Nick Bayly assesses the form of the leading contenders for next month’s US Masters
DUSTIN JOHNSON
The world no.1 is justifiably jostling for position at the head of the betting for this year’s renewal following a stellar 2017 season that yielded four wins and ten other top-ten finishes. Having finished sixth in the Masters in 2014 and fourth in 2016, Johnson certainly knows his way around Augusta, and with his length off the tee and solid wedge play, it’s hard to see him not featuring on Sunday at what will be his eighth appearance. Early season form has been impressive, with a win in Hawaii and three further top tens providing plenty of evidence that DJ is ready to double his major tally. Odds: 10/1
RORY MCILROY
Rory has roared back into contention to bag his first green jacket after a devastating display at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida, where he blitzed a world-class field by three shots to win his first title since the 2016 Tour Championship. Although fully recovered from the injuries that plagued his 2017 season – which saw him out of competitive action for over three months – there were question marks hanging over the 28 year old’s form following two missed cuts on the PGA Tour. However, the four-time major champion silenced his doubters in no uncertain fashion at Bay Hill, where he showed that when he is on his game, he is a class apart. Hitting monster, accurate drives and holing out for fun with a new putter, the popular Northern Irishman will now arrive at his tenth Masters as the clear favourite, but he will feel like he has some ground to make up against a course that has dealt him plenty of body blows over the last decade. Odds: 9/1
JUSTIN THOMAS
With seven wins in his last 34 events, Thomas is undoubtedly the hottest golfer in the world right now, and were it not for Dustin Johnson’s impressive form, the 2017 FedEx Cup champion would be the clear world No.1. The 24-year-old from Kentucky bagged his first major at last year’s PGA Championship, and his most recent win came at last month’s Honda Classic, where he birdied the final hole to force a playoff, while he was only denied another win at the WGC Mexico Championship when he lost to Phil Mickelson in a playoff. He has finished in the top 30 in both his Masters’ starts to date, which gives plenty of encouragement now that he has come of age. Odds: 10/1
TIGER WOODS
Could the man that had all been written off 12 months ago perform yet another golfing miracle and win his 15th major? Without a major win since 2008, and absent from the Masters since 2015, a Tiger win would be one of the greatest sporting comebacks of all time. Five appearances in 2018 have so far yielded a ninth, 12th, 23rd, second and fifth, and with his short game looking as sharp as ever, and his driver beginning to find more fairways, the fairytale may yet turn into reality. Odds: 10/1
JORDAN SPEITH
Many backers will be put off from investing in the young Texan following his spectacular Masters meltdown in 2016, however the 24-year-old from Dallas is made of much sterner stuff these days, as he showed with his victory at last year’s Open Championship. Although he hasn’t won a tournament since, and his putting touch has somewhat cooled, there have been enough glimpses of form to suggest that he is up to the task of adding another green jacket to his wardrobe. Fans will be praying that he gets past the 12th hole on Sunday with his brains, and his score, intact. Surely, the fans and others as well, can bet that he will do that. Most of the betting sites online are offering a few options for placing a bet, giving a fine way to support and cheer for their favourite golfer. Odds: 14/1
SERGIO GARCIA
The 38-year-old Spaniard was hardly winning a major out of turn when he captured the green jacket last year, and although many thought his best chance would come at the Open, he grabbed his opportunity with both hands when taking down Justin Rose in a play-off 12 months ago. There was no luck about that win, which was achieved with some spectacular iron play and nerveless putting, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes up another prominent place on the leaderboard come Sunday. Back-to-back winners are rare at Augusta, but follow-up wins in Spain and Singapore, and recent top-ten finishes on the PGA Tour, point to a man who is only just getting started on his major career. Odds: 28/1
JASON DAY
The 30-year-old world No.10 deserves total respect wherever and whenever he tees it up. With three top-ten finishes in the Masters since 2011, Augusta holds no fears for this prodigious ball striker. Although he doesn’t seem to have fully rediscovered the form that took him to world No.1 in 2015, a victory at the Farmers Insurance Open in January, and a runner-up spot at Pebble Beach, are encouraging signs. He doesn’t play often these days – with those two tournaments being his only outings in 2018 – but he seems to go well fresh, so discount the big-hitting Queenslander at your peril. Odds: 16-1
PAUL CASEY
A natural, powerful ball striker, Casey has been let down in the past by his putter. However, he’s been a different player of late, and his victory in this month’s Valspar Championship, where he shot a final round 65 to win his first PGA Tour title for a decade, will give his fans fresh hope that his putting woes are behind him. He’s certainly no slouch around Augusta, and with five top-10s since 2004, and top-six finishes in his last three Masters, the confident Englishman looks a solid each-way bet for another bold showing. Odds: 25/1
JON RAHM
Having only turned pro at the end of 2016, it’s almost unbelievable that Rahm currently lies third in the world rankings, with four wins already to his name. At just 23, this supremely talented Spaniard is still learning his trade, but he is already capable of blowing away any field when his game is on. Like all the top young talents, he hits it a country mile, but, like many Spaniards before him, he has a surprisingly soft touch around the greens for such a big man. As exciting to watch as Seve in his heyday, Rahm may lack the experience to be considered a green jacket contender just yet – with only a 27th place finish to his name last year – but he’s has already shown that he’s a fast learner. Odds: 20/1
PHIL MICKELSON
The 47-year-old lefthander would become the oldest player to win the Masters should he prevail again in 2018 – eclipsing Jack Nicklaus’s triumph in 1986 at the age of 46. Mickelson will be making his 26th appearance at Augusta, will be hoping to add to his stellar record, which, in addition to wins in 2004, 2006 and 2010, includes 15 top tens and only three missed cuts. Although his powers are on the wane, he’s still a competitive force on his day, as he showed at last month’s WGC-Mexico Championship, where he beat the world’s best players to record his first win since his Open Championship victory in 2013. His magical short game is worth a couple of shots per round at Augusta, so prepare for records to tumble if his driver behaves itself. Odds: 25-1