The Old Head
Phil Mickelson
In effect, the season starts here for Lefty. Mickelson has been bedevilled by injury problems in the early part of the season – who hasn't? – but showed that he has recovered from what was diagnosed as a pulled oblique muscle when getting back into the swing in Houston last week. He revels at Augusta National and is seeking a fourth green jacket which would move him up to a share of second in the all-time winners list here.
Odds: 14/1
The Straight Shooter
Patrick Reed
Nobody shoots from the hip with greater confidence that this 23-year-old who has won three times on the US Tour since his breakthrough success in last August's Wyndham Championship. His win in the WGC-Cadillac championship moved his game up a notch but it is his focus on the Majors – which led him to stay away from his hometown tournament in San Antonia a fortnight ago – which suggests he has the mental game to go with a terrific short game. Seeking to win a green jacket on his first appearance.
Odds: 55/1
The Aussie
Jason Day
Given the form of players from Down Under in recent months – a period which has seen an Australian win four of the past seven weeks on the US Tour; and none of them named Scott – you've got to believe there will again be a number of strong contenders from the men from Oz. Day has missed a big chunk of the spring campaign due to injury but his form around Augusta is quite remarkable: last year, he led standing on the 16th tee (eventually giving way to Adam Scott) before finishing third. He was second in 2011. Fit, healthy, willing and with pedigree.
Odds: 16/1
The Outsider
Thorbjorn Olesen
There is always someone who throws the formbook out the window and, although the Dane has struggled in recent US Tour events, there seems to be a spring in his step this week. Why not? Last year, he marked his debut in the Masters with a tied-6th finish and top-fives in Qatar and Dubai earlier this season indicate that things aren't as bad as recent missed cuts in the Valspar championship and the Honda Classic would have us believe.
Odds: 125/1
The Irishman
Rory McIlroy
Although very tight in the market, especially given he hasn't won on either the US or European Tours since 2012, McIlroy seems to have that old strut back and a glint in his eyes for good measure and will approach this test with confidence. He should have won in Abu Dhabi – where he was penalised two shots for standing on the spectator crossway after taking relief and ultimately finished one stroke shy of Pablo Larrazabal – and should have got into the play-off at the Honda Classic. If you keep knocking on the door, you get in eventually . . . and Augusta owes him one.
Odds: 10/1
