Ernie Els has been instilled as the +175 favorite to win in the South African Group at this year's US Masters.  But Els has stiff competition in the 2008 US Masters where Retief Goosen is looking to become the top South African. 

Els has been one of the top professional players in the world since the mid-1990s. A former World No. 1, he is known as "The Big Easy", for his imposing physical stature (he stands 1.90 metres) along with his fluid, seemingly effortless golf swing.

On March 2, 2008, Els won the Honda Classic contested at PGA National's Championship Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Els shot a final round 67 in tough windy conditions, which was enough to give him the win by one stroke over Luke Donald. The win marked the end of a three and a half year long stretch without a win on the PGA Tour for Els. The win was his 16th PGA Tour victory of his career.

Goosen's main achievements have been two U.S. Open wins (in 2001 and 2004), and heading the European Tour Order of Merit (money list) in 2001 and 2002.

Sportingbet.com offered South African Group winner betting odds, accepting most currencies including the South African Rand

Decimal Odds

Ernie Els 2.75
Retief Goosen 3.00
Rory Sabbatini 6.50
Tim Clark 7.50
Trevor Immelman 11.00
Richard Sterne 17.00
Gary Player 501.00

American Odds

Ernie Els +175
Retief Goosen +200
Rory Sabbatini +550
Tim Clark +650
Trevor Immelman +1000
Richard Sterne +1600
Gary Player +50000

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Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com

Originally published April 8, 2008 11:24 am EST