Golf - US Masters

[kompressaur]

Tiger Woods 2.38
Phil Mickelson 9.00
Ernie Els 15.00
Vijay Singh 17.00
Retief Goosen 26.00
Adam Scott 34.00
Jim Furyk 34.00
Sergio Garcia 34.00
Geoff Ogilvy 34.00
Henrik Stenson 34.00
Paul Casey 41.00
Padraig Harrington 41.00
Luke Donald 51.00
Charles Howell III 51.00
Robert Allenby 51.00
Chris DiMarco 51.00
Trevor Immelman 51.00
Jose Maria Olazabal 51.00
Davis Love III 81.00
Justin Rose 81.00
Stuart Appleby 81.00
Mike Weir 101.00
Stewart Cink 101.00
Aaron Baddeley 101.00
Angel Cabrera 101.00
K J Choi 101.00
David Howell 101.00
Arron Oberholser 101.00
David Toms 101.00
Stephen Ames 126.00
Chad Campbell 126.00
Nick O'Hern 126.00
Rod Pampling 126.00
Ian Poulter 126.00
Steve Stricker 126.00
Brett Wetterich 126.00
Tim Clark 126.00
Darren Clarke 126.00
Mark Calcavecchia 151.00
Zach Johnson 151.00
Vaughn Taylor 151.00
Bart Bryant 151.00
Fred Couples 151.00
Niclas Fasth 151.00
Lucas Glover 151.00
Miguel Angel Jimenez 151.00
Colin Montgomerie 151.00
John Rollins 151.00
Lee Westwood 151.00
Thomas Bjorn 151.00
Rory Sabbatini 151.00
Scott Verplank 151.00
Tim Herron 151.00
Robert Karlsson 151.00
Michael Campbell 151.00
more odds at Sunderlands


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[kompressaur]

tiger woods

the clear favourite with 9 wins in his last 11 starts on the us tour, and 4 previous wins at augusta, including the all time scoring record of 270. the bookmakers know what they are talking about, and he's priced anywhere from even money to 6/4, which is ridiculously short for a golfer in a major... but shows how good the guy is. on current form, i can't see him losing unless he really has an off week. tiger has it all, hits it a mile, best iron player in history, superb short game and the best putter on tour, plus the strongest mentally. i hope a couple of the other guys stand up this week and give him a good run for his money and make it exciting.

phil mickelson

the winner in 2004 and 2006. his idea last year to play with 2 drivers (one to put the ball in play, and another to really crank it up when he needed a big one) was inspired. this guy has such a great short game it verges on artistic. for years he had that monkey on his back about being 'the best player to have never won a major', but now he's freed himself of that tag, he seems a threat in every major he tees it up in. he's in decent form as well, with a win already this year at pebble beach, and a 2nd place at the nissan open. expect him to be there or there abouts on sunday.

jim furyk

surprisingly long odds for the world number 2. currently available on the exchanges at 42/1. he hasn't got a great record at augusta, but the guy has got game, and is one hell of a tough competitor. he's not scared to go toe to toe with anyone down the stretch on sunday. so looking at the betting, he could well be the value. also a previous major winner at the 2003 us open

vijay singh

im not his number 1 fan by any means, but you have to take your hat of to the fijian. the guy knows how to win golf tournaments. his win the other week at bay hill was his 31st win on the us tour, which i believe is a record for a non-american. singh is a previous masters winner from 2000, and a multiple major winner, with 3 in total, so if he gets in a winning position, he knows where the finishing line is. tee to green he's as good as anyone, but his putting has been slightly suspect in recent years, which can be a real problem with the undulations at augusta. but if vijay can get the short stick working, he's got a great chance.

sergio garcia

i find it staggering that a guy of his ability has still to break his major duck. he's had chances, and many high finishes, but never won one of the big 4. i think as a pure ball striker, he could well be the best in the world (or at least 2nd to tiger). great touch around the greens. the problem... the bloke can't putt for shit. he knows it, everyone knows it, and now its become mental. you can see the lack of confidence when he strikes the putt. i like sergio a lot... he brings so much energy and enthusiasm to the game. i'll be one guy cheering if he pulls on the green jacket on sunday night.

