Great Scott? Punters adamant Adam Scott can go one better

Adam Scott is currently top of bet365’s liabilities for the forthcoming US Masters – with the firm also seeing support for Bubba Watson and Ian Poulter.

Great Scott? Punters adamant Adam Scott can go one better

bet365 spokesman Steve Freeth reflected on Scott’s agonisingly close call in last year’s event: “Scott probably won’t want reminding he was 1/66 in-play before his collapse in last year’s Open, but with solid Masters form behind him over the last three outings, he’s the one that’s attracted the most attention and one we’re certainly not cheering to end his major wait.”

2013 US Masters E/W ¼ 1,2,3,4,5

Player Price Player Price
Tiger Woods 7/2 Rory McIlroy 8/1
Phil Mickelson 11/1 Justin Rose 20/1
Charl Schwartzel 22/1 Lee Westwood 28/1
Adam Scott 28/1 Louis Oosthuizen 28/1
Keegan Bradley 28/1 Dustin Johson 30/1
Bubba Watson 40/1 Ian Poulter 45/1

2013 US Masters – Winning Margin

Margin Price
Won in Play-Off 5/2
One stroke exactly 11/4
Two strokes exactly 7/2
Three strokes exactly 9/2
Four Strokes or more 4/1

Nationality Of Winner

USA                            8/11
Europe                       15/8
Rest Of The World      9/2

Top Englishman

Player Price
Justin Rose 13/8
Lee Westwood 5/2
Luke Donald 3/1
Ian Poulter 5/1
David Lynn 22/1

View all Golf betting

Ian Poulter ready for Masters challenge

Ian Poulter insists he is feeling sharp and believes he has a good chance of winning this week’s US Masters at Augusta.

Ian Poulter ready for Masters challenge

The 37-year-old Englishman has still to win a Major, although he has played a key role in several successful Ryder Cup campaigns for Europe against the USA in the last decade.

Poulter is 45/1 to win the US Masters and 12/1 to be the top European at the tournament.

The world number 12 is confident that he can become the first Englishman since Nick Faldo triumphed at Augusta in 1996 to win a Major and the first European to clinch the Masters since Jose Maria Olazabal emerged victorious 14 years ago.

I’m fired up to play well again this year and try to slip one of those jackets on come Sunday.

Ian Poulter

Poulter finished seventh at Augusta last year while his best result in a Major came at the 2008 Open Championship when he came second behind Padraig Harrington at Royal Birkdale.

Poulter, who has made the cut in each of his eight previous appearances at the Masters, said: “I’ve looked at my stats and I think this (tournament) is my best chance.

“I feel very good about my game right now. I’ve played five events since the start of the year and played last week, something slightly different. I’ve never played the week before the Masters.

“I’ve always had a couple of weeks off but I wanted to get another tournament in before coming here so I could be match-sharp. And although I didn’t finish the week off well, I feel that I’m ready.

“I’ve hit the right shots in practice. I generally play the course pretty well. I’m fired up to play well again this year and try to slip one of those jackets on come Sunday.

“There’s no anxiety. I know this week is probably my best chance, so I just need to go out there and perform. I don’t have sleepless nights over it. If I did it would be through excitement, and I think I’ll be able to play on no sleep come Sunday if I had to.”

Don’t forget all of the fantastic markets we have to offer, including In-Play betting, can be accessed on your mobile phone with the new and improved Mobile at bet365.

View all Golf betting

Rory McIlroy won’t settle for second best

Rory McIlroy says anything less than a winning the Masters this week will leave him disappointed as he goes in search of his third major title.

Rory McIlroy won't settle for second best

The Northern Irishman endured a nightmare start to 2013 and had managed only one top ten finish before last week’s Texas Open.

The reigning US PGA champion made a late decision to play at the event at San Antonio and it seems to have pay dividends as he finish second on 12-under, two shots behind the winner Martin Laird.

The 23-year-old felt his good performance at the PGA Tour event has left him in good shape to challenge for the first major of the year.

