McIlroy reclaimed the world No.1 ranking a week after the tie for second place. He was supplanted by England’s Luke Donald. For the past two months, the two have exchanged the top spot and McIlroy needed only a top-seven finish at Quail Hollow to return to No.1.

Fowler closed with a three-under 69. He was dressed in his Sunday orange. He and McIlroy (70) got into the playoff when Points (71) made his first bogey of the final round on the last hole to finish tied with them at 14-under 274. Last year in South Korea was the only other win as a pro for Fowler. Then, he had defeated McIlroy.

Webb Simpson (73), the other rising American was outright fourth. He was a shot behind the leading trio. England’s Lee Westwood carded a six-under 66 to finish in a tie for fifth with Ben Curtis (67) and Ryan Moore (74). With a final-round 70 to finish tied ninth at nine-under for best finish of the season, Jason Day was the best of the Australians. John Senden faded with a 75 in his final round to finish in a tie for 15th while Geoff Ogilvy was a further shot back. Senden had started the tournament brightly.

Fowler said he never felt the pressure of waiting 2 1/2 years for his first win. He could make sure it had enough to take the stream out of play, as the longest wait might have been for his shot in the playoff to descend from the cloudy sky. Fowler achieved his primary goal of winning on the PGA Tour and earned $1.17 million. That should help him getting to the Tour Championship for the first time and possibly getting another spot on the Ryder Cup team.

In 2010, he was picked. He was the first PGA Tour rookie ever selected by a captain. He won the last four holes to earn a halve in his singles match and showed his promise. However, with a major championship and a return to No. 1 in the world, McIlroy is far more accomplished. There is a continuing generational shift in golf and this could be a rivalry worth watching.

In the 76-year history of the Masters, the playoff was the 15th and the ninth since the tournament went to a sudden-death format in 1976. When Angel Cabrera defeated Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell on the second extra hole, the last playoff was in 2009. In today’s final round at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, Watson shot a 4-under-par 68 to finish the tournament at 10-under par. Oosthuizen also finished 10 under after a final-round 69.

At 6-under par, Watson entered the fourth round with three shots behind Peter Hanson of Sweden, two behind three-time champion Phil Mickelson and one back of Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open winner from South Africa. Bo van Pelt and Adam Scott managed hole-in-one shots on the par-three 16th, while Oosthuizen got an albatross two on the par-five second – the first double eagle on that hole and fourth overall in tournament history.

Watson started the day three back of Mickelson and four shots back of leader Peter Han-son, who faded early. He had a front-row seat against Oosthuizen. Onto the second green, he hit a 235-yard four-iron and watched it filter all the way across and into the hole for only the fourth double-eagle in Masters history, the first ever on No. 2.

Watson said that winning would not change him, after he picked up 1.44 million dollars for the victory. Tiger Woods was tied 40th place finish with 293 is his worst at the Masters since turning pro. He twice threw his club down in disgust, once even kicking it into a bunker, although it was not only with his play that he disappointed.

World number one Luke Donald tied in 32nd place. Rory McIlroy managed to finish the round on 77. He is too far behind the leaders to mount a challenge. A 76 on the final day made him end up tied 40th.

Since the sex scandal at the end of 2009 led to one of the greatest downfalls in sports, it was his first PGA Tour victory. Woods looks more capable of ever than resuming his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus in the majors and with the Masters only two weeks away. For a five-shot win over Graeme McDowell, Woods closed with a 2-under 70.

After this famous win, the question that everyone is interested in is whether he can get back to being the player who once ruled golf. Woods, dating to Sept. 13, 2009, at the BMW Championship refused to acknowledge the win in the Arnold Palmer Invitational as his first PGA Tour win in 923 days. He counts the unofficial Chevron World Challenge last December.

Woods tapped his putter on the ground waiting for his turn with the final hole a mere formality, knowing that 30 months without a win on the PGA Tour was about to end. Woods was on his way by promptly birdied four of the next six holes. on the front nine with a controlled, he followed his 33, cautious 37 on the back nine in windy conditions, for a two-under-par 70. All he needed was with no one making a charge.