geoff ogilvy

in the last 2 years, this guy has moved from a good player to one of the best in the world. he oozes talent. absolutely bombs it off the tee. when he won the world golf championship match play event last year, i think it made him realise how good he actually is, then he followed that up with a win at the us open to move into the major league. his current form is good too, with a 2nd and 3rd place finish in the 2 world golf championship events so far this year.

charles howell III

a man in form. a win and 2 2nds on tour this year. he finally realising the potential many saw in him a few years back. almost the stereotypical modern golfer. tall, long limbs, strong, big wide arc... hits it so far. he's never seriously contended in majors, so would be interesting to see how he handles the pressure if he's in the mix come sunday. betting wise, could be some value at 50/1.

adam scott

i put him in a similar category to ogilvy and howell. young, big hitter, talented. but has always disappointed at the majors. his record is abysmal. i think he lacks a bit of the killer instinct needed to win majors. he has the same coach tiger used to have, and therefore a similar swing... its a thing of beauty. sure its only a matter of time before he breaks through at the highest level.

henrik stenson

the inform european. became a regular winner on the european tour over the last few years, then stepped it up a notch with a win at the world golf championship matchplay earlier in the year. he always looks uber cool on the course, and i don't reckon nerves would prevent him winning one of the big ones. i would say him and sergio are europe's best chances... no european has won a major sine the 1999 open!

ernie els

i was unsure who to put as my last choice, and have gone for the big south african. he's got major pedigree (2 us opens and 1 open to his credit) and all the ability in the world. his swing is so easy on the eye, and at times he makes the game look stupidly easy. he hasn't been at his best for the last 18 months or so, but had a decent finish at the nissan a few weeks back, and one little swing thought on the range could bring it all back to him. i'd never rule him out.

so there's my top 10. life being life, the winner is sure to come from elsewhere now ive written all that. i'll be rooting for the englishmen casey and donald... both have a decent chance. any comments as to my choices, and who you think might win would be greatly appreciated. enjoy the tournament!

http://www.waggleroom.com/story/2007/4/1/22547/10496

[FC Basher]

PaddyPower have got a moneyback offer if your selection finishes infront of Tiger Woods and doesnt win you will be refunded in the outright market.They also pay upto 6 places on e/w bets.
Komp I like Donald he's 3 below par rounds of 2005 tho he's second round of 77 would have knocked back most players he come back to hit two rounds of 69 and finish tied 3rd in he's first attempt at this event.Last year he finished well down the pecking order,tho I suspect he just couldnt get going.Luke Donald might have started the season slowly put then same can be said of many of the market leaders,PaddyPower go 66's thats an offer I aint going to turn down.Charles Howell and David Howell are solid players and I will back these two throughout the golf season,thats my three.

On Garcia, I think he's a lay, Hes drivings gone to pot slipped well down the rankings the last few seasons

[FC Basher]

Dark Horse - Tim Herron 500/1 with skybet 100/1 the place
11th in 2005 76-68-70-72 T36 in 2006 76-71-71-76.Maybe with a better start he could sneak us a place.He's stats are only average at best,last season he only had one tourney win and that was the Colonial.

[k33nan]

just chosen my golf bets had a winner last week with scott and two places with schwaertzel and bryant, however this week i fancy jim furky not too great record however at 40/1 for the world no.2 thats a very big price i am going to take 40s and also without woods 33/1 and top us player without woods 9/1. also to win group B at betfred.

Furyk 40s, 33s, 9s
Rose top gb + ire maybe around 7s

[mrmuzeman]

I actually think Tigers a bit long at 6/4+ anywhere. When you consider Tigers outstanding form and record here (won it 3 of last 6 years and always registers the lowest scores on this course when on form) coupled with his biggest challenger Mickelson being way way off his game since his US Open super choke last year.

17/10 at betfair is definitely backable as long as you dont mind putting a chunk on imo.

[Chief77]

Wahey its Masters time once more. Tigers a hot hot favourite and it'll be surprising if he's not there or there abouts come Sunday.

Can't see why Mickleson is so short to be honest. Apparently hes got a new driver especially for Augusta to give him more distance but its doubtful whether thats gonna be enough to improve this seasons poor form.

