Silver fox of US Masters to fly the seniors’ flag once again
Published:The Masters holds its place as the most prestigious golf Major in the world thanks to the great many traditions it retains at every running of the tournament.
Whether it’s the deposed champion slipping the coveted green jacket onto the new victor or the distinctive caddie uniforms, Masters’ customs are almost as well known as the iron-swinging stars that walk the course.
Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of the tournament though, is its yearly honouring of former winners. Not only do champions add a plush new blazer to their wardrobe, they also receive a lifetime invitation to future renditions of the Augusta event.
With some of those players now no longer part of the PGA Tour, but still playing competitively on the over 50’s Champions Tour, an interesting betting angle in the tournament is formed.
In recent years there hasn’t been a better option in the category than 1992 Masters champion, Fred Couples.
Still able to bang the ball 300+ yards off the tee, Couples has enjoyed revisiting Augusta in the last few seasons, finishing in the top 15 in each of the last four versions of the event.
It’s no surprise to see him installed as the 6/4 favourite to be the top senior player in 2014 and there are few in the pool of 12 that can challenge his supremacy, which his first and second place in three starts on the Champions Tour this season testifies.
One man who the market thinks might is the popular Miguel Angel Jimenez, who at 3/1 is the second favourite.
The cigar-puffing Spaniard is a recent inductee to the Champions Tour, but has suffered diminishing results at Augusta over the past four years while Couples has maintained his consistency.
Having gone on a missed-cut run in his six previous Masters’ appearances, Ryder Cup winning captain Bernhard Langer is an interesting proposition at 6/1 having finished T25 last year.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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