The Masters 2017: Stats ahead of this week's major at Augusta

Danny Willett will arrive at Augusta this week as one of the least fancied defending champions of recent times.

Since the start of June last year, the 29-year-old has managed just a trio of top-10 finishes, and all of these in fairly low-grade European Tour events.

On American soil, there hasn't been a single top-25 since being presented with the Green Jacket.

All of which means that, during the last 30 years, only Larry Mize, Ben Crenshaw and Trevor Immelman will have been more off the pace than Willett in defence of their Masters title.

Not only is he an unlikely champion this week, he is also probably well down the list when it comes to finishing top Brit.

Rory McIlory will undoubtedly lead this market but Justin Rose can't be too far behind.

The 36-year-old has developed a liking for Augusta in recent years, as his seven straight top-25 finishes prove, including runner-up in 2015.

The only question over Rose is his record as a front runner, as the stats show he much prefers being a shot or two off the pace going into the final round than holding a slender lead.

Regarding other Brits in the frame? Teeing-up a little under the radar is Paul Casey, a top-six performer at Augusta in each of the last two years.

He also posted a top-10 in last year's PGA Championship at Baltusrol where he carded four sub-70 rounds.

Another contender for leading Brit must be Matt Fitzpatrick who tied-seventh on his second Masters appearance 12 months ago and has started 2017 in reasonable shape too.

And then there is Tyrrell Hatton, who has hardly put a foot wrong since winning over The Old Course during autumn.

A dozen successive T-25s has moved him into the world's top 20 but the run has to end sometime and Augusta National is never an easy venue for a Masters rookie - however good their form might be.

But if Hatton can squeeze out one more good week in the Deep South, then he could challenge Jon Rahm and Hudson Swafford for the honour of being top Masters rookie of 2017.

Major Stroke Average - last three years since April 1 2014

Average (Rounds)

70.13: Jordan Spieth (46)
70.19: Jason Day (48)
70.20: Rory McIlroy (40)
70.24: Henrik Stenson (45)
70.41: Justin Rose (46)
70.43: Phil Mickelson (42)
70.50: Dustin Johnson (40)
70.50: Daniel Summerhays (20)
70.53: Brooks Koepka (40)
70.68: Steve Stricker (28)

Min. No. of Rounds = 16

Major Average Positions - last four years since April 1 2013

Average (Events)

14.13: Jason Day (16)
20.30: Steve Stricker (10)
24.25: Adam Scott (16)
24.81: Justin Rose (16)
25.13: Henrik Stenson (16)
27.47: Dustin Johnson (15)
28.67: Rory McIlroy (15)
31.19: Phil Mickelson (16)
31.50: Sergio Garcia (16)
32.67: Brooks Koepka (12)

Min. No. of Events = 6

Key to Major form guide:
MS (Masters); UO (US Open); BO (The Open); PG (PGA Ch`ship)

***

For all the latest Masters betting tips and previews, check out our dedicated category