In all aspects of the game, Woods was in total control, the final two holes of the front nine showed it. Woods hit an 8-iron from 182 yards that cleared the bank by a few yards and rolled within 4 feet for birdie on No. 8. McDowell missed a 4-foot par putt to fall four shots behind on the next hole. inside 10 feet, McDowell missed three putts early on the back nine, one of them for par and then was merely along for the ride.

Golf in Las Vegas during the month of October is a popular destination for many traveling golfers and this event brings golf enthusiasts from throughout the world to Sin City for an entertaining weekend of gold during the day and partying at night.

The tournament is modeling itself after the Phoenix Open. The wild tournament in Arizona features stadium seating on the 17th hole and it is a raucous affair that some PGA players avoid.

The Timberlake tournament features plenty of opportunities for the fans to imbibe in alcohol but the crowd is in a more friendly and less boisterous mood.

There will be PGA golfers in attendance as well as numerous “A” list celebrities. Defending champ Martin Laird returns to scene of his incredible hole-in-one playoff win last year. Laird joins by some of the greatest golfers on the PGA Tour.

Local Las Vegas golfers should get some attention this week. So do not ignore Charley Hoffman in this event and although UNLV golfer Adam Scott will not attend, Chris Riley is a good representative for the UNLV Rebels golf team.

Looking for a long shot to root for this year. Take a look at Steve Elkington. He is due for a win in a big tournament and the million dollar prize is a good win for any PGA Pro.

Make sure to visit your favorite sportsbook to check out their betting lines for this awesome event. Hell if you pick right you might even consider giving some of those winnings to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Closer to the May 26 tournament get PGA Golf Betting Odds in online free sports picks.

On the previous winners list, there have been some golfers that have a good first drive off the tee although that does not mean they can be lumped in as strictly big bombers. A perfect example for this is Adam Scott. He is also known as one of the smartest golfers on the PGA Tour as he is big off the tee.

Jason Day (20-1), Matt Kuchar (20-1) and Choi (20-1) are among the favorites for this event. Matt Kuchar is nearing $2 million in earnings as he has made the cut in all 11 tournaments he has entered. Even though Kuchar is better than average at hitting greens in regulation and he is one of the best scramblers on tour, he is not the biggest ball striker on tour.

This will be a perfect spot for K.J. Choi to show the victory was no fluke as he is coming off the high of winning the Players Championship. Although when Choi does get in trouble there is no one better than Choi at getting out of a sticky situation, he is hitting the ball well.

When it comes to winning a PGA tournament, Jason Day is another favorite not many people think of. Day’s five top ten this season have given him respect as he has gained more notoriety after finishing second in The Masters.

For this tournament, get Golf Betting Odds closer to the May 19 start in Live Betting USA.

The tournament has become a nice addition to many PGA golfers’ resumes, still held on the historic Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Kenny Perry and Phil Mickelson are the past winners.

Who else has a strong chance to keep Johnson from repeating as Zach Johnson will be in attendance to defend his title. As this tournament tees off Thursday, Tim Clark, Bo Van Pelt and Steve Stricker are also golfers to watch.

Phil Mickelson will be the favorite going into this tournament. Although he is no threat to make a run on the Colonial course, his odds will be 10-1 as he tees off. K.J. Choi’s odds should be tempting in the 50-1 to 60-1 category as a long shot, look for K.J. Choi to make a surprise run.

On this course why does Choi look strong? Even though Choi is improving immensely with his scrambling, he has been a little behind the average of the PGA golfers when it comes to driving. Choi can correct and improve himself better than most golfers on tour when he gets off course.

Lucas Glover will be another long shot to look at in this tournament. Even though Glover has a much better chance, he should come in around 100-1 or higher in the odds department. Glover can also scramble well when shots go off course as he can out drive the average golfer on the PGA Tour.

Get Golf Betting Odds at online sportsbooks closer to the event.

Unfortunately Tiger Woods will be missing the event this year as he nurses a sprained knee and pulled Achilles tendon. Woods sustained the injuries as he was blasting a shot onto the 17th green at The Masters. Woods powered a shot out of dense pine straw and was forced to finish the last 19 holes of The Masters under duress.

