US Masters / Steven Rawlings / 07 April 2009 / Leave a Comment

Ignore the big names and focus on a player with local knowledge, says Steven Rawlings.

Besides winning a tournament, playing at Augusta is the most eagerly awaited achievement for any golfer and this week will see some already big names travel up Magnolia Drive for the first time.

The headlines surround Rory McIlroy, who is ridiculously short at [32.0] to win the green jacket. Debutant winners are almost as rare as rocking-horse teeth, the last one being Fuzzy Zoeller way back in 1979, so wading in so short wouldn't be my idea of a good plan. In fact, I'm opposing him in the Top Debutant market.

Three other Europeans that have each won more events than Rory, in Alvaro Quiros, Ross Fisher and Soren Kjeldsen and some classy maidens in, Mathew Goggin, Louis Oosthuizen, and Oliver Wilson all make their debuts too. And then there's the youngest player to win on the European Tour - Danny Lee.

But I reckon the top debutant will be someone who regularly plays their golf in the states and has already tasted success there.

I really like Dustin Johnson and can see him taking to Augusta but his current form and recent brush with the law, having been caught driving under the influence last week, don't encourage me.

Anthony Kim also appeals. He plays well when the examination is really tough but the value could well be Ryuji Imada. He went to college in Georgia and has already won in the state, winning last year's AT & T Classic.

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