Toms is a bit of a favourite of mine and might seem big at 125/1 but his record around here is awful and I don't think hes made the cut in a good few years. I'll leave him alone this week.

Robert Allenby @66/1: If only old Robbie boy could string 4 good rounds together, the man would be unstoppable. Still at least hes giving himself a chance in these tournaments and along with Howell hes probably been the most consistent player on tour over the past few months. 8 events and 6 top 10 finishes tells its own story.

Retief Goosen @28/1: The goose loves it around here and his record over the past five years reads 2nd 13th 13th 3rd 3rd. Thats impressive by anyones standards.
He's having a decent season so far and only Henrik Stenson has earned more money than him this year.

Paul Casey @40/1: The last time Casey played the masters was in 2005 when he missed the cut. However the previous year he managed a very creditable 6th place. He's playing alongside Tiger tomorrow and I reckon he'll love striding out with the main man and i'm hoping he can be inspired by the Tiger and play his best golf.

Scott Verplank @200/1: My old mate has to be backed at that price especially considering he has a decent record around here(3 top 20's since 2003 including an 8th place 4 years ago). In all truth he hasn't played well this season but I'd never be able to forgive myself if he came into a place and I wasn't on him.

Verdict:
25 Points E/W on Goosen @28/1
12.50 Points E/W on Robert Allenby @66/1
10 Points E/W on Paul Casey @40/1
2.50 E/W on Scott Verplank @200/1

Good Luck to all.

[Danq]

No outright bet just now wait for cut .
Bit out of touch with golf but done a bit of homework today
Tote match bets Rollins to beat Villegas 9/10
Goosen to beat Furyk 9/10
Cink to beat Weir 9/10 treble medium bet

[Chief77]

Ah for fcuk sake! Was writing out the last of my 3 ball fancies for today and my stupid connection died. Lost it all.

Bah. Anyway here they are:

Pettersson to bt Ballesteros and Goydos @4/5
Scott to bt Mickleson and Ramsay @11/8
Edfors to bt Clarke and Zoellor @6/5
Vijay to bt Quigley and Tanihara @4/9

Basically Pettersson is my main fancy and I'll be surprised if he doesn't win and Scott is too big at 11/8 against an out of form Mickleson

[Bigkegman]

I've done this lot all each way

R Goosen 25/1
S Garcia 33/1
Z Johnston 150/1
S Appleby 100/1

no real logic

[Chief77]

Got 3 of my 4 balls up as well, Edfors the only one losing, going down to Fuzzy Zoellor.

Bad day for Casey and Allenby with both shooting stinking 79's. Theyt're gonna need something special today to make the cut. Goosen bogeyed the last to lie on +4, not out if it yet but needs a few birdies today. Scott Verplank my old mate is trying his best for me and lies in 15th on +1.

[Bigkegman]

Johnson and Appleby still flying the flag.

C'MON you guys

[Danq]

Not bad Bigkegman ,hope i have not jinxed you but ive taken 33s Johnston this morning.

[traeth]

doing well keg

placed my bet365 £5 free bet on Vaughn Taylor @ 26.00 ...because it sounds like two golfers

[mrmuzeman]

Fine reasoning Tray

Ive had some free bets going there as well so ive been sifting through anyone who I thinks possible value. Ive gone for 2 with the free cash.


Tim Clark - Joint leader at -2 - 12/1

Came 2nd here last year and has posted 3rd place finishes in 2 other majors. I think 12/1 for a joint leader who clearly has the quality to be in the running come the end is decent enough. Obviously question marks over bottle but have to see about that one. Hes talking a confident game though.

Zach Johnson - Tied 4th at Par - 40/1

Just a big price for someone in the mix. I liked him in the Ryder Cup I thought he was one of the few yanks who came away with a decent showing from it. A few of us on this dude now so lets hope he gives us a run for the doe.


Woods still favourite at under 3/1 even though hes +3 is a bit weird. I think VJ Singh on Par at 9/2 is a more likely winner. If I HAD to pick a winner id pick VJ. I think VJs a decent bet but im not gona back him as I already had a decent wedge on Woods pre tourny. Id have parted with a bit of cash at 5/1 I reckon.