The first major of the year is just around the Amen corner (see what I did there, hilarious).
If I had to pick my favourite major, The Open will always be the one. But the Masters is undoubtedly the best of the rest. When you first hear 'Georgia' on Sky's Masters coverage, it's like the golfing equivalent of 'Holiday's are coming'. You know the most wonderful time of the year has arrived!
I think 2018 could be one of the most fiercely contested Masters in recent memory. Justin Thomas looks like he's going to win every time he tees it up. The same goes for DJ, who seems to be in contention if not winning every week. I'm sure Jason Day being back in the winner's circle this year will give him the boost he needs to compete at the thick end of things at Augusta.
If you want my opinion, here it is...
Tiger Woods will win, The end!
Seriously though, if you're looking for some ideas on who to back here's my picks for this year; from the world's top 10, the usual suspects, some outsiders and the GOAT.
FROM THE TOP
JORDAN SPIETH | JUSTIN ROSE
From the world's top 10 I'm going for Jordan Spieth and Justin Rose, for obvious reasons. Spieth has had a lot of success at Augusta. You know when it comes to this place he should be up there and if his putter is hot - which it usually is - he's always tough to beat.
Justin Rose was the nearly man last year, and I think that will help rather than hinder him. He is one of the most consistent players around. His patience on the golf course is perfectly suited to a place like Augusta. He also knows how to win a Major. For me there's no doubt that he'll be up there. But if he can get a bit of momentum going, he's proven he can go low and is good shout to go one better than 2017.
USUAL SUSPECTS
BUBBA WATSON | PHIL MICKELSON
Bubba and Phil have a lot in common.
Both have proven track records at Augusta and have multiple green jackets.
Both have won recently.
Both seem to have come back into form at just the right time.
I like the chances of Lefty. The way he played in Mexico was like Mickelson of old and by his own admission, he's playing the golf of his life. That's a warning to the rest of the field if ever I've heard one. It might also be worth seeing what odds you can get for a Mickelson and Woods final group on Sunday - how good would that be!
I initially picked Bubba the week after WGC Mexico (honest). With the win at the WGC Matchplay, it seems a bit obvious to pick him, but I'm sticking with it. From the tee, Bubba is a joke and with his ability to shape it all over the show, Augusta couldn't be better suited. He's shown that before. The fact he carries it about 500 yards off the tee helps too. I fully expect to see Bubba towards the top of the leaderboard come Sunday, or he'll miss the cut by 10. I'll leave it to you to decide which way you go...
THE 'LONG' SHOTS
KIRADECH APHIBARNRAT | ALEX NOREN | RAFA CABRERA BELLO
The outside bets are tough to pick as you always get someone surprising the field. I usually put a bet on Couples as he seems to turn the clock back every year at Augusta. Rocks up, looks cool AF, and is consistently up there after the first two rounds.
My two outside picks this year are Kiradech Aphibarnrat (I didn't even look up how to spell that) and Alex Noren. Calling them 'long shots' is a bit mis-leading considering both have showed great form and are amongst the world's best players. However, at the Masters both are somewhat unproven.
Kiradech has been playing some great golf, with a win in the Perth Super Six and a top 5 in the WGC Mexico. He's not exactly got a wealth of experience at Augusta having only played the Masters on one previous occasion, but finishing a notable 15th position. This could be the big man's, big week.
Noren plays with a fade, which usually I'd say a fader wouldn't win the Masters, but this lad is TALENTED! I also play with a fade, and I'm pretty sure I'd p*ss it at Augusta so.......He also has one of the best capabilities around the green that I've seen, and we know you need to possess a crazy short game to do well at Augusta, (maybe that's why I haven't had an invite yet, anyway), Noren definitely has the short game that could put him in serious contention here. He's playing on the PGA Tour this year and has shown how comfortable he is with golf in the US. His performance at the WGC Matchplay also shows that he seems to be hitting form at the right time. Could Noren become the first Swede to put on the green jacket? How would I know that, I know nothing about golf!
It's tough to see how RCB is rated as much as 80/1. He's such a quality, consistent player and ranked inside the world's top 25. Seems like great value to me. I don't think I'd back him to win, but I think he's a very good each way bet. Granted he missed the cut at Augusta last year but he's coming off the back of a couple nice finishes in big events and the quality he has surely gives him a chance. Worth a punt in my eyes. He also wears sunglasses, even when it's cloudy. I'm not sure how that's relevant but worth a mention.
THE GOAT
Now if you've read any of my other posts, you'll know I'm a bit of a Tiger fan. In my opinion he's the greatest to have ever played the game of golf and probably the greatest there ever will be. Golf is just better when Tiger is there, even when he's not 100% fit which is sadly what we've become used to seeing over the last few years. But his latest comeback feels different. With his recent form continually improving, you wouldn't rule him out of being in the final groups on Sunday. When Tiger led in the Bahamas last year, I was so convinced he was going to win everything from now until the end of time that I put a bet on him to win this year's Masters and I'm happy I did. I can see him doing the business. There is no one in the field with more know how than TW around Augusta and come Sunday I think Tiger will definitely be on the prowl.
SPECIAL MENTION
IAN POULTER
Ian Poulter has once again showed us that he eats pressure for breakfast, lunch and dinner. After reaching the quarter finals of the matchplay, he was told he was in The Masters. Ten minutes before his quarter final he was told he had narrowly missed out, he then proceeded to knock out the fella who said he was in.......or at least he should have! His only route to the Masters was then an unlikely win at The Houston Open, which he wasn't even certain he'd be playing in. He hadn't won a tournament of any sort since 2012 and had only won once in America which was a matchplay event. His chances didn't look great and an opening round of one over certainly didn't help. He then went nuts and hauled himself to the top of the leaderboard, holed a 20 footer to make the playoff, punched his chest which looked like it must have hurt, won the playoff, got a lift off Stenson on a private jet (as you do) with a ticket to The Masters, JOB DONE! Love him or hate him, the drive this guy has and his ability to pull off the seemingly impossible (think Medinah) is unreal. Grit, determination and heart in abundance! You've got to hand it to him. I wouldn't put it past him to play well at Augusta, he has finished 6th there before so an each way bet could be a good shout.
It's set up to be one of those classic Masters contests, which means it will probably have a runaway winner and be one of the most boring in history. Either way, bring it on! The Mrs will have to do without any 'Keeping up With the Kardashians' this week!
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