Sports Ladder (8th April-14th April)

UP - Liverpool - If you had said to me at the start of the season that Liverpool would win the Premier League I would probably have laughed at you. This Sunday, a 3-2 victory over Manchester City has left fate entirely in their own hands now though, as if they win their remaining four games they win their first title in the Premier League era. Not only do they thoroughly deserve it but as an Englishman nothing would please me more than to see Gerrard collect a winners medal.

UP - Bubba Watson - An emotional Bubba Watson earned himself a second green jacket this week after a marvellous Masters victory in Augusta. The big hitting American played a masterful weekend to win for the second time in three years, the first player to do this since Phil Mickelson in 2006. His all-guns-blazing approach won him yet more fans as he successfully held off the challenge of rookies Jordan Spieth and Jonas Blixt to celebrate with an eight under par victory.


UP - Sir Dave Brailsford - It comes with a heavy heart that Sir Dave Brailsford has had to step down from his position as performance director of British cycling. This decision comes after he led Team GB to sixteen medals across the last two Olympic games, a remarkable feat from the man so focused on detail. We will still see his face dotted around as he takes on a more permanent role with Team Sky where he has already won two yellow jerseys with Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome.


UP - Manny Pacquiao - This week Manny Pacquiao fought hard to claim yet another title in his eighth different weight division. Pacquaio added his 56th victory to his illustrious career with a points victory over Timothy Bradley. The Filipino was in control throughout much of the bout and gained revenge for his controversial 2012 defeat to Bradley. His welterweight title now frees the path for a reopening of negotiation between his camp and Floyd Mayweather's for the potential fight of the century.


UP - Zoe Smith - A story that slipped quietly under the radar as weightlifter Zoe Smith became only the second British woman ever to gain a European medal as she claimed bronze in Tel Aviv. Smith's achievement is all the more impressive considering she was competing in just her first competition since London 2012 after a serious of injuries kept her out for well over a year. Smith will now turn her head towards the Commonwealth games in Glasgow next year.


DOWN - The Sunday Sun - Say what you want about the Sun, it may have a bad reputation for various reasons, but what a hilarious headline on the back page of the paper this Sunday. After Alan Pardew criticised the media for his sides disappointing form, the Sun responded by listing Pardew's defeats and also his headbutt on David Meyler and taking rather sarcastic credit for these actions. My respect levels for the Sun definitely went up after this little escapade.

DOWN - Mo Farah - So we were all going to love Mo regardless of his result in the Marathon, but after he built up his own chances so highly it was inevitable that there was a little bit of disappointment when he failed to finish in the top three. Farah crossed the line in a credible eighth place but failed to beat the British record that he desperately wanted, finishing over a minute slower than Steve Jones' record. It may be sometime before we see another MoBot.

DOWN - Chris Hughton - Another one bites the dust. Premier League managers have been dropping like flies this season and another one has met their unfortunate fate this week as Chris Hughton joined the casuality list. On Monday he was sacked by the board with just five games to go including Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal so its going to be a tough job for step-in coach Neil Adams. For me this is the right decision at completely the wrong time.

DOWN - Masters Favourites - Another fantastic Masters tournament comes to an end but this one will go down as the tournament of the outsiders. Tied in second was a pair of rookies, Jordan Spieth and Jonas Blixt and the veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez was in fourth. Hardly names we were expecting to see there and even Bubba Watson was not spoken about in the build up despite winning two years ago. Another poor tournament for Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson and the likes. We are definitely in the years of the underdog.

DOWN - Barcelona - Talk about the wheels coming off. After an enforced eighteen month transfer embargo last week, Barcelona proved that this was a monumental problem after effectively dropping out of two competitions. The midweek defeat to Atletico Madrid meant Barcelona failed to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2007. They then followed this up with a 1-0 loss to Granada to fall four points behind Atletico Madrid. It seems that the Catalans are crumbling.

The Masters Final Day: Who Can Win?

