One bet i think seems a standout is 5/2 on a playoff. So many players in contention.

Wiesberger 66s top Euro, GL

An absolute cracker in store, with so many plots and sub plots intertwined in what is the greatest week in golf.

Will Rory win his third major on the trot, and complete the career Slam. Can Jordan Spieth take another giant step towards greatness? Can Bubba do what so many have struggled to do, and go back to back.

There is so much more going on, but surely the most intriguing aspect of the week, is the return of the greatest player of all time, Tiger Woods. Will he take his first tentative steps towards regaining his place in the top 50, or will he do the unthinkable and take a giant leap towards Jacks total??

I for one will drop a tear into my pint on Sunday night if he does.

Ante Post:

First bet was Jonas Blixt at 250-1. I backed the mercurial Swede last year at 300-1, and he performed superbly on debut at a venue that seemed sure to suit. He has done pretty much jack sh1t since, but he has shown a few glimpses, and has never been anything resembling consistent. He certainly showed something more approaching his best last week, and I don't think he should be anything over 80-1. He has proved he likes the venue, and will be trained to the minute.

As Phil Mickleson devoured the opening 9 on Thursday of his Shell Houston assignment, I leapt in to take the 28-1 on offer. He didn't subsequently deliver the goods last week and was 30-1 today, but I am happy enough with the bet. Excluding Tiger, he is beyond compare around the beautiful arena that is the 18 holes of Augusta Georgia, and last weeks showing suggested the batteries are charged and the putter behaving. Playing with Rory is most certainly a bonus. Phil is ultra competitive, and though he would wish Rory no ill, he would definitely love to stop him attaining the career slam before him. He will go very close.

I had convinced myself last Saturday night that JB Holmes needed backing for this. He was not really in a position to contend for victory the following day, and there was no hurry to take the 66s on offer. I was sprung into action when he went on a birdie blast early into his final round, where he subsequently shed his recent bottlers tag. I don't know if that is going to be a positive or negative this week, but I think he has a right chance of being involved. He is driving it so well, and so far, it seems like he is set to continue his recent fine vein of form. 25th here on debut in 2008, he is a far better player now, in the form of his life. He is still worth backing.

I have been very sweet on Bubba Watson for this since very early in the year. Hardly rocket science, he is defending champion! But his driving this year has just seemed on a different planet to most. HIs iron play has been hit and miss, but he has hardly been poor in that department, 12 consecutive top 30s bearing testament to that. He won this on the absolute snaf last year. He wavered on Saturday, but was sublime on Sunday.

His mind seems in a much better state this year, and though being defending champ brings unwanted distractions and pressure, there is not one player in this field that wouldn't jump into Bubbas boots. And as this is his second time to defend, he should be that bit better prepared. Its going to take a bloody good week from someone to stop him becoming a 3 time Green Jacket winner. This place is absolutely made for him. 

.5pt e.w Jonas Blixt 250-1
2pts e.w Phil Mickleson 28-1
1pt e.w JB Holmes 66-1
2pts e.w Bubba Watson 18-1

This Weeks Bets:

Now is when I really start resembling Jeremy Chapman!!

Having backed Bubba a couple of months ago, maybe I shouldn't be going in again at shorter prices, but I couldn't resist. Nothing he has done since has put me off, and though a few others have sparked into life, he still looks overpriced.

Jordan Spieth is someone who is going to win plenty of majors. Fact. But I would not be surprised next year, or soon after, if he adopts a different approach to Major weeks. He has been dancing every dance of late, and fatigue may have been a factor in his defeat last Sunday. A slow start this week may seem like one fight too many. At short prices I would not want that doubt.

I don't really fancy DJ.

Jason Day has a hell of a chance, but I think I would prefer to be backing him for majors after he has won one, than be backing him at 14-1 whilst he is still searching for the first. The way he closed out for his win at Torrey Pines suggested he may be close to winning one.

