Betting

Miguel Angel Jimenez prevailed at the European Tour Volvo Masters at Montecastillo, Jerez, in Spain last year and appears decent value at 16 to 1 to emulate that feat when this season's Masters gets under way on Thursday.

The Spaniard has been in fine fettle of late and this tournament could offer him the opportunity of a first win on the European Tour this season. The Masters represents the penultimate tournament in this season's race for the Volvo Order of Merit title.

Lee Westwood enjoys a narrow lead over Darren Clarke, and with £333,000 or thereabouts on offer for first prize and over £650,000 the following week at Valderrama, the issue is far from decided.

Despite his five wins on tour this season, Westwood's odds of 6 to 1 look a little short given the quality of the field. Clarke has curtailed his tournament appearances recently to prepare for the final two events, but he has performed well in this tournament, showing a liking for the Montecastillo venue. He could squeeze ahead of Westwood this week.

Those who prefer to chase the longshot could do worse than invest in the resurgent Swede Per Ulrik Johansson, who represents excellent value at 50 to 1. Argentina's Angel Cabrera is another potentially sound investment at 40 to 1, but for overall honours take Jimenez.

6/1 L Westwood. 8/1 C Montgomerie. 12/1 D Clarke, P Harrington, S Garcia. 16/1 M A Jimenez, M Campbell. 20/1 T Bjorn. 25/1 R Goosen. 33/1 J M Olazabal, B Langer. 40/1 P Price, A Cabrera, E Romero, P Fulke. 50/1 G Orr, P McGinley, P U Johansson, J Van de Velde. 66/1 M McNulty, A Coltart, N Faldo, P Lawrie, J Coceres. 80/1 bar those.

(Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes Ireland Bookmakers).