Masters poised to be a classic with Woods, Rory and Poulter in the mix
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The first major of the year is upon us with the US Masters commencing on Thursday.
The annual visit to Augusta is always a highlight of the golfing year, and 2018 should prove no exception.
Sergio Garcia holds the Green Jacket after his thrilling play-off victory over Justin Rose 12 months ago, but plenty has changed since then.
The main topic this time around will be Tiger Woods.
The four-time Masters champion is just 16/1 to prevail once again, having been 40/1 just a couple of months ago.
Woods has enjoyed an excellent couple of months, leading many to believe he may be back to his best.
But the likes of Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy will be hoping Woods isn’t quite at that level yet.
The duo share favouritism at 10/1. Spieth is still looking to recapture his sensational 2015 form, while McIlroy is nearing on four years without a major.
Injuries ruined Rory’s 2017 season, but like Tiger he has shown signs of a comeback, and won the Arnold Palmer Invitational last month.
Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas are both in the hunt at 12s. There’s still a feeling that DJ still has another gear to find after missing the Masters last year by injuring his back in a fall.
But Thomas is surely due a major soon. The 24-year-old won the Honda Classic in February, was second at the WGC in Mexico and then narrowly lost to Bubba Watson in the Match Play semi-finals.
Bubba will be a man to watch at 16/1. The two-time Masters champion looks to have hit form at the right time, having won the MGC Match Play title.
And sticking with the form good, Ian Poulter should be given a mention at 40/1. The Englishman has completed a remarkable turnaround in the last 12 months.
From almost losing his tour card, Poulter won the Houston Open last weekend to book his place at Augusta at the final moment.
Elsewhere, last year’s runner-up Justin Rose is again proving a popular pick at 14s, while the same can be said for three-time Green Jacket winner Phil Mickelson at 18/1.
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All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