Who are the favorites to take home the hardware in the Wells Fargo Championship? There have been eight champions crowned in this event and the winners list is a who’s who in the PGA. From last year’s winner Rory McIlroy to Tiger Woods.

Vijay Singh won one of the most memorable titles and the original champ, David Toms will also return to the site of one of his greatest wins. The question remains: Who is the favorite for the Wells Fargo Championship?

Look past the former winners when looking for the 2011 winner. Look to Ricky Barnes to break through for a big win in this event. Barnes will be a 40-1 shot in Las Vegas but he has the tools to do well in this event. Another golfer to watch out for in this event will be Zack Miller.

Why Zack Miller? Why not? Miller is one of the biggest hitters on the PGA Tour. He out drives the average pro by nine yards and he is better than average at scrambling out of trouble. Miller can win this tournament and make a major dent in the FedEx Cup standings.

In PGA betting lines, Furyk is at 16-1 Odds while Luke Donald is the favorite at 10-1.

Of the Heritage event, Boo Weakley is the most recent two-time winner. In 2007 and 2008, Weakley won in back to back years. Including Arnold Palmer as the inaugural winner in 1969 and Jack Nicklaus in 1975, the event has a notable group of past winners.

On one of the nicest courses on the PGA Tour the event will take place. The Harbor Town Golf Links is one of the courses many PGA regulars look forward to returning to every year and this is located in picturesque Hilton Head, South Carolina.

The million dollar prize for first place is always a major draw for many of the top PGA golfers as the event is also considered a tune up for the impending Players Championship in May.

Boo Weakley who leads all PGA golfers with an average score of 68.44 over the last 16 rounds of play will be among the favorites for The Heritage. With a scoring average of 68.75 over the last years Behind Weakley is Ricky Barnes, Angel Cabrera and Kris Blanks.

Of this group, Ricky Barnes is the golfer to watch out. Even though this course could kick start his season, Barnes is returning to form slowly. Although Barnes has become adept at scrambling after making mistakes, he has fallen below the PGA average for ball striking.

In Golf Betting Odds, Woods is the favorite at 6-1 to win The Masters, which have Phil Mickelson next at 8-1.

Even though Woods is still banging the ball farther than most PGA professionals, he has struggled with accuracy and reaches greens in regulation a little below the PGA average. In the PGA Woods has always been one of the best scramblers but he is average this season. By Saturday of The Masters, look for Woods to be on the leader board.

At the conclusion of The Masters, Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood and defending champ, Phil Mickelson are all capable of slipping on the green jacket. McIlroy can never be counted out on this long course that favors the big hitters as he has one win to his credit already this season.

Although Lee Westwood can get healthy with a big win at The Masters, he has struggled this season. As has his accuracy Westwood’s striking has tailed off this season. Either the Masters will be an awakening for Westwood thereby improving his free picks odds or it will send him back to the drawing board.

With a renewed vigor, Phil Mickelson defends his surprise Masters title this season. Including a second in the Farmers Insurance Open, Mickelson has two top tens this season. Even though Mickelson has improved on his ability to scramble out of trouble he is still out driving the competition this season.

As one of the favorites in Golf Betting Odds, Kim enters this year’s tournament. Kim’s odds may be tempting with Phil Mickelson entering the event as of March 18. With a sixth place in the Farmers Insurance Open, Kim is coming off of his best finish this season.

For the Shell Houston Open, other notable entries will be Ernie Els, Fred Couples, and Matt Kuchar.

Even though one the contenders to challenge Anthony Kim will be Matt Kuchar, Fred Couples is always a fan favorite. In the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship, Kuchar is looking strong early and is coming off a fifth place finish. In the FedEx Cup standings Kuchar also ranks near the top and has made the cut in every event and placed in the top 25 six of his seven events entered.

As the Houston Open is the weekend before The Masters Tiger Woods normally passes up this tournament. In to the event Mickelson was a surprise late commitment and it may be because he wants to find his rhythm as he heads to Augusta the next week. Mickelson scored a ninth in Pebble Beach this season as well as a second in the Farmers Insurance Open. By averaging 293 yards, Mickelson is also striking the ball well.