North-East Trends Fan

SEASON 2013-14 P/L: -200.00pts ROI: +00.00%
(SEASON 2013 FINAL P/L: +85.23pts ROI: +20.79%)

A thrilling week in prospect as ever as arguably the greatest sporting spectacle of the year, the 78th US Masters, gets underway at the stunning Augusta National, Georgia on Thursday.

No Tiger Woods in this season, he has withdrawn with a persistent injury. But this would have been a wide open renewal even with his presence in the field.

Things are changing on the PGA Tour and there is a rapidly rising crop of quality young players, many of whom could well go close this week, especially the likes of Harris English, Patrick Reed and Jordan Speith.

But I still see some of the wily old guard who know their way around this track being at the forefront of affairs come Sunday.

It would be no surprise at all to see Phil Mickelson don the green jacket for a fourth time as he retains all the craft and guile around the greens that is so important here. But I think that at 16 on Betfair, he is just a little too short given his form this year and injury concerns so my top pick is the consistent, crafty and in-form Matt Kuchar. More on him and my seven other value picks below.

Double stakes this week as always for the four majors. Get your bets on, put your feet up for four days and soak up the thrills and atmosphere of a truly outstanding event.


Selections (all prices from Betfair unless stated):

Matt KUCHAR 8pts @ 26
- Georgia Tech alumnus who is very classy and consistent and boasts six PGA Tour wins
- In excellent form recently although backing him certainly comes with risks (he blew out spectacularly in last week's final round)
- T8 here last year and T3 in 2012
- In Top 15 in scrambling on Tour for the last three seasons and a strong putter too

Graeme McDOWELL 3pts @ 70
- The former US Open winner is leading the way in Strokes Gained Putting on the PGA Tour this season
- T12 here in 2012
- Very consistent performances in an albeit light PGA Tour campaign so far this year

Ian POULTER 2.5pts @ 80
- Loves the big stage and making positive noises about the state of his game recently
- 7th here in 2012 and T10 in 2010
- Good scrambler who could contend if he can get the short putts to drop this week

Jim FURYK 2.5pts @ 85
- Top class, accurate former major winner who has turned in some encouraging performances so far this season
- 11th here in 2012
- 14th in Scrambling on Tour this year (and 3rd in 2012); T19 in Strokes Gained Putting in 2012

Marc LEISHMAN 2.25pts @ 130
- Big hitting Aussie whose game is suited to the shape of Augusta
- Finished T4 here last season
- Decent from within 125 yards of the pin

Chris KIRK 0.75pts @ 310
- Solid up and coming player who was born and studied in Georgia
- 3rd in Scrambling on Tour last year and 18th in Strokes Gained Putting

Jonas BLIXT 0.75pts @ 370
- The young Swede is an excellent putter and will hopefully get to grips with Augusta's fast and tricky greens
- 24th in Scrambling in 2013 and T16 in 2012

Vijay SINGH 0.25pts @ 670
- In his 50s now but the big Fijian has put in a few decent showings this season, including a 2nd in the Frys.com Open
- Former winner of the Masters and still doubtful whether anybody puts more effort in to their practice then he does
- Could be a surprise name near the top of the Leaderboard at a huge price