The 78th US Masters kicks off the majors’ season in the world of golf at Augusta National this week. There is no Tiger Woods as the American is awaiting surgery on his injured back so Phil Mickelson has the opportunity to draw level with his fourth green jacket.
“Lefty” has not been at his best so far this season and I’ve always managed to catch him at the wrong time in the past. He is a brilliant player when he is in the zone but odds of 14-1 aren’t enough to tempt me. Keep an eye on him though as he may play moderately for a couple of rounds but still mount a late challenge.
Lots of people fancy Jason Day this week but he has also suffered an interrupted preparation. He was testing his peculiar brain theories in this event 12 months ago. I have no idea whether he still employs the same system but whatever he did last year worked wonders. In the end it was Australian Adam Scott who emerged victorious, gaining quick compensation for his collapse at the British Open.
Scott does not look far off his best and prepares himself for the majors rather like a racehorse geared to the biggest races. He can start off our portfolio at 12-1. The US PGA Tour has been throwing up its fair share of shock winners and I’m going to put up Harris English as a long shot. He’s been making his way steadily up the rankings and made a hole-in-one at the 12th in practice this week! How he would love to do that in the tournament proper.
Patrick Reed and Jimmy Walker are others likely to appear on the leaderboard during the week along with Jordan Spieth who appears utterly fearless. With English available at 66-1 and Spieth at 55-1, they are worth a flutter to make the top six. Five of the last six major championships have been won by golfers who had not previously won a major.
Amazingly, Sergio Garcia still comes into that category. He has an unbelievable 18 top ten finishes in majors including three times here, his best being fourth in 2004. He’s certainly playing well enough but the bookmakers aren’t taking too many chances at 20-1.
Henrik Stenson could win his first major this year after a sensational 2013 on both sides of the pond. Understandably he has struggled to pick up the pace so far this season but you wouldn’t want to rule him out. My final selection is going to be Zach Johnson who won here back in 2007. He also had a brilliant season last time and is ticking over nicely ahead of the first major of the season.
Zach Johnson at 35-1 Paddy Power
Adam Scott at 12-1 Paddy Power
Harris English at 66-1 Bet Victor
Jordan Spieth at 55-1 William Hill
Each-way ¼ odds, 1,2,3,4,5,6
