PUNTERS all over the world are looking for value as the finest golfers on the planet gear up for the Masters.
SunSport’s experts take you through the men they are backing to shine at Augusta over the next four days…
What are the latest odds on The Masters 2017? All the favourites and outsiders you need to know
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David Facey, SunSport golf writer
TOP PICK – Jordan Spieth
Not included in my ‘Five to Follow’ because I look for outsiders – but top two in all three starts, and bound to thereabouts again.
NEXT BEST – Charl Schwartzel
Really keen on the South African’s chances. Not done himself justice since his 2011 win here, but putting brilliantly at the moment.
TOP PICK – Emiliano Grillo
Played fantastic golf last year to run away with the PGA Tour’s rookie of the year award. Seventh at Bay Hill made me think he’s back.
Dean Scoggins, Deputy Head of SunSport
I’m a value golf better… 15-2 on Dustin Johnson? Do me a favour.
8-1 on Rory? Not a chance.
If I’m going to bet with my hard-earned fiver, I want to be able to see something back that is worthwhile.
I backed Jimmy Walker at a shade over 70-1 to win the USPGA last season. Kerching.
I flopped on Sergio to win both the US Open and The Masters last season at around the 30s mark each time.
And my luck was in backing Henrik Stenson at 28-1 to win The Open last year.
So my money this year is on the long(ish) shots again.
The Masters is obviously tough to call but with rain forecast, I think you can rule out plenty of the shorter hitters… Soren Kjeldsen and the likes.
So firstly, I’m going with Paul Casey. Now a steady performer in the States, went close in the FedEx Cup last year and has a decent recent Masters record with a share of fourth and sixth in the last two years.
Long and straight off the tee… it’s just down to the putting, as ever.
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And at 35-1 (each way) and 25-1 without Rory and Dustin, I’m licking my lips.
Tyrell Hatton and Jon Rahm are in form and I like them for the course but rookies rarely win, only three times in fact.
And they both strike me as hot heads who could buckle under day-four pressure.
So, if you’re going for a rookie…look for a longer price. Thomas Pieters 66-1.
Virtually unknown in the States until his Ryder Cup heroics, they know all about him now. Hits it miles, nerves of steel and if the putter gets hot – I’m on him each way as well.
I’m also on 60-1 for Marc Leishman. The Aussie is big off the tee, capable of bombing it on the par fives in two which is vital around Augusta.
Yes, yes, he’s missed cuts around here before. But he won the Arnie Palmer a couple of weeks ago and looked steady as a rock.
Each way at 60s when SkyBet are paying 8 places? Get me on.
I’ve also backed Sergio again because I always do, but the less said about that the better.
Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston, pro golfer
I’m gutted over not being at Augusta, but I’ll be rooting for my mates, especially Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton.
I know it’s their first Masters and they reckon rookies never win, but they’re in great form and I think they’ll both have cracking weeks – Tommy would be my dark horse to actually win it.
Alan Shearer, SunSport columnist
TOP PICK – Dustin Johnson
He is on fire at the moment and he’s just been winning everything. His confidence is sky high.
NEXT BEST – Rory McIlroy
Rory has missed seven weeks with a rib injury but I have a sneaky feeling for him. He could complete the Grand Slam this week.
LONG SHOT – Lee Westwood
I have had a couple of quid on Lee Westwood at 100-1. He loves Augusta and it suits his game.
Sam Morgan, SunSport golf writer
TOP PICK – Dustin Johnson
Put simply, no one in the game can touch Johnson right now. He is the undisputed world No 1, comes into Augusta on the back of three straight wins and is currently the best driver of the ball in the game.
A lot has been made of how Tiger Woods overpowered Augusta with his length 20 years ago. DJ does that on every course he plays. His short game is sharp, he’s totally unflappable and will get his second Major this week.
NEXT BEST – Rickie Fowler
We are used to seeing Orange is the new Black on TV but orange will be the new green on Sunday when Fowler slips into the Masters winner’s jacket.
Fowler always wears the vibrant colour in final rounds – and he’s already won this year doing so.
He has two other top fives since February, including a share of third last week, and is great with the putter on Augusta’s wicked greens
LONG SHOT – Tommy Fleetwood
The Englishman is leading the Race to Dubai in Europe and has come on leaps and bounds since winning against a strong field in Abu Dhabi earlier in the year.
He was runner-up in the WGC Mexico Championship a few weeks later and has a knack for going low in the final round.
Keep an eye on American Daniel Berger too. He is also trending in the right direction, finished fifth last week and has three other top 20s since the start of the year.
Dale Tempest, SkyBet bookie
TOP PICK – Rory McIlroy
Rory brings his A game and nobody in world golf can compete with him. He hasn’t played much this season but this has been his sole focus for quite a while. 8th 4th and 10th in his last 3 attempts he can’t be out of the places.
NEXT BEST – Paul Casey
I always think the Masters is like the grand national, the same horses / players turn up year after year and run well. Paul Casey fits exactly that profile.
He may not have the mental strength to actually win the event but great Augusta form finishing 6th and 4th in his last 2 attempts.
LONG SHOT – Bill Haas
Has made the Masters cut in all 7 of his attempts without seriously threatening the top of the leader board. Presently top of the Tour scrambling stats and if he plays the Par 5’s well could be a lively outsider.
Rich Beem, ex-pro golfer and former USPGA champ
TOP PICK – Dustin Johnson
I know it’s not exactly original plumping for the world No 1 and the hottest guy in the game, but his chances just got even better with the bad weather disrupting everyone’s practice plans.
DJ is probably the only guy in the game who isn’t looking to make little tweaks, or to change something in readiness for this tournament. He just has to go out there and play the way he has been doing all year.
The wet course also plays to his biggest strength – power off the tee – and I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see him make it four wins on the bounce come Sunday.
NEXT BEST – Rickie Fowler
There were a few guys I like for this category, with one eye on the weather forecast calling for heavy rain followed by strong winds, but Rickie just about got the nod.
Normally at Augusta you want someone who hits the ball high and lands it soft on those greens. But this time I think a lower ball flight, keeping it under the wind, is going to be a big avantage.
That made me think about the current Open champion Henrik Stenson, and a former open winner Louis Oosthuizen, both good players in tough conditions. But I was impressed by Rickie’s Honda Classic win, so let’s stick with him.
LONG SHOT – Charl Schwarzel
Can Jon Rahm be considered a dark horse? Man, that kid has been on fire this year, but history tells you first-timers don’t win at Augusta, which is why I’ve decided to look elsewhere.
And when you study the odds, I think Schwarzel is the outsider to be on, especially after the way he birdied the last four holes to win here in 2011.
I’ve seen a lot of him lately and I just love his putting stroke. He is rolling the rock as well as anyone in the game, and he has got a great temperament. He can play a bit in bad weather too, so I really like his chances.