The opening day of The Masters was a crazy day. First of all the world number one Dustin Johnson shocked everyone when he pulled out on the first tee with injury. Then on a day where everyone looked to be struggling all of a sudden along came Charley Hoffman to post seven under and take a four shot lead heading into Friday’s second round.
No tournament is won on the opening day of course but it sets up a fascinating second day on Friday. We have the same betting options as we had on the first day, options we will be getting stuck into.
Thursday Review
It wasn’t just a good day for Charley Hoffman. It was a good day for our bets too. Russell Henley, our first round leader bet, placed at 66/1 although sadly we had to share the place with a number of the field so the returns were minimal. But that wasn’t the case in the three ball bets which both won. Read my first round preview here:
Masters Round One Betting Preview
On the leaderboard Hoffman takes the lead into the second round on -7 with William McGirt four shots further back. Lee Westwood sits in third after the opening round on -2 and then there is a huge group on -1 containing Phil Mickelson, Andy Sullivan, Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia.
Second Round Leader
Some bookies have been quick to price up the end of the second round leader market and it would be rude not to indulge in a couple of little goes. Firstly we need to check the weather forecast. The wind is expected to be fairly constant although not as strong but we see all the time how it dies down in the last couple of hours of play.
With that in mind it might be worth getting on someone who is out quite late in the day. Justin Rose is out in the final group on Friday and with him beginning the day just six back from Hoffman he looks to have every chance of a low round. Rose has a great record around here and we know he can handle the wind. With Hoffman out when the wind is expected to be at its strongest it wouldn’t be a surprise if he opens the door to a Rose to come through.
Thomas Pieters is also late out on Friday and given that he had it to -5 through 10 holes on Thursday before the wind really kicked up and got him it could be worth chancing him for a low round too. If he can play the front nine well again conditions might well suit him come the back nine where his length becomes the advantage we know it can be.
3 balls
Hudson Swafford/Roberto Castro/Mark O’Meara
Group tees off at 13.11 BST
I took Hudson Swafford on Thursday and he came through by a shot over Mark O’Meara and two shots on Roberto Castro and I expect him to win again in the second round. Thursday was his first taste of Augusta in a competitive sense so he knows what to expect and I would imagine he’ll be more comfortable and able to perform better on Friday. If he does that he should have too much for his playing partners.
Phil Mickelson/Rafa Cabrera Bello/Si Woo Kim
Group tees off at 18.52 BST
Phil Mickelson saw off his playing partners by four shots on Thursday and that is a lot for the other two to make up on him around here. Mickelson’s record here is very strong but it is especially strong when he has had a good first round and that is ominous not just for the two men he is playing with but for the rest of the players in the field. You would have thought Cabrera-Bello would like it here but his first round was an indication his game isn’t in tip top shape while Si Woo Kim was just overawed. Mickelson has already got his teeth stuck into this tournament and I don’t see him relenting on Friday.
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The Masters 2017 – Tips
Back J.Rose Second Round Leader (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 15.00 with Skybet (1/5 1-3)
DEAD HEAT – Back T.Pieters Second Round Leader (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 41.00 with Skybet (1/5 1-3)
Back them here:
WON – Back H.Swafford to beat R.Castro & M.O’Meara for a 4/10 stake at 2.20 with Coral
WON – Back P.Mickelson to beat R.Cabrera Bello & S.Woo Kim for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Coral
Back them here:
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Top calls Kev. Super call on Pieters, shame not to get the full win there.
Cheers mate. Those birdie putts that he missed coming in got more and more annoying. Hopefully he can lead after 4 rounds to make up for it!