Palmers gettin lazy Golddaft, he's nicked 2 of yours!

thanks for this thread golfdaft, some good stuff on here

For once the rain issues in Durban may be to my advantage. The short course, now par 65 should suit Tim Clark. Wecan trade out at a current 4 but I may hang around for a while yet.

Happy New Year everybody and best of luck for the year ahead with your golf betting.

Apologies for the late and short post for the first event of the year, back to normal next week when we have two events to get stuck into.

In short, I have had two wagers in the Hyundai. A decent each way bet on Ryan Moore, since he moved away from the shirt and tie set up his game blossomed in the second part of last year and I have for the last three years, been waiting for him to shine at the highest level. He has a quality game and his amateur wins are well known to most golf followers. Expect him to kick on this year and I hope to a flying start this week, I had a wedge on at William Hill earlier today at 18/1.

My second wager in this restricted field event was on another American, Bill Haas. In many ways Haas suffered in 2012 trying to carry the burden of landing the massive Fedex Cup bonus from the previous season. He is a smart, wise and genuine guy and I anticipate that he will move his career to the next level in 2013 and 2014, expect to see him in the USA team for the next Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, he is that good. Generally available at around 22/1 or better in places, I think he is a solid each way with most firms going first 4 and quarter the odds a place.

Good luck and looking forward to getting up to full speed from next week.

How do you know Colsaerts love this course ?

Eddie makes a good point.

I am not aware that Colsaerts has played this course before, but maybe he has.

My Sony Open selections

Last weeks event in Kapalua was restricted to 54 holes and we are all hoping for much better weather for this weeks Sony Open also held in Hawaii. Dustin Johnson grabbed all the headlines as he breezed to an easy win ahead of veteran Steve Stricker, many of the remainder of the 30 man field struggled with the ferocious winds and driving rain.

The first full field of the event is always something to look forward to as we have a number of bright eyed and bushy tailed Q School graduates, old veterans who have been working out over the holiday break and of course the guys who played last week and should have blown the cobwebs away already.

I tend to feel that the guys who did well last week may struggle to deliver this week, purely because it was such a long and tiring week in Kapalua last week due to the numerous weather delays and of course a Tuesday finish too. Having said that, I rather like the look of a man who seems to be improving as each season progresses, Swede, Carl Pettersson. He impressed me in 2012 and manage a level of consistency that most players can only dream of, he also anticipates a strong start to the season and this is a course that should suit his game too. He is pretty short in the lists but this shows what a serious threat he is these days and even at 23 with Betfair he ranks as my primary investment this week.

As I said earlier, the course at Honolulu is light years away from last weeks set up at Kapalua, the wide fairways and the biggest greens on tour are replaced with tight tee shots and small putting surfaces, length is no help here and that why my second selection is my old mate, Tim Clark. the South African is now injury free and played well in his native country at the end of last year, indeed he traded around 1.6 during that final round before falling away after a late triple bogey. I am told that he is looking to make up for lost time and anticipates a strong showing both here and in the early season in general.

The bookmakers have taken note already and he is a pretty short 28 with Betfair, but his chances are obvious and I am already on.


Mark Wilson will never draw the biggest crowds at any golf event, a polite and gentle kind of guy, he simply goes about his business and his business is making money from playing golf. Wilson plays well in Hawaii, he plays well in early season and he plays well on tight and short courses. His stats make you feel that he must be a contender this week, especially after a decent showing in Kapalua last week. Wilson is a tempting 65 and I have also had a wee bit on him as first round leader.

My final pick is a player who despite being inside the worlds top 50 in the official rankings, still moves beneath the radar in betting terms and although he has a big hitting game, he can control his ball as well as most. I am talking about Scott Piercy. His purple patch in 2012 saw him land the Canadian Open a week after he finished third in the John Deere. He then ended his year with a superb runner up spot in the WGC - HSBC Champions, which marked as more than a one season wonder. His confidence is now sky high and with a very early tee time here, he can get us into a trading position with a quick start. He is at 36 on Betfair and that a fair shout.

