Us Masters 2019

[Ken4155]

I have been casting my far from expert eye over the line up for the tournament, which begins on Thursday, obviously with a view to a punt or two. In my pursuit of financial reward, i have reluctantly neglected players such as Woods, McIlroy and, most reluctantly of all, Francesco Molinari. He is undoubtedly a star but does not shine at Augusta - just one below par (-2) finish in 7 visits. (Now watch him go and win!).
My idea of the winner is our very own Justin Rose who has just reclaimed his World Number 1 status and who has finished runner up here twice in the last 4 years, so the course holds no fears for him. His all round game has improved a great deal over the years and, granted his fair share of luck, he should be in the mix. My bet; Win @ 12/1 and top European @ 9/2.
Dustin Johnson finished 6th in 2015 and 4th in '16, is in good recent form and, while he may not win, he could prove to be the best of the home contingent. My bet; top American @ 5/1.
At bigger prices, these 3 could be involved in the closing stages and, with Bet 365 paying out on 8 places, one or all 3 could figure. My bets; Brooks Koepka e.w. @ 22/1, Xander Schauffele e.w. @ 40/1 and Matt Kuchar e.w. @ 40/1.

[Togo]

Morning Ken. Will be having a punt later before the off. As I said in AGs thread, I will be pitching for the Brits. Probably Rose, Fleetwood and McIlroy with A N Other at longer odds just for fun.

[agchristie]

If I was to stick my neck out I would go for Rickie Fowler to break his Majors duck (at last!)

[Ken4155]

I think almost half of the field are in with a reasonable chance, to be honest. Fowler has as much a chance as have about 20 others and, with his 2nd place finish last year still firmly in the memory, he will have the belief that he can go one better. Think he's about 18/1 or thereabouts.
Togo; i always like to add one (or two) at long odds as there is always one such that features in the higher places on the final day's leaderboard. Best of luck whatever you do.

[agchristie]

Yes,Ken.Fowler was well placed to win the final Major last year but let it slip away.

As you say,many in with a solid chance!

[Ken4155]

I feel slightly more emboldened for Rose's chances now that i've seen who he is playing with for the first 2 days; Phil Mickleson and Justin Thomas. Had he been going round with 2 complete no-hopers, they might have dragged him down to their level. As it is, both are in the top 20 as far as the betting is concerned.
I was neglectful in my earlier studies in that i forgot to take note of Jordan Speith's superb Masters form; 2-1-2-11-3. He hasn't done a great deal lately but, with the old adage 'horses for courses' in mind, i have gone slightly over budget and added him to my e.w. list @ 18/1.

[Togo]

Done a little punt ready for tee off. As I indicated, McIlroy @15/2, Rose @14/1, Fleetwood @25/1 & Keith Millar(local boy) @200/1. He knows the course although this is his first time in the competition,and had a win on the tour recently beating established players.

[JJ109]

Yesterday I finished Sunday's AZED crossword. The answer to 33a was Tiger and 34a was Masters. Totally unconnected clues. Do you think this means that he will win it or come 33rd?

[10ClarionSt]

W-E-E-E-E-I-R-D! The Masters? Is Jason Day in it? If he is, have a tenner on him. If he isn't, then don't! :o)
I went to The Augusta National in 2000. Not to watch, but to try and buy some items from the shop. What a carry on! I could write a book about that week-end. The guard on the front gate pulled his gun on me. Memorable!

[Ken4155]

Best of luck with your bets, Togo. I should have looked around for the best price for Rose to win - i only noticed last night that WH were going 14s - and not like me at all to not do so! 365's price of 12/1 reflects their paying out on 8 places whereas WH only do so on 6. And, in that respect, i placed my other bets with the right firm.
10C; You can get around 30/1 for Jason Day.

[Ken4155]

jj109; perhaps the crossword compiler is a Woods fan. He would have to roll back the years, some, but he isn't the worst bet of the tournament. You can get 20/1 for him to win, or 7/1 for him to be the top American should you wish to try and capitalise on your 'coincidental' tip :-)

[Ken4155]

Well, a quarter of the way in and a couple of my bets show promise; Brooks Koepka shares the lead on -6 and Dustin Johnson is just 2 shots behind. One of my outsiders, Matt Kuchar, is -1, but the other, Xander Schauffele is 1 over. Both Jordan Speith and Justin Rose (playing alongside Mickelson obviously wasn't inspiration enough) carded a 75 to end the first day 3 over. Early days but have to be content so far and hope for improvement from those not doing so well.

[Ken4155]

Koepka still sharing the lead after 2 days play, Johnson a shot behind and Schauffele also on -6. Kuchar is in there with a shout on -4 while Speith has an outside chance of making the 'frame' on -1, but he would need to improve his game while others falter. World number 1 Justin Rose missed the cut after carding rounds of 75 and 73 to end the 2 days on 4 over, taking two of my bets down with him.
A certain Mr T Woods is one stroke off the lead :-//

[Ken4155]

It would appear the comeback is complete. Well done Tiger Woods, what an achievement. And, with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed in my bets, i say that with no begrudgement whatsoever. I don't get paid on Dustin Johnson's excellent performance but there's a good few quid whizzing it's way through cyberspace on the way to my bank account thanks to Koepka and Schauffele :-)

[JJ109]

Well Ken, the AZED didn't lie!