US Masters Tips: First Round Leader
Who does Steve Rawlings fancy to get off to another flying start on Thursday at the US Masters, where a fast start is essential…
US Masters Tips: First Round Leader
Who does Steve Rawlings fancy to get off to another flying start on Thursday at the US Masters, where a fast start is essential…
Find Me a 100 Masters Winner: Follow this classy trio for glory
Our [100.0] winner column is all about landing long-shot bets – laying as we go to build profit on either side so whether our outsiders win or lose we show a profit. Here is a trio to back at the 2012 Masters…
US Masters Competition: Win a share of £300 on Betfair Community
Four days of incredible golf get underway at Augusta on Thursday when the 2012 Masters begins – and there is a prize pot of £300 on offer in the Betfair Community Masters competition.
US Masters Tips: Par Three Contest
It’s live on TV and it’ll make for a pleasant aperitif before the main event but Steve Rawlings, aka The Punter, advises caution and the application of a pin! Read his thoughts on Wednesday’s Par Three Contest here…
US Masters Form Guide: Mickelson and Donald hard to ignore
Mike Norman has studied recent form and course form to compile a list of players that are worth serious consideration at the season’s first Major…
US Masters Tips: Victory Margin market
Steve Rawlings has pored over the last 30 years results at Augusta National in an attempt to root out the value. Which scenario does he think is the best play?
Tiger Woods
Odds: [5.9]
Last five Masters: 4/4/6/2/2
Following two miserable, winless PGA Tour seasons that saw him drop outside the world’s top-ten, Tiger roared back to the head of the Masters market by landing his seventh Bay Hill title last time out. Before jumping to the conclusion that the old, invincible Tiger is back, however, it must be remembered that there were previously only fleeting glimpses of the class that yielded 14 majors, including four Masters titles. Most worryingly, whereas he used to be unbeatable from the front, also-rans such as Greg Chalmers and Robert Rock have claimed his scalp during recent weekends. Nevertheless, even if the jury remains out over whether Woods can return to his very best, let alone dominate the sport as before, there can be no quibbling with his suitability to Augusta. In the last six renewals, he’s never shown his best yet hasn’t finished worse than sixth.
Tiger Woods
Odds: [5.9]
Last five Masters: 4/4/6/2/2
Following two miserable, winless PGA Tour seasons that saw him drop outside the world’s top-ten, Tiger roared back to the head of the Masters market by landing his seventh Bay Hill title last time out. Before jumping to the conclusion that the old, invincible Tiger is back, however, it must be remembered that there were previously only fleeting glimpses of the class that yielded 14 majors, including four Masters titles. Most worryingly, whereas he used to be unbeatable from the front, also-rans such as Greg Chalmers and Robert Rock have claimed his scalp during recent weekends. Nevertheless, even if the jury remains out over whether Woods can return to his very best, let alone dominate the sport as before, there can be no quibbling with his suitability to Augusta. In the last six renewals, he’s never shown his best yet hasn’t finished worse than sixth.
The Punter’s De-Brief: Marvellous Mahan wins the Shell
Steve draws a blank at both events this week but with the year’s first major just days away he’s far from downbeat. Who’ll be heading to Augusta in confident mood and who wishes they hadn’t played in Texas? Read The Punter’s thoughts here…
Rory McIlroy
Odds: [7.0]
Last five Masters: 15/mc/20/-/-
Rory may have surrendered the world number one spot by taking a three-week break to prepare for Augusta, but there is a strong argument that he is the rightful favourite. McIlroy is bidding to bury bitter memories from last year, when taking a four-shot lead into the final round before failing to make the top-ten, but must be fancied to do so given the relentless improvement shown since. That Augusta nightmare turned out to be a learning curve, as he quickly put it behind him with a record breaking win at the US Open and a magnificent run since has cemented his status as the heir to Tiger Woods. Rory’s starting odds may seem skinny but, rather like Woods at his peak, he trades much shorter almost every time he plays, repeatedly illustrated during a run that has seen him miss only one top-five since last August.
Rory McIlroy
Odds: [7.0]
Last five Masters: 15/mc/20/-/-
Rory may have surrendered the world number one spot by taking a three-week break to prepare for Augusta, but there is a strong argument that he is the rightful favourite. McIlroy is bidding to bury bitter memories from last year, when taking a four-shot lead into the final round before failing to make the top-ten, but must be fancied to do so given the relentless improvement shown since. That Augusta nightmare turned out to be a learning curve, as he quickly put it behind him with a record breaking win at the US Open and a magnificent run since has cemented his status as the heir to Tiger Woods. Rory’s starting odds may seem skinny but, rather like Woods at his peak, he trades much shorter almost every time he plays, repeatedly illustrated during a run that has seen him miss only one top-five since last August.
