3 Apr 2012

Woods in top shape and favourite with bookies for Masters bid

7:31 am on 3 April 2012

Most of the leading contenders for the first of golf's major championships have arrived in Augusta to prepare for the Masters, for which Tiger Woods is again one of the favourites.

Woods ended a two-and-a-half year drought on the PGA tour with victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational two weeks ago, and after playing another nine holes at Augusta on Monday he delared himself 100 percent fit and ready to bid for his 15th major title.

The world's biggest bookmaker William Hill has made the resurgent Woods a clear favourite to win the Masters.

The 36-year-old has been made the favourite at $5.50 ahead of the US Open champion Rory McIlroy at $7.

Phil Mickelson's third favourite at $13, and the next three are a trio of Englishmen, the world number one Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Justin Rose.

Woods hasn't won a major since the 2008 US Open, but he's finished fourth equal at the last two Masters.