Brandt Snedeker has admitted his disappointing final round at the Masters last month has taken him some time to get over, but the American has insisted he is ready to now move on and take the positives from his week at Augusta into June’s US Open.

Snedeker continued his sensational start to the year during the opening three rounds of the Masters to put himself joint-top of the leaderboard after 54-holes. The 32-year old saw his dreams turn to mush on the Sunday, though, when his short game totally fell apart and ended with Snedeker finishing tied sixth.

The world number six has admitted to being hit hard by his final round meltdown at Augusta, but Snedeker did reveal he had been able to take plenty of confidence away from how he had played to put himself in that position.

“I know I was pretty depressed and pretty down afterwards because I really felt like I was going to win. I felt like I was playing great and doing everything the right way,” admitted Snedeker.

“But looking back on things, I accomplished a lot of my goals that week. I got in the last group, which if you look at the history of the Masters, it’s a pretty good place to be. I think I have a really good chance of winning that golf tournament. So I took a lot of really good stuff out of that.”

Despite his Masters disappointment, Snedeker will be right up there among the favourites in the Golf betting when he arrives at the Merion Golf Club in Pennsylvania next month. The American has proved beyond doubt that he is more than capable of matching the best players in the world in the big tournaments.

The 2013 Players Champions tees off on Thursday with the PGA Tour’s elite golfers lined up to take part in what is widely regarded as the sport’s fifth major.

With a first-prize jackpot worth just over US$1.7 million, there is a reason this tournament is held in such high regard. Whoever wins the title doesn’t just earn a huge cash windfall but enjoys the status as one of golf’s top performers, a thrill likened to when you play online casino games.

Like casino games, golf is a contest that mixes skill and chance with courage and commitment and last year’s champion Matt Kuchar certainly showed his abilities to handle pressure with a 13-under finish at TPC Sawgrass.

So who will challenge Kuchar for the title this year? Here are our picks on the potential winners in Florida this week:

Tiger Woods:
The American is firmly back on top of golf after winning three of his six tournaments this season and carded tied fourth at the Masters. Woods won this Championship in 2001, earning a cool US$1 million for his efforts just weeks after claiming his second Masters green jacket.

Woods is a strong favourite to win this weekend and few will stop him if he’s on his game.

Phil Mickelson:
Following his third-place finish at the Well Fargo Championship at the start of the month Mickelson is in fine form heading into TPC Sawgrass and will look to claim his second title of the season on Florida’s illustrious course.

The lefty has missed just one cut in 10 tournaments this season, finished once over par and could emulate his 2007 success should he get off to a good start. Mickelson led by example six years ago, heading the field on five-under during the first two days before reeling away on the last to finish on -11, two ahead of Sergio Garcia.

He could repeat this feat at the weekend should he keep his shots tight off the tee, for that is where Mickelson has fallen in recent times.

Sergio Garcia:
Mickelson’s rival in 2007, Garcia won the Players Championship a year later with a playoff victory over Paul Goydos. The Spaniard hasn’t done much since then and this season is not in the best of form, but he has confidence heading into Sawgrass.

Last weekend, he finished way off the lead at Wells Fargo but chipped in a six-foot putt on the green to prove he can handle pressure. To chip on the green is one of the rarest things you see in golf but to sink the shot was simply astounding.

Many betting news pundits believe that Garcia has the ability to challenge for the title again and could well finish within the top five.

Matt Kuchar:
A stunning performance at the WGC Match Play in February earned Kuchar US$1.5 million but since then his best result was a tied eighth finish at the Masters on three under. Kuchar was calm on considered on his way to the 2012 Players Championship and wasn’t really in contention until the Saturday.

Whether or not he can defend his title – something never before achieved – is yet to be seen but his form probably isn’t good enough to see off this strong competition.

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Adam Scott’s emphatic Masters victory at Augusta last Sunday ended a devastating national curse, as he became the first Australian to win the coveted major.

Scott, playing his 12th tournament at Augusta, beat Angel Cabrera on the second hole of their playoff after the pair tied on eight under following four gruelling rounds on arguably the world’s toughest golf course.

