club selection.
PREDICTION: No eagles (-115)
Tiger Woods Top 30 finish: Yes/No?
You know how we all have that one track in Mario Kart that we just kick ass on? Augusta is that track for Tiger. In 20 career Masters appearances as a pro, Woods has never missed a cut.
He’s placed inside the Top 10 in 14 of those tournaments (including five wins), inside the Top 20 17 times, and inside the Top 30 in all but two years (T40 in 2002 and T32 in 2018). His average career score per round at Augusta is 70.93, which is a little better than 1-under par.
So even if Tiger plays average golf this week (or even a little less than average for his career), he’s likely to land between -3 and -5 for the tournament. Looking back at recent Masters leaderboards, a score in that range should comfortably put him inside the Top 30.
PREDICTION: Tiger Woods Top-30 finish (-150)
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What’s higher: Woods total Round 1 strokes vs Derrick Henry Week 10 rushing yards?
Tiger eases himself into play at Augusta like a boxer in the early rounds of a prizefight, throwing a few quick jabs to learn his opponent’s timing—not swinging for the early knockout.
He has an average career round of 70.93 at the Masters but an average score of 71.85 in the opening day of play. Woods hasn’t registered a sub-70 Round 1 score at the Masters since 2010 and owns an average first-round count of 71.5 in his past six opening rounds of the coveted major (70, 73, 73, 70, 72, 71), including a Round 1 70 during his 2019 victory.
Henry is coming off a 68-yard performance against the Chicago Bears in Week 9 and takes on an Indianapolis Colts defense that ranks No. 3 in rushing yards allowed on the season but has given up lofty gains of 110, 98, and 124 run yards in three of their past four contests.
The Titans’ bruising running back also tends to rebound from poor performances this season. He followed an 84-yard Week 2 with 119 yards on the ground in Week 3, bounced back from just 57 yards in Week 5 by exploding for 212 yards in Week 6, and ran for 75 yards in Week 7 before amassing 112 yards in Week 8.
PREDICTION: Derrick Henry more rushing yards (-215)
Where Can I Bet on the Masters?
You'll find Masters betting options at pretty much every online sportsbook in the world. Most sportsbooks will allow you to bet on the winner of the next Masters tournament for most of the year, with odds changing throughout the year due to current form and injuries. Once the Masters field is set, sportsbooks will open more betting markets.
If you're looking to place a bet on the Masters, take a look at our recommended online sportsbooks.
