I’ve got to admit, it’s been a while since I thought about golf, but it suddenly occurred to me that the US Masters is gradually creeping up on us.
I have fond memories of the US Masters over the last 25 years or so (now I really feel old!). Especially when you consider the names that were involved back then. I don’t think there has ever been as strong or as competitive a chasing pack on the world number one as there was back then.
Tiger Woods of course was undisputed, but there were about 12 or 15 very good golfers just behind him, all of whom were very capable.
As memory serves, the US Masters teed up some of the best golf from this generation that I have seen. Sunday’s were always a treat. Watching the BBC coverage of Augusta in stunning full bloom, the dry-tonged, quick-witted Peter Allis for company and Ken Brown providing the analysis. Probably some of the best sporting coverage the BBC has been responsible for.
Notable Names Involved This Year
Despite my nostalgic musings though, this year’s edition still has considerable viewing magnetism.
World number one and reigning champion, the USA’s Scottie Scheffler is expected to feature along with number two Rory McIlroy, who will be hoping that he can finally pull on the much-coveted Green Jacket. I can’t actually believe that this is the only major that he is yet to win, so he could even be worth a bet on the nose and looks decent value with 17/2 odds.
I didn’t realise that three out of the world’s top five are from the US. Number three being Xander Schauffele (I used to get him and Scheffler mixed up!) and at number five, Collin Morikawa.
In previous years, I always got great value backing Justin Rose in another market, who generally finished in the top 10 fairly consistently.
While his outright odds of about 110/1 could be fairly pointless, I would still be tempted to stick a couple of quid on him for a top five finish at about 33/2 – afterall, he knows the course and if he’s confident, this could be great value. Even his top 10 odds of 13/2 aren’t too bad. I think the bookies obviously know that he is capable of this, hence these odds, though Augusta is a course where you need to be confident from the start. You need focus, good weather and obviously a little bit of luck.
On occasion there has been a name that has come out of nowhere to win, upsetting the odds and, based on the course, this is a possibility.
If previous winner, Jordan Spieth rediscovers his best form, then his 33/1 or so odds, could prove to be a nice little bet. Obviously, he knows the course well and has played some of his best golf at Augusta.