When asked whether it would be disappointing if he didn’t pick up the first green jacket of his career, McIlroy replied: “Yeah, it would be.

“Every time you come to Augusta you want to win the Green Jacket and every time you don’t it’s another chance missed. If I am sitting here on Sunday having finished second and having given it a good run you can’t be too disappointed, but the ultimate aim is to win.”

McIlroy is 9/1 to be victorious at Augusta, with the man who replaced him at the top of the world rankings recently, Tiger Woods, 7/2 to win a fifth Masters title.

McIlroy has rejected the suggestion there is a growing rivalry between him and his Nike stablemate Woods, claiming Woods’ success puts him in a different league to everyone else.

“He’s got 14 majors; I’ve got two. If I saw myself a rival to Tiger, I wouldn’t really be doing him much justice.”

The two-time major winner has been paired with 2011 US PGA champion Keegan Bradley and Sweden’s Freddie Jacobson for the first two rounds.

Elsewhere, Woods will spend Thursday and Friday alongside former world number one Luke Donald and Scott Piercy.

Don’t forget all of the fantastic markets we have to offer, including In-Play betting, can be accessed on your mobile phone with the new and improved Mobile at bet365.

View all Golf betting

Martin Laird thrilled to have Masters chance

Martin Laird is thrilled to have the opportunity to play in this week’s US Masters after holding off Rory McIlroy’s late charge to win the Texas Open.

Martin Laird thrilled to have Masters chance

The 30-year-old Scot had taken part in the last two Masters – finishing 20th in 2011 and 57th 12 months ago – but would not have been involved in the Augusta action this year until he shot a course-record 63 in the final round at TPC San Antonio to edge ahead of McIlroy by two shots.

Laird becomes the 94th and last player to earn his place in the Masters and is 100/1 to cause a major shock and win the tournament.

Finishing it off with a round like this, it’s a great way to go into Augusta. I’m really pleased with my game.

Rory McIlroy

Laird said after his victory in the Texas Open: “Unbelievable. I’ve been asked 30 times in the last two weeks, ‘Are you going to Augusta?’ Every time I said no, it hurt. It was a major motivation.”

Meanwhile, McIlroy, 8/1 to win the Masters, was delighted to end the Texas Open with a fine final round. The Northern Irishman carded a six-under 66 to finish second on 12-under.

The 23-year-old has yet to win a tournament this year but is in a buoyant mood in the build-up to the first Major of the year.

He said: “Even though I didn’t get the trophy, Martin was just too good today – 63 in these conditions is just phenomenal. I’m really pleased with my game and I think this has been a great week for me.

“Finishing it off with a round like this, it’s a great way to go into Augusta. I’m really pleased with my game.”

Overnight leader Billy Horschel and fellow Americans Jim Furyk and Charley Hoffman tied for third on 11-under.

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, 66/1 to win the Masters, finished in a share of 10th after a closing 70, while David Lynn shot a final-round 70 to finish on five-under.

Looking for more from bet365? Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or +1 us on Google+ for fun competitions, special offers & much more!

Don’t forget, all of the fantastic markets we have to offer, including In-Play betting, can be accessed on mobile or tablet with bet365 On The Move.

View all Golf betting

Tiger Woods back on top of the world

Tiger Woods has returned to number one in the world after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational by two shots.

Tiger Woods back on top of the world

Woods finished on 13 under par, two ahead of nearest challenger Justin Rose, to win the tournament for the eighth time. The victory was his third of 2013 on the PGA Tour and propelled him to the top of the rankings for the first time since October 2010.

I’m very pleased with the way I’m playing.

Tiger Woods

The final round of the event had been postponed from Sunday due to bad weather but the American held his nerve to go round in 70. He resumed with a three-shot lead and added three more birdies and dropped three shots.

His playing partner Rickie Fowler added to the excitement with three birdies in six holes, moving to within two shots of Woods with four holes remaining, but his challenge fell apart with a triple-bogey eight at the 16th.

