The US Masters
Augusta - Georgia The Masters is the only major played on the same course each year. The Augusta National course is an exceptional venue and experience on the very fast undulating greens is vitally important. Course form is at least twice as important than for regular PGA events. The last 5 years form are the most important as there were changes in 2001 when the fairways were narrowed and some rough was introduced for the 1st time. For this year the course has been lengthened by 155 yards and more trees have been planted on some fairways. The course still favours long hitters and accurate drivers derive little benefit despite all the changes. Players who are very patient and can read the greens do well, Olazabal, Langer and Couples for example. Woods and Mickelson are worthy favourites although there is some doubt about Tiger’s mind set as his father is seriously ill. Mickelson may have peaked too early with his astonishing 13 stroke victory in the Bellsouth. Debutants in this great event will tend to struggle Value match bet with Expekt tie no bet 2.03 Singh v Els 7 units Singh has not won a tournament this year but has been consistently good. ( 7,-,9,15,-,7,8,- ) He has a good record in the Masters (18,7,6,6,5) winning the coveted green jacket back in 2000. He had 25 top 25’s last year and 18 top 10’s. Els played only 11 tournaments in the States last year and although he to has a good record at Augusta he only managed 47th last year and he has yet to win this prestigious event Value match bet with Expekt tie no bet 9/10 Couples v Bjorn 7 units Couples enjoys playing at the Masters and is a past winner. He is also in quite good form this year (9,4,33,-,50,-,35). Bjorn has not been playing much recently and only managed 69th place 2 weeks ago. He has missed the cut twice in the last 4 times he has played at Augusta. Value match bet with Hills 10/11 V. Taylor v O'Hair 6 units Taylor lives in Augusta and should get some local support. He came 8th in his last tournament. O'Hair has not been playing particularly well recently ( 0,61,17,48,-,wd,58,66). Neither player has played in the Masters before. Value match bet with TheGreek 4/5 Verplank v Bjorn 5 units Verplank is a very steady player and has a good record in the Masters (0,43,8,29,20.) Last year he made 21 of 24 cuts with 13 top 25s. Value match bet with Betdirect 10/11 Verplank v Ogilvy 5 units Ogilvy has won a tournament this year and will be over-rated as a result of that. He has not played at Augusta before. Value match bet with SportingBet 10/11 Verplank v Z. Johnson 5 units Zach Johnson missed the cut 9 times last year and has only played Augusta once, missing the cut in 2005. More later. |
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