From The Globe and Mail (March 31, 2009)

GOLF» 2009 MASTERS Would you bet against this man?

ourlte? Again, no. He has not won the Masters "~~ since 2005. That might make it appear Woods Is destined to do so next week. But each LORNE RUBENSTEIN Is an in· dependent event, like the flip fube@Sympaliroca ora coin. For the sake of argument PASADENA, CAUF. and debate as the Masters ap­ proaches, consider some gol­ he big sporting event in fers who are, in horse-racing these parts is saturday's pariance, overlays. Further, T72lld Santa Anita Derby, consider golfers who not only for which Pioneerof the Nile haven't won a Masters, but and The Pamplemousse are any major. Such a golfer surely the favourites in one of the can't win, can he? major stepping stones to the Yes, he can. Kentucky Derby. of Bright's Grove, At least people know there's Ont., won in 2003, Zach John­ more than one horse In the son in 2007, and Trevor 1m­ race. Folks here and elsewhere melman last year. Each made who are contemplating next the Masters his fitst major. week's Masters have already Yes, they did. And someone handed the green jacket 10 TI­ might do so again next week. ger Woods, golf's ace thor­ Start with Sean O'Halr, who ougtibred. led Woods by five shots before Woods is the overwhelming the final round last Sunday at favourite to win his fifth Mas­ the Arnold Palmer Invitation­ ters title. Various: wagering es­ al. Woods made another one tablishments have made him of "those" putts that have be­ the 2-to-1 favourite, ridiculous­ come his trademark on the ly low odds for anybody, even last green to win. Woods, to win any tourna­ But O'Hair is a player. He's ment, even the Masters. Pa­ no dog. He's a horse. (Dog draig Harrington won lasl lovers, please forgive the refer­ year's PGA Championship and ence, but sports people talk Brlllsh Open, the most recent like this.) majors, and he's 14 to 1. O'Hair could cross the finish Then there's llne on top In a major, as early at 10 to 1. He's won two Mas­ as next week. O'Hair is listed tcrs and a PCA Championship, at 55 to 1 for the 2009 Masters.. and the recent CA Champion­ Paul casey Is another long ship in Miami. Mickelson has shot who shouldn't be such a won 36 PCA Tour events, in­ long shot. The 31-year old Eng­ cluding his three majors. lishman lost to Geoff Ogilvy In That's a Hall of Fame career. this year's Accenture Match Bul Woods, who won his 66th Play Championship. He tied PCA Tour event (lncludlni 14 for sixth in the 2004 Masters, majors) last week at the Ar­ for 10th in 2007, and for nth nold Palmer Invitatlonalln Or­ last year after a nasty 79 in the lando, has (ast a tota! eclipse last round. Casey is 40 to 1­ across Mickelson's accom-' And we haven't even men- plishments. tioned Stephen Ames of Calga­ Woods has eclipsed most ev­ ry, an 80-to-l outsider. Ames erybody, although he still has won the 2006 Players Champl· a ways to go before reaching onship. the next best thing to 's record of 18 a major. majors. Nicklaus won 73 PGA Probability and history say Tour events. including the rna­ celebrates after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational toumamentlast Sunday. Odds O'Hair, Casey, Ames or some­ tors, while Sam Snead has won lINkers have pegged Woods as II 1-to-t favourite for the uj)