US Masters

The US Masters Tournament is one of the four major championships in professional golf. Unlike any of its counterparts, the Masters Tournament is held at the same golf course every year, the Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia. It is the first major tournament of the year and is scheduled so that the final days play is always on the second Sunday in April.

Typically the field in the Masters is much smaller than the other majors with around 90 competitors. All players are “invited” to play rather than there being any qualifying tournaments. Invitations are automatically issued to players who meet certain criteria. All previous Masters champions are allowed to play in any future tournament, recently however, the Augusta National Golf Club has discouraged winners of an advanced age from continuing to compete in the tournament.

The Masters Tournament is one with many traditions and customs. The winner of each tournament is awarded with a green jacket, which must be returned to the clubhouse after a year. There is a champions dinner held on the Tuesday before the beginning of the tournament, which only previous champions and select members of the Augusta National Golf Club can attend. An honorary tee shot has been hit by golf legends and past champions to open the tournament since 1963. Arnold Palmer has had this privilege on the past two occasions.

Jack Nicklaus is the leading player in Masters history with six wins in total, the last one coming in 1986. Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros and Gary Player are among other multiple winners of the Masters.

Tiger Woods was just 21 years old when he won his first Masters title in 1997 and remains the youngest ever winner of the tournament. He also broke the records for lowest score with 270 (18 under-par) and biggest winning margin (12 strokes) in the same year.

Last years Masters Tournament winner was Angel Cabrera of Argentina. He finished on -12 along with Chad Campbell and Kenny Perry of the USA but emerged victorious on the second play off hole. Cabrera became the first Argentinian to win the Masters.

UK bookmakers offer odds on the 2010 Masters Champion and some offer each way prices up to fifth place. It isn’t certain that Tiger Woods will compete in the tournament but he is still favourite with some bookmakers just in case he does play. Across the board, Phil Mickelson is the favourite and is priced at 11/2. European hopes rest on Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy.

Masters betting odds