US Masters Preview 11 Apr

Bubba Watson broke down in a recent press conference when asked to describe his US Masters victory in 2012 and that miracle shot, I must admit I was close to joining him considering I had backed Louis Oosthuizen for victory that year. Watson is 40/1 (general) to lift the trophy again. Here is our guide to the best of the bets from the Masters this year.

Like the Grand National last Saturday weight of numbers is the biggest issue facing any punters wishing to gamble on this event. Some studying of the trends though can vastly reduce this field to a more manageable number. First discount veterans because Jack Nicklaus at 46 is the oldest champion here . The course is long and punishing and the intense four days tends to favour the younger players. The avaerage of the winner is 32.66 years.

Second discount those at the other end of the scale, youngsters. No debutant since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 has won here. The course is not an easy one and it requires all manner of experience and know-how to learn how to play it.

20 of the last 21 winners here had previously broken 70 at the course. In addition just one winner since 1979 (Tiger Woods in 1996) had failed to make the cut the year previous year. So look for some measure of course form especially a round under 70. Fourth look for the ability to play par fives as the top two last year both ranked in the top four for driving distances. Do not though just look for distances a more significant stat is ’Top Par Five Performers.’

It is Tiger Woods who is the 9/2 (general) favourite which despite the form of the player and his Augusta record is still much too short. Woods has not won here since the course was extended in 2006. Those who really want to get Tiger on side might want to consider the great offer BetVictor have in refunding losing bets on the event (to a limited stake) if Tiger or Rory McIlroy wins. Rory McIlroy is 12/1 (general) though this again looks a little short on a player who has never finished higher than 15th here and has the mental scars of a nightmare back nine in 2011 when seemingly coasting to the title.

Four of the top ten last year came from England and Ireland and the home contingent will look to go strong again with Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Justin Rose leading the charge. ladbrokes who will offer money back if any British or Irish player wins.

The first selection is Keegan Bradley at 25/1 (general). Bradley ticks all the boxes with four top ten finishes in his last four starts on the tour, he broke 70 in his debut here last year, he ranks in the top four in par five stats on the US PGA Tour and he is a previous major winner winning the 2011 US PGA.

Two I like at bigger prices are Fredrik Jacobson. Jacobson has two top 20 finishes to his name in this event. He has the putting and driving game to suit this course, he figures in the top 80 performances on par fives and has good form this year. The Swede is 110/1 (boylesports) for those looking to play EW.

The second option is Stewart Cink who is a best priced EW option of 200/1 (Coral). Cink has shown real signs of returning to form with two top 15 finishes from his last three starts. Cink has three top 20 finishes at Augusta since the course was lengthened including tied 3rd in 2008 and ranks in the top 50 in par five performances.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Keegan Bradley EW to win the US Masters, 25/1 (general)
SILVER: Fredrik Jacobson EW to win the US Masters, 110/1(boylesports)
BRONZE: Stewart Cink EW to win the US Masters, 200/1 (Coral)

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11/04/2013     © Frixo 2024