Rickie Visited The King To Explain His Scheduling Conflict

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After some early week conjecture about America's top players passing up a chance to play before Arnold Palmer, "word trickled" out according to ESPN.com's Bob Harig that Rickie Fowler visited Palmer to apologize for not entering the API.

The news was confirmed reluctantly, as the idea to drive to Orlando from West Palm Beach and have lunch with Palmer was not meant to generate any publicity, but to simply do what Fowler felt was the right thing and express his reasons for having to pass due to a scheduling conflict. It was an incredible gesture, and showed an impressive level of understanding.

Or he just missed eating at Bay Hill?

I suppose this and Bubba's gesture should be admired, but why not just play the tournament? Take a helicopter. That's what the Shark would have done.

2016 Masters Odds And Why They Still Aren't Long Enough

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The "easiest" major to predict arrives in a few weeks, but a look at the various prices from GolfOdds.com or Bovada reveals very little incentive to plunk down money. A gambler can get better value on a Non-winners of Two Lifetime Starts $5000 Claimer at Turf Paradise.

Still, we know only about a dozen can win at Augusta if the course is playing long and slow as it has in recent years. As Gary Van Sickle at Golf.com found out interviewing an "anonymous gambler", the Masters is the best major to bet. But he still advises you stay on the sidelines. For reasons like this:

Anonymous Gambler: The thing that makes the Masters the best major to bet is the data. It's the only major played at the same course every year, so we've got numbers we can crunch. The Kid, as I call him, has played two Masters -- second once, ties the all-time scoring record in the other. He is the game's best putter, and there aren't three other players as good with a wedge. It's that simple. Plus, the Kid has found a system with his caddie to out-prepare the other guys, the way Jack Nicklaus used to. I love, love, love that. Except the Kid messed up this winter. He jetted all over the planet; he's pooped. He needs three weeks off, no golf, but that's not going to happen in March. O.K., he's 22; he's resilient. I'm just afraid he strained his back hauling all those dirhams, yuans and Aussie-Singapore dollars to the bank. I'm laying off him… for now.

While Spieth certainly isn't much of a value at 6/1, Rickie Fowler remains a barely interesting 12/1, while  the most attractive option is Justin Rose at 25/1. He finished second last year and has been working very hard with his team to peak in the second week of April. But until President Trump legalizes sports betting in America, I'll just have to dream of my potential winnings. Or bet that claimer at Turf Paradise.