Phil Mickelson
Odds: [14.0]
Last five Masters: 27/1/5/5/24
With the Augusta narrative suggesting a Tiger/Rory dual, Augusta specialist Mickelson may well end up overlooked and overpriced. Like the two market leaders, Lefty has an impressive 2012 title to his name, totally eclipsing Tiger with a final-round 64 at Pebble Beach. Boasting eleven top-fives in this major, winning three of the last eight renewals, he loves this wide-open layout like no other and there was plenty in last week’s fourth place to encourage supporters. In fact a quieter preparation may work out better than last year, when Phil won in scintillating style at Redstone before going on to underperform on the bigger stage.
Phil Mickelson
Odds: [14.0]
Last five Masters: 27/1/5/5/24
With the Augusta narrative suggesting a Tiger/Rory dual, Augusta specialist Mickelson may well end up overlooked and overpriced. Like the two market leaders, Lefty has an impressive 2012 title to his name, totally eclipsing Tiger with a final-round 64 at Pebble Beach. Boasting eleven top-fives in this major, winning three of the last eight renewals, he loves this wide-open layout like no other and there was plenty in last week’s fourth place to encourage supporters. In fact a quieter preparation may work out better than last year, when Phil won in scintillating style at Redstone before going on to underperform on the bigger stage.
Luke Donald
Odds: [18.5]
Last five Masters: 4/mc/38/mc/10
Following a slow start to 2012, Donald reclaimed the world number one spot with a tenacious victory last time out at the Transitions Championship. The next step in his upward trajectory would be a major win, or at least regularly competing in them, having underachieved to date. So far Augusta has looked like the major venue Donald is best suited to, with three top-tens from seven attempts illustrating that what he lacks in driving distance is compensated by arguably golf’s classiest short-game.
Luke Donald
Odds: [18.5]
Last five Masters: 4/mc/38/mc/10
Following a slow start to 2012, Donald reclaimed the world number one spot with a tenacious victory last time out at the Transitions Championship. The next step in his upward trajectory would be a major win, or at least regularly competing in them, having underachieved to date. So far Augusta has looked like the major venue Donald is best suited to, with three top-tens from seven attempts illustrating that what he lacks in driving distance is compensated by arguably golf’s classiest short-game.
Lee Westwood
Odds: [21.0]
Last five Masters: 11/2/43/11/30
Having achieved everything else in the game, a major title is the only gap on Westwood’s CV. One suspects his entire campaign is geared towards peaking in the four majors nowadays, so from that perspective 21st place at Redstone over the weekend amounts to a respectable warm-up. Less positive is the fact that putting, especially when in contention, has become a recurring weakness. Augusta’s lightning-fast greens will always penalise anything less than the surest of putting touches and probably explain why, despite an ultra-reliable long game, he’s only twice made the top-ten there. Other majors represent likelier targets for the world number three.
Lee Westwood
Odds: [21.0]
Last five Masters: 11/2/43/11/30
Having achieved everything else in the game, a major title is the only gap on Westwood’s CV. One suspects his entire campaign is geared towards peaking in the four majors nowadays, so from that perspective 21st place at Redstone over the weekend amounts to a respectable warm-up. Less positive is the fact that putting, especially when in contention, has become a recurring weakness. Augusta’s lightning-fast greens will always penalise anything less than the surest of putting touches and probably explain why, despite an ultra-reliable long game, he’s only twice made the top-ten there. Other majors represent likelier targets for the world number three.
Justin Rose
Odds: [34.0]
Last five Masters: 11/-/20/36/5
Justin carries fewer expectations into Augusta than the trio of UK compatriots at the head of the world rankings, but his claim is almost as strong, hot on the heels of his finest career win to date at the WGC-Cadillac Championship. He’s also made three other top-15s this season and has produced several excellent rounds previously at Augusta, leaving the strong suggestion that this layout suits his style. Masters winners usually have plenty of course experience, so in the form of his life approaching his seventh visit, the time could be ripe for Rose.
Justin Rose
Odds: [34.0]
Last five Masters: 11/-/20/36/5
Justin carries fewer expectations into Augusta than the trio of UK compatriots at the head of the world rankings, but his claim is almost as strong, hot on the heels of his finest career win to date at the WGC-Cadillac Championship. He’s also made three other top-15s this season and has produced several excellent rounds previously at Augusta, leaving the strong suggestion that this layout suits his style. Masters winners usually have plenty of course experience, so in the form of his life approaching his seventh visit, the time could be ripe for Rose.
