The Masters preview

Nothing quite heralds spring like the Masters as the azaleas get in bloom.

Although there are only 90 entrants, some ex-green jackets you can dismiss as contenders (I include Tiger Woods here) as well as the 6 amateurs, it is always a tough one to predict.

Jon Rahm is the favourite but not in good form.

I quite fancy Scottie Scheffler who has posted 3 PGA wins recently and Justin Thomas, the World number three, has the long game and putting skills required.

Of the each ways, the Pargie tenner is going on Will Zalatoris, runner-up last time, Correy Connors – the Canadian is usually well up the leaderboard and young tyro  Sam Burns, though Fuzzy Zoeller in 1977 was the last virgin to don the green jacket.

The advantage for the viewers is you know the holes as it’s the only Major with a permanent home.

The disadvantage is that the winner will not be determined until after midnight in the early  hours of Monday.

Good weather is predicted.

Equally predictable is the coverage of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

I wonder what odds you can get on neither making the cut? Its terrific to see Tiger there, but I can’t see his body standing up to four rounds.

As for Rory, he missed the cut in the Texas Open over the weekend and its been eight long years since he won a Major.

The smart money is on Cameron Smith whilst Steve Palmer in The Racing Post backs Dustin Johnson.

The South Carolina bomber has the length off the tee and coach Butch Harman has improved his short game but I never forget the night before one Major when he fell down the stairs causing him to withdraw.

So for me it’s risky wager though he already has one green jacket.

So has Bernard Langer who is playing (aged 64) as good golf as at any time in his career.