Hatton: We’ll take Augusta by storm
turns 40 in July, is not far off. “I don’t have many more opportunities left but I’ve certainly still got the skills to get my way around Augusta and put myself in position,” said Casey, who was fourth last year.
“Hopefully, Danny’s victory will spark more to come from England players in the next 15 years.”
Andy Sullivan, who missed the cut on his Masters debut in 2016, feels much better equipped 12 months on.
“My game is so much stronger so I’ve come back here ready to perform,” he said. “Last year I was just in awe and couldn’t believe I was playing Augusta.
“But this year I have a better mindset than just being like a spectator of sorts a year ago.
“To be one of a record number of English golfers just speaks volumes for the strength of English golf, so long may it continue.”
Sullivan has again got a huge fanbase with him from Nuneaton Golf Club in Warwickshire.
He added: “I feel confident. I’m coming off a strong showing last week in Houston so I’ve come back here ready to perform and do myself and my fans justice.”
Chris Wood, the reigning BMW PGA champion, has one of the youngest patrons on the course following him this week – his six-week-old son.
“Much has changed since I was here last, what with getting married and now having a son, but so far he has been great.
“My wife has been out here walking with him in a baby sling,” he said.
“There’s no place like Augusta, no matter where we go around the world to play golf. I saw a quote from Justin Rose over the weekend saying he would rather lose his passport than his Augusta course planner and he’s totally right.”
Rose, the most likely English contender, arrived late because of the weather issues but insists he will be ready for the starting gun today.
“This is my 12th Masters so it’s a course I feel I could play without a practice round and feel confident,” said Rose yesterday. “I feel ready to go.”
DUSTIN HAS TIGER IN THE TANK
A RECENT chat with a fine judge of golfing form revealed that we were in totally different camps over favourite Dustin Johnson.
My view was that 5-1 is too short a price for him to win the Masters, while his belief was that the world No1 is set to dominate the sport for some time and will no doubt go off at “Tiger in his pomp prices” in the coming years.
I am starting to come around to his thinking, and perhaps Dustin is value. We are offering each-way prices up to eight places and surely Johnson cannot finish outside that, so you will at least get your money back if he has only an adequate week.
Two-time winner Bubba Watson is 50-1 but a look at his record shows he either wins or finishes way back, so don’t bother with the each-way.