Fans who followed golf betting tips to back Scott to win at the start of the day must have been confident after watching the 32-year-old card a 69 on Saturday to enter the final round one shot off leader Cabrera on seven under.

Despite a bogey on the first he rocketed back with a birdie two holes later and navigated through Amen Corner unscathed before saving shots at the 13th, 15th and a long putt on the last to force a playoff.

Australian betting fans used to Masters disappointment for so long must have been hiding behind their sofas as Scott hit a poor approach shot on the 18th but so did Cabrera, leaving the pair to chip in and sink for pars and head to the 10th.

Widely regarded as part of Amen Corner due to its difficulty, the 10th at Augusta catches may players out but both hit approaches onto the green for birdie chances.

The Spaniard went first and came up agonisingly short, leaving Scott with a downhill angled tap in to win the Masters and banish the nightmare that was his Open miss last year.

Most US Masters reaction pieces suggest that what won him the Green Jacket was his consistency and ability to sink that vital putt when the time came. In winning the Masters Scott has achieved what the famous Greg Norman couldn’t all those years ago – to finally give Australia a Masters champion.

The opening round of the Masters is one of the sporting calendar’s highlights. Watching the vivid green hues and cloudless sky from the darkened comfort of home in the UK is reminiscent of the excitement felt when watching the start of an Ashes series down under. Anticipation matches the atmosphere and history of the occasion.

Some might suggest that an Australian winner is about as likely in the Ashes as it is at the Masters, but the total lack of Aussie names on the Augusta roll of honour is a quirk that punters should not pay too much attention to; Adam Scott looks a class apart.

There are, however, certain rules to be aware of, with the importance of a good start near the top of the list. The four leading players at the end of round one in 2012 all finished the event inside the top six and as much as sudden final round surges stick in our minds – Nick Faldo in 1996 and Charl Schwartzel in 2011 – Augusta is not a course to play catch-up on.

Its unforgiving greens make hot scoring streaks difficult to embark upon, with a clutch of bogeys far easier to achieve than a flock of birdies. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have the record, aura and confidence to make a charge from a chasing pack, but Augusta mortals need a good opening round.

An early tee time usually helps here, but a glance at the list of leading PGA first round scoring averages is of more use. The names of Lee Westwood, Brandt Snedeker, Nick Watney, and Sergio Garcia leap out from the top 10 of this ranking.

However, in second place is Woods and if punters need another reason to back the hot favourite on Betfair Golf, they have his habit of getting out of the blocks quickly this season to consider ahead of an event when being part of the leading group is crucial.

Lee Westwood will this week tee off at a major for the 60th time, still looking to win that maiden crown his time in the game has perhaps deserved. Despite a fairly modest start to the year, the Englishman will once again be expected to be in contention at Augusta come the Sunday morning.

Westwood has been getting closer and closer to winning the Masters over recent years, finishing second in 2010 and third last year, but that victory still eludes one of the game’s most consistent players.

The world number 13 has admitted to an online punters preview he is feeling as confident as he could expect before playing one of the game’s most unforgiving courses, insisting he is confident of once again putting himself in contention come the final round.

“Practice has been going nicely. I’m as comfortable as you can feel [at Augusta]. It’s the type of golf course that can jump up and bite you if you get complacent and don’t stick to your game plan,” admitted Westwood.

“You look at my results over the last few years, I’ve come close a couple of times and this year I don’t see any reason why this year I shouldn’t be involved again.”

Westwood certainly will not be able to take much confidence from his form since the turn of the year, but his form in majors over the past few years will give him plenty of self belief that this could well be his time to join that elite group of major winners.

After playing so well at Augusta last year, Westwood will now be hoping to pick up from where he left off last April when he tees off this week.

Don’t forget that the Betfair Golf Events page has all the latest picks for the Masters, the Open, and many other tournaments.

Martin Laird cannot quite believe he will be taking part in the US Masters after claiming the 94th and final place in the tournament by winning last week’s Texas Open.

The 30-year-old Scot had taken part in the last two Masters – finishing 20th in 2011 and 57th 12 months ago – but would not have been involved in the Augusta action this year until he shot a course-record 63 in the final round at TPC San Antonio.