Good luck with you betting and lets hope we have some success to celebrate on Sunday evening.

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club has a real classy look about it, for the most part its due to the appearances of Tiger and Rory, along with some other marquee names. The madness of professional golf has appearance fund 4 times the size of the total prize purse this week and that's why the big boys are in town.

Tiger likes it here, but I don't see him winning and will be looking to lay him in both the winners and top 5 markets. Rory is a truly exceptional golfer, but surely, even the wonder kid from Holywood cant win first time out playing his new Nike clubs ? Its a watching brief for me with Rory this week.

Early season punting on golf is always tricky, there is no form to work on and players enjoy the festive break to varying degrees, also throw in the rookie factor and it makes betting hazardous to say the least, however, I remain very comfortable with my selections this week and fully expect decent returns for my investments.

My main bet will be the Ryder Cup winning putt maker, Martin Kaymer. Having won three times around here already, the German is something of a standing dish around here and now that he has recovered his full confidence after messing about with his swing for a couple of years, he will contend for the Majors this year.

My only slight worry is that Kaymer is drawn with Tiger and Rory, the circus that accompanies these two will be bigger than ever and Kaymer will need to show true mental strength in order to remain completely focused on his own task, I think he has the credentials to achieve this. At 10.5 with Betfair, he is a fair price and given his record here, you cant argue with that.

Englishman, Paul Casey is brimming with confidence right now, his long road to full fitness has finally been completed and he has stated that he feels like he is ready to win again, can he do it this week, I am not so sure. I will be backing Casey this season and soon, but in a line up like this, there is better value and more in form players.

Branden Grace won four European Tour events last season, an amazing achievement and he has an all round game to match the best. Once he masters the art of consistency, the South African can fill the boots of the likes of Els and Goosen, true legends of the game. Grace impressed me last week after a very sluggish start in the Volvo Champions event at Royal Durban. He got better and better as the event unfolded and showed a welcome desire to battle hard in order to achieve a high finish, an attitude I was delighted to witness. Grace is a quietly confident player and with the breeze up in Abu Dhabi and likely to impact the play, his links background should provide a further advantage. At 46 with Betfair, he is a truly huge price and I have had a decent ew bet on him.

Young Englishman Danny Willett tends to divide opinion, can he really make the grade ? I see similarities in him and Jamie Donaldson and it will be interesting to see who progresses further between the pair. I fancy both will land many more European Tour events and 2013 should see them both register wins. This week I like the look of the ex York Golf Club youngster Danny Willett. He put up a very decent show last week in Durban and with very different conditions in Abu Dhabi, I expect to see him in the shake up. He carries no lack of confidence and in this regard is like a young Paul Casey, you need that when you tee it up with likes of Rory and Tiger. Willett has a nice morning / afternoon split and at 80 on Betfair, he represents truly excellent value.

At the highest level, top golfers rely heavily on confidence and this of course only arrives when ball striking and performances are good. The big Swede, Henrik Stenson, steadily recovered his form during 2012 and most in the game were delighted to see him contending again. Stenson completely lost his way having previously been one of the brightest lights in world golf. He is determined to reach the top once again and in the second part of last year, he played golf with both a smile and an enthusiasm that had been missing in the previous three seasons, the Swede is back. he briefly held the lead in the Masters in 2012 and only a disaster at the 18th robbed him of being first round leader. His ball striking was crisp and with an aggressive approach and putting stroke, he can tear courses apart and he enjoys playing in a part of the world that was once his home.

I expect him to contend this week and to win at least once this season and feature in the Masters. At 34 with Betfair he could be a longer price, but having won again last season, I guess its fair.

My mad outsider this week is the Indian golfer, Jeev Milkha Singh, at around the 400 mark on Betfair I have had a small win and pace bet, he often crops up when least expected and if the wind continues to blow, we may see a dizzy result.

Much of the attention in Abu Dhabi surrounds the decision and announcement over the next European Ryder Cup Captain and given that its a committee made up of players, be assured that McGinley will get the job.