Fowler finished tied on third at eight under with Mark Wilson, Keegan Bradley and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano. Rose, who had been top of the leaderboard on the first two rounds, started play four shots adrift but claimed second place after sinking four birdies.

“I play well here, it’s as simple as it gets,” said Woods after the win. “I’m very pleased with the way I’m playing.”

Tiger Woods is now 3/1 to win the US Masters, while Rory McIlroy, knocked off top spot by the American, is 9/1. Rose can be backed at 18/1.

Don’t forget, all of the fantastic markets we have to offer, including In-Play betting, can be accessed on mobile or tablet with bet365 On The Move.

View all Golf betting 

Ryder Cup – USA dominate fourballs to lead

Phil Mickelson won two out of two for the USA on day one of the Ryder Cup.

Ryder Cup - USA dominate fourballs to lead

USA moved into a 5-3 lead after the first day of the Ryder Cup, dominating the afternoon fourballs after the morning foursomes had been shared.

The hosts took the honours in the afternoon by a 3-1 margin, with Europe’s only point coming from Lee Westwood and rookie Nicolas Colsaerts, who dished out a second defeat of the day to Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker.

Woods and Stricker had suffered a 2 & 1 loss to Justin Rose and Ian Poulter in the morning, while in the fourballs they were undone by a superb performance from Belgian Colsaerts, who made eight birdies and an eagle in a one-hole victory.

However, in the other matches USA dominated, with Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson sweeping aside Peter Hanson and Paul Lawrie 5 & 4, while Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley made it two wins out of two as they edged out Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy 2 & 1.

Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar finished the day in style with a 3 & 2 win over Rose and Martin Kaymer.

Saturday’s opening foursomes pairings have been announced, with home skipper Davis Love opting to drop Woods for the first time in the Ryder Cup, with the world number two having struggled badly off the tee on day one.

Simpson and Watson will take on Rose and Poulter, before the in-form Bradley and Mickelson face Westwood and Luke Donald.

Colsaerts and Sergio Garcia meet Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson, with the final match bringing together McIlroy and McDowell against Jim Furyk and Brandt Snedeker.

After a good first day, USA are 2/5 to win the match and regain the Ryder Cup, with the hosts 15/2 to retain to triumph by a 15-13 scoreline.

View all Golf betting

Ryder Cup 2012: Love reveals his captain’s picks

Steve Stricker is one of Davis Love III’s four captain’s picks for the Ryder Cup 2012.

Ryder Cup 2012: Love reveals his captain's picks

Dustin Johnson, Jim Furyk, Brandt Snedeker and Steve Stricker have been revealed as US skipper Davis Love III’s wildcard picks for the upcoming Ryder Cup.

The quartet join experienced campaigners such as Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson and Tiger Woods, while Jason Dufner, Webb Simpson, Keegan Bradley were the rookies already confirmed in the 12-man team for the battle with Europe at the Medinah course in Illinois between 28th – 30th September.

The US are 8/11 to win the Ryder Cup, Europe can be backed at 11/8 to retain the trophy they won at Celtic Manor in 2010 and the tie is 11/1.

Don’t forget all of the fantastic markets we have to offer, including In-Play betting, can be accessed on your mobile phone with the new and improved Mobile at bet365.

Stricker and Furyk were always well fancied for two of the picks given that they are Ryder Cup veterans and, in addition to being good putters, they are able to pair up with a variety of players.

Johnson has come back strongly from a three-month injury absence at the start of the season and he will go into the tournament on the back of top-10 showings in three of his last five starts and a tie for fourth at TPC Boston on Monday.

Rookie Snedeker was the surprise selection, but a runner-up showing at The Barclays and then a sixth-place finish on Monday at TPC Boston sealed his place ahead of Hunter Mahan and Rickie Fowler.

Love said: “I can’t tell you how excited I am that these four guys are going to round our team out. I think we’re extremely deep this time, deeper than we’ve ever been.”