I was very tempted to back Jimmy Walker, but you cant back them all!! His price just seems a tad short, and playing with Tiger was the deciding factor in leaving him alone. He has not looked comfortable in that position before. Thursday could be a circus.

Rory McIlroy has had one target since winning the PGA. Augusta. Maybe he has put some unneeded pressure on himself by talking about the desire to win here, but the way he closed out WGCs and Majors last year, suggests he is ready to deal with pressure, and maybe even benefit from it.

Bubbas driving has been superb, Rorys has been beyond that. Yes, he has to confirm that this venue really suits, but everything about his game suggests its made for him. He should already have one on the board, and was more than a little unlucky not to finish a lot closer last year.

I wanted 6s on Rory to get involved, and the 13-2 this morning clinched it. Playing with Phil is also a bonus. He played with him for his first US Open triumph, and I think he revels in his company. The forecast wet conditions for the first couple of days are just an added extra. If he has A game with him, I think its only Bubba who will live with him.

Having backed the two favourites, it was about time to hook a few outsiders.

I have long thought Shane Lowry would revel at Augusta. He hits it far enough to compete, and his pitching and chipping this past 18 months has been superb. Not as good a putter as Blixt, but very much in the same mould in that he will be attempting to hole out from a lot closer than most in this field. He is a proper Top 50 player, he has adapted well to life on the PGA Tour, and I really think he will have a good week.

Jason Dufner has nearly disappeared off the golfing radar it seems. The market certainly thinks so, and he has to be backed at such prices. A major winner who looked likely to contend two years ago, until plain bad luck on a couple of holes on Saturday scuppered him, its worth taking a chance that he is ready to produce his best this week.

I had to back Tiger!! It will be better than the one legged win if he pulls this off, and I don't mind losing a couple of hundred quid if he doesn't. I love the man!!

2.5pts win Bubba Watson 14.5
2.5pts Bubba Top 5 3.9
7.5pts e.w Rory McIlroy 13-2
.4pt e.w Shane Lowry 200-1
.4pt e.w Jason Dufner 175-1
1pt e.w Tiger Woods 50-1(6 places)

Alternative Markets

Top Continental European

Jonas Blixt looked an absolute cracking bet here at 18-1. That disappeared this morning, but 16s is still far too big.

2pts e.w Jonas Blixt 18-1

Top Debutante

As previously said, Shane Lowry looks set for a good week. This is what the winner of this market will need. Something solid. Brooks Koepka could really shine, but he has injury worries, and Lowry looks much more solid. So too does Brendon Todd. Yes he is hort enough for Augusta, but he is someone who loves a course where par is a good score. If he finishes on 288 on Sunday, that could very well win this particular accolade.

2.5pts Lowry 8-1
2.5pts Todd 15-2

2pts Treble
Tiger Woods To Make Cut 4-5
Hideki Matsuyama Top Asian 5-6
Freddie Couples Top Senior 11-4

Have a few 3 ball bets to get done, and will lob them up in the morning. A feast in store, I hope everyone enjoys it, and makes a few quid.

Total Staked Week 13....25.4pts
Total Returned Week 13..16.73pts
Total Staked...........482.02pts
Total Returned.........488.45pts
Running Total..........+6.43pts
R.O.I...................+1.33%

Good write up callit, and agree in the main ,im hoping for an outsider to win this year ,backed loads,shortest one was bubba at 17
Walker at 32, great weekend agusta ...

That was fairly interesting the Richie Hunt article,he placed a lot of emphasis on "Apex-height and Red Zone", not sure i agree with him though as he dismissed past winners on that basis.
His shortlist contained no surprises and in order were the exact same as in the betting for the 1st 5(just slight odds against dutching).
Different way of looking at things all the same and believe he is some form of consultant to players.

I,m getting carried away,added Phil the 6/7 places swayed that.
A small interest 20/1 3 ball accum for early starters,Willett,Villegas,Westwood,Haas and S Y Noh.
Bring it on.

