9th Apr 2014 | The Masters
Masters Tips: Gary Woodland
Big hitter can prosper around Augusta. He has sharpened up around the greens and arrives in excellent form. Finished T24 in 2011.
Augusta National has an exclusive membership policy and that extends to the roll of honour at the Masters.
The last five winners were all big hitters, Charl Schwartzel being the most modest off the tee ranking ‘only’ 43rd for driving distance on tour during his victorious year.
When the big hitting South African is the shortest hitter of recent winners, you know there is a pattern.
That leads me to my first selection, the 12th longest driver on tour this year – Gary Woodland.
It’s slightly unfair to pigeonhole the 29-year-old purely as a bomber because his touch around the green has drastically improved. He ranks 74th for scrambling having been 148th last year and 171st the year before.
The young American is reaping the rewards of his work with Butch Harmon. The legendary coach knows how to train Augusta winners; Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson being two of his famous alumni.
This will be Woodland’s third visit to Augusta and although he had to withdraw through injury in 2012 but finished T24 in 2011.
With six top-20 finishes in his last eight stroke-play starts, he arrives in good form and is a cracking each-way bet at 100/1 (Boylesports) with 1/4 odds for a top-5 finish.
A Master Cashback - Boylesports
Cash back if your selection finishes 2nd or 3rd (including ties) in The Masters
Odds correct at time of publishing: 07:09 9th Apr, 2014 but subject to change
