GOLF BETTING
All Roses as Englishmen Shoot an American Beauty
Englishman Justin Rose has recorded yet another fantastic first round score at the US Masters, earning a share of the lead and raising hopes that in the remaining three rounds he will not fade as he has in the past.
Scoring six birdies in the space of eight holes to bounce back from a poor start, the 27-year-old shot a round of 68, leaving him four under par and ahead of the pack alongside Trevor Immelman.
The British star was ahead after R1 in 2004 and 2007, last year dropping away from the lead right at the death after staying the distance with eventual winner Zach Johnson.
Rose said: "I've learned you can't count your chickens too early. At the age of 27 you begin to say you can't keep putting it down to experience. You say 'this is the time to step up' if you like. But I'm not putting too much pressure on myself."
2003 was the last time that Augusta was mastered by a non-American, with Canadian upstart Mike Weir ruling the roost. But Rose (8/1) is not alone in leading the foreign charge in 2008's first major.
Fellow Englishman Ian Poulter is now only 40/1 to secure his first major at the age of 32, and sits only two shots off the lead largely thanks to a rousing hole-in-one yesterday. The bold stroke-maker famously scored the winning points in 2004's victorious Ryder Cup assault, so is well equipped to rob the US of another accolade. His best Masters finish to date was 13th place last year, so a major jump will be required in order to see the rising star rev up to serious contention over the weekend.
And forgotten man Lee Westwood has not won a professional tournament since the 2003 Nelson Mandela Invitational, but after an opening round of 69 he is tied for second place and firmly back in the limelight. Despite being ranked 18th in the world, his best Masters finish is still no higher than 6th back in 1999, making his 14/1 odds seem rather generous.
The South African contingent are also staking their claim at Augusta, with Trevor Immelman tabling 68 alongside Rose and shooting to surprising 16/1 odds. The experienced Retief Goosen weighed in with a steady 71, making him an equal 16/1 shot to better his 2nd place finishes in 2002 and 2007, and add to his two US Open titles.
But looming over the tournament, as he has over the sport for a decade, is Tiger Woods. The American won Augusta honours in 2002 and followed up the achievement in 2005, sealing a fourth Masters victory and helping him on the way to the 13 major tournament trophies he holds to date.
A stuttering first round sees the star four shots off the lead, but it is credit to his record – and his ability to bounce back from shaky starts – that Woods is still overwhelming 7/4 favourite for the 2008 title. He recently won the Arnold Palmer Invitational – a third victory for the year - and the superstar could soon get the crowds purring at his favoured Augusta course.
2004 and 2006 winner and world number two Phil Mickelsen is also well-placed at only one under, and having overcome his early career proneness to collapse, is a tempting bet as 10/1 third favourite.
And most recent victor Zach Johnson is only 25/1 to secure back-to-back Masters victories, shooting 70 yesterday and sitting only two strokes off the lead.
Can Rose or Poulter yank the American grip off the Masters trophy?
Odds quoted from Ladbrokes sportsbook ~
