US Masters / Steven Rawlings / 12 April 2010 /

The Punter's in clover as his favourite player delivers the goods in fine style at Augusta...

The wait for Lee Westwood's first major continues, thanks to Phil Mickelson's immaculate bogey-free final round 67, but even I believe it's a possibility the Englishman could eventually bag one now.

In the past, I've questioned whether Westwood can convert but it's almost impossible to crab his performance yesterday. If I were to be ultra critical, it was a slightly shaky front nine, but I don't think he'll be too hard on himself, and nor should he be. England's finest came across an inspired competitor in Lefty and the three shot winning margin wasn't flattering.

My Bets

It was a very quiet week with hardly any in-running moves made. Five of my seven pre-event picks - Mickelson, Tiger Woods, KJ Choi, Nick Watney and YE Yang, were up there after day one and all five finished the week in the top 10.

I backed Fred Couples at the end of round three and was mighty pleased I had when he started so well. Old Boom Boom reached the turn in three under par and he'd missed two or three very makeable putts on the way. His challenge only halted when he followed a bogey at the tough 11th with a wet tee-ball on the 12th.

After much deliberation and some debate with the boss (Mrs R), it was decided that I'd back Lee Westwood before play to cover all stakes. I've had a run of bad breaks of late and I didn't want another losing week, and nor did the boss!

Westwood was trading at around [2.6] at the end of play on Saturday but he drifted gradually throughout yesterday and by the time I made my move, just about an hour before he teed off, I was able to take [2.96].

I nearly backed Anthony Kim as he made a run on the back nine but despite the boss' urgings to do so, I didn't. He went on an incredible run from the 13th hole onwards. A lengthy birdie there was followed by birdies at 14 and 16, with an eagle at 15 sandwiched in-between, and for a few moments it looked like he could do the unthinkable and win from so far off the pace, but I was right to hold off as Mickelson still had the easy holes to play.

Mickelson said afterwards that he felt he had control after he'd made birdie at the 12th but it was his second shot at the next hole that was to seal it. In fact, the way he played the par five 13th completely epitomised Phil.

He hit an inaccurate but long drive that finished up on the pine straw in the trees, from where he hit the most fabulous, brave six iron to within four feet of the hole. And then in true Lefty style he followed brilliance with the downright daft and missed the putt. It mattered not though, he went on to birdie the 15th and then just for the hell of it, the final hole too.

I've had a very frustrating run of results so it was great to get the year firmly back on track and given all the well documented family stresses he's had in the last year, it was really great to see my favourite player win again.

Players to Watch

I'm not quite sure what the rest are going to have to do to stop Anthony Kim from donning a green jacket. Like Mickelson, his game looks made for Augusta and it can only be a matter of when as opposed to if.

The same can almost be said of Nick Watney. He hasn't quite got Kim's bottle and the way he lost his way on the back nine on Friday was poor but it really doesn't take a lot to imagine his great big grin as the jacket slips over his shoulders.

Player to Swerve

Lee Westwood has surprised me this week. His strongest asset is his accurate driving and iron play and his weakest - his chipping around the greens, so he doesn't really have the profile of an identikit Masters champ, and his Augusta record before this week backed that up.

It's a measure of how well he's matured that he performed so well in yet another major, and one at a venue I don't think should really suit him, but there'll be a price to pay for this fine effort. Mentally he could well be drained and his pre-event price won't be lengthening any time soon, so for a few weeks he may just be worth avoiding.

What have we learnt for next year?

I don't think I've leant anything knew really, it's more a case of reaffirming old beliefs. Augusta National is not a catch-up course. A fast start is absolutely essential and you could make a very valid argument for holding off with your bets until after round one. But where's the fun in that?

Mickelson was the 20th winner in 21 years to come from the final pairing so don't go expecting someone to come from a mile back to win on Sunday, it just doesn't happen.

Course specialists are the way to go - Mickelson wasn't in great form coming into the event, which is why he was such a generous price at around [15.0], but there's something about Augusta that brings certain players to life. Look at Trevor Immelman for example, where did that performance come from? The 2008 champ came here after a lengthy injury break and showing no form. He was even the rank outsider in the Top South African market but something got the juices flowing and he finished in a tie for 14th.

So that's that for the first major of the year, and what a thoroughly enjoyable one it was too. Fortunately there are a couple of quality events to look forward to this week, with the Volvo China Open and the Verizon Heritage, which I'll preview late tomorrow or early on Wednesday.

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