Big guns primed for tilt at green jacket

Sports Betting: THIS is the time of year when occasional golfers start rooting around for the set of clubs they shovelled into a corner last autumn.

For the professionals it’s a 12 months a year job, and spring brings preparations for a tilt at next month’s Masters (April 7-10) and the chance to wear one of thosed coveted green jackets.

The big guns have been in form: reigning champion Jordan Spieth landed the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in January, while previous Augusta winners Bubba Watson and Charl Schwartzel have enjoyed victories on the USPGA tour.

Adam Scott, the ‘Master’ in 2013, bagged the Honda Classic and only last week Jason Day, chasing back-to-backs majors after victory in the USPGA Championship last August, won the Arnold Palmer Invitation.

Day is second-favourite for the Masters at 8-1 (William Hill), behind Spieth (15-2, Boylesport).

But another man from the land down under has caught my eye: Scott has a fine record on the course — form at this unique venue, with its big greens and fairways, is a big advantage — and always seems to be in the mix. Back him at 12s with Ladbrokes.

Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy (8-1, BetBright) hasn’t managed to get all parts of his game together, but if they do, he is quite capable of blowing away the field.

As for Phil Mickelson (20-1, Boylesport), a three-time green jacket holder, he has been on the cusp of mounting a challenge in tournaments several times this year only to fall back at key moments.

He was also tied for second in 2015.

RECOMMENDATION: Adam Scott to win the 2016 Masters (12-1, Ladbrokes).