Humana tips to follow this evening

Nice first day in both events and I will be backing Kaymer to eclipse Rory and Tiger again in his 3 ball.

Farmers Insurance Open 2013 preview is below.

The Farmers Insurance Open 2013 sees the return of Tiger Woods to the US PGA Tour after his missed cut alongside Rory McIlroy in Dubai. Though I anticipate a better showing from Tiger this week, his game looks a few weeks away from allowing him to contend and win an event.

I have a number of long priced speculative bets this week and if any can be in contention, we should have some great trading opportunities at the very least.

First up for me is a golfer who has frustrated over the years, its Charles Howell 111. A real power game with crisp iron play has often been marred by poor approach play in the short irons, with distance control being a real issue, but 2013 has shown a new Charles Howell. He has been in contention twice already and has looked far more composed and in control than in previous years and maybe, just maybe, we will now see CH perform with a consistency and at a level that his fellow professionals believe he should be. Our man was just outside the top 40 in this event in 2012 but I fancy with a renewed confidence, he can contend this week and at odds of around 30/1, he is decent value.

South Korean, Sang Moon Bae started 2012 with a bang and he has started in similar fashion in 2013. He played very well last week in the Humana and he is primed for another good week at very long odds. I backed him in the Farmers last season and he was right  the mix entering the final day, only to struggle to a 78 ( +6 ) but still finished on -6 for the week. A level par round would have seen him finish in a tie for fourth and I have no doubt that the experience he gained in 2012 will provide the platform from which he can press ahead and register a PGA Tour win and join the likes of KJ Choi as a South Korean winner. Betfair have him on the 180 mark and I fancy that this is way over priced and I am on.

Accuracy and putting are vital around the Torrey Pines track and length can actually work against a player, a rare situation for the PGA Tour. Last year, the tidy game of Jimmy Walker saw him deliver a very solid 72 holes, eventually finishing in a tie for 8th, he has begun 2013 in great shape and I think he may be another who can register a win in 2013, maybe it will be here. Again, Betfair look attractive with odds of 70 for Walker and that's good enough to tempt me.

My final selection is an even bigger price, I did say this was a very speculative week for me ! Bryce Molder really struggles to get across the winning line, but, if you back players on the basis that you are looking to trade out in order to return a profit, rather than hang on and hope for that victory, then he is an attractive potential betting proposition. His game is perfectly suited to Torrey Pines and he has expressed a real love of the course, he also finished top 13 in this last year so he has course form. Betfair have him at 220 right now and I have backed him, as I have the others, on the basis that they can contend early and afford me a trade out option.

Should be an interesting week and no doubt, one or tow of the rookies may also have an early say in what should be a "watching " event over a super course test.

Apologies for the late post, everything running behind schedule this week. I have not had time to compile my rational for the selections, however, my picks are below.

Omega Dubai Desert Classic

Matteo Manassero 38
Seung Yul Noh 50
Richie Ramsey 85
Henrik Stenson 14.5

Waste Management Phoenix Open

Aaron Baddeley 60
Jason Day 42
Ryan Moore 85
Casey Wittenberg 300

Good Luck

Northern Trust Open


Riviera is one of the courses that offers a true challenge for the worlds best players. Only quality players win here, no looks and what you should be looking for is crystal clean ball strikers and good putters.

There a few decent candidates in my view and top of my list is Australian Adam Scott. Scott came so close to landing the Open last year, only a late stumble and an inspired finish from the Big Easy, denied him his first Major. Scott has a wonderfully balanced view of things and the mental scars that many journalists have written about will not be a factor for the young Australian this year. Scott has a power game from the tee to match anyone and he has touch and class on and around the greens. He loves Riviera and imp[importantly, he is well rested and highly motivated to make 2013 his most successful yet. At only 26 on Betfair, the bookmakers have taken no chances and I cant blame them, I am on with a very decent wager.

