Bubba shaping up well for a top-10 US Masters finish at least

Who could forget that seemingly impossible rescue hook shot from out of the dreaded pine straw and the tears that followed Bubba Watson’s play-off Masters win in 2012.

Well, the sight of Bubba blubbering as he’s adorned in famous green could be replayed all over again in 2014, as the popular American has hit form at the perfect moment.

The left-hander sits sixth in the PGA Tour’s Masters Power Rankings off the back of five top-10 finishes from just eight stroke-play events contested this season.

Despite being forced to withdraw from last month’s Arnold Palmer Invitational after the first round due to allergies, Watson’s last three finishes read like a punter’s dream at 2, 1, 2.

Half of Bubba’s last 12 rounds have seen him shoot sub-70, while returning successive 64s from his last 36 holes were enough to seal the Northern Trust Open title for the Florida native.

A top-10 Masters finish is never easily achieved, but given his form can be allied with a clear affinity for the impeccably-manicured Augusta course; the 2/1 on offer from Ladbrokes should come with a bow tied around it.

More exciting still though, is the 5/1 on Bubba making it into the top-five spots of Sunday’s final leaderboard.

However, having compiled this kind of dossier on the man, a 25/1 punt – and remember Ladbrokes are paying out on the first five on each-way bets – could hardly be better spent on Bubba claiming his second Green Jacket.

Those who may have backed him last year as a result of his 2012 triumph before he fell away into obscurity needn’t be put off either.

Many players are affected by the pressure of a Major win – going onto wobble for an extended period due to the pressure that it brings – but with a fifth PGA Tour win freshly under his belt, Bubba couldn’t be in better shape for Augusta 2014.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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