Few sports stars in the world have the universal pull of Tiger Woods and his return to action at the 2022 Masters in Augusta, certainly has chins wagging across the sporting fraternity.
The intrigue around the 15-time major winner remains as pertinent now as it ever has been but against the backdrop of countless off course misdemeanours, his popularity within the game remains red hot.
Few would have backed Woods to be in the position at the start of the year, with the details of his horrendous leg break, caused when losing control of his car last year, threatened to derail any hopes Woods had of returning to top level golf this season.
With his last major win coming at Augusta back in 2019 (where he once again upset the odds to win his 15th major), the stage looks set once more for Woods to potentially to etch his name into golfing folklore.
The one caveat for Woods at this stage is the relative lack of golf he has been able to play over the past 12 months and that does put a question mark against his form and fitness heading into this week at Magnolia Lane.
However, he isn’t a player that needs lots of miles in the legs historically and observers have commented that his ball striking looks as good as ever in Georgia this week. Starting the week at +4000, the scale of what Tiger Woods is hoping to achieve this week cannot be forgotten but if there is anybody capable of achieving such a feat – he is the man.
Elsewhere, world number two Jon Rahm has been the model of consistency on the PGA Tour for the past few seasons and he looks to be one of the men capable winning his maiden Green Jacket this weekend.
His US Open win last season was his maiden major triumph, but he has been knocking at the door in all 4 majors in recent times and another major title would affirm his place into golfing history. At +1200, Jon Rahm is the favourite for the 2022 Masters – in what looks to be quite an open field.
Another man awaiting his first green jacket, despite having won a whole host of accolades in the game, is Justin Thomas. The former USPGA Championship winner is a one of the most consistent players in the world and adding a green jacket to his collection would be the fulfilment of a lifetime goal.
At +1400, Justin Thomas, who some fans for some reason consider also a big fan of betting on horse races, looks sure to be well and truly in the mix come Sunday afternoon at Augusta. One of the more left field picks for glory here at Augusta is Cameron Smith, a man who finished second at this event back in 2020.
The Australian has since grown in stature, and he managed to win the Players Championship last time out – propelling him to 6th in the world rankings.
He is a superb ball striker and with his form red hot on arrival here at Augusta, he looks to be one of the hot favourites to go all the way at +1600. Elsewhere, former multiple major winners Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka will be desperate to add to their title haul, despite not much form to go off this term.
2020 Masters winner Johnson is always a good shout in any event he plays at +1800, whilst Brooks Koepka has 4 majors to his name – but no Masters title – giving him extra incentive at +2000.