Retaining the Australian theme, my second selection is Aaron Baddeley at 40 with Betfair. Aaron has enjoyed a better start to 2013 than he has to the last few seasons and with his wife recovering and out of immediate danger from her cancer ordeal, he is looking to re establish himself as a real contender for the big events on the PGA Tour. He plays the game at a pace similar to Snedeker and when his putter is hot, few can match him. He is another player who does well on tough courses and the winner this week will be posting a score a fraction of the winning totals in recent weeks. This is a tough, high quality venue and always delivers a quality winner. Remember, Baddeley won her in 2011 and in ten career starts here, has never missed the cut.

Charles Howell 111 has also begun his 2013 in grand fashion and his wonderful ball striking can put him in contention here. For my money, he still wobbles on a Sunday when the pressure comes on, so I will be backing him at 60 on the basis that he is within the top 5 and I can look to take profits.

Ryan Moore has taken me very close this season already, loves Riviera 4th in 2011 and 17th last year and is still an improver with more to come. I backed him at 36 and feel that his all round game will serve him well and he is very much a man in form. Seven top five finishes in his last 7 events tells you that Moore is a man to follow and a win is just around the corner.

I will be playing with a fifth bet this week, Retief Goosen has been telling everyone that he feels 20 years younger after his back surgery and his good health has allowed him to practice in a way he has been unable to in recent years. He has form at Riviera and his ne enthusiasm to match a solid game may see him spring a surprise this week, at 100 with Betfair he is a crazy good price.

My two ball multiples for today are;

Schwartzel
Coetzee
Chris Wood
Gonzo
Colsaerts
Alex Noren

Trebles, 4 folds, 5 folds and an acca

WGC Cadillac


Justin Rose attempts to follow up on last years win over this Blue Monster course at Doral and he must have a fighting chance, his precision game is made for this track.

Tiger is the bookies fav but he cant be backed with any confidence that may become wind affected as the week rolls on.

Top players win at the Blue Monster and the course has a number of contrasts. The final hole is a brutal par 4 that plays in the top three toughest on tour, however, the general scoring average at Doral makes it one of the easier tracks that the players encounter each year. Fairways are tough to hit at Doral and the course plays into the hands of good putters and good scramblers.

Top of my list this week is Irishman Graham McDowell. At 55 with Betfair he is a terrific price and he is top three in scrambling this year on the PGA Tour. He is accurate from the tee this season and his driving is the one key area that I have noted a major improvement in. He has contented in the last two events and I fancy if the wind does blow as predicted, then Gmac can give us a great run for our money.

In contrast to Gmac, Hunter Mahan can never be described a s top scrambler, he is below top class at both chipping and putting, but when this is the case, you often find that players find other ways of getting the job done. Mahan is strong from the tee and his greens in reg stats bare the closest of scrutiny. Its also a fact that Mahan wins early season and after a very strong show in the last WGC event, he is primed to go well this week. I have backed him with Betfair at 42.

I cant leave out Luke Donald this week, despite the fact that there has just been a wee spark missing in his game to start the 2013 campaign. Donald is without doubt the top scrambler and when he has the putter working he is almost unplayable. He has found a swing in practice and I am told he is brimming with confidence, I have invested at 24 on Betfair.

As a speculative punt, I have had a small wager on the ultra consistent Carl Pettersson, very accurate from the tee and strong in greens in reg, he knows where the winning line is and if he is in contention down the stretch thats important when the heat is on.

I was going to include a revitalised Jason Day, however, despite his strong recent performances, he remains errant from the tee and with so much water in play, I fear he may have his shoes and socks off more than most.

Good luck to Rory who is suffering right now, cut him some slack guys.

Thanks for your comments and to an extent, I do agree with you. I am obviously pleased that Gmac is in the running and there is a nice trade as he sits at 9 and was backed at 55. I rather fancy the issue of the wind is more to do with state of mind rather than ability to play better in the wind. Is it likely that Tiger and Phil will continue to swing as well once the wind gets up, I doubt it ? Is Gamc perhaps more dependable once the wind blows, maybe, the next 36 holes well tell all, it should be fascinating.

