Golf Betting Blog: Smelling like Roses

Check out this golf betting blog written by serial bloggers DownThe18th - Masters week brought us a new winner but it was the longshots who were the money-makers

Golf Betting Blog: Smelling Like Roses

It's fair to say Masters week had it all. Tiger's return, One Direction's fall, Justin Rose's British hope, goodbyes to Crenshaw, Phil being Phil – what a week. But one thing that tops it all is a young guy from Dallas, Texas who's been on the Tour for a couple of years now, goes by the name Spieth. An incomprehensibly talented golfer with humility hanging off his every word. He's good and he's here to stay.

So Spieth, who came to Augusta as 2^nd favourite at 12/1, is already available in a wealth of other markets. 11/4 to win another major this year, 8/1 to retain the green jacket, 16/1 to win a career grand slam before Rory and of course 6/1 to win this week's RBC Heritage. And you know what, that 11/4 actually looks like good value. The 21-year-old was as high as 28/1 in the build-up to the Masters but his white-hot form alerted the attention of many a golf punter. Betfair alone had over £22million matched on Spieth.

Justin Rose (45/1) will have tempted many pre-tournament but the Englishman was enduring his worst run since his 're-birth' a few years ago – just shows what a swing like that can do for you. Words can't describe our admiration for Phil Mickelson (30/1) who, like Rose, had not been firing on all cylinders in 2015 – his 2^nd place was his 15^th top 10 around Augusta. Value.

Rory weighed in with a back-door top 5, he was the 8/1 favourite entering the week. The full places were completed by 23-year-old Hideki Matsuyama (70/1), a player who had drifted significantly in the build up from 50/1 having had limited time out on the course. Paul Casey (50/1), Ian Poulter (80/1) and Dustin Johnson finished in a tie for 6^th place taking advantage of Paddy Power's extra spot.

How about the par 3 contest? It's billed as the one you don't want to win but if anyone were to have had a tickle on Kevin Streelman, he was 80/1 to win that. The American also makes our betting plan for this week's RBC Heritage, 50/1 with most bookmakers.

The £10 challenge between Golf Monthly and ourselves is becoming somewhat of a landslide, it has to be said – a further £2 each way on Mickelson made it yet another profitable week for them. These guys are good.

Head over to http://downthe18th.wordpress.com for this week’s preview and picks.