TIGERMANIA will hit Augusta this week but the man to beat could be Bubba Watson.
Revived Tiger Woods is sixth favourite for the Masters at 18-1 with BetStars and while he might place I'd want double those odds.
Watson arrives at a hyped-up tournament as the man in form having won twice this season including a spectacular success in the Dell-Tech Match Play two weeks ago when he blew everyone away.
The double Green Jacket winner has all the assets for Augusta – he hits it long, is left-handed and has sharpened up his short game. I'm backing him each way at 16-1 with Paddy Power (8 places).
Another left-hander Phil Mickelson has three Masters triumphs – the last in 2010 – and is back to his best having won the WGC-Mexico this season.
It's been said Augusta was designed for Mickelson and again he should go close at a biggest 18-1 with bet365 (8 places).
Jordan Spieth, the 2015 winner, is 10-1 favourite but a third place at Houston last week doesn't justify that price.
It would be great to see a final pairing of Woods and Rory McIlroy a she tries to complete a career Grand Slam but he is a little short at 12-1 on greens where he struggles.
I'd rather be with Justin Rose who has been runner-up twice in three years and handed it to Sergio Garcia 12 months ago. He is 16-1 with Betfred (6 places).
Georgia lad Russell Henley, who has finished 31st, 21st and 11th in the last three years, is an each-way long shot. He was eighth at Houston and is 110-1 at bet365.
I don't think Fred Couples has too much to beat to be top Senior. He is 2-1 favourite with Unibet and the only players likely to challenge are Vijay Singh and Bernhard Langer (both 5-2, BetStars).
Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat to finish top Asian at 5-1 with Ladbrokes has a chance. Japan's Hideki Matsuyama is evens favourite but off the boil and Aphi shone at the Match Play.
And here's one that can't lose – Sandy Lyle to be top Scot on his final Masters appearance. He's got nothing to beat .. and that's sad.
Recommended Bets
- Bubba Watson 2pts ew
- Phil Mickelson 1.5pts ew
- Justin Rose 1pt ew
- Russell Henley 0.5pt ew
- Kiradec Aphibarnrat top Asian 1pt
- Fred Couples top Senior 1pt
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Been down Ladbrokes and had my tons worth on these 5 as singles hopefully some profit come Monday
Jordan speith top 5 finish @9/4 £20 returns £65
Justin Thomas top 5 finish @9/4 £20 returns £65
Bubba Watson Top 10 finish @11/8 £20 returns £47.50
Tiger Top 10 finish @6/5 £20 returns £44.00
Phil Mickleson Top 10 finish @6/4 £20 returns £50
good luck everyone and here’s to a good masters
By no means tips but these are my punts for Augusta. Only golf event I ever punt on.
Cantlay
Hadwin
Chappell
To Make The Cut Treble @ 6/4 @ 365 – 4 points
Just to juice up the odds I’m adding a few on the very short favourites. Can get decent odds for a 14 fold @ 365 which is always worth a point.
Cantlay
Hadwin
Chappell
Noren
Poulter
Scott
Matsuyama
Fowler
Garcia
Watson
Mickelson
Kuchar
Casey
Rose
14/1 @ 365 – 1 point