I already took my stake back on Mahan and my other two picks are losers for sure ( didnt lay anything ) and I havent touched my Gmac bet. Gmac looks ready for this and all the pressure and expectation sits with Tiger and Phil, I fancy if Gmac can stay within two shots entering the last day and the wind gets up a tad, then he has a real chance.

The greens at Doral look to be firming up, the wind will make some of these borderline unplayable as we hit Sunday and the absolute key will be driving accuracy as you will have no chance of controlling a ball on the greens from anything other than the fairway. Gmac is driving the ball as well as I can remember, having said that, so is Phil with his power three wood.

Sky have extra coverage today so we are in for a real treat.

Tampa Bay Championship selections;

Luke Donald   18
Jim Furyk     26
Sang Moon Bae 100
John Hu       130

From a betting perspective, I have a love hate relationship with Tiger Woods. It was fantastic to watch him playing so well when winning last time out, on the flip side, if he continues to play like that, then the other guys have little chance and you tend to be betting on the basis of a back to lay proposition. Also, if you are a Tiger fan, then he will decrease in value to the extent that he never represents a value betting proposition.

This week Tiger has the opportunity to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational for an incredible 8th time. In the history of the PGA Tour, only the legendary Sam Snead managed to win the same tournament 8 times and who would bet against the Tiger playing at a venue he clearly relishes - Bay Hill.

Just take a look at the pre tournament betting and we have Tiger at 4.3 and the next in is big Phil Mickelson at 25, it really is back to the good old days.

I cant back Tiger at that price and I am reluctant to bet against him, but I will ! At least there is now some real value lurking in the betting lists and of course, there is always the intriguing prospect of the back to lay possibilities.

Graham McDowell finished five shots back of Tiger in the 2012 Arnold Palmer and I fancy he may be the biggest danger to the Tiger this week. Gmac came close to knocking Woods off his perch recently and if anything, he looked a little under cooked on the final day. He should now be absolutely spot on for this and I expect him to be away to a fast start and remain in contention for the entire week. I have backed Gmac at 29 on Betfair.

Sean O Hair followed Tiger home at this track back in 2009 and it has to be said that his career has failed to deliver the victories that his game has promised. There have been signs this year and at the end of last, that the willowy youngster has begun to find his form again and he does play better at tough tracks, Bay Hill suits his game and he will carry positive memories. I have taken a piece of him with Betfair at 140 s and backed him for top 5 and top 10.

Geoff Ogilvy has one of the best swings and temperaments on tour, but he has had something of a fallow period in recent years, though, again, in recent weeks he has looked very close to his best. The odd stray shot costing him dear and we all made money on him a couple of weeks ago when he just failed to deliver the win. I like the look of him this week, especially as his confidence is high and he is said to enjoy the layout at Bay Hill. At 150 with Betfair he represents some real value.

My final pick is Englishman, Justin Rose. It isnt difficult to picture Justin being met behind the 18th green by Mr Palmer, just as he was met by Jack Nicklaus when he landed the Memorial. Justin has the game of course to win and I fancy its all down to the putting for JR, his game from tee to green can match the best and it goes without saying that he lacks no confidence when coming down the stretch. He is available around the 25 mark with Betfair and I expect he can get in the mix and give Tiger something to think about.

Keep an eye out for Martin Laird, a former winner here and at a huge price.

The Shell Houston Open is now the curtain raiser for the Masters and its interesting to note that both courses are very similar in length. With blustery conditions forecast for the week, length will be all important at Firestone and scrambling will not play a part this week. The greens are massive at Firestone but strangely enough, its one of the easiest putting courses.

So the profile of player we want is long from the tee, a green finder from inside 150 yards and like every other week on tour, a player with a strong putting game.

Chris Kirk ticks all the boxes and of course he was runner up here in 2011 and didnt play in 2012. He is supreme between 125 and 150 yards and is as long as any from the tee. He was top 20 last week at Bay Hill and has managed to make six of seven cuts this year.

I was disappointed to see Kirk trading as low as 50 on Betfair, nonetheless he is my first selection.