Rein yourself in, Lapsy.  Let the sugar rush from the Ensure drink settle and then bet calmly.

I am quite sweet on First Lieutenant myself Oz. Quite awhile since he has got his ground. Reckon he could love it around there.

Freddie Couples was somehow chalked up at 12-5 for his 3 ball. The 2-1 is still a cracking bet.

4pts Couples 12-5
2.5pts Trevor Immelman 2-1
3pts Jonas Blixt 17-10
3pts Brendon Todd 6-4
2pts Padraig Harrington 11-5

M hoffman is a big price,track should suit imo on at 490 ,dont be scared of big prices ,great trading

No overnight rain and a lovely 20° calm morning but breezy 31° afternoon ahead !

BUBBA wire to wire, along with Rose, to burn it up in Group 10 at 9.24am (2.24pm GMT).

"Ladies and gentleman, the 2015 Masters is now officially underway"

What are the Richie's “critical holes” at Augusta National this year.

The critical holes in any tournament are the ones where the top finishers typically gain the most strokes on the field, as well as where the greatest deviation in scores exist. One of the interesting aspects about critical holes is that they often change over time due to changes in the course conditions, course design or a change in player strategy, and that creates a smaller deviation in scores.

In 2013 for instance, the critical holes were Nos. 7, 12, 13, 17 and 18. But the removal of the Eisenhower Tree on No. 17 created a smaller deviation in scores, so No. 17 was no longer a critical hole for participants. The par-5 13th hole has also seen a trend in more similar scores, so it has been replaced by the par-5 15th hole as a critical hole.


The 4 critical holes to watch out for at the 2015 Masters are...


Hole No.7,

“Pampas” Par 4, 450yds The drive on this tight hole is often played to the left-centre of the fairway to set up a second shot from a level lie. From there, a short to mid-iron may be played, but it is important to avoid the three bunkers in front of the green and the two behind. Historical Avg: 4.252 (3)

Hole No.12,

“Golden Bell” Par3, 155yds One of the world's most famous golf holes, this is Augusta National's shortest par three in the middle of AMEN CORNER. Club selection is often difficult, as varying winds can require anything from a six-iron to a nine-iron for Masters competitors. The daunting presence of Rae's Creek and three strategically placed bunkers make it imperative that players land their shots on the putting surface. Golfers walk across the Ben Hogan Bridge to reach the green. The 12th hole has been a heartbreaker from the start. Its fickle winds, narrow green and looming water have thwarted many runs for the Masters title. Historical Avg: 3.094 (13)

Hole No.15,

“Firethorn” Par5, 530yds A famously reachable par five when the winds are favourable. A well-struck second shot must be played over the pond and away from the bunker that guards the green on the right. Gene Sarazen hit his "shot heard 'round the world" here when he holed a four-wood approach from 235 yards away for a double eagle in 1935. Historical Avg: 4.776 (18)


Hole No.18,

“Holly” Par4, 465yds One of the most famous finishing holes in golf, this uphill dogleg right is protected by two bunkers at the left elbow of the fairway. A drive hit down the centre will often require a middle iron for a second shot to a deep, narrow green guarded by one bunker short-left and another hard right. Historical Avg: 4.159 (8). Bubba admits to having trouble with the tee shot. If it’s tight on Sunday, WATCH OUT!!!

Masters Leaderboard is about 7 minutes faster than the PGA site (as expected).

http://www.masters.com/en_US/scores/index.html

This tracker on the Masters website is as reliable as the PGA tracker.

Charley Hoffman, in the first group off, opens the 79th Masters with a 5-under 67 only faster

In 78 editions of the Masters, just four players have gone wire-to-wire (with no ties) to win the Green Jacket (Craig Wood, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Raymond Floyd). There hasn't been a wire-to-wire winner at Augusta in 38 years.

Critical hole #15 - EAGLE for Hoffman !

Thanks Catch.

Poor old Notah Begay has been reduced to Tigers PR man.

Critical hole #7 - MICKELSON bogey !