When the PGA Tour makes its way down Magnolia Lane this week to Augusta National Golf Club, expect the best golf has to offer. The PGA Tour simply never looks better with a great field of the tour’s best players and the majesty of one of the most exclusive, beautiful courses on the planet.  Augusta National has forever been one of the most prestigious courses on American soil. It is known for its massive pines, rolling hills and colorful fauna.  The combination of great players, both young and old, makes this year’s Masters field one of the more interesting fans will see all year.

With all that has happened in the world rankings over the past six months, this is really anybody’s tournament. After last weekend’s Shell Houston Open, Phil Mickelson has opened as the Monday favorite to win the 2011 Masters, with odds of 5-1.  Despite all that has gone on, and a slow start to his 2011 campaign, Tiger Woods is odds makers’ second choice to win the green jacket, coming in with odds of 7-1.  The field at Augusta this weekend features all of the top 10 players in the world including the best that Europe and the United States have to offer.

When handicapping the 2011 Masters field, there are many factors to consider.  At a course like Augusta National, experience is at a premium.  Experience is not only necessary to navigate the course, but to be able to concentrate on the golf instead of the pageantry that accompanies such a prestigious tournament.  Players like Mickelson, Westwood, and Woods have been at Augusta National before and won’t be intimidated by the surroundings.  Many players don’t fare well in their first appearance at Augusta simply because they are so awestruck to be playing there.

Will lefty win his fourth green jacket? Will Tiger Woods resurrect his major career with another triumph at Augusta? Can a European player win for the first time since 1999? Or will one of the young guns on tour make a splash this week and signify a changing of the guard on the PGA Tour? All of these questions will be answered this weekend when the best on the PGA Tour make their way through Amen Corner hoping to slip into the green jacket.

All Of The Latest Odds

Favorites:

Phil Mickelson (5-1) – Lefty showed everybody why he has the best wedge game in golf this past weekend in Houston. He hit greens in bunches (including 17/18 on Saturday), and when he didn’t he was chipping them close. Mickelson has the game and plenty of experience at Augusta, and if he can carry the momentum from Houston down to Georgia with him, look out.

Lee Westwood (12-1) – Westwood is Europe’s best hope for a Masters champion since Jose Maria Olazabal won the green jacket back in 1999. Westwood finished second in last year’s Masters to favorite Phil Mickelson. He has been hitting fairways in bunches, but needs his putter to cooperate to have a chance this year.

Bubba Watson (30-1) – I know 30-1 isn’t exactly a favorite, but guys like Mike Weir and Mickelson have proven that a lefty can succeed at Augusta. Watson is long off the tee and when a good player has a wedge in his hand a lot, good things can happen. Look for this fan favorite to get on a roll early and ride the momentum into the weekend.

Dustin Johnson (20-1) – Johnson is one of the longest guys on tour and has proven that he can put himself in position to contend for major championships. It’s only a matter of time before this guy breaks through the nerves of a Sunday back nine in a major. If Johnson can make the right decisions on Sunday, look for this rising star to be there at the end.

Tiger Woods (7-1) – Woods was the early favorite to win the Masters before Mickelson tore apart Redstone in Houston last week. It’s seriously difficult to bet on a golfer who has endured so much over the last year and is in the middle of restructuring his whole swing. However, if there is one person who can never be counted out at Augusta, it’s Woods. He knows how to form a strategy for this course and it could be one of the most comfortable places on the planet for the four time champ. If Tiger starts making putts and gaining confidence on Thursday, the whole field better stand back.

Solid Bet Long Shots:

Ricky Barnes (150-1) – Ricky Barnes may not contend on a weekly basis on the PGA Tour, but he seems to always find a way to stick around in major tournaments. He finished as low amateur at Augusta back in 2003 and finished 10th last year in the Masters. This is a course that is well suited for his solid consistent game.

Jhonattan Vegas (150-1) – Vegas made a splash on tour earlier this year by winning the Bob Hope Classic. He has the length, and swagger to make a splash and get the fans behind him. If he plays well early and can get past the awe inspiring layout of Augusta, look for him to make the cut and possibly make a run towards the green jacket.

Stay Away From:

Hiroyuki Fujita, Jose Maria Olazabal, Tom Watson, Mike Weir, Gregory Havret and any of the amateurs.

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