It is impossible to ignore the presence of Hunter Mahan, when he plays at Houston. He is long, loves the large green complexes here and most importantly for him, he doesnt have to play chip shots too often, any area of his game that remains suspect at the highest level. Last years winner will be a popular selection this week with everything in his favour and even at a skinny 20 with Betfair, he is worth a punt. He is an early season player and his t21 last week in Arnold Palmer`s event is a tidy run into one of his favourite venues.

South Korean Seung Yul Noh will not appear on many tipsters lists for this week, but he ticks as many boxes as the guys trading at a fraction of his odds. He is bedding into life n the PGA Tour extremely well and I have no doubt that he deliver a maiden tour win this season. Firestone is a course that will suit his game and at a massive 220 with Betfair, I am on. It remains to be seen how Noh will fair when under the gun down the stretch if in contention, if he is in such a position come Sunday, then we will have a super trading position anyway.

For my fourth selection, I am going large again only this time its a European multiple winner who I believe will make his mark by winning both on the PGA Tour and in the next three seasons, landing a Major too. Branden Grace was a four time winner on the European Tour and when he gets a sniff of the lead on the final day, he doesnt know how to back off. This is his rookie year on the PGA Tour and he has flirted with the top ten on a few occasions already.

He is long from the tee, plays well in humid conditions, expected here this week and he putts well from long range, indeed he putts well full stop. He should have a wedge in hand more than usual this week and he can join the increasing band of South African golfers to make their mark in the USA. He is currently trading at 200, but that may drift as the event approaches, especially as the field strength is very high indeed.

Keep an eye out for both Russell Henley at huge odds and Retief Goosen now free from injury and with his sights set on Augusta.

i agree with your thoughts on goosens resurgence..i have a feeling he will win this season, its just catching him when he does

The Masters 2013


The only redeeming feature of the Boat Race, is that it signals the imminent arrival of my favourite golf event, the Masters.

Sunday saw victory for American Scotsman, Martin Laird, a win that broke the stranglehold of USA winners on the PGA Tour and this will give some confidence to those looking to back a European at Augusta this week.

In my preview, I will be looking at some of the specialist markets, where I believe that there is some real value lurking.

First, its onto the main event, the 2013 Masters from gorgeous Augusta National.

My colleagues are reporting that its warm there on Sunday and Monday, but storms are forecast later in the week ( Thursday and Friday ) and it all increases the requirement to have a player who doesn't lack for length from the tee.

On a day that has seen the death of Baroness Thatcher, I have ironically chosen a lefty as my primary selection. In the last two outings, I have not seen Phil look quite so controlled from the tee and his new three wood has given him bundles of confidence and of course, when he gets a sniff of a win at Augusta, he more often than not, delivers.

Of course Tiger is a worthy favourite, but only four times since the World Golf Rankings began has the number one player gone on to win the Masters, strange but true. Tiger is poor value and has the added pressure of his quest to catch Jack Nicklaus and his haul of Major titles. Pressure and poor value have made me pass the world`s number one this week, though I expect him to contend.

Mickelson is made for The Masters, he loves it around here, putts better here than anywhere and can win events without showing any prior form, he is something of a golfing enigma in that sense. This year his game is perhaps the best it has ever been and ahead of the first Major and I fancy he can getter the better of Woods and a resurgent McIlroy. I have taken the 14.5 on Betfair and will look to invest more as the event unfolds.

I love the look of Brandt Snedeker this year and no wonder, he has improved his performance stats out of all recognition and has declared his desire to now add a Major to his Fedex Cup victory. This is a top player who knows how to win and putts like a magician, a huge advantage at Augusta. That fact that Sneds has gone on record to say that he feels ready to win a Major is a really key point, it demonstrates a confidence and self belief that any player needs heading into a Major - you have to believe you can win.

The reason he is available at 44 on Betfair is all down to his recent injury which has seen him absent from events on the PGA Tour in recent weeks and you have to be aware that he lacks competitive action in the last month. On the flip side, he is fresh and played a practise round with Gmac on Sunday and no ill effects were reported. I think he can and will contend this week and have backed him again at 44 with Betfair.

