In stark contrast to the U.S. Open — where par is your friend and birdie is cause for celebration — The Masters is about red scores and a stone-cold willingness to turn risk into reward. What America’s National Championship requires in patience, The Masters demands in fortitude.
Although 28 of the last 30 Masters champions have fired 7-under or better to don the green jacket, there’s a daunting three-hole gauntlet of challenges, beginning at No. 10, that requires the endurance necessary for success at Augusta National.
Since 2004, the last 16 Masters champions have combined to shoot 164-under par en route to victory at Augusta. But on holes 10-12, those same golfers combined to post a score of 4-over. In fact, only Phil Mickelson (2004), Tiger Woods (2005), Trevor Immelman (2008), Bubba Watson (2014), Jordan Spieth (2015), and Danny Willett (2016) have navigated these three holes under par during their four-day championship runs.
In essence, Augusta National’s toughest three-hole stretch should once again separate the contenders from the pretenders in 2020. And for those who can navigate the first third of the back nine on Sunday without carding any big numbers, an eagle opportunity at No. 13 will be waiting.
Golf bettors should make sure their money is riding on someone who can slay this three-headed monster. Here's a closer look at holes No. 10, 11 and 12 at Augusta National.
No. 10: Par-4, 495 yards
Historical scoring average: 4.31 (1st)
Best score on hole: 2 (eight times)
Worst score on hole: +9 (Danny Lee, 2009)
You most likely remember this downhill dogleg left – dubbed Camellia – as the location of Bubba Watson’s 155-yard hook from the trees on the second playoff hole of the 2012 Masters that led to the green jacket. The 10th at ANGC ranks as both the hardest hole on the course and the start of the most daunting stretch the field will face.
The approach requires a shot hit high and soft, as the elevated green prevents those who may prefer the bump-and-run. Take note that the 10th serves as the second sudden-death playoff hole for The Masters, which has happened six times since 2000.
Player who could excel: Xander Schauffele (+1,500 to win Masters). He’s among the best in greens in regulation (70.87 percent - 10th in 2020), he posted four straight pars on No. 10 in 2019 and has scored par in seven of his last eight times playing Camellia. Given how tough this hole is, there’s nothing wrong with walking away with a par.
No. 11: Par-4, 505 yards
Historical scoring average: 4.30 (2nd)
Best score on hole: 2 (six times)
Worst score on hole: +9 (five times)
White Dogwood ranks as the second-hardest hole at Augusta scoring-wise and many pros consider the 11th to be the stiffest challenge on the course—with a blind tee shot through a tight opening serving as just the tip of the iceberg. From there, the field will attempt a dangerous approach into a sloping green that is protected by a water hazard.
Ben Hogan once said that he never aimed at the green on his approach at No. 11, instead opting to target the area just right of the putting surface in order to avoid the pond. All Hogan ever did was win nine Major Championships.
Player who could excel: Jon Rahm (+1,100). Rahm ranked 11th in scrambling percentage in 2020 (64.52 percent) and posted a birdie and three pars on No. 11 in 2019. He’s tallied four birdies and eight pars on White Dogwood over the past three Masters.
Win Covers swag in our free Masters pool. Visit the Masters contest thread to enter your picks!
Hot topics happening in the Covers golf forum:
No. 12: Par-3, 155 yards
Historical scoring average: 3.28 (4th)
Best score on hole: 1 (three times)
Worst score on hole: +13, (Tom Weiskopf, 1980)
Augusta’s shortest hole features a myriad of obstacles including two strategically-placed bunkers guarding the front and back of the course’s smallest putting surface, a water hazard (front) and a green set diagonally that can be extremely difficult to hold.
Factor in the ever-changing winds and the pressure that builds with only seven holes to play, and you can see why this test ranks as the fourth toughest on the course.
Player who could excel: Patrick Reed (+2,800). The 2018 Green Jacket winner is one of the top players in terms of birdie (or better) conversion. He actually posted a Round 3 bogey on No. 12 during his 2018 win at Augusta National, but also registered a birdie and two pars on the hole during that tournament. He has 12 pars, one birdie and one bogey on the famous Par 3 since 2016.
How to Bet on Golf
The most popular way to bet on golf is by simply picking the winner, which is also referred to as an outright. There are plenty of other ways to wager, however. Some of the more popular markets include head-to-head betting, where sportsbooks pair up two golfers and you simply choose who you think will have the lower score over the course of the weekend or for one round only. Similarly, there are also 3-way betting markets (choose the best golfer among three choices) and group betting (choose the best golfer amongst a group of players).
Other ways to wager include Top-5/Top-10/Top-20 finish, top golfer by nationality, to make the cut/to not make the cut, and the leader after each round. Then, of course, there's the popular prop bet of whether or not there will be a hole in one at the tournament.
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.