The Masters. The greatest spectacle in the world of golf. The world's most elite golfers have gathered and after 56 holes we have a reasonable idea of who the main contenders are. With thirteen players separated by just four shots there is so much to play for going into the final 18 holes. So this article will look at who are the front runners going into this evenings final events.

The Contenders

Name: Jordan Spieth

Age: 20

Score: -5 (71-70-70)

Previous Best Masters Performance: Debut

Jordan Spieth has probably been the outstanding performer at this year’s Masters so far and has certainly been the stand-out rookie. The young American has not let the course or the occasion phase him as he has steadily and consecutively shot under par. Not only that, but his demeanor both on and off the course has been that of someone years beyond his age and experience. If Spieth wins he will become the youngest ever winner of the Masters, eclipsing the record set by Tiger Woods and with Watson suffering an error-prone Saturday there is every chance it could happen. Co-leader heading into the final day it will be intriguing to see how Spieth copes with the pressure.

Name: Bubba Watson

Age: 35

Score: -5 (69-68-74)

Previous Best Masters Performance: Winner (2012)

After a disappointing attempt to defend his 2012 Masters green jacket last year, Bubba is back. The only man to not bogey a single hole on Thursday coupled with five consecutive birdies on the back nine of Friday left Bubba flying high going into the weekend. But leading a tournament is not his strong point, with just one win of his eight weekend leads he will be hoping to put a disappointing Saturday behind him as he searches for his second green jacket. But if he is to do that in amongst a tough field, he will have to conjure up some of that Bubba magic that earned him his first.

Name: Matt Kuchar

Age: 35

Score: -4 (73-71-68)

Previous Best Masters Performance: T-3 (2012)

Another 35-year old American sits at the top of the bunch as Matt Kuchar is currently positioned just one shot off the lead. Kuchar is no stranger to being in the thick of it on the final day of the Masters, as two top ten finishes in the last two years will tell you. After a rather sluggish start to the week an excellent Saturday will give him the confidence to drive forward and claim his maiden Masters title. In last weekends preparatory tournament in Houston Kuchar finished second after a playoff defeat to the Australian Matt Jones. Can he go one better this week in Augusta?

Name: Jonas Blixt

Age: 29

Score: -4 (70-71-71)

Previous Best Masters Performance: Debut

Of all the contenders for this years green jacket, Blixt is the wildcard. Like Spieth, Blixt is making his Masters debut and is certainly picking some fans up on the way. His aggressive style of play means he makes a number of bogeys but also a fair few more birdies, leaving him with three below par rounds under his belt. This is not Blixt’s first ever major though. Last year he put together a composed round at the PGA Championship, finishing fourth and demonstrating that he has the tools to remain consistent throughout a major championship. Another debutant in with a great chance of a maiden major.

Name: Miguel Angel Jimenez

Age: 50

Score: -3 (71-76-66)

Previous Best Masters Performance: T-8 (2008)

Miguel Angel Jimenez stands in stark contrast to the two rookies mentioned above as he made his Masters debut twenty years ago next year. The cigar-wielding Spaniard has rolled back the years this week to currently sit in his strongest ever-Masters position of tied fifth as he still searches for that elusive major. A second round 76 meant he barely made the cut but some scintillating swinging on Saturday left him with a six under par 66 propelling him right into the thick of things. With plenty of experience on his side can Jimenez put together a super Sunday to claim a European green jacket?

Name: Rickie Fowler

Age: 25

Score: -3 (71-75-67)

Previous Best Masters Performance: T-27 (2012)

Since his Rookie of the Year award in 2010 Zac Efron’s doppleganger, Rickie Fowler,  has promised much but delivered little when it comes to majors and especially at Augusta where he has struggled to ever challenge at the top of the leaderboard. However, now making his fourth appearance at the Masters, Fowler might finally be getting to grips with the course, a silky 67 on Saturday epitomizing this. Whilst he may not necessarily have the mental game to take this year’s green jacket, he will certainly light up our evening on the final day with his glowing trademark orange jumpsuit.

