Ricky Dimon
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The Masters will get underway on Thursday, and it will be the first normal Masters since 2019 – when Tiger Woods won for the fifth time. In 2020 the event was postponed from April until November because of the Covid-19 pandemic and last spring there was a limited number of patrons. This time around, all systems are go.
And I mean all systems. Even Tiger Woods will play at Augusta National this week.
All in all, it should be an extremely exciting Masters. Without further ado, let’s dive into some of the best exotic prop bets for the season’s first major.
Robert MacIntyre to be the top left-hander (+175)
The most famous left-hander on tour (Phil Mickelson) is absent, but it seems like nobody is even talking about that amidst all the news that Tiger is making. With Mickelson sidelined indefinitely for personal reasons, the door is open for the other lefties. Bubba Watson is the most well-known such player in the current field, but the 43-year-old obviously isn’t the same player he was back when he donned the green jacket in both 2012 and 2014. Watson is the favorite at +150, but McIntyre at +175 is a better choice.
Jordan Spieth to be the top former champion (+400)
Even with Tiger returning, the field of former champions really isn’t that spectacular in terms of current form. In fact, every single green jacket winner in the 2022 tournament is either past his prime or not at his best right now. That includes Spieth, but he is playing well enough to inspire at least some confidence. The 28-year-old American has made four of his last five cuts, a stretch that includes a runner-up performance at Pebble Beach. Moreover, Spieth’s game has pretty much always been far better at majors than at smaller events. He has three wins, 12 top-10 finishes, and has placed in the top three at Augusta National a ridiculous five times.
Louis Oosthuizen to be the top South African (-110)
Nobody gets up for majors relative to other tournaments quite like Spieth and Brooks Koepka, but Oosthuizen can insert himself into that same kind of discussion. The 39-year-old has one win (2010 British Open) and 11 top-10 performances – including five in the last three years and three in 2021 alone. Oosthuizen finished runner-up at the 2012 Masters, falling to Bubba Watson in a playoff. Even though Charl Schwartzel is a former champion, the era of South African golf after Ernie Els and Retief Goosen has been unspectacular. Oosthuizen shouldn’t have too much competition.
Be sure to check out our full Masters 2022 preview, including a +1400 best bet!
Hole in one in tournament (-175)
2+ hole in ones in tournament (+150)
In each of the last two traditional Masters (not including 2020), there have been two aces. Both came on hole 16 in 2019 (not a surprise), while last year it was one each for hole 6 (Corey Conners) and hole 16 (Tommy Fleetwood). There has been at least one hole-in-one on hole 16 in five of the last six Masters tournaments; that includes three in 2016. The traditional Sunday pin placement on that par 3 is just asking to be aced. I like the odds being offered on each of these ace props.
Tiger Woods, Louis Oosthuizen, and Tyrrell Hatton all to make the cut (+230)
Oosthuizen has made eight consecutive cuts at the Masters. Tiger has made 21 in a row. With the five-time champion now confirmed to be playing, there are a whole host of Tiger bets available; making the cut is my favorite one. As for Hatton, since the turn of the calendar to 2022 he has made six of six cuts (PGA Tour and European Tour combined). All of those finishes have been no worse than 21st and four have been in the top six. Hatton was T18 at the Masters last year, so everything points toward a successful week for the Englishman.
Head over to our Masters 2022 hub for everything you need to know about the big major!
Pickswise brings you the best free expert Masters Picks and Masters Predictions across all of the top golf betting markets. Be sure to check out our Masters Best Bets page for those 3-star plays.
