A look at the top 10 Masters favorites for 2019: Part 1

Tiger Woods

Image via Tiger Woods

Age: 43
Odds:
+1200
Best Finish: Umm…
2018 Finish: T32
2019 Wins/Top Finishes: T10 – WGC-Mexico Championship, T5 – WGC-Match Play

It would be easy to look at last season and say, “Tiger is going to win the Masters this year,” but the fact of the matter is, that just isn’t the case with the talent in this field.

What we can say, however, is that Woods is back. He won the Tour Championship last season and nearly walked away with the FedExCup as well. Along with that win, Woods had two second-place finishes and a total of seven top 10’s.

This season, although he hasn’t managed to capture a win or a top three finish, he has played exceptionally well. Woods has played in only five events and has set himself up for success at Augusta by pacing himself with a relaxing PGA Tour schedule.

He ranks sixth in strokes gained total and ninth in strokes gained tee-to-green. If you think that’s not intimidating, just remember that Woods has only played in the Masters 21 times, has four wins, two second-place finishes, one third-place finish, three fourth-place finishes, and one fifth-place finish. That means he’s finished in the top five over 50 percent of the times he’s played at Augusta.

If he’s near the top five on Saturday afternoon, get ready for fireworks.

Author: Michael Shamburger

Michael is the founder and Editor in Chief of The Stiff Shaft. He's spent 15+ years covering golf for TheBigLead, Golfweek, and Golf Channel. Don't follow the hive-think mentality. Do your own research and form your own opinions.