GOLF GURU Louis Ross (@Louis Ross67) nailed three of the four Majors in 2015. Having landed a 66/1 winner last week, can Louis find us more glory in Augusta? Here, Louis looks at the runners and riders from Europe and the rest of the world.
The Masters: Europe & Rest Of The World | Thursday-Sunday | Sky Sports
Jason Day (7/1f William Hill)
From five starts, the Aussie has a couple of top-3 finishes, although his last two efforts have brought a best of 20th in 2014.
Only four players better Day’s scoring average of 71.18 since 2002 – the only question has to be his back. Augusta is a lot ‘hillier' than it looks.
Rory McIlroy (8/1 Netbet)
Where do you start? Surprisingly, fourth last year was his best ever finish in this tournament.
But 71.85 ranks highly for scoring average and his high-ball flight should be a huge advantage on this course.
Despite reaching the last four of the Matchplay, his form wasn’t great but his putting has improved 100% this year.
Adam Scott (12/1 Ladbrokes)
Adam Scott has to be on every shortlist. The 2013 champion was 14th when defending and 37th last year but has gone back to being a serious threat with the short stick this season.
2-1-1 was his run at the start of February and he looked like challenging Day for favouritism. Dropped off a little in recent weeks.
Justin Rose (30/1 William Hill)
Has the game for Augusta National, no doubt.
Runner-up to Jordan Spieth last time was his best finish in 10 Masters starts. A 72 scoring average is a plus if you have faith in his short game.
Has threatened leaderboards throughout 2016 but the putter has been ice cold.
Henrik Stenson (33/1 BetVictor)
Henrik has a massive chance on this golf course and is one of the form players going into the week.
Surprisingly the stats don’t support the view of him being a contender with a best of 14th from 10 attempts with an average round of 73.32.
However, the big Swede has added a 3-wood to his game which enables him to be more accurate of the tee whilst hitting as far as half the field do with a driver.
Louis Oosthuiezen (35/1 BetVictor)
Louis was second in 2012, losing a playoff to a miracle shot from Bubba Watson. Four missed cuts, 25th and 19th are his other results here.
Much like Jason Day, his chances depend on his fitness. But h had a fantastic run at the Matchplay a couple of weeks ago.
Charl Schwartzel (40/1 Ladbrokes)
Charl took the title after Rory McIlroy’s meltdown in 2011 but like his fellow South African Louis Oosthuiezen, has a fairly poor Augusta record before and after that victory – 25th being his best finish before or after his win.
Schwartzel has one PGA Tour win already in the bag this year.
Sergio Garcia (66/1 William Hill)
Sergio has everything you would want from a Masters pick – apart from when he gets a putter in his hand.
Fourth in 2004 is his best finish in his last 14 starts here – that lack of confidence on the greens is a killer for Sergio.
Danny Willet (66/1 BetVictor)
Danny was 37th on his Masters debut in 2015 and a scoring average of 72.25 is not bad at all for his four rounds.
Danny became a father for the first time just a few days ago and that is the biggest issue when looking at his prospects.
The ‘New Dad' thing is a factor that even has sites dedicated to it – they either play brilliantly or absolutely the other end of the scale. Certainly has the game.
Marc Leishman (80/1 Coral)
Marc has had three goes here – his record reads: missed cut-4-missed cut.
He could well have won in Adam Scott's year and that maybe as good as it gets for the big Aussie. Very skinny odds for someone with that kind of record.
Paul Casey (80/1 BetVictor)
Paul is always a player I look at. Tee to green, he has the game of a Major winner.
A 72.8 average from nine starts here is very impressive – sixth last year was his fifth top-20 from nine attempts and with a hot putter he would be a very decent each-way prospect.
One for the top-10/20 markets.
Branden Grace (80/1 BetVictor)
Branden has had three cracks at Augusta – wwo missed cuts and an 18th do not read very well.
Grace is a US Open kind of player, in my opinion.
Shane Lowry (150/1 BetVictor)
Shane is the kind of guy we all want to do well. His breakthrough WGC win last year was a thing of joy.
He missed the cut on his debut last year and not someone I would seriously consider here with no form to speak of in 2016.
Andy Sullivan (150/1 BetVictor)
Andy has been mentioned by many as a possible each-way punt.
Making his first start at Augusta, the Englishman will not have seen anything like this before. He’s the kind of player who may well have looks at the top-10 in the first three days and end up finishing 25th.
His ball striking gives him some kind of chance but he needs to get to grips with the greens straight away.
Rafael Cabrera Bello (175/1 Skybet)
Rafael gave everyone a scare at the World Matchplay.
Making his debut here but he hits the ball miles and has a brilliant short game. Could go really well.
Martin Kaymer (200/1 William Hill)
Martin is 200/1 for a reason – 31st is his best result in eight Augusta attempts.
Kaymer tried to change his swing to be a contender at Augusta (his natural ball flight is wrong for this course) and it cost him three years of his career.
Lee Westwood (200/1 BetVictor)
Lee would have three green jackets by now if he could putt – he can’t.
His short game has improved hugely since basing himself in Florida.
Top-10 if everything comes together but he’s forever been a possible. One of the best Augusta records around but 45th last year is more realistic these days.
Graeme McDowell (250/1 BetVictor)
Graeme could have gone in here or the US section with that accent of his.
Twelfth is his best go from eight attempts and G-Mac is a US Open kind of player so not someone I would consider.
Aniban Lahiri (300/1 BetVictor)
Aniban a name to consider as a decent each-way punt at big odds.
The Indian was 48th on debut in 2015 and has continued to improve this year. Capable of booming drives, he also has a nice short game and a better chance than many at shorter odds.
Best Bets
The Masters – Henrik Stenson to win (33/1 each-way BetVictor)
The Masters – Rafael Cabrera Bello to win (175/1 each-way Skybet)
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