Its an amazing fact that no Australian has ever won the Masters, hard to believe and I guess this season, they have largely been off the pace in most events. Adam Scott has always struck me as a Masters winner waiting to happen. Huge off the tee, great iron player and he can putt with real style at times. He was brushed aside by Schwartzel when he bagged his green jacket and it was cruel to watch his demise when the Big Easy slipped past him at soggy Royal Lytham. He is well rested for this and has been at Augusta since last week, completing his own preparations, no stone has been left unturned and having a multiple Masters winner on the bag will be a real help this week too.

The popular Australian can challenge history and he can win here this week and there would be no more fitting winner of the famous Green Jacket. I have backed Scott at 30 and think he represents real value at that.

Last year I backed Henrick Stenson, I also had a bet on him for 1st round leader and was due to collect when he pulled his tee shot left and hacked his way to a shocker on the 18th. The giant Swede recovered and still had a great tournament, but was always just off the pace of the leaders. This year, Stenson arrives here in much better form than he was at this time last year. He is brimming with confidence about his game and of course he has tasted victory again since last years event. I have never doubted he had the game to win here and his length and lack of fear can pay dividends in Georgia. My worry is that the secret is out on Stenson and he is relatively poor value in 2013. That said, I like his chances and it would be foolish for me to look elsewhere for the sake of value, I have backed him at his current odds of 75 with Betfair.

All the attention last week in the Valero Texas Open, was on the overdue return to form of both Martin Laird and Rory McIlroy , but lurking just off the pace was the Swede Peter Hanson, who closed with a 66 to sit just out of the top 5. Hanson had every chance of winning the Masters in 2012 and his confidence deserted him after his tee shot on the 12th on the final day came up short of the water hazard, not the usual pro play at a 150 yard par 3 ! Hanson has had a quiet yet very focused early 2013 and he and his team fancy that he is now ready to win a Major, I cant disagree with them and he is real value this week at a venue he truly relishes. He is available at a very tasty 100 on Betfair.

I will be taking an outsider this year too and I do like the look of Russell Henley at 330 with Betfair. The young American has a truly expansive game and if he doesn't freeze in his rooky year, then he can play a part in this years event. I am hoping he can shoot low in the first 36 holes and at least give me a good back to lay opportunity. Remember, he is already a winner and his length and strong iron play will serve him well here this week.

Keep an eye out for a past winner in Trevor Immelman at over 500 on Betfair, he has been playing much better than records would show and he does come alive around here.

Special Bets
Top Amateur - Alan Dunbar at 5/1

Top Debutant - Russell Henley ( little liquidity right now )

Top English - Lee Westwood

Top Asian - Y E Yang

Top Senior - Vijay Singh

Top South African - Trevor Immelman

Top UK and Ireland - Lee Westwood 8/1

First Round Leader - Stenson - 65/1The Masters 2013


The only redeeming feature of the Boat Race, is that it signals the imminent arrival of my favourite golf event, the Masters.

Sunday saw victory for American Scotsman, Martin Laird, a win that broke the stranglehold of USA winners on the PGA Tour and this will give some confidence to those looking to back a European at Augusta this week.

In my preview, I will be looking at some of the specialist markets, where I believe that there is some real value lurking.

First, its onto the main event, the 2013 Masters from gorgeous Augusta National.

My colleagues are reporting that its warm there on Sunday and Monday, but storms are forecast later in the week ( Thursday and Friday ) and it all increases the requirement to have a player who doesn't lack for length from the tee.

On a day that has seen the death of Baroness Thatcher, I have ironically chosen a lefty as my primary selection. In the last two outings, I have not seen Phil look quite so controlled from the tee and his new three wood has given him bundles of confidence and of course, when he gets a sniff of a win at Augusta, he more often than not, delivers.

Of course Tiger is a worthy favourite, but only four times since the World Golf Rankings began has the number one player gone on to win the Masters, strange but true. Tiger is poor value and has the added pressure of his quest to catch Jack Nicklaus and his haul of Major titles. Pressure and poor value have made me pass the world`s number one this week, though I expect him to contend.

