Originally Posted by TheHomeofPoker
I hope you're wrong on Couples Beanie, he's the one of my four that I've not backed. Goose to win, followed home by Olazabal and Donald.
Surely at 49 Couples is too old to make a run at it? Isn't he?
A week ago I'd have said so, but his performance at the Shell Houston Open, particularly that final round, has me thinking otherwise. He's struggled with a couple of injuries in recent months but looks over that now, and regardless of his age, he's still hitting it much further off the tee than 80% of the other guys here.
The word with Masters is always that debutants dont win because its impossible to get used to the greens very quickly, and so it also figures that that works to the advantage of someone who's played it more than just about anyone else.
I honeslty can't see any negatives against him this week - course form, 2008 form, fitness, driving ability, mentality(been there and done it all before) - all in good nick. Age is a concern, but then you'd expect that to translate into some part of his game deteriorating, which it doesnt seem to be.
Of the others, I liked all your other picks apart from Donald who I just dont particularly rate for the big tournies. Olazabal, like Couples, was also superb last week - all depends on his injury really, if he's over it then there's no reason he cant get back to his best, and he too has the game and course form to do well. Goosen too I'm only avoiding as the price is being driven down and down as the each way punters get up to speed on his Augusta record, but likewise there isn't many negatives beside his name for this.