That meant he finished two shots ahead of second-placed world number two Rory McIlroy, who produced the best display of his disappointing year at the tournament.

“It’s unbelievable,” a delighted Laird said after winning the Texas Open and becoming the first non-American player to win a tournament on the PGA Tour this season.

“I’ve been asked probably 30 times in the last couple of weeks, ‘Are you in Augusta? Are you in Augusta?’, and I’ve had to say ‘No’ and every time it kind of hurt me a little bit after playing the last couple.

“So that was my major motivation, to try to get back into tournaments like that this year and this win goes a long way in doing that.”

Laird had been five shots behind overnight leader Billy Horschel going into the final round and had been given little chance of winning the tournament as he had missed the cut in four of his last six starts.

However, he held his nerve to claim his first title since winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March 2011.

Laird has a poor record in Majors though and has failed to make the cut in four attempts at the US Open. He finished tied for 72nd at last year’s Open Championship and was joint 48th at the 2010 USPGA Championship and tied for 42nd last year.

In related golf news, Adam Scott looks a class apart heading into the US Masters. Read more about the Australian contingent at http://betting.betfair.com/golf/golf-events/us-masters/.

Golf fans wondering if Tiger Woods will tone down his game after finally recapturing the world number one spot last weekend could not be more wrong, for the American is primed to win at least one major this season.

Woods played a superb round of golf to win the Palmer Invitational by two strokes on Sunday, shooting a final-round 70 to finish -13 and ahead of England’s Justin Rose.

It was his third PGA tour title in five tournaments played in this season, meaning that he is not only the best player in the world but also the most in-form guy on the circuit as the Masters looms.

“I’m very pleased with the way I’m playing,” Woods told betting news reporters. “I’ve turned some of the weaknesses that I had last year into strengths. I’m really excited about the rest of this year.”

Indeed, Woods is right to be pleased after regaining the number one spot following a tumultuous few years in the sport and now he is more primed than ever to win the first major of the season.

Augusta is still almost three weeks away but that hasn’t stopped Woods emerging as clear favourite on Bet365 to win his fifth Masters title.

Coming in second is Rory McIlroy, the usurped number one who has struggled all season with a new set of clubs. Fans should steer clear of backing McIlroy at Augusta – even if he does put in a good opening round the chances of him maintaining consistency over four days are slim to none.

No, despite the tight odds on offer in the sports betting news for Woods, fans should side with the American to again claim that coveted trophy next month.

He has not only found his range off the tee but those mental barriers that ruined his short game over 2011 and early 2012 have now disappeared, meaning Woods is once again the perfect all-round golfer with major pedigree.

The glory days of the Europeans at the Masters might have gone, but there are tentative hopes among US Masters 2013 betting pundits that they can return.

The 11 European triumphs at Augusta were all bunched in a 20-year period between 1980 and 1999 and with seven Europeans in the top 16 of the rankings, there must be decent chance that another purple patch can begin.

Rory McIlroy is expected to kick-start any push by the Ryder Cup holders and two subsequent major wins and the attainment of the top ranking have made his 2011 meltdown a virtual irrelevance. However, a disappointing 40th finish last year means he does have something to prove.

A chaotic start to the year that featured a change of clubs, poor form and a course walk-out have brought widespread criticism, but a share of eighth spot at the WGC Cadillac Championship hinted at a recovery and better mental state.

According to the Masters Betting 2013, if any European will turn it on enough to win at Augusta it could well be Justin Rose. The world number five has started well at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, maintaining a consistent run of form that makes him impossible to ignore.

Since missing the cut at the 2012 Deutsche Bank Championship, Rose has seven top-10 finishes, four inside the top 20 and 24th place in his other appearance. A lack of tournament wins in this run is notable, but victory at Bay Hill might give him the confidence he needs to claim a maiden major at the Masters.

Rose has had his moments at Augusta, finishing joint eighth last year and tied for fifth in 2007 and although other Europeans, such as Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia have come closer to winning a green jacket, Rose’s superior current form makes him the victorious Ryder Cup star to watch.

