The Masters: Who could upset the odds at Augusta?
Dan Murphy (DM) – At least two bookies (Paddy Power and Stan James) are paying out each-way down to 6th this week.
All things being equal, there’ll be at least one player in the top 6 who goes off at 100/1 or more so it’s just a question of finding that man…
I think that Francesco Molinari is a great shout for a place, and you can get him at 150/1. His last start was a T5 at Bay Hill so he’s playing well.
James Savage (JS) – We haven’t had a rookie winner since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 but there are some very classy debutants at Augusta National this week.
I think Frenchman Victor Dubuisson at 125/1 is worth a look. He has had a wonderful 12 months, winning the Turkish Airlines open, finishing second at the WGC Matchplay and practically sealing a Ryder Cup spot.
He has no course form to go on but at just 23 he will be without fear and certainly has the flair to thrill the galleries and win even more admirers this week.
Mark Townsend (MT) – One of my favourite ever bets was KJ Choi in 2004 when he gave a small boost to my ever-decreasing wallet on a round-the-world trip. While the rest of bar in San Diego whooped and a hollered over the local hero Mickelson I raised a small glass to my favourite Korean. That year he was third, he has since been 4th and 8th in 2010 and 11.
So I’m going to stick with dear old Kyung-Ju at 150-1.
Forget all the rookies, you need to know your way round here, you need to be hardened to the test and he’s shown enough form – five top 20s in 10 starts this ‘season’ – to deserve at least a couple of each-way shekels.
James Tompkinson (JT) – I agree that there are some great debutants and I think the good thing about the Masters is that the odds on debutants are always longer because of the event’s history.
At the start of the season I said that I thought Harris English would have a breakthrough year and I like his odds at around 60/1. He sits at the top of the rankings for top 10 finishes on the PGA Tour this year and also leads the way in GIR percentage. I think he’s a great option this week.
DM: Not sure we can class English as an outsider! Here’s another name for you – Thorbjorn Olesen. He was 6th last year and is a meaty 150/1.
Forget all the rookies, you need to know your way round here, you need to be hardened to the test MT: You would think that Louis Oosthuizen is very tempting at 85-1, he’s won this year and was second to Bubba in 2012.
Then again he’s missed the cut the other four times so might be worth having a little saver at 9-4 to not make the weekend.
DM: I think MT is on to something there. At that price you would surely have a dabble on Louis. You are never quite sure how engaged he is with the game, and he also has back issues, but on the other hand he is world-class and a Major champion.
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James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.