US Masters / Dan Geraghty / 07 April 2009 /

Dan Geraghty is so frightened of Tiger he won't even get involved in a market involving the great man. His three weekly wagers all come from the betting without Woods market.

Ok, I admit it, this column is scared stiff of Tiger Woods. He's had an ideal preparation for the first major of the year, last time out the putts were dropping and I'm sure there's more to come, so this weeks three against the field are in the betting without Woods, which will itself be particularly liquid given the majesty of this week's tournament.

I don't see last week's missed cut as an indication of Phil Mickelson's chances at Augusta this week. Phil has nothing to prove to anyone and in the early part of this year his form has been exceptional. He admitted in his on course interviews (in Houston) that he was using last week's rounds as a chance to test out a variety of his shots for the Masters and he heads to Augusta in great shape. I'm hopeful (as I'm sure many are) that Sunday will finally see big Phil and Tiger going head to head in the final two-ball. Both have had great starts to the year and are certainly the ones to beat.

Augusta is obviously a unique test of golf and when you're looking at who to have onside, course form is a major plus. Ernie Els has plenty of good rounds at Augusta under his belt and has six top ten finishes from 15 attempts here. He's come excruciatingly close to earning his own green jacket, finishing second twice and last year Ernie watched his friend Trevor Immelman become the first South African to win at Augusta since Gary Player and while I'm sure he was delighted for Trevor, not having won the great tournament himself must be hurting Ernie.

Els had a great preparation for Masters last week in Houston. After a disappointing first round in tough conditions (that left him 112th) Els played his way into a 12th placed finish. The damaging first round meant Els chances of winning at Houston were almost non-existent, leaving him free to hone his game for Augusta where he promises to "give absolutely every ounce of energy and concentration that I can muster".

I was hugely impressed with Anthony Kim's performance at last week's Houston Open and see it as ideal preperation for his first visit to Augusta. Like Mickelson, Kim made some big mistakes off the tee and was punished with double bogeys that saw him tumble down the leaderboard. However, it was Kim's first appearance for a few weeks and he also made plenty of birdies. Augusta isn't as punishing off the tee and Kim has the length to do battle with this golf course.

Yes he's a debutant here but Kim plays without fear and could well surprise. His form figures this year are strikingly similar to at the same stage last year. Following a top three in his first tournament of the year he's flattered to decieve and it was around this time last year Kim exploded into life. In April 2008 he finished second at the Verizon Heritage and then won the Wachovia Championship in May.

Betting Without Woods Selections : Phil Mickelson ([7.6]), Ernie Els ([30.0]), Anthony Kim ([40.0])

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