The Masters reviewed

I kept my Racing Post Masters Supplement as there are few more satisfying things, other than winning, for the punter than to boast of his success. Steve Palmer selected McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Ryna Palmer, Gary Woodland and Paul Casey. Only Rory finished in the top five and that at a unattractive each-way price, though to be fair he also recommended Charley Hoffman as best debutant at 14-1, which came home. Jeremy Chapman, an excellent analyst, favoured Dustin Johnson, Adam Scott, Phil Mickelson, JB Holmes and Paul Casey. Only Mickelson finished top five. Pargiter went for Jordan Spieth, Adam Scott, Jason Day Ricky Fowler and McIlroy. In the poll of 10 bookies, one selected Spieth to win and another as first round winner.

The enthusiasm for Paul Casey inspired me to place the Pargiter tenner on him for a top ten finish. So it was a good Masters for me and a good weekend with Alvarado coming in fourth on the National.

Spieth slipped under the radar because of the froth over Rory winning all four Majors and the Woods’ comeback. Tiger played extraordinary golf. It was thought his short game was shot but time and time again his driving was wayward and he played some incredible irons to rescue his play. The Masters is about pitching accuracy as with the glass-like greens and tricky pin placements, the careless pitcher can see his ball roll off the green. Obviously the bigger the drive, the closer you are to pitch. I was pleased to see Justin Rose, who no one predicted, back to form and his short game was a work of art.

A Spieth victory was a trophy waiting to happen. He is the best of the young crop of American golfers he seems a level headed young man with a superb temperament. Every time he bogeyed he produced a result on the next hole and to win all 4 rounds and to be the youngest ever to win the Masters, with a record number of birdies, makes me thinks that he will be around for some time at the upper echelons of the majors’ Leaderboards.