US Masters

The US Masters gets underway on Thursday, and what a betting heat it promises to be with both Sky Bet and Paddy Power offering a massive 8 e/w places. It's quite an offer which both firms will be expecting to lose money on (they will be hoping to keep hold of new and existing customers long after the Green Jacket is awarded. We take a look at three names we think could prosper this weekend.

Jordan Speith - 7/1 ew

Speith has been nothing short of a phenonen since joining the tour, and his record at Augusta is literally second to none - he has a brace of 2nd place finishes sandwiching a 2015 victory, and really should have added to that victory last year. The American hasn't showed any signs of that melt-down affecting him, and I'd back him this time around if he found himself in a similar situation again.

Speith won the AT&T Pebble Beach Event, and also took 3rd place in the Champion of Champions Event and the Sony Open, so he's already playing well again this season. He looks a sound investment given the additional places.

Justin Rose - 25/1 ew

The Englishman has a great record at this event, finishing inside the top 15 in five of the last last six years - his record (most recent first) has been 10th, 2nd, 14th, 25th, 8th and 11th, which is about as consistent as you will find.

He's also enjoying a decent 2017, with 2nd place at the Sony Open followed by 4th place finishes at both the Farmers Insurance Open and the Genesis Open, and he is yet to play a PGA tour event in an over-par this season.

Matt Kuchar - 80/1 ew

It's Kuchers 17th season as a pro, so he's plenty experienced enough to come to a place like Augusta and play his best golf, and he's proved that with thre top 8 finishes in the last five years. That included a 3rd place finish in 2012, and we reckon he could be too long at 80/1 in this one - that pays a cracking 20/1 that he finishes in the top 8. CRAZY!!!

With a win at the Frank Templeton Shootout already this campaign, Kuchar should be backed at this huge price.

Staked = 6 units

Returned = 28.25 units

Profit = 22.25 units