The US Masters, PGA Tour

Masters week.

The PGA tour returns to traditional time for the Masters, the spring course in firm fast condition completely different to the autumn version which more closely resembled darts. The Masters is traditionally won by players who have won in recent times, are in good form and play Augusta well. Rookies have won including Fuzzy Zoeller, but it is rare in recent times. Knowledge of the course and greens is important. The TV coverage is riveting theatre every day, yet usually it comes down to play on the last nine holes. Many will know that Augusta was designed by the doyen of architects Alistair Mackenzie who also designed Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath and Titirangi in conjunction with Bobby Jones. This year the course has been extended to 7768 yards (7103m) par 72, one of the longest courses on the tour, the slope is approximately 137 and the course rating a high 78.1. The course record is 63 held by Nick Price and Greg Norman before it was “Tiger Proofed”

Last week our tip in the women’s major Nana Koertsz Madsen ran third at $300. Earlier in the week her price was $930. She however never had a chance to win. Eachway betting is available but win prices (and thus place prices) are halved negating much of the advantage in value. In some weeks I might tip a few to bet each way, given our propensity to find a place getter recently but this isn’t the week to do it.

On Betfair:

Patrick Cantlay-$26

Cameron Smith-$55

Sungjae Im-$60

Paul Casey-$50

Scottie Scheffler-$75

Bubba Watson-$130

Corey Connors-$140

Justin Rose-$140

Corey Connors-$140

Matt Kuchar-$200

Marc Leishman-$200

Si Woo Kim-$210

Gary Woodland has firmed to $220

Fritelli-$310

Sebastian Munoz-$400

And bets posted last week

Robert Streb-$1000

Martin Laird-$1000

Brendan Todd-$650

Mackenzie Hughes-$700

Gary Woodland-$500