Wednesday 7 April 2010

US Masters - 2010

Its time for Augusta and the reappearance of Tiger Woods. Over the years we have learned never to write off Woods or indeed back against him. The Bookies seem to agree as the biggest offer on woods winning his 5th jacket is 6/1. Normally for the majors and this one in particular, I dive into the betting without Tiger market but I'm not convinced that Tiger can win this week. Whar we have learned is that he is human (well, we knew this anyway, but that he does make mistakes and boy,what clangers he has made recently!). I believe he should have played Bay Hill prior to the Masters, to get the spectator pressure off his back although that said i am really surprised that he has returned so soon. He may just go out and play a great tournament, but he is under so much mental pressure this week, with both on & off course behaviour, that he will be under such scrutiny I reckon that it will add a shot a day onto his scorecard. I don't believe Woods can keep this all bottled and convert it to motivation/willpower to win....it would be some story but there are guys chomping at the bit to win this week.

Ernie Els has to be the favourite- 2 wins already this year and a nearly man at Augusta, he will be revved up for it this week , and best odds of 16/1 Ladbrokes are tempting. At this end of the market the players that I really do think can win are Retief Goosen, Lee Westwood & Padraig Harrington alongside Els. Between Els, Schwartzel & Oosthuizen its been a great start to 2010 for South african golfers and i see no reason why the "Goose" cannot prevail this week. He is in great form and possess probably the next best record at Augusta other tham Woods & Mickelson. Ladbrokes again are best odds at 25/1 and therefore this is my number one bet this week. I will also have e/w bets on Westwood & Harrington as they are great consistency in the past 2 years of majors and both have gone well at Augusta in the past few years. Last years runner-up and top 10 finisher in 2007, Chad Campbell as had 3 top 25s this year and really goes well at Augusta and has to be taken at e/w or top 10. 80/1 best odds for the win but 13/2 with www.betpack.com has to be taken as the sensible bet. others to consider must be Paul Casey, Hunter Mahan, Lucas Glover (odds of 125/1 cannot be ignored) and former winner Mike Weir & Zach Johnson who both have decent form lately. Phil Mickelson may well win his 3rd jacket but I don't think he has been playing enough lately so will leave him out of my selection process this week. I am opting for Mahan over Campbell purely because Mahan looks like a future Major winner and its just one of "those feelings" !

US Masters Selections:
1 pt e/w R.Goosen @ 25/1 (www.ladbrokes.com)
1 pt e/w L.Westwood @ 20/1 (www.ladbrokes.com)
1 pt e/w P.Harrington @ 20/1(www.ladbrokes.com)
1 pt e/w H.Mahan @ 60/1 (www.betpack.com)
1.5 pts Top 10 finish C.Campbell @ 13/2 (www.betpack.com)

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