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The Masters Betting Portfolio: Emerging Stars

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Paul Krishnamurty continues his comprehensive preview of this year's intriguing US Masters. In this instalment, he runs his eye over four young players capable of making a big impact in this year's tournament, and in the years to follow.

Geoff Ogilvy

Over the past few seasons, the Australian representation in the big PGA Tour events has snowballed. Adam Scott leads the way in terms of ranking, media profile and expectations but without question their top performer in the Majors has been Ogilvy. Whereas Scott has been bitterly disappointing in the Majors, since regularly qualifying for them in 2005 Ogilvy has won one already and made a further four top-10s from 11 starts.

An unlikely winner of the 2006 US Open, Ogilvy has proved beyond reasonable doubt that there was no fluke about that success with a series of top-class performances in other prestige events. Most recently, he showed tremendous nerve to lead from start to finish in the WGC-CA Championship, ending Tiger Woods' winning streak in the process. That victory at Doral was Ogilvy's second World Golf Championship after winning the Matchplay in 2006, an event he finished runner-up in the following year.

Ogilvy is still learning Augusta, with this year's appearance being just his third in the Masters. Last year's 24th place was respectable enough, and in fact barely reflected how well he played. A couple of very untimely visits to the water on par-5s ruined his chance when right in the thick of things.

Verdict: Clearly the man for the big occasion. Strongly fancied to make another top-10....at least.

Odds: [46.0]

Aaron Baddeley

Another young Australian, Baddeley has been hot property ever since emerging in spectacular fashion as a teenage amateur. Back in 1999, this disturbingly self-confident youngster blew away the likes of Greg Norman and Colin Montgomerie to land the Australian Open and earned himself a multitude of golfing and clothing contracts in the process.

But while he confirmed his promise by defending that title the following year, Badds took a long time to regularly impress in the States. Over the last couple of seasons he appears to have come of age, winning two PGA Tour events and regularly contending to re-establish himself as a player to watch. Most recently he very nearly claimed Tiger's scalp at the World Matchplay, with a nerveless display that deserved better than defeat in extra holes.

No doubt his time will come in the Majors, but first he must at least make his presence felt in one. So far he's yet to make a top-10 in any Major, and in three visits to Augusta, he has yet to shoot an under-par round there.

Verdict: Talented, capable and overdue a good effort in a Major. Hard to fancy on all previous course form though.

Odds: [90.0]



Rory Sabbatini

Nobody would pretend Sabbatini is the most popular guy in the locker-room, but his PGA Tour colleagues have certainly learnt not to underestimate this temperamental South African. He won the World Cup along with compatriot Trevor Immelman back in 2003, and has steadily improved in the States since.

His profile was raised significantly in last year's Masters, when showing dramatic improvement on his fifth crack at Augusta to finish second. That kick started a run that produced a further seven top-three finishes in the next 10 months, enabling a career-best sixth place on the US money list. Encouragingly, he seems to reserve his best for courses with similar characteristics to Augusta.

With four PGA Tour victories to his name, it would be churlish to question his 'bottle'. But Sabbatini remains temperamental and just as capable of ruining his tournament with a short, disastrous spell as he is to win with a birdie-blitz. Nevertheless, the combination of a long course and fast greens brought out the best in him last year, so he could represent a value punt in the hope everything clicks.

Verdict: A dangerous outsider who has shown he has the game for Augusta.

Odds: [95.0]



Martin Kaymer

In only his second full season as a European Tour player, this highly impressive 23-year-old has already made the top-30 in the world rankings. His debut season saw much promise and some near-misses, before Kaymer started 2008 in superb style to demolish a world-class field in Abu Dhabi. In case anybody thought that a fluke, he went on to beat everyone bar Tiger in an even stronger field a fortnight later in Dubai.

Although he must start as a rank outsider, Kaymer is in my view the most interesting of this year's Augusta debutants. It would take something quite extraordinary to win any Major at this early stage of his career, especially one played at a venue famed for its complexities. Augusta doesn't just require experienced play, it specifically requires plenty of course experience to negotiate its quirks.

Make no mistake though. In the not too distant future the young German will be a regular majors contender and has every chance of emulating his country's greatest golfer Bernhard Langer, who has two Green Jackets to his name.

Verdict: He won't win this year, but keep him on side for the next decade.

Odds: [290.0]