Westwood narrow favourite as leaders wait to tee off

AUGUSTA, Ga. – It’s another near-perfect day in terms of weather at Augusta National, with bright sunshine and, at this point, negligible winds. A couple of hours before the leaders tee off for what might well be an exceptional final round, if Saturday’s spectacular third is any indication, a check of the betting odds is in order.

Internet wagering sites still have Lee Westwood a very slight favourite at 7 to 5, with Phil Mickelson next at 3 to 2 and Tiger Woods third choice at 9 to 2. K.J. Choi, tied in third with Woods four shots behind Westwood, is listed at 14 to 1, and 50-year-old Fred Couples, five shots back, is 40 to 1.

In terms of hole locations, according to the official pin sheet, there are some traditional spots picked out for the back nine, including far right (four yards from the edge) on No. 12, right at No. 13 (six yards from the edge) and back right at No. 15 (17 yards from the front edge).

The deep pin at No. 5, which is 28 yards back from the front edge of the very large green, makes a difficult hole that much tougher; in the early returns, six of the first 10 golfers bogeyed that hole and the other four parred it.

The second hole has its usual Sunday location, well on the right side behind the bunker.