TWO against the field? There isn't any shock factor in the bookies' decision to put Tiger Woods and David Duval at the head of the betting for the US Masters at Augusta National, starting on Thursday. After the TPC in Sawgrass, Woods headed home to practise and iron out some perceived problems in his game; Duval just continued doing what he does best these days, winning. Now, Duval, seeking his third win in as many weeks but his first career major, is six to one joint-favourite with Woods for the first major of the season and, given the form of the sunglasses kid, even those odds seem appealing.
It is hard to oppose Duval, who has developed the habit of winning and doesn't look like losing it. He has won four times on the US Tour so far this year and has triumphed in 11 of his last 34 starts. Who can stop him? Woods is probably his main rival but he still isn't firing on all cylinders and around Augusta (especially with rough) the margin for error is a slim one.
Better value probably comes further down the list. Phil Mickelson has been showing hints of a return to his game in recent times (his main problem is putting four good rounds together) and at 33 to 1 represents quite decent value but the best each-way value is the same price about Tom Lehman who has recovered from surgery and, although a little rusty, will be playing a course he loves, while defending champion Mark O'Meara is available at attractive enough odds of 25 to 1. Still, Duval to win - again - at 6 to 1 and Lehman each-way at 33 to 1 appear the best bets.
The current sorry form of the European players is also reflected in the odds this week with Lee Westwood at 20 to 1 the lowest priced of the invaders.
6-1 - Tiger Woods (USA), David Duval (USA).
16-1 - Ernie Els (South Africa).
20-1 - Fred Couples (USA), Davis Love III (USA), Lee Westwood (England), Vijay Singh (Fiji).
25-1 - Mark O'Meara (USA), Colin Montgomerie (Scotland), Justin Leonard (USA), Nick Price (Zimbabwe).
33-1 - Phil Mickelson (USA), Steve Elkington (Australia), Tom Lehman (USA), Jim Furyk (USA).
40-1 - John Huston (USA), Greg Norman (Australia), Jose-Maria Olazabal (spain).
50-1 - Bernhard Langer (Germany), Jesper Parnevik (Sweden).
Prices supplied by Ladbrokes Ireland.
