US Masters 
/ Romilly Evans / 03 April 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Charles Howell III would be a huge priced winner in the top US betting
"Johnson’s unique blend of club-head speed and bullseye putting may not come together every week, but when it does he’s near enough unbeatable."
There's some serious quality in the Top US Player market with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson dominating matters. But with the punters focused on those two, could there be value backing another American at a massive price?
Because this category houses so many fancied players, finding the Top American is often as hard as finding the tournament winner. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, the two pre-eminent figures in recent annals with seven Green Jackets between them, accordingly dominate the market. But if they are to take a false step, who is most likely to step into their Footjoys and take advantage?
In the talent stakes, it's Nick Watney, Dustin Johnson or Rickie Fowler. In the form department, it's Bubba Watson or Hunter Mahan, who recorded his second win of the year at last week's Houston Open. As for proven-performer criteria, it's Steve Stricker or Jim Furyk who certainly sports the better course form of the two veterans. It's a veritable buffet of possibility and while it's hard to know where to start, if you do make the right choice, you'll be well rewarded (it's [15.0] to back bar the top two in the betting and real liquidity and prices are still to arrive).
For my money, Dustin Johnson is worth taking a flyer on at [24.0] to back. DJ has now had ample time to recover from the knee and back injuries which halted his progress last autumn and is ready to make an impact at Augusta. Johnson's unique blend of club-head speed and bullseye putting may not come together every week, but when it does he's near enough unbeatable. Both those facets are prized commodities at the Masters and, at 28, the time is right for his bloom to stardom after some desperate miscalculations at the 2010 USPGA and last year's Open Championship.
Further down the lists at [75.0] to back and bigger is Charles Howell III. Possessed of a dynamic and repeating swing and an effortless ball-striker, the only missing link from CH3's game is recent years has been putting performance. Those worries have thankfully subsided with the application of the belly putter, and Howell is also ready to contend after some strong showings this year (including a second at the Sony Open).
Howell is Augusta born-and-bred, will draw on enormous home support and even contended here in 2004 (13th) partnering Phil Mickelson on the Saturday. A win may be stretching it for this raw, long-putter-wielding player. Then again, they said the same about Keegan Bradley before last year's USPGA.
Recommended Bets
Back Dustin Johnson @ [24.0]
Back Charles Howell III @ [75.0]
A small stakes wager on two of the forgotten men of British and Irish golf might just yield a profit in the top UK & Ireland market, suggests Romily Evans...
Adam Scott gets good vibes from Augusta and that's giving Romily Evans good vibes as he studies the Top Australian market for the 2012 Masters...
There are five Spanish players in the Masters lineup and the favourite is a justifiably short price to finish above his compatriots, says Romily Evans...
No comments:
Post a Comment