The Dark Horses

Name: Lee Westwood

Age: 40

Score: -2 (73-71-70)

Previous Best Masters Performance: 2^nd (2010)

Its been a performance we have become accustomed to seeing from Lee Westwood throughout his career; steady, solid and consistent. Perhaps unsurprisingly Westwood has dropped less shots than any of the players above him in the leaderboard. However, If Lee is to put forward a serious challenge on the final day, he needs to convert some of these ever-present par’s into birdies. But at the end of the day, if anyone deserves a major, its Lee Westwood.

Name: Jim Furyk

Age: 43

Score: -2 (74-68-72)

Previous Best Masters Performance: 4^th (1998, 2003)

Despite a marvellous Friday round of 68 which contained no bogeys whatsoever, Jim Furyk has barely received a mention in the press. This seems remarkable considering he is a proven dangerman with a US Open title under his belt and a 2^nd place at last years PGA Championship proving he still has the game to mix it with the best. Don’t be surprised to see him creep up the leaderboard as the evening progresses.

Name: Thomas Bjorn

Age: 43

Score: -2 (73-68-73)

Previous Best Masters Performance: T-18 (2002)

It has been a tournament of ‘what if’s’ for the veteran Dane so far this year as he, like so many others, seeks his maiden major. He got a brief glimpse of Augusta glory when he co-lead on Saturday but a spat of three bogeys meant he fell away into the evening. If Bjorn is to have success on a course that has never been kind to him, then a masterful round needs to be shot on Sunday.

Name: Justin Rose

Age: 33

Score: -1 (76-70-69)

Previous Best Masters Performance: T-5 (2007)

If it had not been for such a hideous opening round then the current US Open champion would be well in the hunt for his second major. Unfortunately his opening round of 76 has left the Hampshire-born star with plenty of catching up to do. Rounds of 70 and 69 have pushed him under par for the tournament but something even better will be required if he is to claim his first green jacket.

Name: Kevin Stadler

Age: 34

Score: -1 (70-73-72)

Previous Best Masters Performance: Debut

Like father like son? Kevin Stadler, son of former Masters winner Craig Stadler, is another fresh face to the Masters scene as the 34-year-old American makes his Masters debut. Stadler has certainly attacked the course in his first year with just the one par across Amen Corner’s three holes in his opening three rounds. The green jacket might be beyond him but his father will be proud of his debut regardless.

Name: Fred Couples

Age: 54

Score: -1 (71-71-73)

Previous Best Masters Performance: Winner (1992)

They say wine gets better with age and in that sense Fred Couples is certainly a very fine wine. It may be 22 years since his only Masters victory but we have become well accustomed to seeing the veteran in amongst the front runners on the final day as he has finished inside the top fifteen in every one of the last four years. Can Couples outfox all of his young compatriots?

Name: John Senden

Age: 42

Score: -1 (72-68-75)

Previous Best Masters Performance: T-35 (2013)

Australian John Senden has made the cut only once before in his four Masters appearances but yesterday found himself in the final pairing after a marvellous four under par 68 on Friday. However Senden seemed to struggle with the pressure and will probably prefer being away from the lead and out of the limelight. Will he depart Sunday with a shiny new green jacket though? I don’t think so.

The Long-Shots

Gary Woodland – At one point yesterday Woodland was four under par after picking up seven shots from just ten holes. Unfortunately Amen Corner became his undoing as he collapsed to level par.

Ian Poulter – Like his national compatriot Rose, Poulter's tournament was ruined by a disappointing first round of 76. Would have to have an excellent round and rely on the dropped shots of others.

Kevin Streelman – There or there abouts for much of the week but just not quite had the class to convert a steady run into an excellent run. Expect a solid top twenty finish.

Adam Scott – Looked in brilliant form after Thursday becoming the first defending champion to shoot sub-70 since Vijay Singh in 2000. Faded as the week has progressed and unlikely to retain.