Rose can fare better than McIlroy to be top Masters European

Justin Rose has a more than solid Masters record and he can upset Rory McIlroy to be the highest finishing European at Augusta this year at 10/1.

There are 31 European players taking part this year and despite his obvious credentials, McIlroy is unbackable almost at 5/4 to finish top of the leaderboard out of these entrants.

McIlroy was in command for 54 holes last year before blowing up down the final stretch, but went some way to erasing this from his memory when winning a maiden major at the US Open instead.

His natural draw and high ball flight are big assets at Augusta, while he is consistent in finishing in the top five of 12 of his last 13 tournaments.

However, there is a nagging doubt that he is one of those players destined to come close regularly but win the big events sparingly and so there may be better value in the top European market.

Rose has never missed the cut at the Masters in any of his six career appearances and should arrive at Augusta confident following his success in the WGC Cadillac Championship last month.

Meanwhile, like McIlroy, he will feel that he has a point to prove in the Masters after being just a shot off the lead with two holes left in 2007 and also being in the lead at the half-way point in 2004.

Of the remainder, Alvaro Quiros’ power off the tee could be a huge asset should he keep his ball in play and the forecasted rain materialises.

Quiros is 50/1 in the Masters odds to finish as top European, while it is tough to find a steadier player than fellow Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Jimenez has made the cut in ten of his last 11 Masters appearances and has been inside the top 12 five times in this period.

He could be one to consider at a big price to be top European at 66/1.