20-1 Rose set to bloom

SPORTS BETTING:

GOLF'S first major of the season gets under way at Augusta tomorrow and all eyes will be focused on Tiger Woods.

The most talented player ever to hold a golf club regained his world number one status with a recent

victory in America - and is clearly some way back to the peak of his powers.

But just how well is Tiger actually playing and should he be as short as 9-2 for the Masters at the world's most picturesque golf course, Augusta?

I think not. In fact, I reckon he should be at least 7-1.

Sure, Woods is an Augusta specialist and is playing as well as anyone at the moment.

But he is not the totally dominant force of old; I can't see the new breed of golfer backing off and presenting him with victory like others in the past.

So if Woods isn’t good value, who is?

Tiger takes a big chunk out of the betting market, so others are at higher prices than they should be.

Rory McIlroy will still be haunted by losing a four-shot lead here a couple of years ago and isn’t playing well enough to justify 9-1 despite an improved showing in America last weekend. The same applies to Phil Mickelson at 11-1.

Charl Schwartzel, a former winner, is about right at 25-1, while defending champion Bubba Watson looks a little big at 40-1 despite recent indifferent form.

But my two against the field are Justin Rose at 20-1 and Dustin Johnson at 30s.

The former enjoyed a great 2012 and has carried that form through. If an Englishman is going to win this weekend, I reckon it will be him.

Johnson is a frustrating golfer from a punting perspective: he has all the attributes to be a superstar, but he is susceptible to near-misses in the majors.

If he is going to put that right, it may well be on an Augusta course tailor-made for his booming drives.



RECOMMENDATIONS: Justin Rose, e.w., 20-1 (Paddy Power, first six places); Dustin Johnson, e.w., 30-1 (Paddy Power).