Columnist Peter Benton: Take your pick at the Masters winner

Peter Benton

Wednesday, April 10, 2002 | 9:38 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

Here we are with our first Major event for 2002, the fabled Masters Tournament, which begins Thursday in Augusta, Ga.

As is my norm, listed below are my selections and odds:

Retief Goosen, 5-1: Possibly the most cool, calm and collected pro on Tour, notched his third victory of the year last week. Our current U.S. Open champion is oozing confidence and will surely do well over this pristine layout.

Vijay Singh, 7-1: The 2000 Masters Champion is playing solid golf, as his win in last month's Shell Houston Open proved. His length off the tee will be an asset.

Tiger Woods, 8-1: Though the defending champion has only one trip to the winner's circle this year, he can never be counted out as his game has no shortcomings.

Jose Maria Olazabal, 10-1: Has has driver sorted out, and though not particularly long off the tee, if the conditions are dry and with his incredible short game -- well, look out.

Ernie Els, 10-1: Though he has not won a major since the 1997 U.S. Open, the "Big Easy" has a new approach which is obviously working. He's long off the tee and has a deft touch around and on the greens. Three wins on three continents so far this year.

Sergio Garcia, 12-1: Brilliant young Spaniard won the year-opening Mercedes Championship which featured only winners of 2001. If his putting is on, he will contend.

Phil Mickelson, 12-1: Has the length and the short game but his putting of late has been questionable. Long overdue to win his first major title.

David Toms, 14-1: Our current PGA champion is Mr. Consistency and rarely gets ruffled -- a definite asset on this layout.

Scott Hoch, 15-1: Let this one get away years ago, but a truly competitive player with a lot of desire.

Darren Clarke, 15-1: This burly Irishman goes about his business in a quiet and methodical manner, but underneath has a killer instinct.

Chris DiMarco, 18-1: Invariably unheralded, this young man has "come of age" and won his third PGA Tour victory in January's Phoenix Open.

Scott McCarron, 20-1: Though winless this year, is invariably in the hunt. Playing very well.

Colin Montgomerie, 22-1: Would love to see the big Scot win a major, as no doubt he would also. Appears to have come to grips with the odd loudmouth louts in the galleries and seems to be playing well enough to win.

Brad Faxon, 25-1: One of the best putters on tour, who, though without a win this year, is playing -- and putting -- particularly well.

Tom Lehman, 35-1: Has done very little this season, but is definitely a contender. Second here in '94 and sixth in 2000.