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It’s difficult to imagine an edition of the Masters so rich in intrigue and storylines.
Between Tiger Woods’ return, Phil Mickelson’s surprise rejuvenation and the eye-catching form of pre-tournament favourites Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy and Bubba Watson, the year’s first Major is shaping up to be one of the most engrossing in recent memory.
As with any major sporting event, the punters come out in full force. Woods has won four Green Jackets and, after running Paul Casey close at the Valspar Championship three weeks ago, there’s no shortage of money on the 42-year-old marking his return to relevance with his first major title since the 2008 US Open.
However, while that would prospect is undeniably delicious for golf fans, look beyond Tiger and there are a few bets worth looking at, especially with each-way paying out six places.
The usual suspects
Jordan Spieth
T2, 1, T2, T11. Spieth’s last four finishes at Augusta make it impossible to ignore the gifted Texan.
When he won in 2015, he was imperious and, had it not been for a momentary but devastating lapse in judgement a year later, he would have defended the title.
It’s clear that Augusta simply fits Spieth’s eye. Assuming that he can avoid donating a ball or two to the water at the 12th in the final round for the third year running, it’s highly likely the 24-year-old will be a factor this week.
Spieth has flown under the radar of late. Usually a demon with the flatstick, he was languishing down at 172nd in the putting charts before showing signs of a rebirth at the Houston Open, where he finished with a 66 to finish in a tie for third.
That return to form could be ominous. Spieth is as comfortable as anyone around Augusta.
Rory McIlroy
McIlroy is difficult to predict but, like Spieth, the Northern Irishman boasts a stellar Masters record, with top ten finishes in his last four appearances. If the 28-year-old can recapture the putting magic which catapulted him to that stunning win at Bay Hill last month, he is as well-equipped as anyone to bring this famous layout to its knees.
Justin Rose
Rose has been as hot as anyone over the last six months. Wins in China, Turkey and Indonesia before strong showings at Torrey Pines, Innisbrook and Bay Hill have combined to install the world number five as one of the favourites.
Of course, the 37-year-old came agonisingly close to adding the Masters to his 2009 US Open title last year, losing to Sergio Garcia in a sudden-death play-off. Even before that, though, Rose recorded six straight top-25 finishes at Augusta stretching back to 2011, including finishing second behind Spieth in 2015 and, considering his impressive Sunday strike-rate recently, it would be no surprise to see him contending to banish his Masters demons this time.
Decent each-way shouts (top six)
Justin Thomas
It would be negligent to exclude the man whose white-hot form over the past 12 months has brought him to within touching distance of the world number one spot. Yes, if Spieth doesn’t prevail, his close friend may well come of age.
Frankly, the Kentuckian still isn’t a household name. Last year, however, he won five times, including the PGA Championship on route to picking up FedEx Cup and Player of the Year honours. Thomas has already recorded a win this year – the Honda Classic in February – and has as much confidence as anyone at the moment.
He is yet to shine at the Masters, with T22 and T39 from two appearances.
Bubba Watson
There’s hardly ever a dull moment with Bubba. After securing his first win in two years at the Genesis Open back in February, the big-hitting American admitted that, during his lowest ebb when he was battling a mysterious illness that resulted in dramatic weight loss, he considered retirement.
But he’s been back to his brilliant best again this year, adding the WGC Matchplay to confirm his return to golf’s elite. He knows a thing or two about getting the job done at Augusta, too, having won in 2012 and 2014.
Phil Mickelson
With three Green Jackets safely tucked into his locker, Phil was never not going to be in the conversation. A win at the WGC Mexico Championship at the start of March, however, suddenly added even more intrigue.
Prior to Mexico, Mickelson hadn’t won in five years. It was looking for all the world as though the curtain was slowly but surely coming down on Lefty’s illustrious career but that triumph changed everything.
At 47, Mickelson would surpass Jack Nicklaus as the oldest Masters winner ever (Nicklaus was 46 when he famously won in ’86). And while he may not be contending as consistently as he was in his pomp, Mickelson has three wins, 15 top 10s and 18 top 25s in 25 career starts at Augusta.
In other words, he knows how to get the job done.
Outsiders who could spring a surprise
Patrick Reed
One of the game’s fiercest and most compelling competitors (as evidenced in the two most recent Ryder Cups), it seems odd that Reed has not won since The Barclays in August 2016.
Don’t let that put you off, though. The world number 24 has been quietly building up a healthy dose of momentum heading into this week, with three straight top-10 finishes including T2 at the Valspar.
A streaky, aggressive player, Reed can post seriously low numbers when he gets a rhythm going. At decimal odds of 51.0, he’s definitely an outsider but a player of his grit and pedigree should never be fully written off.
Alex Noren
It’s become increasingly apparent that Noren has the physical and mental attributes necessary to become just the second Swede (behind Henrik Stenson, of course), to win a men’s major.
After five wins in ten months on the European Tour between July 2016 and May 2017, the 35-year-old decided to focus much of his energies so far this year Stateside. He hasn’t done badly either, with a runners-up spot at Torrey Pines and a couple of thirds in the Honda Classic and Matchplay.
However, he’s unproven at Augusta. His only career appearance was a missed cut last year, so it may be a risky punt, but it’s a punt worth taking regardless.
Tommy Fleetwood
Keep an eye out for England’s rising star this week. Fleetwood enjoyed the best year of his life in 2017, being crowned the Race to Dubai champion after twelve months of exceptional consistency.
Like Noren, he’s been steadily turning heads in America in recent months, too. Also like Noren, last year’s missed cut is his only prior experience of the Masters but a solitary invitation to golf’s most prestigious tournament didn’t prevent Danny Willett from seizing his moment in 2016.
With a win in Abu Dhabi already under his belt in 2018, Fleetwood may be the dark horse.
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All odds correct at time of publication.
