8th Apr 2011 | Golf
Masters Latest
Rory McIlroy has flown out of the traps at Augusta and he was joined at the front by Alvaro Quiros. Many big names lurk a few shots back.
Northern Ireland’s Rory Mclroy is the new Masters favourite at 11/2 after setting the early pace with a first round 65. He was joined at seven under at the close of play by Spain’s Alvaro Quiros, who is 14/1 with Betfred.
The South Korean pair of K J Choi and Y E Yang are both just two off the pace at -5. Choi is 16/1 with WilliamHill while Yang has swept into 20/1, having been backed at 100/1 by the Betting Bias golf tipster on Wednesday. At one point Bluesquare had the 2009 US PGA champion as short as 6/1 as he walked off the 16th green with a share of the lead.
Pre-tournament favourite Phil Mickelson is well placed at -2 and still highly regarded as demonstrated by a best price of 13/2 with Boylesports. Tiger Woods is one further back but remains third in the betting at 14/1.
American Matt Kuchar is -4 and 15/1, while Englishman Paul Casey is two under and well fancied at 28/1. High ranking hopefuls Lee Westwood (33/1), Luke Donald (35/1) and Nick Watney (40/1) are all in the frame at level par but will have to improve in round two. Gary Woodland (55/1) is so far enjoying a fine debut Masters after carding an opening score of 69 to join the front runners.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 01:43 8th Apr, 2011 but subject to change
