US Masters: Golf betting preview

Unquestionably one of the standout sporting events of the year, the US Masters gets under way on Thursday with the world's leading golfers hoping to hit the greens and hopefully not Rae's Creek in pursuit of the first Major of the year. Unsurprisingly Tiger Woods is the red hot favourite, 11/10 is about the fattest odds available on the World No 1. As ever, the immense Augusta track is laid out for big-hitting, short-game genius that is Woods, whose only Achilles heel - the occasional errant drive - generally goes unpunished on the Georgia circuit. Woods is bidding for his fifth green jacket, and his record of nine wins from his last 11 events suggests if he is on his game there is no-one to live with him. However, punters can always take Tiger out of the equation by betting on the Without Woods market - and there are also a number of players who make excellent each/way value regardless of the Woods factor - he might after all, have an off day or two... Augusta suits certain golfers and one such creature is Fred Couples, who incredibly remains the seventh longest hitter on the tour despite his much-chronicled back problems and his 48 years. However, Couples seems to have solved his back knack and has managed two Top 10s this year. Most tellingly of all the 1992 winner and 2006 runner-up came third at the Shell Houston Open last weekend and has hit form at the right time so is well-placed to repeat the achievements of two years ago when he managed third place. He is generally available at a generous 80/1. A debutant hasn't won the Masters since Fuzzy Zoeller back in 1979 but 29 years on history might repeat itself in the form of Argentine ace Andres Romero. The 26-year-old South American hit the headlines at The Open last year when he managed a sensational 10-birdie hot streak on the final day to lead with two holes to go before blowing up on the 17th and coming third. Romero went on to prove that his performance was no fluke by winning the Deutsche Bank Players' Championship the following week - evidence that this is a player capable of carrying back-to-back tournament form. It's as well to know then that Romero was a winner last week in New Orleans. Romero is also an 80/1 box worth ticking, while his 13/2 as top debutant makes for great appeal. Of the European contenders Lee Westwood, Justin Rose, Luke Donald and Nick Dougherty spring to mind. Dougherty, also entering the Masters for the first time, impressed at the US Open when finishing seventh and he will have gleaned a great deal from his practice round with former winner and mentor Nick Faldo. With two top 10 finishes at Augusta the straight-hitting Luke Donald also comes into the equation, while Westwood's revival over recent months has been phenomenal. He is second on the European Tour rankings and will have been buoyed by his third place finish in Andalucia last week. However, Justin Rose looks the most likely standard bearer for the UK after three successive top-15 finishes coming into this event. Rose won the Order of Merit last year, came no lower than 12th in the four Majors last season and finished fifth in the Masters last time out. The 40/1 available makes for optimum value. Finally, another player impossible to ignore is Geoff Ogilvy. The 2006 US Open winner has returned to form this season and impressed when holding his nerve in a rain-interrupted CA Championships to end Tiger Woods's six-month unbeaten streak. The lanky Australian hits the ball a country mile, has gone the distance when it matters and could emerge to take Phil Mickelson's mantle as the man most likely to challenge Woods. He held on to his winning form when coming second in Houston and is only as long as 25/1 because he has yet to score higher than 16th at Augusta. Verdict: 2pts Geoff Ogilvy e/w @ 25/1; 2pts Justin Rose e/w @ 40/1; Andres Romero e/w @ 80/1; Fred Couples e/w @ 80/1; 2pts Top GB&I Justin Rose @ 11/4; 1pt Andres Romero top debutant @ 13/2 Already recommended: 2pts Tiger Woods to win Grand Slam @ 33/1