US Masters/Betting trends: Phil Mickelson's form just couldn't be much better as he prepares to defend his US Masters title at Augusta National starting tomorrow. "Lefty" won the rain-delayed Bell South Classic, a tournament reduced to 54 holes following torrential rain at the venue on the fourth playoff hole.
It was his third victory of the season and 26th of his career. At 6 to 1 (Ladbrokes, Boyles) and with a decent record at Augusta he'll have plenty of supporters.
Tiger Woods looks to be over his "slump", but even at 5 to 1 (Ladbrokes) he mightn't attract wholesale backing. South Africans Ernie Els 9 to 1 (Ladbrokes) and Retief Goosen (16 to 1 (Ladbrokes, Powers) offer decent value while Ladbrokes' generous 33 to 1 on Padraig Harrington should have plenty of takers. Boyles appear to go a little long on Australian Adam Scott (33 to 1) while the same can be said by Ladbrokes' antipathy to American Davis Love.
Ireland's Darren Clarke is available at 50 to 1 while debutant and fellow Ulster man Graeme McDowell can be snapped up at 100 to 1.
Jose-Maria Olazabal has been in excellent form this season - he was beaten in that playoff at the Bell South - and as a two-time former winner should be snapped up at 50 to 1 with Ladbrokes.
On the outright market, this column favours the South Africans Els and Goosen while the US Tour's top putter Stewart Cink shouldn't be ignored at 66 to 1 (Ladbrokes). In chasing each-way value KJ Choi looks decent value at 80 to 1.
In the fringe markets we like Kenny Perry at each-way value (33 to, ¼ 1 to 4 Ladbrokes) for top American, Olazabal (8 to 1, Ladbrokes) for top European and Goosen (6 to 1, Ladbrokes) for top rest of the world Player.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/b8579731-42ca-490f-b2ff-27eb94cbcd65.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)