View all Ryder Cup 2012 betting

Ryder Cup 2012: Gallacher backs Olazabal

Bernard Gallacher says Jose Maria Olazabal’s wildcard picks in the Ryder Cup 2012 were the correct ones.

Ryder Cup 2012: Gallacher backs Olazabal

Former European captain Bernard Gallacher has said Jose Maria Olazabal’s decision to not select Padraig Harrington was the correct one.

Olazabal announced his two wildcard selections on Monday; Belgian rookie Nicolas Colsaerts and England’s Ian Poulter made up the 12-man team which does not include three-time major winner Harrington.

Gallacher, who captained the Europeans three times, including the 1995 Ryder Cup victory at Oak Hill, said: “There were absolutely no surprises. Jose Maria reduced the amount of wildcard picks from three to two this time round and the strong message he gave was that he wanted the players to play their way into the team.

“That’s exactly what’s happened. Martin Kaymer was in the tenth and final automatic position, Colsaerts was number 11 and the next highest player in the world rankings not already in the side was Poulter.

“Jose Maria has actually gone straight down the points list – those that are playing good golf have been selected and Harrington was just too far down.”

Gallacher conceded that despite having strong major form, Harrington’s focus on playing well in the four major tournaments of the year has cost him the points that are accrued through playing the other regular tournaments that the Irishman would have needed to make Olazabal’s team.

Europe, who have won four of the last five Ryder Cup tournaments, are 11/8 to claim victory at Medinah, while USA can be backed at 8/11. A tie is available at 11/1.

Don’t forget all of the fantastic markets we have to offer, including In-Play betting, can be accessed on your mobile phone with the new and improved Mobile at bet365.

View all Ryder Cup 2012 betting

Will Rory McIlroy go for glory in 2013?

bet365 have chalked up Rory McIlroy’s Majors in 2013 after his USPGA victory.

Rory McIlroy for glory in 2013?

bet365 spokesman Steve Freeth said: “Rory didn’t just win at Kiawah Island, he hacked up and 2013 could be a very good year for the Northern Irishman.”

McIlroy has also been paired with Tiger Woods in a Major match bet for next year and the firm go 33/1 about him surpassing Jack Nicklaus’s haul of 18.

Rory McIlroy Major Specials

Rory McIlroy To Win A Major In 2013

Yes                             6/4
No                              1/2

Total Rory McIlroy Majors During 2013

Number of Majors in 2012 Price
None 1/2
One 13/8
Two 20/1
Three 200/1
Four 1500/1

Who Will Win Most Majors During 2013

McIlroy           5/2
Tie                 11/10
Woods           2/1

Rory McIlroy Career Major Wins

Rory McIlroy To Win 19 Majors Or More                   33/1
(Currently has 2)

Tiger Woods Career Major Wins

Over 18.5                   11/10                          Under 18.5                4/6
(Currently has 14)

View all Golf betting

Rory McIlroy for Golf glory in 2013?

bet365 have chalked up Rory McIlroy’s Majors in 2013 after his USPGA victory.

Rory McIlroy for glory in 20

bet365 spokesman Steve Freeth said: “Rory didn’t just win at Kiawah Island, he hacked up and 2013 could be a very good year for the Northern Irishman.”

McIlroy has also been paired with Tiger Woods in a Major match bet for next year and the firm go 33/1 about him surpassing Jack Nicklaus’s haul of 18.

Rory McIlroy Major Specials

Rory McIlroy To Win A Major In 2013

Yes                             6/4
No                              1/2

Total Rory McIlroy Majors During 2013

Number of Majors in 2012 Price
None 1/2
One 13/8
Two 20/1
Three 200/1
Four 1500/1

Who Will Win Most Majors During 2013

McIlroy           5/2
Tie                 11/10
Woods           2/1

Rory McIlroy Career Major Wins

Rory McIlroy To Win 19 Majors Or More                   33/1
(Currently has 2)

Tiger Woods Career Major Wins

Over 18.5                   11/10                          Under 18.5                4/6
(Currently has 14)

View all Golf betting