US Masters / Paul Krishnamurty / 22 March 2010 /

Paul Krishnamurty dissects the respective the chances from this quintet of strong pretenders....

Paul Casey

Last five Masters attempts: 20/11/10/mc/6

Casey's failure to challenge last year came as a big surprise. Going into the first major of the season, he'd already won two titles in 2009, rising to the top-five of the world rankings in the process. Moreover, his game has looked tailor-made for Augusta ever since an impressive 6th place on his course debut. Casey has looked right back to his best in recent weeks after an injury lay-off, and must rate as one of the players to beat.

Verdict:

The best outright bet at [32.0]

Padraig Harrington

Last five Masters attempts: 35/5/7/27/mc

Will the real Padraig Harrington please stand up? Since winning his third major at the 2008 USPGA and looking set for global dominance, Ireland's finest has won precisely nothing. He has gone close several times in recent months though, and we should know by now that his preparations are based around the Majors. However, a record of just three top-tens in a decade of trying, without ever seriously challenging, would suggest the Masters is his least favourite major.

Verdict:

Too good to write off, but others are preferred

Ian Poulter

Last five Masters attempts: 20/25/13/33/31

Oh how we all laughed when Ian described himself as the best bar Tiger, yet a couple of years down the line it doesn't sound quite so ridiculous. He may not be quite there yet, but he is the proud new World Matchplay champion, and inside the world's top-10. This will be Poulter's sixth visit to Augusta, a course on which he's never disgraced himself without ever getting into contention.

Verdict:

Has claims as nobody has improved more over the past year.

Lee Westwood

Last five Masters attempts: 43/11/30/mc/mc

Many good judges believe this will be the year Westwood finally breaks his Majors duck, with plenty of justification. The relentlessly consistent form shown to win the inaugural Race to Dubai suggested that Westwood is peaking, and he's already achieved everything else in the game. However, Augusta has never seemed like Lee's ideal course in the past, as a record of just one top-10 in a decade of trying illustrates.

Verdict:

The US Open at Pebble Beach may be a likelier target.

Luke Donald

Last five Masters attempts: 38/mc/10/42/3

After a couple of very promising early efforts in this Major, Luke's last two results at Augusta have been rather disappointing. That could be a metaphor for Donald's career, which has seen the man once seen as the next great British player surpassed by several compatriots. Nevertheless, he is generally consistent on the PGA Tour, and in decent form.

Verdict:

Could make the top-10 but not an obvious winner.

Selection

Paul Casey @ [32.0]

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