Vijay Singh victorious at the 2006 Masters? Golf World's John Antonini seems to think so!

Apr 06

Vijay Singh victorious at the 2006 Masters? Golf World's John Antonini seems to think so!

After much statistical analysis and calculating the odds of 75 PGA Tour players, sports betting site Pinnacle Sports lays 3/1 odds that Tiger Woods will win this year’s Masters Tournament. It’s no surprise to most as Woods has already claimed several victories this season as well as four green jackets which hang in his own personal locker at Augusta National.

The same site also considers Phil Mickelson to be a good bet after trouncing the golfers at last week’s BellSouth Classic. He got 13/2 odds but more than focusing on winning, Phil was looking forward to the Wednesday par-3 tournament in which his daughter was his caddy.

The public doesn’t necessarily bet solely on statistics. Some just go with their favorites, the ones they root for each week, that is, unless you’re plopping hundreds down on a bet. Since I’m just a softie it’s best I keep my savings in the bank!

As you know from my most recent GFB Podcast, I am a big Mickelson fan (being a lefty myself), I am selecting the 2004 winner (keeping my fingers crossed) and will cheer for him all weekend. Barry bets with the odds of Woods perservering on Masters Sunday.

Vijay Singh is an interesting choice and I don’t necessarily disagree. As John Antonini convincingly argued using GolfWorld’s Masters Performance Index, “The MPI likes Singh because of his strong start to the year, his power game (distance, par 5’s) and his past Masters performances. He won the tournament in 2000 and hasn’t finished worse than seventh at Augusta National the last four years.” The MPI also favors Mickelson because he’s been in the top-ten at Augusta National since 1998 and he’s a long hitter, so my pick has a good shot this year too!

Now that Augusta has been lengthened I believe that the winner will come from the selection of longer hitters, Phil, Vjjay, Tiger and maybe even Ernie Els.

Mike Weir’s confidence is a bit shaken by the changes in Augusta, “I know I can still do it. But does it (the longer course) make it harder? Yeah, no question.” Doubts which creep into Weir’s mind now will probably take him right out of it. That with the 40/1 odds placed on him, I think this lefty is doomed before he begins.

A group which probably doesn’t have a chance this year? Champions Tour players. It would take a miracle for guys like Craig Stadler, Mark O’Meara and Tom Watson to survive the weekend, and of course, no carts allowed!

– Stacy Solomon

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10 comments

§ John D said on : 2006-04-07 @ 05:24
GO, V-J!!!!!
§ William K. Wolfrum said on : 2006-04-07 @ 06:40
Ladies and gentleman, Stacy Solomon!!!

The only blogger around here to prominanly mention the first-round leader.

Well done. Especially as a former champ, Vijay should be extremely tough all tourney.

Though Tiger will win, of course.

--WKW
§ Alex said on : 2006-04-07 @ 09:30
Betting on golf is perhaps the worst form of wagering available to gamblers. Especially poor bets are those offered on Woods in the imaginary matchups by internet gambling sites. In Tiger's two most recent events, he was the 3 to 1 or even 5 to 2 favorite to win. He won neither, but a punter would have really tanked if he had bet on Woods in the daily matchups. Tiger is always matched against the best golfers and he is always the big favorite at ridiculous odds. At one online site, Woods has been mathed up against Vijay for the last nine rounds, includung the first round of the Masters'. A bettor has had to lay anywhere from $165 to $200 in order to win $100 on Woods in these matchups. For example, in yesterday's round, Tiger was -$185 against Vijay, and today he is -$165. Vijay has been rock solid and steady of late while Tiger has been somewhat spotty but with flashes of his customary brilliance. As a result, Vijay has won six of these imaginary matchups while Tiger has won two, with one push(tie). A Woods loyalist betting on the world's number one player would have won $200 on these bets while losing about $1000. If a punter had bet and lost on Woods yesterday, the only way for that poor soul to get even today would be to double his wager today to -$330 to +$270. "Chasing", throwing good money after bad is a sure way to financial ruin.
§ Stacy Solomon said on : 2006-04-07 @ 09:55
Bill, don't be so sure that Tiger will win this year. My patented Vulcan Mind Meld is pushing Mickelson to victory!! ;-)
§ Mark Nessmith said on : 2006-04-07 @ 12:15
I hear what you're saying on Craig Stadler, Mark O'Meara and Tom Watson. But how about Ben Crenshaw in that opener, eh!? I'd love to see him in the hunt on Sunday. 54! Lord, that's older than Tim McDonald! (I think.)
§ Alex said on : 2006-04-07 @ 12:35
Mark, Ben Crenshaw is a first-class human being and a super nice guy and he WAS a world-class golfer. He has two chances to be in the hunt at the Masters' on Sunday: slim and none.
§ Mark Nessmith said on : 2006-04-07 @ 13:26
Oh, I know that, Alex. Just having a little fun with an early-round human-interest story.
§ Stacy Solomon said on : 2006-04-07 @ 14:25
Ben Crenshaw really showed that he can put a good round together. He's one of the greatest putters out there but he's going to fade over the next three days.

Okay, so you never can tell...but in 2nd round action Vijay still leads the field...
§ Stacy Solomon said on : 2006-04-07 @ 18:14
...correction...Vijay went on a roller-coaster ride today. I'm surprised tht he rebounded the way he did. C'mon, three double bogeys Vijay?
§ fish33 said on : 2009-02-05 @ 12:22
Great story

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