With Irish golf in rude health at the minute, it is no surprise to see newcomer Shane Lowry keen to emulate the recent achievements of his countrymen, because this is a man with plenty of talent and someone who can rise up the world rankings in 2013.

Lowry may be a relative unknown still, certainly compared to the likes of Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell, but the 25-year-old from County Offaly appears to have a bright future following his impressive recent showing at the World Match Play Championship. Lowry outshone world number one McIlroy, knocking the Northern Irish star out, and he admits it has whetted his appetite for further glory.

Lowry has had an up-and-down year so far but admits he enjoys playing in the US and will probably be tempted to play on the full PGA Tour at some point.

He said: “I had a great time in America. I really love it over there. I wasn’t too happy when I came back home. I almost feel like I’ve been getting a lot of pats on the back for not doing much. It’s time to get back to reality, back to doing what I do best.”

Lowry’s big aim has been to break into the world’s top 50 and some believe he is struggling to fulfill his potential at the minute after failing to build on his stunning Irish Open win as an amateur back in 2009. But, being just 25, his best years still lie ahead of him and Lowry is clearly driven as he aims to become Ireland’s next global golf star.

His victory in the Portugal Masters in September of last year points to better things to come nad plenty of punters who bet online believe further honours are round the corner. Though Lowry himself admits he has had to curtail his obsession with looking at his ranking as he aims to improve month-by-month.

He added in the Irish Independent: “Since winning in Portugal last October, I’ve spent nearly five months getting up every Monday morning at 9.0 to check my ranking. What’s the point? I normally just worry about my next game of golf, so I shouldn’t be setting myself specific targets or goals.

“From now on, I’m just going out there, playing my golf and seeing where I end up on Sunday evening.”

Lowry, who rose to a career-high 52nd in the world last December, has since dipped back down to 67th – although his position was not helped by a bout of shingles he was struck down with while in Dubai.

However, this is certainly a player on the up overall and another Ireland can be proud of to go alongside the more stellar names the country has got accustomed to seeing regularly competing for majors and at the very top of the rankings.

Lowry may not quite be with them there yet but his time will surely come soon.

For more information on the Masters as well as all the best betting previews, head over to: http://betting.betfair.com/golf/

US Ryder Cup skipper Tom Watson’s decision to reduce his wild card picks for the 2014 tournament has caused a fair bit of debate, but in reality it is unlikely to make too much difference to his eventual team for Gleneagles.

Watson has changed the qualifying system for next year’s contest and will make three captain’s picks and not four as he hopes to halt Europe’s dominance in the highly-competitive biennial team tournament.

It will be the first time since 2006 that the US skipper has just three wildcard picks and Watson admits his change of tactic is designed to try and give his side, who are outsiders according to the current Betfair Golf odds, a crucial edge.

Paul Azinger was the first US captain to have four wild cards at his disposal and he used them brilliantly in leading his side to victory at Valhalla in 2008. But Corey Pavin in 2010 and Davis Love last year both saw their teams lose out to Europe, so Watson has decided to tweak things again.

“I will use all possible resources in choosing these three captain’s choices to complete the best possible team in order to win the Cup back for the United States,” he said.

He has also been backed by former skipper Azinger, whom he spoke to before making his final decision to reduce his picks by one.

Azinger admits it is only a minor change but one that could prove vital for the US team, who are so desperate to win back the famous trophy in Scotland next year.

He reckons changing the selection process in 2008 helped the Americans win and will hope Watson has made the correct, astute move.

Azinger tweeted: “Revamping selection process was part of reason we won RC in 2008. US was 1 putt from retaining in 2010. Same in 2012. 4 picks to 3 minor chg (change).”

European skipper Paul McGinley has also said he could alter his selection process, which currently sees the captain use two wild cards in addition to 10 qualifiers but, again, it is only set to be a minor change.

One of Europe’s biggest Ryder Cup stars, Graeme McDowell, has played down the impact reducing captain’s picks will have, saying “it’s no big deal”, while online betting tips writers feel the impact will be minimal.

And that may be the best way to judge any changes because one thing is certain, both sides will still have the best, most in-form players on board for Gleneagles no matter the eventual selection process each captain opts for.