Mickelson vs Rose

Aside from the sheer joy and beauty all around the Augusta National Course, the Masters is a special tournament. It brings people together who wouldn't normally watch golf in the same way that people come to watch the World Cup in football or the Grand National in horse racing. With this in mind I have selected picks which enable us to enjoy the tournament for it's duration and rather than hoping for a player to win the tournament - all that is required is a top ten finish.

 

The man charged with getting that top ten spot is none other than Lefty himself, Phil Mickelson. Having won the Masters three times (2004, 2006, 2010) and come in the top ten on thirteen occasions out of the nineteen times that he has appeared in the tournament.

 

Mickelson's pedigree is second-to-none in the modern golfing world, (well, second-to-one maybe) and his consistency is unquestionable. Since winning the Pebble Beach Pro-am in February, Phil took a break before returning to the tour with two top-5 finishes, including tied for fourth in last week's Shell Houston Open. The man is on form.

 

Back MICKELSON for a TOP TEN FINISH at odds of 2.00 (Paddy Power, 7pts) and we can cheer him on without the pressure of requiring to win the tournament.

 

I would also recommend 1pt at 26.00 (Stan James and widely available) on JUSTIN ROSE to be 1ST ROUND LEADER. While Mickelson, McIlroy and Tiger Woods have been hot recently, Justin Rose is not far behind having won the BMW Championship at the back end of 2011 and followed that up with a win at the WGC-Cadillac Championship last month. Rose has a good, if unspectacular, record at Augusta including a 5th place finish in 2007 as well as last year's tie for 11th. The Englishman, however, is playing the golf of his life and has every right to be confident going in to the tournament.

 

Most importantly for us Rose seems to be a fast starter at Augusta, leading after the first round on three occasions. At odds of 26.0, he is a good bet to do so again given his current form.

 

Phil Mickelson Top 10 Finish at The Masters

 

7pts @ 2.00 Paddy Power

 

Justin Rose Leading after first round at The Masters

 

1pt @ 26.00 Stan James