Masters Preview and Picks

Feature post from Matt Dodd. Follow Matt online via Twitter @mattdodd11 or visit his blog at www.mattdodd.com

Well, it’s that time of year. The calendar flicks from March to April, the best players in the world are in Augusta and the wait is nearly over. All the talk, particularly in America, is about the duel between the two favourites: Tiger Woods, looking to prove he’s back to his best on the big stage, and Roy McIlroy, who returns to the scene of his famous 2011 collapse. But with all the top players on striking form, the field is wide open once again as we look forward to the first major of the year.

Date: 5^th to 8^th March 2012

Venue: Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia.

With a touch of rain in the forecast, it could well be wet around the greens and the potential for a crowded leaderboard is there. Phil Mickelson fears a “birdie-fest”, which would give the tournament that extra bit of excitement – if it even needed it. Despite the absence of pink flowers down the fairways due to the unexpectedly mild winter, Augusta National will once again be its usual beautiful self. There truly is no tournament like it.

Yards: 7,435

Par: 72

Field:

Every big name will be teeing off on Thursday, except for Dustin Johnson, who sadly misses out with a back injury. But 18 past Masters champions will be involved, with the resurgent Tiger Woods favourite (5/1), and reigning champion Charl Schwartzel (40/1) looking to wear the green jacket again. Englishmen Luke Donald (14/1), Lee Westwood (20/1) and Justin Rose (28/1) will also be aiming to clinch the $8,000,000 prize.

Ones to watch:

Martin Kaymer (66/1) is almost being written off because of his poor record in Augusta – four starts and four missed cuts understandably means that he’s an outsider. But he’s still one of the best golfers in the world, and after his impressive trick shot hole-in-one in practice, he’ll be wondering whether his luck is starting to change.

After jumping ten places up the Official Golf Rankings to fourth, Hunter Mahan (30/1) is a name on everyone’s lips. He goes into the Masters as the highest ranked American after claiming victory at the Shell Houston Open. Though he’s not quite a household name yet, he finished T8th two years ago here and will tee-off tomorrow full of confidence and in excellent form.

Ones to win:

There wasn’t a soul out there who didn’t feel for Rory when he imploded on Sunday’s back nine last year. It was a horror show, but McIlroy (6/1) seems to have shaken off the memories of April 2011 and was able to laugh about his mishap. The Ulsterman has enjoyed a brilliant 12 months of golf since then and returns to Augusta determined to win.

We all know about Tiger, but it would be foolish to dismiss his fellow countryman Phil Mickelson (11/1). While the 41-year-old’s form hasn’t been blistering, it’s fair to say it has nicely improved going in to the first day tomorrow. He’s been there and done it too – and only wins here in even-numbered years (2004, 2006 and 2010). Write him off at your own peril.

(All odds with SportingBet).