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The Masters Betting Portfolio: The leading contenders

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In the first of six player previews ahead of this year's US Masters, Paul Krishnamurty looks at four previous major winners who, not so long ago, were regularly spoken of alongside Woods as part of the 'Big 5'

Phil Mickelson

Winner in 2004 and 2006, Mickelson must be the most obvious beneficiary if the real Tiger Woods doesn't stand up. His course record speaks for itself. Besides the two wins, Mickelson has made the top-3 in six of the last twelve Masters, and is arguably better suited to Augusta than any other course. The combination of his magical high-flighted iron shots and short-game genius ensures the sports's leading 'lefty' enjoys a considerable advantage on these lightning fast greens compared to virtually anyone else in the field.

This time last year, his blooming relationship with Tiger's ex-coach Butch Harmon was beginning to reap dividends, before a wrist injury severely affected his summer. Mickelson has won already in 2008, at the Northern Trust Open, but overall he's yet to comprehensively prove he's in peak form. As he's admitted, putting has been of particular concern, though no doubt 'Team Mickelson' will be working extensively to correct this ahead of the big kick-off on April 10th.

If there's a downside, it must be a career-long tendency to throw away winning opportunities. If it wasn't for this profligacy, Mickelson would have more than his current tally of three Majors.

Verdict: Would need to improve on recent efforts to beat Woods, but still the best of the rest at this venue. Be sure to hit the lay button though if Phil goes to short odds-on!

Odds: [13.0]



Ernie Els

A decade ago, it would have been a very bold tip to suggest Els would never win a Green Jacket, and he's had several good opportunities in the meantime. However, at the age of 39 and with a plethora of emerging young prospects catching up fast, Ernie is running out of time. The Big Easy still owns all the separate facets of a world-beating game - long driving, quality approach play and a majestic short game. The problem is he struggles to put them all together over four rounds anymore. Twice runner-up and never worse than 6th in the first five Masters this century, Ernie must be bitterly disappointed with three consecutive failures in the season's first Major.

He did win the Honda Classic last month to end a barren four year run in the States, showing fine resolve in tough conditions on the back-nine. That was the exception rather than the norm though in an otherwise miserable run. Ernie's most recent effort at Doral was possibly the worst I've ever seen him play. Previously he'd endured final day misery when tossing away golden winning opportunities behind Woods in Dubai, and much more embarrassingly, to John Bickerton in South Africa after a triple-bogey on the last.

Verdict: Serious questions to answer at present concerning form and 'bottle'. For these reasons, it could well pay to lay Ernie at cramped odds in the place markets.

Odds: [25.0]

Vijay Singh

The greatest player ever to emerge from the Asian Tour is now 45 years old, considerably older than all of his main rivals. Most players are in serious decline at this stage in their career, but every time Singh looks on the wane, he bounces straight back. A legendary obsession with practice may offer an explanation.

Take the last year for instance. From April 2007 through till February 2008, a player that was challenging Tiger Woods for world no.1 status not so long ago looked an also-ran, never seriously threatening to win in the States. Though he still hasn't won, top-3 finishes on three out of his last four strokeplay events confirm that he is back to somewhere very near his best.

Singh won the Masters back in 2000, and made the top-8 in five consecutive years from 2002 to 2006. However, while those finishes are a tribute to his trademark consistency, Vijay never seriously looked like winning any of them. His long game is still good enough to tame Augusta, but grave doubts persist over his putting. On the basis of evidence over recent years, I would fear for Singh on these very fast greens.

Verdict: Ideally could do with some rain to take the sting out of the harsh Augusta putting surfaces. Nevertheless, Singh looks certain to be there or thereabouts and a solid bet to make the top-10.

Odds: [25.0]

Retief Goosen

In many respects, Goosen cuts a similar figure to his compatriot Els. At his best, there are no weaknesses in his game. He drives the ball a country mile, has a sublime touch around the greens and looks completely nerveless under pressure. Nobody has been more consistent at Augusta this century without winning a Green Jacket than the dual US Open champion. No worse than 13th here since 2002, Goosen has made the top-3 in four of his last six Masters.

There must be a huge doubt whether he can maintain that fine record this time though. Since finishing runner-up to Zach Johnson last year, Goosen failed to make a single top-10 in eleven months until eventually finding some form at the recent WGC-CA Championship. A former mainstay in the world's top-5, those recent troubles saw him drop out of the top-25.

Verdict: Despite a very recent renaissance, the jury remains out as to whether Goosen is still a Major player. Probably best watched though rather than opposed, as his course record is exceptional.

Odds: [36.0]