Nicklaus favoured to win

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33815, 11 April 1975, Page 22

Nicklaus favoured to win

Z Press A ssit—Copy right > AUGUSTA (Georgia). Goiters and bookmakers agree -Jack Mcklaus is the man to beat in the thirty-ninth Masters golf tournament, which starts today.

“I could win. Johnny Miller could win. Gary Player is always tough. Lee Trevino is a great player.” Tom Weiskopf observed.

"But if I was a betting man and I was told I could pick only one man out of the field, that man would be Jack Nicklaus." Weiskopf. a front-running winner in his last start and one of the leading contenders for the famed F green jacket that goes to r the victor in this event, said, “Jack is just a phenomena) man.” Miller, who has set spectacular marks in the last 18 months, echoed Weiskopfs sentiments.

“Jack is the greatest player who ever lived.” Miller said.

Mcklaus is listed by Nevada’s) legal bookmakers as a 3-1 favourite to gain a record fifth Masters title. Weiskopf. who has finished second three times but has yet to win on the beautifully conditioned. 7020-1 ard par-72 Augusta National Golf Club course, is second at 6-1. Miller, who took three early season titles and is the year’s leading moneywinner: the United States open winner, Hale Ir- ” win: and the defending Masters champion, Gary’ Player, of South Africa, are at 8-1 on the line established by a Reno bookmaker. Play er’s odds may change. He was forced to quit practice on Tuesday after a mild case of food poisoning, but reported he is “fit and readv." Trevino is at 12-1. Trevino has declined invitations to the Masters on several occasions, contending he) cannot play the hillyl course. But he took the P.G.A. national championship late last season, and with earlier triumphs in the ” United States and British * opens. he needs only a 3 Masters green iacket to complete a career sweep of the world’s four major titles. Arnold Palmer, now a greying 45. is listed at 25-1.