Golf Betting: Top Five Masters Moments

Masters betting players always look to April with fondness, because that means The Masters is right around the corner. The venerable tournament is arguably the most prestigious event on the PGA Tour, and watching the players walk through Augusta National Golf Club is almost like a dream. Here's a look back at some of the best Masters moments, in no particular order.

Arnie vs Jack (1960-1966)

Masters betting players would have had their hands full in this era, as a young Jack Nicklaus emerged to challenge the "King," Arnold Palmer. Between 1960 and 1966, these greats won the Masters six times, three apiece. From '64 to '66, both finished in the top four.

Tiger's first one (1997)

In only his third trip to Augusta, and second after missing the cut in his first pro visit, Woods slaughtered the field for a 12-shot victory, becoming the first non-white player to win The Masters, and his -18 is still the best score at Augusta. From here on out, Woods would be the prohibitive Masters betting favorite, much like this year.

Tiger's chip on 16 (2005)

Woods reached the 16^th hole in 2005 locked in a fierce Sunday battle with Chris DiMarco, hitting his tee shot on the par-3 hole just to left of the green. Woods aimed his chip about 20 feet to the left of the hole, let it run down the slope, and the ball just happened to stop on the lip (Nike swoosh showing, of course) before dropping. Verne Lundquist's call of the shot ("In your life, have you seen anything like that?") will go down in broadcasting history.

Augusta hates Norman (1987, 1996)

Poor Greg Norman…the "Shark" won a pair of majors, but he'll be remembered more for the ones he lost. 1986, he just lost to a 46-year-old Jack Nicklaus who was playing out of his mind, that's fair. 1987, he lost on a 140-foot chip shot by Augusta native Larry Mize in a playoff, so you have to say the gods were smiling on Mize. But '96 was the worst, as Norman shot a Sunday 78 to squander a six-stroke lead against Nick Faldo, who shot a 67. Masters betting players would learn to stay away from Norman.

Nicklaus defies age (1986)

In one of the most famously improbable moments not just in Masters betting history, but in sports history, the Golden Bear shot a 30 on the back nine of Augusta, including an eagle-birdie-birdie run on holes 15-17, to steal the Masters. The image of him raising his putter and celebrating an 18-foot putt on the 17^th hole remains one of golf's most iconic.