US Masters / Tareq Quiroz / 09 April 2008 /

TQ on one of the most dangerous stretches in world golf

Undoubtedly the most picturesque setting in world golf, Augusta National is home to the game's most recognisable event. The Masters comes to us once a year, always in the first full week of April. Born in 1934 it has become synonymous with amazing golfing stories of both joy and woe. As we nervously await the first tee-time we can only contemplate who, what, where and when.

From the comfort of your armchair Augusta looks like a beautifully prepared golf course that surely can't hold too many fears for the world's best players. In reality amidst the stunning backdrop is a disaster waiting to happen. In most recent years the one that gets most airtime in the UK is Greg Norman's total breakdown in 1996 as he somehow managed to turn a final round lead of six shots into a five shot defeat to Nick Faldo. Norman was in tears at the end of that round and he wasn't the first, nor will he be the last.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the naming of one of the most famous stretches of holes in golf. In 1958 Herb Wind christened the run of holes from 11 through to 13 as Amen Corner. Fifty years on and it is part of golfing folklore. Whoever emerges triumphant on Sunday evening will have been through that treacherous patch four times and surely come out of it without too many scars either mentally or on the scorecard.

For punting purposes you should be extremely wary of how you operate whilst your selection is on this part of the golf course. The 11th is the toughest par four on the course since it was lengthened in recent years and there isn't a player in the field who wouldn't take par every day. If you are getting ready to back a player then most certainly wait until he is through this hole first. His price won't come in for a par anywhere near as much as it will drift for a bogey or worse.

Once through that brute the players face the walk across to the 12th tee to what looks like a quaint little par three - think again. This 155 yard par three can have players tearing their hair out as they try and work out the almost constant changes in wind. A hole that can play anything from a six iron to a wedge it is a challenge few players will relish. There were 27 birdies on this hole last year but more worryingly there were 36 double bogeys or worse! Although, I am happy to report nobody quite managed to equal the ten over par 13 that Tom Weiskopf took there in 1980. As a punter I will be waiting until the tee shot has landed safely before making my play.

Amen Corner concludes with the par five 13th, a great place to start chasing any shots lost on the previous two holes. Conversely if things don't go to plan you may be just compounding your misery. It is very much a reachable par five if you put your tee shot in the right place and for betting strategies I would definitely advocate taking the chance and getting on your player before that tee shot. Always building in the option of making a birdie without going for the green if the tee shot doesn't allow it. Arnold Palmer made an eagle here in the year that the Amen Corner phrase was coined and it would be fitting if this year's champion could manage the same feat as they come round the corner for the final round.

They are the most famous three holes at Augusta but any player striving to take this year's title will need to be fully concentrated for the full 72 holes and maybe more. Experience around this course is crucial and you often find players either suit the place or they don't. The player who makes most appeal to me is Vijay Singh, you cannot knock his record around Augusta with six top ten finishes in the last eight years. At current odds of [23.0] he would be my pick to carry on his recent good form and don the green jacket for a second time.

Tiger aside, there are only a couple of others who I really feel can win this week. A big mention must go to Aaron Baddeley at around [80.0] as he has the game to win here and most certainly has a major win in him. At big odds there has to be a chance for big hitting Bubba Watson at [560.0] but he may be best followed in the top ten finish market.

There will be tears, tantrums and scenes of unbridled joy over the four action packed days in Georgia. Whoever comes out on top will have earned it the hard way and rest assured they will take great pleasure in slipping on the green jacket in the famous Butler Cabin. Ninety four players go to post but only one will emerge victorious on Sunday evening...and undoubtedly with a tale to tell.

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