Dan Roebuck’s Masters preview: Woods, Rose and Cabrera to go close

Tiger Woods has proved three times this season that when it comes to performing on courses he knows best he is unbeatable. Punters, therefore, should look no further than backing the world number one for this week’s Masters at Augusta, a place that will always hold a special place in the heart of the best golfer of the era, and one who should close to within three of Jack Nicklaus’ record haul of 18 major titles come Sunday night.

Woods changed the face of the modern game when he donned the Green Jacket in 1997, before going on to claim three more Masters titles and while his last success was back in 2005, his complete record of 10 top-five finishes in 16 starts as a professional should give backers plenty of confidence they’ll get a return on their investment at the current each-way bet to nothing price of 4/1.

His victories in 2013 at Torrey Pines, Doral and Bay Hill have been imperious with the familiarity of those layouts obviously helping. But perhaps the key to Tiger’s game this season has been his improvement on the greens. He can still be erratic off the tee – never a factor at Augusta – however, he now ranks top of the strokes gained putting category, with his average of 1.476 over a stroke better than last year.

Best of the rest could be Justin Rose at 16/1. The Englishman was second in the Arnold Palmer Invitational last time out and has rewarded each-way backers five times in his last seven strokeplay starts in which he has headed the greens in regulation numbers three times. Three top-11 efforts at Augusta also bode well.

Finally, 2009 Masters champion Angel Cabrera (100/1) always goes well at Augusta and warmed up nicely for this week’s major with 16th place at Houston.

My three to follow – Woods, Rose and Cabrera.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.