Golf Events / Editor / 07 April 2007 /

The race to become the US masters champion has rarely been so open, and plenty more excitement and drama is promised over the weekend before we know the identity of the first Major winner of 2007.

After the first two days, just three players lie under par with 13 players within three shots of the lead at the halfway stage.

Tim Clark, last year's runner-up, and debutant Brett Wetterich sit in pole position at two-under-par, one stroke clear of local favourite Vaughn Taylor and two ahead of Vijay Singh, Justin Rose, Zach Johnson and Jerry Kelly.

But they know that Augusta National is playing at its most beautiful but brutal this week and the leaderboard could have a very different complexion come Sunday afternoon, with the likes of Singh, Padraig Harrington, Geoff Ogilvy, Jim Furyk and the looming presence of Tiger Woods waiting to pounce.

Clark, who was one shot off the lead after the first round when he was still available to back at 48 to win, is now trading at 15 with joint first-round leader Wetterich on offer at 19.

But much of the market's interest continues to surround pre-tournament favourite Woods, who can now be backed at 3.9 to win his fifth Green Jacket and 1.9 to finish in the first five - despite lying five shots off the halfway leaders.

For most of the second round, Singh was the new favourite to win but he has now eased to 5.6 to win and 2.14 to come in the top five ahead of Ogilvy (16.5), Harrington (21), Rose (23) and Furyk (27).

It seems incredible to think that Woods even looked as if he could miss the cut with five holes left of his second round after visiting water twice around Amen Corner which pushed his odds out to 9.6.

But the world number one pulled himself together to birdie the 15th and 17th and, while he needs to drive a lot better if he is to win his 13th Grand Slam event on Sunday, his ability to hole putts is not in question on the slippery greens.

Injury has restricted Clark to just three tournament appearances so far this season but he was desperate to play this week and the South African has shown why in the first two rounds.

Not the longest hitter or the player with the best short game, Clark makes up for his apparent lack of ability with a fierce determination to succeed and no one will be trying harder to win this weekend.

While most of the field have struggled to conquer the dry, firm and fast conditions this week - the average score on Friday was 75.62 - Clark, who is 3.1 to place in the top five, has looked immediately at home on the lightning-quick greens.

His broom handle putter may not be for the purists in the game but it is mighty effective, especially on the difficult 18th hole in the first two days where he has holed two monstrous putts.

Clark showed last year that he relishes battling for honours in the Major events and he will also driven on by the fact he does not think his performances here over the last two years have received the credit they deserve.

Wetterich may be making his first appearance in the Masters but you would never have known it over the first two days as he has displayed plenty of patience to maintain his place at the top of the leaderboard.

The biggest test is still to come but the American, 3.7 to finish as the top American without Woods, is in confident mood after his second place behind Woods at last month's WGC-CA Championship.

American Ryder Cup stars Taylor and Johnson (29 and 44 to win) will both have their followers over the weekend but question marks remain about their ability to play under the highest pressure, especially Johnson who three-putted from four feet on Friday when he was outright leader.

The same does not apply though, to Singh - favourite to win at 4.4 without Woods in the field - Ogilvy and Furyk, who all have the experience of having won a Major in the last few years.

Singh's form has been revitalised by his switch back to a belly putter this year and he knows what it takes to win here having prevailed in 2000.

Reigning US Open champion Ogilvy, trading at 12 to finish top without Woods, got off to a shocking start in his first round when he was four over after five holes but has recovered to lie just three strokes off the lead with two days left and, crucially, does not look scared on the ferocious greens.

Furyk, who lies on two-over-par, has not had the best of seasons so far, but he has gone about his business quietly this week to creep into contention and his mental strength could be vital over the weekend. He can be backed at 4.8 to finish in the first five.

Europe's best chance of glory looks to lie with Rose, Harrington and David Howell - with Harrington favourite at 3.65 to come out as the top player.

As well as he putted in the first round, Rose could not buy a putt on Friday but he still stands just two strokes off the lead and the Englishman, 4.7 to place in the top five this week, looks to have a steely resolve about him this week.

Howell, who has played well at Augusta the last three years and is trading at 46 to win, admits he is not sure what will happen over the next two days with his driver still misfiring and could be best watched, but the difficult conditions will be right up Harrington's street.

Harrington carded seven birdies on Friday on his way to a 68 - the best of the week with Ryder Cup colleague, Paul Casey - and will relish the mental test of plotting his way around Augusta.

As bad as Casey was on the first day, he was at his brilliant best on Friday to fight his way back into the tournament and the Englishman, still trading at 50 to win, is brimming with confidence as he prepares to play with Woods again in the third round.

Luke Donald (the same price as Casey) and Stuart Appleby (34 to win and 4.9 to come in the top five), will also have their followers, while Welsh debutant Bradley Dredge and ex-champion Mike Weir (both around 130 to win and 11 to finish in the first five) look attractively priced.

And don't write off defending champion Phil Mickelson just yet. The 2006 winner, trading at 34 to win, is still seven shots adrift of the leaders but recovered his composure on Friday to play his final seven holes in two-under-par and finally looks to be heading in the right direction.

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