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You pays your money and takes your pick

GOLF: If you are wondering why we're not brave enough to tip a winner for the 2002 Golf Masters, going into the final tournament…

Thu Sept 19 2002 - 01:00

GOLF: If you are wondering why we're not brave enough to tip a winner for the 2002 Golf Masters, going into the final tournament of the competition, take a look at these facts and figures: if there is an Irish winner at Mount Juliet this week he will collect €400,000 for his/her manager who, if he/she also has the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth placed players, will add another €540,000 to the team kitty.

By our rusty calculations that tots up to €940,000 - roughly the gap between our current overall leader and the team in 308th place. See? Is it any wonder, then, that we've taken up our position on the fence, loudly declaring "it's all to play for".

Barring a heavenly combination of results, as outlined above, it's more likely that our winner will emerge from our current top 10. Peruse their line-ups below and decide which, by your reckoning, is the most likely to prevail. Damned if we know.

1 Roger Mullarkey, Razor Sharp: Fred Funk, Justin Leonard, Robert Allenby and Thomas Bjorn.

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2 Pat Callanan, Paddy's Fourth (€73,996 behind leader): Padraig Harrington, Vijay Singh, Eduardo Romero and Fred Funk.

3 Vincent Moloney, Vincent's Choice (€212,523 behind leader): Padraig Harrington, Justin Leonard, Peter Lonard, Eduardo Romero and Fred Funk.

4 Tony Hynes, Tour Greens Europe (€278,611 behind leader): Vijay Singh, Michael Campbell, Peter Lonard, Eduardo Romero and Fred Funk.

5 Brendan Hill, West Coast Swing 5 (€285,778 behind leader): Padraig Harrington, Justin Leonard, Justin Rose, Eduardo Romero and Fred Funk.

6 David Maune, Greenmount 2 (€286,551 behind leader): Thomas Bjorn, Justin Leonard, Justin Rose, Peter Lonard, Eduardo Romero and Fred Funk.

7 Simon Dunne, Making Moves (€307,620 behind leader): Ernie Els, Michael Campbell, Peter Lonard, Eduardo Romero and Fred Funk.

8 Roger Mullarkey, Hall of Fame (€310,580 behind leader): Tiger Woods, Justin Rose, Len Mattiace and Fred Funk.

9 Pat Corby, Sonata 15 (€344,973 behind leader): Padraig Harrington, Justin Leonard, Justin Rose, Peter Lonard, Len Mattiace and Fred Funk.

10 Gregory Chadwick, Dream Team 18 (€350,372 behind leader): Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard, Justin Rose, Eduardo Romero, Len Mattiace and Fred Funk.