Four days of compelling television, where the superior commentary of the BBC is limited for the first two nights as the coverage of the US Masters at Augusta is curtailed to a two-and-a-half-hour slot.

This slimmed down field of just over 80 golfers tee it up today to see who will follow the defending champion Mike Weir in Butlers Cabin and the opportunity to wear the green blazer.

The Canadian's form hasn't been great of late but the fact he's a good putter and has won over the course means he may have a few supporters.

The identikit for the champion is someone who's long off the tee, precise with his irons to finish on the right side of pins, boasts the imagination and touch around the greens and, finally, putts with an ice-cold nerve.

Very few outsiders back their way into a Masters title. The tournament is traditionally fought out among the top players.

The best value in town for the shorter-priced golfers is the 20 to 1 (Ladbrokes) that's available on Davis Love. This event should suit his talent but in the past he's put a great deal of pressure on himself and found it hard to relax. If he gets it right mentally then his form and game are good enough to win.

Tiger Woods has a knack of making himself competitive despite his travails. A price of 4 to 1 is available and he will have his supporters. Ernie Els (10/1) and Phil Mickelson (8/1) have the games to win. Mickelson has reined in his power game a little bit and that'll help with his sublime short game.

Padraig Harrington (18/1) is in magnificent form but a little short at those odds, while the new, svelte Darren Clarke (33/1) might prove the better value.

FourToFollow

Ernie Els (10/1, Powers)

Davis Love (20/1, Ladbrokes)

Charles Howell (100/1, Ladbrokes)

Peter Lonard (125/1, Ladbrokes)