IT'S almost here – the first round of the US Masters and for the next four days I'll be glued to the action.
I can't believe it was a year ago to the day when I was setting off for a first memorable trip to Augusta and it seems like just yesterday I stood a few yards away as Jordan Spieth donned the Green Jacket.
Spieth dominated from start to finish but I don't see him defending his crown and I've already tipped Jason Day to triumph.
Resident golf tipster Ace Venturer and myself posted our outright tips a few days ago so check out the posts. The tips are on the end of this post as a reminder.
I've added two after looking at some of the other markets – Bernhard Langer to finish top senior at 5-2 with bet365. He's still top notch and doesn't look to have much competition in this category with Vijay Singh and Davis Love his chief rivals.
My other addition is Rafa Cabrera-Bello to be top debutant. This is a fairly speculative market because who knows how some players will react on their first visit.
But Cabrera-Bello, who is 15-2 at boylesports, arrives in fabulous form following up his third at the World Match Play – he beat Rory McIlroy on the final day – with fourth in last week's Houston Open.
Kevin Kisner is 7-1 favourite and the American I imagine may have played a few practice rounds here in the past and has some good PGA Tour results under his belt.
I like twoball betting as opposed to threeball but the first round is tough to call and remember players are not going head to head – they're playing the course.
However, I'm backing four players who should go well this week in mythical twoballs.
Post any day one thoughts and tips you have on this thread.
Mr Fixit's Day 1 Mythical Twoballs
Oosthuizen to bt Reed
Rose to bt Berger
Day to bt Kuchar
Speith to bt Casey
1pt at 8-1, BetVictor
Ace Venturer outrights
1.5pts ew Fowler
1.5pts ew Stenson
1.5pts ew Oosthuizen
1.5pts ew D Johnston
1.5pts ew Matsuyama
1.5pts ew Rose
1pt ew Koepka
Mr Fixit's outrights
2pts Day to win
1pt ew Watson
1.5pts ew Oosthuizen
2pts Rose top Englishman
0.5pt Lyle to beat Knox
2pts Langer top senior
0.5pt Cabrera-Bello top debutant
In December 2020 we sadly 
Just 2 outright bets for me
Rory mcilroy 8/1
Rickie fowler 16/1
Done 2 first found leaders too for bit of interest for guys capable of good round but maybe not consistent enough to win
Dustin Johnson 18/1
Danny willet 50/1
Good luck guys
Lee Cuncliffe, I might do Kirk and Hoffman (both 125-1).
Yeah good shout always get someone up there at end of first round like a Tom Watson at 500/1 and think why didn’t I think of him. Good luck today don’t seem like a year since you was over there
Phil Mickelson Top 10 Finish @ 7/4 @ Coral
Justin Rose Top 20 Finish @ 4/5 @ Ladbrokes
1 point EW Winner
Justin Rose @ 25/1 @ Ladbrokes (EW to 5 places @ 1/4 odds)
Phil Mickelson @ 20/1 @ William Hill (EW to 5 places @ 1/4 odds)
Jason Day Outright @ 7/1 @ William Hill (EW to 5 places @ 1/4 odds)
Yes the Masters is upon, and as you know I don’t back on rubbish cards, obscure leagues that none of us know about, I take time and research my tips. Some of you will remember my playoff tips in the NFL and how I bashed the bookies at the Superbowl on the sports thread. Some may recall my 8 winners at Cheltenham on the racing thread. I advise discipline not to bet every day, that is just stupidity. Ok here are my masters tips.
TIPS
Mickleson top lefty market 5/4 (Coral) NB 8.5PTS
Spieth top 10 finish 1/1 (Tote) 5PTS
Fowler top 10 finish 7/5 ( Betfair) 2.5PTS
Leishman top 10 finish 11/2 (888sport) 2.5PTS
Schwartzel top 10 finish 3/1 (various) 2.5PTS
Schwartzel top 20 finish 5/4 (888sport) NAP 10PTS
Leishman top 20 finish 2/1 (888sport, laddys) 4PTS
MASTERS SPECIAL
Day, Speith or Rory to win 11/5 (William Hill)
Only stake what you can afford to bet and while I am able due to my recent great form can afford these size bets, I suggest if you follow you adjust your bets accordingly.
A brief reasoning behind my NAP & NB TIPS for you
Phil loves the Masters he has won it three times and had 15 finishes inside the top 10. He only has to finish in front of Weir and Watson to land this tip and I think despite Watson record I like Phil here. Bubba doesn’t like the wind getting up and can throw in a 74+ ( remember his defence last year?)
I have seen Phil hitting the ball this year and despite his age he is still playing some lovely golf. He is my NB in this tournament.
Five-time Major champion Mickelson is in decent recent form, after finishing fifth at the WGC-Cadillac Championship last month, and is a great 5/4 shout to live up to his nickname and be top Lefty, with just Bubba Watson and Mike Weir as competition.
Watson may be a double Masters winner, but dramatically flopped last year for his title defence after ending up tied in 38th.
Every common man and his dog will be backing one of the big 3 blindly but although I suspect JS to make a bold bid to defend his jacket, I have pointed my finger at Schwartzel to go close to wearing the green jacket. He can be backed at around a WHOPPING 55/1 outright and having backed him each way and for a straight win, I am tipping him to grab a 20 place and a top 10 finish. I followed him in 2011 when he birdied the final few holes and despite a barren spell since then he has come back well in the last 2 years. He is 11th in scrambling yds and like I say most novices will look at take a single figure price in the biggest major in golf I like the South African to go really close if not win it.
GL
Dave,modesty is not your strong point im guessing lol….If you were chocolate,you’d probably eat yourself !!!!!!!
Im glad you are tipping so well,but do everyone a favour & keep your “Gigantic Ego” to a minimum..Thank you :)
Paul
I was in my local bookies the other day and backed Cabrera-Bello ew.
When I was looking at the prices on screen I couldnt see Oosthuizen on the 1st page so I asked for the next page. He was 200/1 !!!!!!
I put it on a slip, stuck the price down, circled it and the bet was placed.
Whats your thoughts on the bookies view to this bet being taken??
If you placed this bet on friday, i’d bet they showed you the odds for the houston open last week instead, louis was well down the field after day 1. Either way, not a chance in a million years they’ll pay you out at this price.
willie mcguire, you won’t get the 200-1 on Oosthuizen – you’ll be paid at what the odds were at the time.
We both know it was a mistake and they’re covered for genuine mistakes.
I reckon the odds on a hole in one are decent at 4/5 (Bet365) and I’ll have a little punt on that. Otherwise I’ll be on a top 20 finish for Charl Schwartzel at evens
Masters bets placed both e/way@ ladbrokes:
Fowler 16/1
Rose 25/1
Good luck everybody!!
With strong winds forecast
I’m on Mickleson at 20,1
And Bubba at 12/1.
The Masters website has a rather excellent shot-tracker for anyone wanting to follow the action
http://www.masters.com/en_US/scores/track.html
Does anyone know who the blonde woman is presenting the golf on Sky sports 4??
Sarah Stirk does the sky golf a lot if that’s who you mean. One of the best presenters around.
Absolutely