Betting column: US Masters '“ FIVE to watch

The world’s very best golfers slog it out in Augusta for that coveted green jacket.

Who do I fancy to put the jacket on come Sunday night? As always at ValueBet we will be doing our missed- the-cut offer, where if your golfer misses the cut you can have the same stake on someone who will be playing over the weekend (win part only). Here are my five to follow if you do fancy a flutter:

RORY McILROY

The County Down man needs this to complete his career majors grand slam and I really feel it could be his year. He has always had the game to do well at Augusta.

He can go very long off the tee, he hits it high and can use plenty of fade, he has all the shots to attack the par 4s and 5s every time. His problem has always been his own mental gameplan.

He does have a good record at Augusta though despite never winning it, he has finished in the top 10 the last 4 years running.

From a statistics point of view, it looks like he will eventually win one and why not this year given how hot his putter was recently when winning the Arnold Palmer at Bay Hill. You can still get 10/1 on him doing so.

JORDAN SPIETH

Jordan has had a relatively low key last few months as he has watched his good friend Justin Thomas’ career finally take off, though he looked primed for Augusta when he placed last weekend at the Houston Open in his native Texas.

He is a class act with a dedicated and professional approach. He is one of those players that lives for the majors and although by no means a big hitter off the tee, his fairway to green game is up there with the very best, hitting the greens in regulation charts very high.

When he combines this with his putter on form he can be hard to stop. I feel he will be thereabouts come Sunday evening with his experience bringing on a late charge to challenge. He can be backed at 11/1.

JUSTIN ROSE

Can England’s highest ranked golfer make amends for his defeat to Sergio Garcia in last years Masters?

I think he could very well do. He has been very busy the past 12 months, playing some good golf but maybe not at 100%.

Is he saving his 100% for Augusta? He is another with a fine record around this course, with five top 10 finishes. Available at 16/1, I feel he represents massive each way value.

TIGER WOODS

How can you not give a mention to Tiger this year? I think we are all getting a little excited at the possibility the legend is back and ready to win things again.

This is his first appearance in a major since the USPGA in 2015, where he missed the cut. Does he have a genuine chance this week? Yes of course he does. He appears to be over his back injury problems that have plagued him in recent years.

He has come close on tour lately and that genius touch around the greens has come out of his locker once again.

For me personally I would be a watching spectator with Tiger this week rather than an investing one. The big firms have clearly seen some decent money come in for him, and you cant get 16/1 anymore.

Whilst he has a chance he doesn’t represent enough value for me, in such a quality packed field as this.

BRIAN HARMAN

I always try to advocate finding a nice big price in tournaments such as this. They are all quality golfers and should it all come together and be there turn this weekend, you could find yourself with a huge price.

I like the look of Brian Harman at a huge 90/1. A native of Georgia himself, this is only his second Masters appearance but he has been playing well recently with a win in the Wells Fargo and a runner up at last years US Open showing he can do it on the big stage. He will be a nice price just to place, with the win being an added bonus!

Enjoy the action this weekend folks and as always gamble responsibly. Joe