Mickelson is made for The Masters, he loves it around here, putts better here than anywhere and can win events without showing any prior form, he is something of a golfing enigma in that sense. This year his game is perhaps the best it has ever been and ahead of the first Major and I fancy he can getter the better of Woods and a resurgent McIlroy. I have taken the 14.5 on Betfair and will look to invest more as the event unfolds.

I love the look of Brandt Snedeker this year and no wonder, he has improved his performance stats out of all recognition and has declared his desire to now add a Major to his Fedex Cup victory. This is a top player who knows how to win and putts like a magician, a huge advantage at Augusta. That fact that Sneds has gone on record to say that he feels ready to win a Major is a really key point, it demonstrates a confidence and self belief that any player needs heading into a Major - you have to believe you can win.

The reason he is available at 44 on Betfair is all down to his recent injury which has seen him absent from events on the PGA Tour in recent weeks and you have to be aware that he lacks competitive action in the last month. On the flip side, he is fresh and played a practise round with Gmac on Sunday and no ill effects were reported. I think he can and will contend this week and have backed him again at 44 with Betfair.

Its an amazing fact that no Australian has ever won the Masters, hard to believe and I guess this season, they have largely been off the pace in most events. Adam Scott has always struck me as a Masters winner waiting to happen. Huge off the tee, great iron player and he can putt with real style at times. He was brushed aside by Schwartzel when he bagged his green jacket and it was cruel to watch his demise when the Big Easy slipped past him at soggy Royal Lytham. He is well rested for this and has been at Augusta since last week, completing his own preparations, no stone has been left unturned and having a multiple Masters winner on the bag will be a real help this week too.

The popular Australian can challenge history and he can win here this week and there would be no more fitting winner of the famous Green Jacket. I have backed Scott at 30 and think he represents real value at that.

Last year I backed Henrick Stenson, I also had a bet on him for 1st round leader and was due to collect when he pulled his tee shot left and hacked his way to a shocker on the 18th. The giant Swede recovered and still had a great tournament, but was always just off the pace of the leaders. This year, Stenson arrives here in much better form than he was at this time last year. He is brimming with confidence about his game and of course he has tasted victory again since last years event. I have never doubted he had the game to win here and his length and lack of fear can pay dividends in Georgia. My worry is that the secret is out on Stenson and he is relatively poor value in 2013. That said, I like his chances and it would be foolish for me to look elsewhere for the sake of value, I have backed him at his current odds of 75 with Betfair.

All the attention last week in the Valero Texas Open, was on the overdue return to form of both Martin Laird and Rory McIlroy , but lurking just off the pace was the Swede Peter Hanson, who closed with a 66 to sit just out of the top 5. Hanson had every chance of winning the Masters in 2012 and his confidence deserted him after his tee shot on the 12th on the final day came up short of the water hazard, not the usual pro play at a 150 yard par 3 ! Hanson has had a quiet yet very focused early 2013 and he and his team fancy that he is now ready to win a Major, I cant disagree with them and he is real value this week at a venue he truly relishes. He is available at a very tasty 100 on Betfair.

I will be taking an outsider this year too and I do like the look of Russell Henley at 330 with Betfair. The young American has a truly expansive game and if he doesn't freeze in his rooky year, then he can play a part in this years event. I am hoping he can shoot low in the first 36 holes and at least give me a good back to lay opportunity. Remember, he is already a winner and his length and strong iron play will serve him well here this week.

Keep an eye out for a past winner in Trevor Immelman at over 500 on Betfair, he has been playing much better than records would show and he does come alive around here.

Special Bets
Top Amateur - Alan Dunbar at 5/1

Top Debutant - Russell Henley ( little liquidity right now )

Top English - Lee Westwood

Top Asian - Y E Yang

Top Senior - Vijay Singh

Top South African - Trevor Immelman

Top UK and Ireland - Lee Westwood 8/1

First Round Leader - Stenson - 65/1