The Australian Masters

The Australian Masters is the third of the big events down under in as many weeks, and is being held as always at Huntingdale, in the heart of Melbourne's famous golfing region of SandbeltFor Peter Lonard, this is a chance to make history of notable proportions for having already won the Australian Open in New South Wales and the Australian PGA in Queensland, the 37 year old can lay claim to the first ever Triple Crown by taking this one in Victoria. When also adding that the New South Wales Open went his way the week prior to the Australian Open, some quarters are regarding this as a Grand Slam.It would certainly be a monumental achievement but considering the brilliance of his form, we would have expected the best price available to be far shorter than the 8/1 which can be found at Ladbrokes. His case is strengthened when regarding his record at Huntingdale. His first ever professional victory came there in 1997 and the New South Welshman was also crowned champion in 2002. In 2001, and last year he finished in sixth place and so all in all we think there is ample reason to throw some money in his support.Lonard has long been a player of high quality, although perhaps not as fashionable as some of his compatriots who have made more headway on the US PGA Tour. Adam Scott is one such player, and considering that it is only play off defeats that have denied him the trophy here for the last two seasons, perhaps the 10/1 should be snapped up at VCBET. However, his form had not been great going into last week, and there was a nonchalant lack of concentration in evidence when missing a three foot putt to miss the cut by one stroke. We would not be happy having our money resting on Scott's shoulders this week.Gavin Coles barely even registers as a journeyman in professional golfing terms after losing his US Tour card following the 2003 season, when he missed 23 of 28 cuts and earned just $50,000. However, some fine displays over the last couple of weeks have taken him up to third on the Australasian Order of Merit, and as such he demands consideration. Last week the 36 year old finished thirteenth, and at the Australian Open was eighth. With this kind of form on his side, we feel hat the 100/1 available is attractive.Since his overall failure on the main PGA Tour, Coles has been concentrating on the Nationwide Tour, and winning the New Zealand PGA last February proves that he has the mettle to see a tournament through. This was actually he second win, to go with the 2002 Jacobs Creek Open, and a title such as his one would be a step up, but one within his capabilitiesOur final selection is the only Major winner in the field, namely Corey Pavin. During the mid nineties Pavin was one of the very best players on the planet, winning fourteen times on the PGA Tour, including the 1995 US Open at Shinnecock Hills. Other than a brief revisitation to the high time at the same venue and event this year (he eventually slipped to 17th), Pavin has had a poor season and was presumably using this trip down under as a way to earn a few dollars as well as to find some form.It is a strategy which did not seem to be paying off when he ended up ten over par at the Australian Open, but last week at Coolum he produced two 67's and two 70's to end up in fourth place. 50/1 can be found about him for this Championship and considering his pedigree of winning against elite fields, this is worth a slight investment.