Lee Westwood leads the field at Augusta after carding a first-round 67
Westwood gets Masters charge off to perfect start
PUNTERS who backed Lee Westwood to be at the head of affairs after the first round of the Masters were celebrating after the Worksop Wonder carded an almost faultless 67 at Augusta on Thursday.
Westwood, who was runner-up to Phil Mickelson in 2010, hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation and enjoyed a one-shot lead over former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and Swede Peter Hanson before the second round started on Friday.
He was 25-1 with BetVictor and Ladbrokes to be leading after 18 holes and i generally available at 4-1 to be presented with the coveted Green Jacket on Sunday.
US Open champion Rory McIlroy is four shots behind after rescuing his round with two closing birdies and is second favourite at 6-1, while four-time winner Tiger Woods is 8-1 after carding a level-par 72.
Three-time champion Mickelson has plenty of work to do after a disappointing 74 and he is 33-1 with Boylesports to win the tournament.
The Masters - best prices: 4 L Westwood (general), 6 R McIlroy (Coral, Ladbrokes), 8 T Woods (general), 16 B Watson (general), L Oosthuizen (general), 28 K Bradley (general), P Hanson (Betfred, Boylesports, Paddy Power), 33 P Mickelson (Boylesports), J Dufner (general), 40 J Rose (bet365), H Mahan (general).
