An Englishman, an Argentine and a Dane give Masters 3-ball value
Published:
For golf fans and those partial to a bet or two, the US Masters is heaven sent. The best two bits of news for this demographic then; the quest for the Green Jacket begins today and Ladbrokes’ first-round 3-ball market is teeming with value.
Since Thursday’s groups were announced the Ladbrokes News team have scoured through the initial Augusta match ups and come up with this trio of outsiders in great shape to shoot lowest of their companions through 18 holes.
If this treble were to nestle in the cup like a trademark 25ft putt from Jordan Spieth, it would pay punters out at a whopping 52/1.
17.44 – Ian Poulter to beat Bubba Watson and Branden Grace @ 3/1
Yes Poults is up against 2012 and 2014 Masters winner Watson and talented South African Grace, whose sixth position in the current Race to Dubai standings demonstrates his fine form this season.
However, the Englishman has shown a real knack for Augusta, recording three top 10s since 2010, culminating in his best finish of sixth last year and this alone cranks up his value.
Bubba will be tough to overcome though the American is prone to off days and closed with two over par rounds 12 months ago, while Grace has struggled to get to grips in Georgia, missing successive cuts after opening with a catastrophic 84 and a sluggish 75 latterly.
18.28 – Soren Kjeldsen to beat Jimmy Walker and Anirban Lahiri @ 14/5
Multiple European Tour winner Kjeldsen hasn’t qualified for the Masters since 2010, but the Dane put in an excellent performance then to finish 30th, opening up with a one-under-par 71.
Showing some of his best form again this season, Kjeldsen looks a tasty price considering Walker has just cursed his Green Jacket chances by winning the Par 3 competition, a 55-year long blocker to Masters success.
In fact the American hasn’t bettered a 2014 top 10 at Augusta and kicked off proceedings with a 73 last year, culminating in an undistinguished tie for 38th overall – while Lahiri debuted at Augusta with a 49th-place finish in 2015, with a best round of -1 for the four days.
18.50 – Angel Cabrera to beat Shane Lowry and JB Holmes @ 5/2
The Duck, aka Angel Cabrera, is Augusta royalty and his place as the outsider in this group is questionable.
The 2009 winner and 2013 play-off loser showed his class again last year, using a par score through 18 as a platform for a 22nd-place finish, which saw him three-under by halfway.
Both his playing partners, although fine players, missed the cut in Georgia a year ago.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
